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January transfer news LIVE: Chelsea sign Benoit Badiashile from Monaco as Man Utd target Joao Felix

michael jones
·16 min read

Manchester United could build on their current Premier League form by making a loan signing for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix. While Chelsea appear ready to spend heavily in the Premier League’s transfer window this month as Todd Boehly looks to back Graham Potter in this new era at Stamford Bridge.

After signing Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana, Chelsea could move for Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez, although Benfica are keen to hold onto their player, which could lead the Blues back to Brighton and Moises Caicedo.

They’ve also been linked with a late hijack for Arsenal target and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhailo Mudryk.

It promises to be a busy month, with Liverpool already completing a £35m deal for Cody Gakpo from PSV but Jurgen Klopp may now move for a midfielder after more troubling signs in the loss to Brentford.

Follow all the latest January transfer rumours and confirmed news below:

Transfer News

Chelsea sign Benoit Badiashile from Monaco on seven-and-a-half year deal

14:13 , Jack Rathborn

Chelsea have signed Benoit Badiashile from Monaco fro £35m.

The 21-year-old centre-back has penned a seven-and-a-half year contract with the Blues.

Transfer window preview: What each Premier League club needs this January

13:55 , Jack Rathborn

Everton

Frank Lampard desperately needs goals, to save his job and Everton from Premier League relegation. Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray are Everton’s top scorers this season with three each and Lampard cannot rely on Dominic Calvert-Lewin rediscovering his fitness and form over the second half of the campaign. Everton tried to sign the Ajax and Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus in August but his performances since in the Champions League and World Cup have seemed to put him out of reach.

Need: Striker, forward

Linked with: Mohammed Kudus, Ismaila Sarr, Anthony Elanga

Fulham

Marco Silva’s side have impressed this season and will want to kick on over the second half of the campaign. Fulham have a settled team with good variety in attack, but they have been strongly linked with Arsenal’s Cedric Soares and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure as they look to improve their options at right back and central midfield.

Need: Right back, central midfielder

Linked with: Cedric, Abdoulaye Doucoure

Outgoings?

Leeds United

Another Premier League side who may be forced to spend a bit more in order to fight off relegation, Jesse Marsch is on the lookout for a forward as he looks to keep Leeds up. Rodrigo has nine Premier League goals and Crysencio Summerville looks to be a revelation, but Leeds have yet to find a replacement for Patrick Bamford since his fitness troubles. Leeds were close to signing Cody Gakpo in the summer but the move collapsed and the 23-year-old is now on his way to Liverpool. Elsewhere, left back remains a problem position with Pascal Struijk having to fill in for Junior Firpo so far this season.

Need: Left back, forward

Linked with: Maximilian Wober

What does each Premier League club need this January transfer window?

Spurs and Napoli hijacking Azzedine Ounahi deal

13:40 , Jack Rathborn

Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi seriously impressed during the World Cup and looks to have secured a move to either the Premier League or Serie A after helping guide his national side to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Leicester had appeared to be in pole position to land the 22-year-old after making an official bid to Ligue 1 club, Angers, but the French side are hoping to spark a bidding war for a final fee of around £35million.

Ounahi has interest from several European clubs including Italy’s Napoli with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, claiming the club have received a green light to begin talks after getting a ‘yes’ from Ounahi’s camp.

That report also states that Tottenham are ‘meddling’ to try and hijack any deal that would take him to Italy after stepping up their interest in signing the midfielder.

Newcastle in talks for Ivan Fresneda

13:25 , Jack Rathborn

Newcastle remain in talks with Real Vallodolid over the signing of right-back Ivan Fresneda.

The Magpies are in the market for a young right-back with the 18-year-old fiting the profile and said to be flattered by the interest by the interest from St James’ Park.

Newcastle want to recruit someone who can learn from Kieran Trippier and eventually become a key player in the team but may have to fork out for Fresneda whose contract is up in 2025.

Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal chiefs they ‘cannot waste any window’

13:10 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal cannot waste any opportunity to strengthen their small squad as they seek to continue as the Premier League’s pacesetters.

The table-topping Gunners’ title charge suffered a minor setback on Tuesday as they missed the chance to move 10 points clear following a fractious goalless draw with Newcastle.

Manager Arteta has used only 12 players in his three starting XIs since the World Cup, with his options depleted by the injury absences of attacking duo Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe.

The Spaniard, who was furious not to be awarded two second-half penalties in the Magpies stalemate, says the club are working to recruit reinforcements this month.

Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal chiefs they ‘cannot waste any window’

Transfer window preview: What each Premier League club needs this January

12:55 , Jack Rathborn

Brighton

The Seagulls will have had a successful window if they don’t lose anyone this January. Brighton had an excellent World Cup, and they had one of the players of the tournament in Alexis Mac Allister, but it also came at a cost. Their star players have grown in profile, with Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Leandro Trossard reportedly wanted by some of the biggest clubs in Europe, but Brighton are also in a good position and won’t be bullied in the market. If Roberto De Zerbi can keep his squad together, a top-six finish could be possible this season.

Need: Striker, central midfielder

Linked with: Jose Cifuentes, Davide Frattesi, Mykola Matviyenko

Chelsea

The Blues come into their second transfer window under Todd Boehly still requiring reinforcements in several areas, despite spending around £270m last summer. Graham Potter’s side have been short of goals this season and will search for a regular scorer, as well as strengthening their midfield and defensive options. Injuries to Armando Broja and, more significantly, Reece James may also impact their plans. The Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile appears to be their first target, with Chelsea set to agree a £35m transfer for the 21-year-old centre back. Striker David Datro Fofana has also been signed from Molde.

Need: Forward, central midfield, left-sided defender

Linked with: Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku, Josko Gvardiola, Declan Rice, Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao

Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha has entered the final six months of his Crystal Palace contract, with the two sides no closer to agreeing an extension. The Eagles do not seem desperate to sell, even if it means Zaha goes for free in the summer. Patrick Vieira could look to sign Zaha’s replacement now, while the squad needs strengthening overall with several other players, including James McArthur and Joel Ward, also out of contract in the summer.

Need: Forward, right back, central midfield

Linked with: Aaron Wan Bissaka, Djibril Sow

What does each Premier League club need this January transfer window?

Man Utd interested in Jack Butland as cover for David de Gea

12:40 , Jack Rathborn

Manchester United are interested in signing former England goalkeeper Jack Butland to provide cover for David de Gea.

United are searching for a new second-string goalkeeper after Newcastle recalled Martin Dubravka from his loan at Old Trafford.

And Butland, whose Crystal Palace contract expires in the summer, has emerged as an option, potentially on loan or a short-term deal.

The 29-year-old, who has won nine England caps, is yet to play for Palace this season after Sam Johnstone’s arrival relegated him to third-choice goalkeeper.

Man Utd interested in Jack Butland as cover for David de Gea

Transfer window preview: What each Premier League club needs this January

12:25 , Jack Rathborn

Arsenal

The injury to Gabriel Jesus has left Arsenal looking short in attacking areas and whether they pull off a bold January signing could be the difference between sustaining their title challenge or falling away later in the season. The Premier League leaders have submitted an opening bid of £55m for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the Ukrainian side insisting his price is much higher, at around £85m. Arsenal tried to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa on the final day of the summer window and may revive their interest in a central midfielder, with Adrien Rabiot and Youri Tielemans linked.

Need: Forward, central midfield

Linked with: Mykhaylo Mudryk, Marco Asensio, Joao Felix, Adrien Rabiot, Youri Tielemans

Aston Villa

Unai Emery will want to bring in some new faces in his first window, with central defence a key area that requires improvement. Aston Villa have looked short in that position since Diego Carlos suffered a long-term injury earlier in the season and, although the Spaniard is nearing a return, Pau Torres has been linked. Aston Villa are also said to be interested in another former Emery man from Villarreal in the winger Arnaut Danjuma. Meanwhile, World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has seen his profile increase and has been linked with Bayern Munich following Manuel Neuer’s season-ending leg injury.

Need: Centre-back, winger

Linked with: Arnaut Danjuma, Pau Torres

Bournemouth

Backed by new owners, Bournemouth may be more active in the next month than they were in the summer transfer window, where Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier were the only signings who cost a fee.

Need: Central midfield, left back

Linked with: Noa Lang

Brentford

With Ivan Toney charged by the FA over 262 alleged breaches of betting rules, Brentford are facing a nervous wait over whether the striker will be hit with a lengthy ban this season. If Toney is ruled out, Brentford could be forced into the market for a replacement striker, given that Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa would be left as their remaining options.

Need: Striker

Linked with: Viktor Gyokeres, Kevin Schade

What does each Premier League club need this January transfer window?

Alexis Mac Allister in no rush to leave Brighton after World Cup success

12:10 , Jack Rathborn

Alexis Mac Allister has insisted he is in no rush to leave Brighton after helping Argentina to World Cup glory.

Mac Allister has only just returned to Sussex after a fortnight in his homeland celebrating his nation’s success in Qatar but, with the transfer window now open, speculation about his future is likely to ramp up.

The 24-year-old has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea since raising his stock considerably with some fine displays at the World Cup, but he signed a new Brighton contract in October committing his future until 2025, and has said he is happy on the south coast.

“I try not to read too much (speculation),” Mac Allister said on Albion TV. “I always say I am happy here, I don’t have any rush to leave. I feel really good, I’m really grateful with this club, my team-mates and all the people who work here. I’m just focused on the next game and this club.

Alexis Mac Allister in no rush to leave Brighton after World Cup success

Erik ten Hag says Man Utd will not ‘burn’ cash on signing who cannot make impact

11:55 , Jack Rathborn

Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United will not burn through cash to sign a new striker.

The Old Trafford chief wants value for money for any January reinforcements.

Ten Hag confirmed last month he wanted to sign a striker after Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit but, having seen Cody Gakpo move to Liverpool, vowed United will not waste their funds on players who do not improve the team.

“You need one who can have an impact otherwise you are just burning money, you don’t strengthen the squad and it doesn’t help you,” he said, ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Bournemouth.

Erik ten Hag says Man Utd will not ‘burn’ cash on signing who cannot make impact

Graham Potter opts to ‘dodge’ transfer talk as Chelsea boss looks for ‘steps forward’ against Man City

11:40 , Jack Rathborn

Chelsea boss Graham Potter does not want to fuel transfer rumours by commenting on reported targets.

The Blues have been linked with several players in the January transfer window as they try and get their Premier League top-four hopes back on track after a poor first half of the season.

They are reported to be in talks with Benfica over a move for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, while Andrey Santos, Benoit Badiashile, Joao Felix and most recently Mykhailo Mudryk have all been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

Ivory Coast international David Datro Fofana is already through the door following his move from Molde.

Potter opts to ‘dodge’ transfer talk as Chelsea boss looks for ‘steps forward’

Chelsea’s Bethany England joins Tottenham in record Super League deal

11:25 , Jack Rathborn

Bethany England has joined Tottenham from Chelsea in what is reported to be a record deal for the Women’s Super League.

The 28-year-old England striker moves to Spurs after spending seven years at Chelsea, where she scored 74 goals in 163 appearances.

“My next chapter. I’m so excited to join Tottenham Women,” England posted on her personal Twitter account.

“Buzzing to meet up with the girls and get started at this great club. Let’s write some history together!”

England also posted a message to Chelsea fans, saying: “It has been the biggest honour to play for this amazing club that has been my home for the past seven years.

Chelsea’s Bethany England joins Tottenham in record Super League deal

David Moyes endures storm as West Ham recruits threaten to erode foundation of progress

11:10 , Jack Rathborn

And so the club who spent £160 million in the summer will begin their FA Cup campaign with as many wins against Danish opposition as against English clubs this season. Suffice to say this is not how West Ham planned the season to go. An evening spent veering in and out of the drop zone was a throwback to unhappier times.

For David Moyes, the only West Ham manager ever to secure back-to-back top-seven finishes in the top flight, the bottom three assumes a greater significance now. A frenetic draw at Leeds halted a run of five straight defeats.

It also meant West Ham have only won five of their last 25 league games. The Hammers may have fewer funds after the biggest spending spree in their history but Moyes thinks he should have credit in the bank with his employers. “There are a lot of things that have happened in the last two-and-a-half years that probably give them the confidence to think they’ve got a manager they can trust and they can work with,” Moyes said.

Moyes endures storm as West Ham recruits threaten to erode foundation of progress

Liverpool to hold off pursuit of Wolves star Matheus Nunes

10:55 , Jack Rathborn

Liverpool will not pursue a move for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes this month.

That’s because the Reds cannot move for the Portuguese star this month under Fifa transfer regulations.

Nunes could only play for Jurgen Klopp’s side next season after moving to Molineux from Sporting Lisbon in August, report the Express.

Aston Villa reject Everton loan offer for Danny Ings

10:40 , Jack Rathborn

Aston Villa have rejected Everton’s offer to sign Danny Ings on loan.

Unai Emery could still lose the English forward, 30, but the Midlands club will only sanction his departure permanently.

Ings is also a target for Bournemouth, Southampton and West Ham, report the Mail.

Barcelona target Athletic defender Inigo Martinez as first summer signing

10:25 , Jack Rathborn

Barcelona could bolster their defence this summer with the expected signing of Inigo Martinez.

The Athletic star’s contract expires this summer with the Catalan giants eager to sign the 31-year-old on a free transfer.

Sport claim that Luis Enrique’s side have pushed twice previously to sign him but will finally pull it off this summer unless financial fair play regulations kick in.

Saints eye Villarreal midfielder to boost relegation battle

10:10 , Jack Rathborn

Southampton look to spend this month to boost Nathan Jones and his quest to avoid relegation.

The Saints are in talks to sign Villarreal midfielder Nicolas Jackson.

The Athletic report the 21-year-old Senegal international could join on loan with an option to buy in the summer.

Roberto Firmino poised to resist offers from Saudi Arabia to commit Liverpool future

09:55 , Jack Rathborn

Roberto Firmino has attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

But the 31-year-old Brazilian forward looks set to extend his contract with Liverpool instead.

Sky Germany insist talks are ongoing between the player and the Reds, with the player’s contract expiring this summer.

Chelsea ready to beat Arsenal to £88m transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk

09:40 , Jack Rathborn

Chelsea have made it clear they will trump any Arsenal offer for Shakhtar Donetsk‘s Mykhailo Mudryk, as the Stamford Bridge club continue to try and hijack one of the first major deals of the January window.

While a number of connected sources maintain that the highly-rated 21-year-old prefers Arsenal, especially as Mikel Arteta has outlined the attacker’s role in a burgeoning team, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy continue to feel “bullish” about business.

The only real remaining issue for Arsenal with Mudryk is the fee, since Shakhtar want €100million (£88m) and there is currently around €20m (£17.6m) difference in valuation, but Chelsea believe this is where they can yet take advantage of the situation.

Chelsea ready to beat Arsenal to Shakhtar’s £88m Mudryk

Real Madrid confident of securing Jude Bellingham signature

09:25 , Jack Rathborn

Real Madrid are pitching the club to Jude Bellingham as the “best place for young talent in Europe”, with the European champions increasingly confident they can win the signature of the 19-year-old in one of 2023’s biggest moves.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is expected to be the latest revelation to leave the Bundesliga this summer, with virtually every top club in Europe attempting to sign him. Liverpool have long been seen as the best-placed Premier League club, but Madrid are following the strategy that has been persuasive in building one of the best young squads in world football.

Their hierarchy are pointing to the signings of Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao and most recently Endrick as to how they represent the future of the game, and the best possible place for Bellingham’s talent.

Real Madrid confident of securing Jude Bellingham transfer

Chelsea see Enzo Fernandez bid knocked back by Benfica

09:11 , Jack Rathborn

Chelsea have seen their first offer for Benfica star Enzo Fernandez rejected.

The Mail report the Blues prefer to pay £112m across three years, while the Portuguese club are insisting on the 21-year-old’s £106m release clause paid in full.

Fernandez’s form at the World Cup has seen his valuation rocket with Chelsea in the market for a new midfielder to boost their new era under Graham Potter.

Man Utd and Atletico Madrid apart on Joao Felix loan valuation

09:04 , Jack Rathborn

Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are significantly apart on their loan valuation of Joao Felix.

The Red Devils would be willing to pay €4m euros (£3.5m) for the 23-year-old until the end of the current campaign.

But Relevo report that the Spanish club want €12-13m euros (£10.6m-£11.4m) to sanction a deal for Felix to depart temporarily in January.