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The January transfer window is open and with the new year comes a chance for clubs to monitor the market after assessing their options to strengthen or trim their numbers to boost spending this month.
While the acquisition of elite players or long-term targets is less common in the mid-season window, it is not completely out of the question, with the saga surrounding Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo expected to reach its climax in the coming weeks or possibly days.
The 25-year-old has been linked with moves to every Premier League big hitter but Manchester City are now leading the race for the player, whose £65m release clause becomes active in January, and may have played his last game for the Cherries after playing the full match of Bournemouth’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal.
Elsewhere, Tottenham’s Europa League winner Brennan Johnson has completed a £35m move to Crystal Palace, while Eagles skipper Marc Guehi remains of interest to Arne Slot after his deadline day move to Liverpool collapsed. The England international is about to enter the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, giving Palace one last chance to cash in if they choose to, though the Reds may pursue a different defensive option after being linked with Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez.
And Chelsea have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca after 18 months in charge of the club, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior tipped as the frontrunner to replace him at Stamford Bridge.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Brighton chief confirms Carlos Baleba stance
Brighton chairman Paul Barber says there are no plans to sell midfielder Carlos Baleba during the January transfer window amid reports of Manchester United reigniting their interest.
“No call from Old Trafford, no call from anyone connected to Manchester United,” Barber told talkSPORT.
“We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos in this window or any future window. We know that he’s a talented player and he’s got a lot of options ahead of him in the future.
“But for us right now he’s an important player in the second half of the season and we’re looking forward to getting him back from Afcon.”
(AFP/Getty)
Will Castle4 January 2026 00:00
Sean Dyche remains tight-lipped over potential Arnaud Kalimuendo exit
Sean Dyche refused to comment over the potential exit of Arnaud Kalimuendo from Nottingham Forest, who is reported to be nearing a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt.
“He is a Forest footballer, he plays for us,” Dyche said.
“There are always rumours. Any decisions will be from the club and not the players.”
Will Castle3 January 2026 23:00
Paris FC interested in Issa Diop
Paris FC are interested in Fulham defender Issa Diop, according to L’Equipe.
The club are looking for an experienced centre-back and have targeted Frenchman Diop, who is under contract with Fulham until 2027.
The former West Ham man started his senior career in Ligue 1 with Toulouse.
Will Castle3 January 2026 22:00
Potential Chelsea managerial target rules out move
Porto manager Francesco Farioli has put a stop to any speculation surrounding his future amid links to the vacant Chelsea position.
In his press conference ahead of Porto’s league trip to Santa Clara on Sunday, head coach Farioli said: “There is no doubt [I am staying], never been a doubt in fact.
“If I go back to my previous experiences, at Nice and last season in Ajax, for me it has never been a topic to leave in the middle of the season. It is not something that stays in my mind.
“And, here in Porto, I do believe that there is also, in terms of connection and relationship with the president, with the club, something more and something deeper.
“So, from my side, I am totally committed to the club, totally connected to the reality we are in.”
(REUTERS)
Will Castle3 January 2026 21:30
Manchester United’s transfer shortlist
Sky Sports have detailed a variety of names that are on Manchester United’s shortlist for 2026, with the club set to prioritise the signing of one or maybe two top central midfielders.
- Carlos Baleba, Brighton
- Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest
- Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace
- Joao Gomes, Wolves
- Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace
- Yan Diomade, RB Leipzig
- Jeremy Jacquet, Rennes
- Ayyoub Bouaddi, Lille
- Christos Mouzakitis, Olympiakos
Ruben Amorim does not expect Manchester United reinforcements at Old Trafford this month (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)
Will Castle3 January 2026 21:00
Unai Emery ready to be ‘competitive’ in the transfer window
Unai Emery revealed that he wants to make Aston Villa ‘competitive’ in the transfer market after getting his side back to winning ways against Nottingham Forest.
“We signed Alysson. I try to always be alert in case we can sign someone to help us,” Emery told Sky Sports.
“Of course I am so happy at how the players are responding, we’ll see how we are going to respond to the transfer window in January.
“But for the players we have, they are the most important. We are always competitive in the transfer window.”
Will Castle3 January 2026 20:30
Is this it for Antoine Semenyo at Bournemouth?
Antoine Semenyo may have played his last game for Bournemouth, with the winger seemingly Man City-bound.
He was seen applauding the crowd after his side came out on the losing end of a five-goal thriller with league leaders Arsenal.
On his future, Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook said: “It’s part of football. Players come and go, whatever happens with Semenyo.
“He’s a top professional and gives everything for the team. We’ll see what happens but we can reflect on today and take it into next week.”
However, Andoni Iraola wasn’t so vague – he still believes Semenyo has more games to play in black and red.
“The situation hasn’t changed. I expect him to play the next one,” he said. “There is a lot of noise, I can’t control that. Antoine is our player and until I am told he is not he will continue playing.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Will Castle3 January 2026 20:08
Bristol City set for cash windfall from Antoine Semenyo deal
Bristol City are set to earn £11m should Antoine Semenyo complete his move to Manchester City, according to The Times.
Semenyo signed for Bournemouth from Bristol City in January 2023 and his former club included a 20 percent sell-on clause in the £10.5m deal, meaning they will be entitled to a good portion of the £65m that the Cherries are expected to secure.
(Getty)
Will Castle3 January 2026 20:00
Xabi Alonso refuses to rule out transfer activity for Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso has insisted he is happy with his Real Madrid squad but has not ruled out the possibility of his side dipping into the market this month.
“We always have to be on the lookout in the transfer market. We’re happy with the squad, but we must be attentive,” the Spaniard said, who has been under pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu.
(AP)
Will Castle3 January 2026 19:30
Joao Palhinha wants to stay but Spurs undecided
Tottenham have not yet decided whether to opt for a permanent deal to sign Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha, according to Teamtalk.
The Portugal midfielder has made it clear he wants to stay beyond this season and has a reported £26m buy option.
His future could hinge on how the rest of the season pans out for Thomas Frank.
(PA Wire)
Will Castle3 January 2026 19:00