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Which Premier League clubs could be busy in January transfer window? Arsenal and Manchester City ‘on alert’, Manchester United seek ‘solutions’

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Will Arsenal be seeking extra firepower?

Viktor Gyokeres scored just his fifth Premier League goal of the season – from the penalty spot – in Arsenal’s recent 1-0 victory at Everton.
That might not be the sort of return expected heading into January from a player signed for £63.5 million in the summer, and Mikel Arteta has hinted that he might dip into the market if the right player becomes available.
“We always have to be prepared,” the Arsenal boss said in December. “The moment that we have an option to touch the squad, to improve the squad, or to protect the squad, depending on what happens, I think we need to be open to it.

“From what is going to happen from here until the window is closed as well, is football. So, we don’t know, but we’re certainly going to be on alert and we know where the risk can come in terms of the squad and be ready just in case we have to do something.”

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‘He’s unbelievable’ – Arteta backs Jesus following striker’s return from injury

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According to Sky Sportssince the start of last season in the Premier League, no team has had more injuries than Arsenal, with The Gunners being the only side to have had more than 100 in the last 18 months.
The arrival of eight new faces in the summer was designed to tackle issues around squad depth, and those reinforcements are now proving vital – but whether Arteta looks to address the matter further given his team’s healthy position both in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League remains to be seen.

Injuries are easing with both Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz on the comeback trail, while Gabriel Jesus has returned from his long ACL lay-off, so Arsenal could well keep their powder dry in order not to impact their business next summer.

Not since 2023, when Leandro Trossard joined from Brighton – along with Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho – have Arsenal done any high-value business in the January window.

Amorim keen to avoid January mistakes

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has insisted the club will not rush into the transfer market to address their current injury problems, instead looking for solutions within the existing squad.

He made clear he would not pressure director of football Jason Wilcox or chief executive Omar Berrada to sign reinforcements.

“What we cannot do is to reach January and try to do everything in urgency and make mistakes and then (it’s) ‘here we go again’ with a lot of mistakes,” Amorim said following defeat by Aston Villa on December 21.

“I’m not going to get (together) with Jason and Omar and say: ‘We need a lot of players.’ Because we have a plan.

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‘That is not an issue’ – Amorim says Mainoo won’t be punished for brother’s T-shirt message

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“If we have to suffer, the club comes first. Of course, we are in a moment where we need points, but we also need to find solutions, and we will continue with our plan. You can feel in this moment that we are going to struggle, but we will see. We have to deal with it.”

The Guardian has reported that Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher are of interest, while Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams is another midfielder being monitored.
Earlier this month, Napoli and Bayern Munich were mentioned by the i Paper as the leading overseas sides interested in unsettled midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

There is also reported interest from Chelsea, West Ham and Everton as the player looks to secure regular first-team football.

Harry Maguire’s contract is up at the end of the season, while the club hold an option to extend Casemiro’s stay, but it may not be until the spring that a decision is made on either senior player.

Trafford staying in Manchester

Pep Guardiola has always viewed incomings during January as needing to suit the long-term ambitions of the club, as opposed to being short-term fixes.

Last year, Manchester City were very busy with Claudio Echeverri, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush, and Nico Gonzalez all recruited – but Guardiola insisted this was no exception to the rule.

Speaking in December, the Manchester City boss said: “Last season in the transfer window was for just one reason: we had no players. Old players and no players. And for the next years, new vibes, new energy – that was the reason why.

“But I’m not a big, big, big, big fan of the (January) transfer window. You always have to be open, you never know, and it’s possible the club decides it’s good for now and for the next three, four, five, or six years – why not? But it’s better at the end of the season to see what happened this season, how it was. It’s much better.”

According to multiple reports, City are emerging as the frontrunners to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, with a move to the Etihad Stadium said to be the player’s preferred destination.

One player who is set to remain at the club is goalkeeper James Trafford. Despite not making a Premier League start since August, the 23-year-old was overlooked for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in November, with Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, and Nick Pope preferred instead.

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James Trafford will remain at Manchester City next month

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After being linked with a move just six months following his transfer from Burnley, Guardiola was asked if Trafford would stay in January and he said: “Absolutely. He’s an incredible keeper. Unfortunately for him, Gianluigi (Donnarumma) is the first-choice keeper, but he is an incredible keeper.

“I know the position of the keeper is so special, and during the year, in one game, you can change. The keeper position is special. He is with us and will be with us this season, and after that, we will see what happens.”

Will Isak injury force Liverpool’s hand?

Alexander Isak has undergone surgery on a serious injury which “included a fibula fracture” picked up in the win over Tottenham, and it remains to be seen if it forces Liverpool into the transfer market next month.

The club have a long history of being active in January, having previously brought in the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho also both joined at the start of 2013, so Arne Slot will not be the first Liverpool manager who will look to plug a few holes.

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‘He is a dream’ – Hargreaves says Guehi has ability to play for Madrid

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Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi was heavily linked with a move last summer, with the transfer falling through late on, due to Palace not finding an adequate replacement.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner has already confirmed that Guehi will not be extending his contract next summer, so will Liverpool rekindle their interest next month in a bid to beat off the competition?
The Reds’ interest in Semenyo appears to have cooled with Man City the favourites to trigger his reported £65m release clause.

While Cody Gakpo returns to fitness, boss Slot is not worried about his side’s attacking depth and has brushed aside the prospect of a recall for Harvey Elliott to help bolster his options.

“Harvey is an Aston Villa player,” Slot said in late December. “He is supposed to be going there for a season. Any questions about him, the best place to ask is at Villa.”

Maresca’s message about to make more sense

Enzo Maresca’s thinly-veiled message to the Chelsea board would imply the January transfer window will not be as busy as the Italian would like it to be.
Since suffering what he described as his “worst 48 hours” at the club in December, he has shut down numerous questions about whom he was targeting – and the Chelsea boss has since been linked with a move to Manchester City should Pep Guardiola decide to walk away at the end of the season.

The attention may have already turned to the summer window, with next month instead focused on offloading fringe players.

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‘That never ends well’ – Cole and Crouch on Maresca’s cryptic comments

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Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi and Tyrique George are all potential departures after being made available in the summer, according to Sky Sports. Sterling remains in the so-called ‘Bomb Squad’, though a move is complicated by his desire to stay in London and his high wages.

Disasi, despite returning to first-team training, could still depart with Chelsea anticipating renewed interest after the summer approaches from several clubs. George, meanwhile, has impressed but is seeking regular football amid heavy competition.

Will Villa stick or twist?

Aston Villa are caught between sticking with the players who have taken them to an unlikely position of challenging for the Premier League title and adding to their options to solidify those credentials.

Ongoing restrictions due to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which hampered their summer business, linger in the background, so it might be a case of sanctioning player sales in order to enter the market.

Key starters such as Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Matty Cash remain central to Villa’s plans, with most tied down to new contracts and the squad unchanged amid an 11-game winning streak towards the end of December.

Ross Barkley’s contract ends in 2026, so he could be one player who departs if Villa want to obtain a fee and do not wish to offer an extension.

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Highlights: Tielemans winner sees Villa down Basel

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Fringe players, notably the previously mentioned Elliott, could depart. Elliott’s situation is uncertain due to his loan terms and limited opportunities under Unai Emery. Having already featured for both Liverpool and Villa this season, his options are restricted.
Villa have, however, secured one deal ahead of January, agreeing to sign 19-year-old winger Alysson from Gremio as a development player in a move that could exceed £10m.
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