As Manchester United prepare for the start of the Michael Carrick era with a Manchester derby in the Premier League this weekend the club are looking to strengthen before the January transfer window closes. Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson all rumoured as targets, although Man City are also said to be eyeing Nottingham Forest talisman Anderson.
However, there is growing fear that United could lose their own talisman, Bruno Fernandes, who maintains a desire to compete for trophies and has ongoing interest from Bayern Munich as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere, Tottenham have signed Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, bringing him back to the Premier League in a £35m move and now set their sights on Santos left-back Souza who is expected to undergo a medical with the club later today.
Gallagher isn’t the only England international on the transfer merry-go-round with Arsenal joining the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. The Eagles skipper is said to prefer a move to the Gunners or Liverpool, but Manchester City are desperate to overcome any hurdles and secure his signature this month, while European heavyweights Bayern Munich have now also expressed an interest in the England centre-back.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have reportedly made a huge bid for Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, and are also reportedly interested in Lucas Paqueta. Reports from Brazil say the West Ham midfielder prefers to return to his home country but a switch to another European club hasn’t been ruled out.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Chelsea interested in Paqueta
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta reportedly wants out of the club with the current rumours suggesting his prefers to return home to Brazil for family reasons.
However, a switch to another club in Europe is being ruled out as the midfielder is only 28-years-old.
The Blues are said to be interested in Paqueta and will provide competition to Brazilian side Flamengo to sign him in this window.
It remains to be seen if West Ham will be open to selling their best player, especially as they’re attempting to avoid relegation to the Championship.
Mike Jones15 January 2026 08:03
Manchester United fear losing Bruno Fernandes
With the appointment of Michael Carrick as the head coach at Old Trafford comes a new era for Manchester United and one they may have to endure without their captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes.
The club are reportedly worried that the 31-year-old will depart for pastures new as he harbours a desire to compete for the biggest trophies something United, at present, cannot offer.
Fernandes has been a driving force for the club during their decline and the i Paper says Fernandes will look to leave to further his ambitions to win league titles.
The Portuguese had a offer from Saudi Arabia last summer and was convinced to remain at Old Trafford by departed manager Ruben Amorim while Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in him with that move more of a possibility.
Mike Jones15 January 2026 07:59
Conor Gallagher completes £34m move to Tottenham
Tottenham have announced that they have completed the deal to bring Conor Gallagher to the club “subject to international clearance”.
The deal is believed to be worth £34m, with the England international signing a a five-and-a-half-year deal.
Mike Jones15 January 2026 07:57
Bayern Munich join race for Marc Guehi
Bayern Munich have entered the chase to sign Marc Guehi with Florian Pettenberg of Sky Germany reporting they have made phone calls over the past few days to try and convince him to sign in the summer, having previously met his agent.
Man City are desperate to sign the Crystal Palace centre-back during this transfer window, to ease their defensive injury crisis, and as we reported at the beginning of the week, they intend to overcome any obstacles to make that happen.
Price may prove the defining factor, with talkSPORT saying that City are preparing to make an offer for Guehi but are currently unlikely to meet Palace’s asking price of above £35m.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also targeting the England international upon the expiry of his contract in the summer and Guehi has been reported to prefer a move to one of those two clubs.
Mike Jones15 January 2026 07:55
Souza set for Tottenham medical
With Conor Gallagher coming through the door, it doesn’t seem like Spurs fans will need to wait much longer for their next signing.
Santos defender Souza is reportedly expected to undergo his Tottenham medical in London on Thursday ahead of a £13m move to the club, the details of which is being finalised.
The Brazilian will be brought in to provide cover and competition for Destiny Udogie.
Mike Jones15 January 2026 07:47
Good morning!
The January transfer window continues to tick by and clubs hoping to do business in the mid-season window will need to move swiftly to get their deals over the line.
We’ll bring you all the latest gossip, rumours and confirmed transfers throughout the day so without further ado let’s get into it…
Mike Jones15 January 2026 07:45
