Leeds United are fighting for promotion, but they are yet to make a signing in the January transfer window.
But Whites boss Daniel Farke has provided the clearest indication yet of the areas he wants to strengthen if any new names were to come in.
Indeed, Leeds are sitting at the top of the Championship table, but fans want to ensure that a Premier League return to all but sealed. And that, they feel, can be done in the winter window.
Man United HIJACK of January transfer is underway!
Farke has always approached the January transfer market with caution, but he has started to lift the lid on the sort of profile he desires at the Yorkshire club.
Ahead of Monday’s match against Burnley, Farke addressed the importance of strengthening, particularly in two positions that have been impacted by recent injuries. Furthermore, some of their star names, Wilfried Gnonto, could be sold at the halfway point of the season.
The head coach said via the Yorkshire Evening Post: “At the moment we have two fit strikers: Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph. It would be outstanding to have Patrick Bamford available in full rhythm. He will be out for two weeks more. We will assess the centre-back and striker position.
“The rule is quite clear: the quality has to be right, we won’t add just a number. It has to be proper quality then the character has to fit to the group, attitude on top level and the third thing is the player is affordable. Three things need to come together to make a signing.
“If there’s a solution we’ll do this. I can rule out there is a player on the 31st January, or his club has agreed a transfer fee or loan fee with four clubs, and he chooses who pays the highest salary, I don’t believe in this.
“I want proper quality and determination and fully committed to what we want to achieve here at Leeds United.”
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Arsenal are reportedly pursuing a deal to sign 18-year-old midfielder Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg, who is set to travel to Manchester City’s campus for talks.
The Athletic report that negotiations between the Gunners and the player’s representatives are progressing, but no deal has materialised just yet.
Nypan, who is considered one of Europe’s brightest young prospects, has enjoyed a rapid trajectory. He made his professional debut in the Eliteserien at just 15. He then went on to become Rosenborg’s youngest-ever league goalscorer in May 2023, aged 16 years and 145 days.
Man United HIJACK of January transfer is underway!
Manchester United were thought to be ahead of the race, but now it appears that they will not be signing the youngster.
It’s thought that Arsenal view him as someone who could contribute to the first team immediately, even though he’s in his youth years. Mikel Arteta’s squad has been stretched by injuries this season and the Spaniard is looking to bolster it with added depth.
If Nypan joined Arsenal, he would link up with compatriot Martin Odegaard. It would also mean that Manchester United would have missed out on the opportunity to sign the teenager who has been extensively linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Interim sporting director Jason Ayto has taken charge of recruitment after he stepped in following Edu’s departure in November.
According to Norwegian outlet Adresseavisen and since confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Nypan will arrive in Manchester, where he will be told about the project at Pep Guardiola’s club.
However, unlike Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions will send him on loan City Football Group-owned Girona on loan before later becoming part of Pep Guardiola’s side.
It’s not clear which club is ahead of the race just yet but an outcome should be made soon.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha is attracting significant interest from Premier League clubs, with clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal credited with an interest.
But now it’s thought that Aston Villa becoming the latest side to monitor the Brazilian’s situation at the Midlands rivals – even though they are well-stocked in attack. Other clubs taking note of the attacker are Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, and Tottenham
The Daily Mail have reported that Villa have entered the race but their ability to make a move for Cunha may depend on offloading a player to remain, amid financial sustainability regulations.
Man United HIJACK of January transfer is underway!
But they could see a potential windfall via one potential departure – Colombian striker Jhon Duran, who has been extensively linked with a move away, who has drawn interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Premier League strugglers West Ham even had a £57 million bid for Duran rejected. His future at Villa is far from uncertain.
If the youngster is sold, Villa could be able to secure the signing of Cunha, who has been on fire this season, even for a club lacking in form. He has notched 10 goals and four assists in 21 Premier League appearances this season, with Wolves now eager to open talks to extend his contract, something which they are optimistic about.
The club are yet to receive formal offers for the player, who has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal. But an offer exceeding £60 million could force their hand.
GiveMeSport reporter Ben Jacobs recently shared an update on Cunha’s situation, revealing the price tag that Wolves are demanding for their attacker.
He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Matheus Cunha is yet to sign his new Wolves contract despite verbally agreeing new financial terms. Parties still discussing a release clause, and potentially two different numbers based on Wolves staying up and/or going down.
“Cunha has been offered an important pay rise, and even with a new long-term deal, Wolves would be understanding of Cunha’s desire to leave for the right opportunity in future windows.
“Arsenal are currently in contact with Cunha’s camp, but talks only informal at this stage. Wolves still don’t wish to sell in January and that position will only change with a crazy offer, likely in excess of £80m.
“Wolves planning with Cunha for the second half of the season, but Arsenal do remain alert to the opportunity.”
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Newcastle United have reportedly been presented with the chance to sign one of Turkey’s brightest young prospects – one Semih Kilicsoy.
The forward, who currently plays for Besiktas, can play across the frontline, while his valuation has dropped significantly.
CaughtOffside exclusively revealed that Kilicsoy could be available for a fee of £21 million, while the 19-year-old was on the radar of several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham. We wrote at the time how Tottenham and Brighton were also among the clubs interested in Yilmaz.
Man United HIJACK of January transfer is underway!
But now a report via the Chronicle suggests his representatives are now seeking a transfer of £16 million.
The teenager made his senior debut for Besiktas in February 2023 and has since amassed 67 appearances across all competitions, contributing 14 goals and nine assists. This year, Kilicsoy has played in 28 matches across four competitions, recording eight goal contributions.
Is he currently being coached by Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who recently succeeded Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Besiktas as the manager.
Newcastle have yet to secure any new signings this month, despite being heavily linked to Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbekistan international ultimately joined Manchester City in a deal reportedly worth around £34 million.
Khusanov’s agent, Gairat Khasbiullin, recently said that a move to Newcastle came “very close” to completing the transfer before it fell through.
“Newcastle was very close to the deal,” said Khasbiullin to Championat. “They even remained one of the favourites, and then was the last to leave the race with City. “As far as I understand, financial fair play also had an impact.
“Well, they didn’t have enough time. Perhaps if they had made an offer earlier, they would have had time to come to an agreement. “Then City put so much pressure on Lens that it was difficult to make a comparable offer. It was also influenced by the fact that the French needed this money.”
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Manchester United’s second bid for Patrick Dorgu has been turned down by Leece, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Head coach Ruben Amorim in the January transfer window is after a left wingback to fit his system but the Red Devils have failed in their quest so far.
Romano posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Lecce board insist on €40m package for Patrick Dorgu to Man United or he won’t be allowed to leave in January.
Man United HIJACK of January transfer is underway!
“The Italian club hope to keep the player until the summer unless valuation is met. Manchester United’s second approach, not enough to get it done so far.”
The Guardian report that their second off represents fee is €10m higher than United’s valuation of the player, but Amorim remains determined to secure the signing of the Denmark international. Negotiations are ongoing.
The 20-year-old Dorgu only made his senior debut last season. He is now into 52 appearances in Serie A for Lecce.
Under Amorim, who is looking to find players to complement his preferred 3-4-3 system, United have managed only six wins in 16 games.
Despite financial constraints, United’s transfer budget could be boosted by Antony’s expected loan move to Real Betis for the remainder of the season. The winger is set to travel to Seville for a medical. The La Liga outfit are thought to be covering 84% of his £150,000-a-week wages.
In addition, United are open to offers in the region of €70m for Alejandro Garnacho, who might have played his last game with the club. Napoli have been linked but Chelsea are also showing interest in the winger.
Even still, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remained coy around the situation on Friday, saying: “We are monitoring the market, and if something comes up, we’ll consider it. But with 10 days left, we haven’t made any moves yet. At the moment, I’m happy with the options we have—Pedro [Neto] and Noni [Madueke] on the right, and Jadon [Sancho] on the left.”
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Chelsea have struggled up front with Nicolas Jackson leading their attack and it is clear that they need more quality and depth in that department.
Their other options at the moment are Christopher Nkunku who does not have the confidence of manager Enzo Maresca while Marc Guiu is still too inexperienced to start for the Blues.
They failed in the summer transfer window to sign a new striker after being heavily linked with Victor Osimhen.
The Blues could now explore the market for a new attacker and they have already made their move to strengthen their attacking firepower.
According to Simon Phillips, Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran remains on the radar of Chelsea and the Premier League giants have already established contact with his agents over a move in the January transfer window.
Unai Emery’s side have no intention of selling the Colombian attacker who recently extended his contract at the club but if they receive the right amount of transfer fee for him, they could be tempted.
A report from the Daily Mail has claimed that Villa have slapped an £85 million price tag on Duran which basically shows that the striker is not for sale at the moment but if a club is willing to meet their demand, they would not stand in the way of Duran leaving the club.
Duran has been in fine form for Villa this season and he has been mostly used as a back up to first choice striker Ollie Watkins.
However, in his limited playing time, he has still performed well for the club and interest in his services has increased this season.
The burden of scoring goals at Chelsea is currently on the shoulders of Cole Palmer, as it was last season but he needs help and someone who is a lethal finisher can completely transform the side.
Jackson has a habit of missing easy chances and it shows that he needs time to develop into a world class attacker.
Someone like Duran can play that role at the club and offer them the threat they are missing up front.
Chelsea have only one week to make a move for Duran and they would have to dig deep into their pockets in order for Villa to come to the table.
The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in the league this season and three in the Champions League.
Chelsea pushing for one of the finest deep-lying playmakers in Europe
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