Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Brighton’s Leandro Trossard after they were pipped to the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhailo Mudryk by Chelsea. The 28-year-old forward has fallen out with manager Roberto De Zerbi and looked likely to leave the Seagulls during this transfer window with Arsenal keen to boost their forward line. Trossard is an adaptable player and would provide cover for both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the wings as well as Martin Odegaard through the middle as the Gunners chase down a first Premier League title since 2004.
Up in the North East, Newcastle continue to do business and are negotiating with Nottingham Forest over a loan move for striker Chris Wood. He was one of Eddie Howe’s first signings at the club but with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak fit again Wood may be surplus to requirements. That definitely would be the case if the Magpies are successful in signing their next target: Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Newcastle are reportedly preparing a £35million bid for the striker.
Elsewhere, West Ham have enquired to sign Danny Ings from Aston Villa with the forward undergoing a medical at the London side later today. His signing could ease the pressue on manager David Moyes who is said to be facing the axe should his team fail to beat relegation rivals Everton at the weekend.
Follow all the latest January transfer rumours and confirmed news below:
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Chris Wood joins Nottingham Forest from Newcastle as 24th signing of season
The 31-year-old will spend the rest of the campaign at the City Ground and the move will become a permanent one until the summer of 2024 if certain conditions are met.
He leaves St James’ Park after 12 months, having joined from Burnley for £25million and played a big part in Newcastle’s survival.
But he has fallen down the pecking order behind Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak and will get regular action under Steve Cooper at Forest following a long-term injury to Taiwo Awoniyi.
Noni Madueke: Graham Potter tight-lipped on Chelsea move for PSV winger
England Under-21 winger Madueke has reportedly undergone a medical with the Blues ahead of joining from PSV Eindhoven for around £35million.
Rebecca Welch first woman to be appointed referee for men’s Championship game
Rebecca Welch will become the first woman appointed to referee a men’s Championship match when she takes charge of Birmingham versus Preston on Saturday.
Welch, 39, from Washington in Tyne and Wear, already holds the honour of being the first woman to be appointed to referee an English Football League match.
She led the team of officials for the League Two match between Harrogate and Port Vale in April 2021.
Amy Fearn became the first female referee in the EFL in 2010, when she stepped in as an injury replacement for the final 20 minutes of a second-tier match between Coventry and Nottingham Forest.
‘I cannot explain it’: Jurgen Klopp impressed by Chelsea’s big spending
The Blues have spent over £400million since the consortium headed by billionaire Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in the summer, with £140m of that outlay coming in the last 15 days with potentially more expected before the end of the month.
That is a lot more than Liverpool, who after buying Benfica forward Darwin Nunez for an initial £64m – which could rise to a club-record £85m with add-ons – and youngsters Fabio Carvalho (from Fulham for £5m) and Calvin Ramsay (from Aberdeen for £6.5m), have added £38m PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo as their likely only January transfer.
Gonzalez deal breaks down for Leicester
Leicester City’s talks with Fiorentina over a deal for Nico Gonzalez have broken down and the club are looking elsewhere for forward options.
The Foxes were keen to do a deal for the Argentina international at between £20-25m, but the Serie A club have shut down negotiations with Fiorentina chief executive, Joe Barone, publicly stating that Gonzalez is not for sale.
De Zerbi on Caicedo situation
There are plenty of interested parties in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo with Chelsea pushing the club for a deal. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi believes the best thing for Caicedo is to remain with the club for the time being after Brighton seemingly turned down a £55m bid from the Blues.
“It’s difficult to change [him] with another player inside of the season.” said De Zerbi, “I hope he finishes the season with us, but in the transfer market it’s always difficult to give an answer.
“When there are some big teams who want our player, it’s good news for us. The best solution is that he can finish the season with us, and in the summer would be better for a change.
“If Caicedo continues to play like he has in the last games, it’s possible he can leave for another team.”
Liverpool and Chelsea’s decline detailed with chances to salvage gloomy season
Both sides finished in the top four last season but are faring much worse this time round, sitting in ninth and 10th respectively and trailing fourth-placed Newcastle by 10 points.
With Liverpool having gathered 28 points from 18 games and Chelsea on the same tally from 19 matches, both are tracking well behind 2021-22 when they each had 41 points at the halfway stage.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the extent of their declines and their chances of recovery in the second half of the campaign.
Jurgen Klopp on Mykhailo Mudryk
As part of his pre-match press duties for tomorrow’s game against Chelsea, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was asked about his thoughts on the Blues new signing Mykhailo Mudryk.
“A really good player, incredible Champions League campaign,” he said. “Speed, technique, goals. Combines a lot.
“So, having him on one wing and [Joao] Felix on the other is interesting. Chelsea sort problems differently to us, so let’s see.”
Arteta talks Trossard signing
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke about how it feels to get the signing of Leandro Trossard over the line and he said: “It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro. He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience in the Premier League and at international level.
“Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season and we’re all looking forward to working with him. We welcome Leandro and his family to Arsenal Football Club.”
