January transfer news LIVE: Liverpool seal Cody Gakpo signing as Arsenal target Joao Felix
Chelsea and Manchester United are both expected to sign players in the January transfer window and Arsenal will push to keep their Premier League title bid running smoothly
The Premier League transfer window is set to open on 1 January and already there are completed deals to ensure some of England’s top teams will see their squads boosted as early as possible.
Chelsea added Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana to their ranks on Wednesday, signing him from Molde, while Liverpoolcompleted the £35m deal for Cody Gakpo from PSV the same evening, one of the stars of the recent World Cup.
Elsewhere Arsenal are being linked with moves for two big-money attackers, Shakhtar’s Mykhaylo Mudryk and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, while Chelsea are interested in Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is currently with Benfica. Man United boss Erik ten Hag has also hinted at wanting a forward to replace the departed Cristiano Ronaldo.
Follow all the latest January transfer rumours and confirmed news below:
2022 was a momentous year for football, wrapped around a rotten core
As the emir of Qatar draped a bisht around Lionel Messi, it closed a year when the veil actually slipped for football.
It was forced to confront so many realities it constantly tries to obscure, in service of the great show, but that it isn’t actually equipped to deal with. The repercussions from Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine ended what one European official described as football’s “game of pretences”, with that all part of the same international programme that involved the 2018 World Cup, the consequent need for fossil fuels only strengthening Qatar’s position for the most controversial World Cup ever held.
If these seem like big topics for a review of football in 2022, it is because this was genuinely one of the sport’s most momentous years, a true dividing line in history. Two eras closed, both of them interconnected. One was the Qatar World Cup. It’s impossible to overstate how important this was, given that the preparations for the tournament weighed over, influenced and reshaped the game for 12 years.
2022 was a momentous year for football, wrapped around a rotten core
Leicester transfer plans revealed by Brendan Rodgers as boss urges Foxes to bounce back at Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City’s clash with Liverpool fc provides a “great opportunity” for his team to bounce back from their Boxing Day defeat to Newcastle.
Prior to the winter break, Leicester had been on a decent run of form with four wins from five games, but they lost 3-0 to the Magpies, with all three goals coming in the opening 32 minutes of the match.
The result sees the Foxes sit just below halfway in the Premier League table and Rodgers is hopeful his side can show their belief ahead of the trip to Anfield.
Rodgers reveals Leicester transfer plans and wants Foxes response at Liverpool
Cody Gakpo explains why he chose Liverpool transfer after Manchester United interest
Cody Gakpo believes Liverpool is the perfect club to fulfil his huge potential as a player, after the sought-after Dutch forward moved from PSV to Anfield for an initial £34m, subject to a work permit.
The 23-year-old was heavily linked with Manchester United last summer following the arrival of fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag at the Old Trafford helm, but Liverpool stepped up their interest following injuries to forwards Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz and beat the competition to his signature.
Gakpo told Liverpoolfc.com: “I feel really good, I’m really excited to be here. I’m looking forward to start training and start playing for this amazing club.”
Cody Gakpo explains why he chose Liverpool after Manchester United interest
Cody Gakpo transfer impacts Liverpool’s potential other January business, confirms Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven will impact what else he can do in the January window.
The club struck an initial £40million deal to bring the 23-year-old to Anfield after three days of intense negotiations over Christmas and made their move ahead of schedule to see off competition from rival clubs.
Another forward was not top of their list of priorities as Liverpool’s midfield still needs strengthening but their options in that department may be diminished due to their outlay on the Netherlands international.
Borussia Dortmund’s England international Jude Bellingham remains their number one target – although his soaring valuation may ultimately prove prohibitive – but that is likely to be a deal discussed in the summer as the Bundesliga side are unwilling to allow him to leave mid-season.
Gakpo transfer impacts Liverpool’s potential other January business, says Klopp
Chelsea captain Sophie Ingle signs new contract through to 2025
Chelsea have announced Wales captain Sophie Ingle has extended her contract with the club through to the summer of 2025.
The midfielder, 31, is in her second spell with the Blues, having initially had two years playing for them from 2012 to 2013.
After stints at Bristol City and Liverpool, she then returned in 2018 and Chelsea have since won three Women’s Super League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups and been Champions League runners-up.
Ingle, who has made over 100 appearances for Wales and also featured for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, said on Chelsea’s official website of her two-year extension: “I’m really delighted to sign for Chelsea again.
Chelsea captain Sophie Ingle signs new contract through to 2025
Japan confirm Hajime Moriyasu to remain as manager after impressive World Cup campaign
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will remain in charge of the Asian team for another World Cup cycle, the country’s football association announced on Thursday, with the aim of breaking new ground after a number of near misses.
That Moriyasu would continue in the role came as little surprise after he led Japan to victories over former World Cup winners Germany and Spain during the finals in Qatar en route to topping what was considered the most difficult group at the tournament.
The 54-year-old, whose team were beaten in the last 16 by Croatia, will be the first coach to lead the nation into successive World Cup campaigns.
Japan confirm Moriyasu to remain as manager after impressive World Cup campaign
Kylian Mbappe brushes off Argentina celebrations and insists PSG form won’t suffer after scoring on return
Kylian Mbappe may always be haunted by France’s loss in the World Cup 2022 final, but says he bears no bitterness over the way Argentina celebrated and won’t let the defeat hold him back with Paris Saint-Germain.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been criticised for the excessive tone of his celebrations. He carried a doll with Mbappé’s face on it while standing alongside teammate Lionel Messi as Argentina paraded the trophy back home. Martinez, who also made a crude gesture after winning the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper, was filmed mocking Mbappe in the team dressing room after the game.
“Those celebrations aren’t my problem. You shouldn’t waste energy on such futile things,” Mbappé said after PSG’s win against Strasbourg on Wednesday night. “The most important thing is to give my best for the club.”
Mbappe brushes off Argentina celebrations and insists PSG form won’t suffer
Brentford boss Thomas Frank hails ‘laser-focused’ Ivan Toney
Brentford boss Thomas Frank is impressed by Ivan Toney’s ability to deliver on the pitch despite the threat of possible disciplinary action for allegedly breaching betting rules.
Toney has until January 4 to respond to a Football Association charge relating to 262 alleged breaches, yet he showed no sign of being a player under pressure as he found the net in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Boxing Day.
Frank has spoken to the 26-year-old striker at length and is confident ahead of Friday’s London derby against West Ham that he is in the right frame to mind to perform.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank hails ‘laser-focused’ Ivan Toney
Will Wolves make any new signings?
New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui reportedly wanted up to six January arrivals following his appointment, with a new goalscorer the priority.
The club have already signed the forward Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid. Goncalo Ramos has also been linked, with Wolves desperately lacking goals following injury to Sasa Kalajdzic and the form of Raul Jimenez and Diego Costa.
Wolves are also short in defence and have not adequately replaced Conor Coady or Willy Boly from the summer.
Need: Striker, centre back
Linked with: Goncalo Ramos, Viktor Gyokeres
What’s going on with West Ham?
After finishing sixth last season and reaching the Europa League semi-finals, a summer expenditure of £150m has not had the desired effect.
Instead, West Ham are 16th and the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca and Nayef Aguerd have yet to make an impact.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice continues to be linked with a move away and although he won’t leave this month, West Ham may have to start planning for the day the England international does depart. They have also linked with Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi.
Need: Right back, central midfielder
Linked with: Azzedine Ounahi
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