Transfer news live: Semenyo to Man City latest, Amorim’s Man Utd frustration, Liverpool chase centre-back
Manchester City are closing in on a big-money move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, while Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez has been linked with the champions
The January transfer window is open and with the new year comes a chance for clubs to monitor the market after assessing their options to strengthen or trim their numbers to boost spending this month.
While the acquisition of elite players or long-term targets is less common in the mid-season window, it is not completely out of the question, with the saga surrounding Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo expected to reach its climax in the coming weeks or possibly days.
The 25-year-old has been linked with moves to every Premier League big hitter but Manchester City are now leading the race for the player, whose £65m release clause becomes active in January, and may have played his last game for the Cherries after playing the full match of Bournemouth’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi remains of interest to Arne Slot after his deadline day move to Liverpool collapsed. The England international is about to enter the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, giving Palace one last chance to cash in if they choose to, though the Reds may pursue a different defensive option after being linked with Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:
Bizarre Ruben Amorim comments spark fresh doubt in Man United soap opera
Not even a boring and fairly eventless draw brings about a day of little drama for Manchester United, it seems.
It was a point gained for Leeds United in their quest to stay in the Premier League and two dropped for their rivals' pursuit of European football, but well after full-time, another story emerged in the Elland Road media room which could suggest all is not well behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
While the game lacked entertainment, the bizarre press conference afterwards by Ruben Amorim brought a plot twist.
Bizarre Ruben Amorim comments spark fresh doubt in Man United soap opera
A worry for Liverpool? Hugo Ekitike joins injury list
Hugo Ekitike missed Liverpool’s trip to Fulham due to a minor hamstring injury but could return in time for the clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday.
Head coach Arne Slot said the striker, who is Liverpool’s top scorer this season with 11 goals in all competitions, picked up the problem due to an increased workload over the festive period.
The Premier League champions have been without Mohamed Salah for the last three matches as he has been at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Alexander Isak is set for several weeks on the sidelines due to an ankle injury, which has left Ekitike playing a major role.
Arne Slot issues Hugo Ekitike injury update as Liverpool striker misses Fulham trip
Scott Parker felt Burnley ‘lacked belief’ in defeat to Brighton
Burnley boss Scott Parker accused his players of lacking belief and rolling over following a “powderpuff” display in a limp 2-0 Premier League defeat at Brighton.
The second-bottom Clarets slipped to an 11th successive top-flight game without victory after Seagulls pair Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari struck either side of half-time.
Parker, who believes he retains the support of his club’s owners, admits his side are certain to suffer relegation if they do not improve.
Scott Parker felt Burnley ‘lacked belief’ in defeat to Brighton
Sean Dyche believes Forest are tracking upwards despite concerning run of form
Sean Dyche insists he is improving Nottingham Forest and is focusing on the “reality not the noise” despite overseeing a fourth successive Premier League defeat.
Forest were wretched in going down to a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa, who made it 11 home wins on the spin thanks to Ollie Watkins’ first-half fizzer and John McGinn’s second-half brace.
Forest briefly got back into the game through Morgan Gibbs-White’s goal but they were poor in slipping to another loss – their worst run in the Premier League since late 2023 amid a run of form which saw Steve Cooper sacked.
Sean Dyche says Forest are tracking upwards despite concerning run of form
Nuno says West Ham’s loss at Wolves was the worst of his career
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo admitted he was embarrassed after his team crashed to a dismal 3-0 defeat at Premier League bottom side Wolves.
The Hammers’ relegation fears deepened as first-half goals from Jhon Arias, Hwang Hee-chan and Mateus Mane secured a deserved victory for previously winless Wolves at Molineux on Saturday.
Nuno described the result, which left West Ham four points adrift of safety in 18th place in the Premier League, as the worst of his career.
Nuno says West Ham’s loss at Wolves was the worst of his career
'Impossible' for Man Utd to let players leave this month, Amorim says
Ruben Amorim said it would be “impossible” for Manchester United to allow players to leave this month.
Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee are among those who have been linked away as they search for more game time.
But Amorim says he cannot allow players to leave given his list of absentees with the Africa Cup of Nations.
“If you look at our squad, I think it's impossible [for] someone to leave,” he said.
Liverpool linked with Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge
Liverpool appear poised to bring in Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge to boost their defence, reports the Mirror.
The Reds have a clear path after Chelsea pulled out of the race to sign the Ecuadorian.
A deal for as much as £43m for the centre-back is in the works, with an initial fee of £35m, plus add-ons.
Amorim's frustration at Man United's transfer plans?
Ruben Amorim hinted at frustration behind the scenes as the Manchester United head coach refused to clarify his recent comments about the club's transfer plans.
United spent big in the summer bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens and had looked at a January swoop for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
But the winger's decision to join Manchester City has altered plans, with Amorim saying on Friday there had been no transfer conversations just a fortnight on from revealing activity was possible.
Some potentially illuminating Christmas Eve comments came in between those statements when the United head coach said: "I have the feeling that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3, we need to spend a lot of money and we need time.
"So, I'm starting to understand that that is not going to happen. So, maybe I have to adapt."
Ruben Amorim hints at frustration as he avoids Man Utd transfer talk
Andoni Iraola expects Semenyo to play against Tottenham
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said he expects Antoine Semenyo to feature against Tottenham on Wednesday, in what would be his third game for the Cherries since the January window opened.
Speaking after the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, in which Semenyo played the full match despite his much-mooted move to Manchester City, Iraola said: “I expect that. The situation hasn’t changed. I expect him to play against Spurs. There is a lot of noise around him but this is the situation."
‘Just a rumour’: Why Enzo Maresca to Man City never made any sense
If Enzo Maresca’s last contribution as a Manchester City employee was to help them secure the treble in 2023, his most recent input to the discourse around the Etihad Stadium feels more unwelcome. The apparent indications that City’s former assistant manager had spoken to his old club about the possibility of replacing Pep Guardiola raised the issue of the Spaniard’s future.
Which has lingered in the background; as, indeed, it has for much of a reign that has extended for far longer than he originally envisaged. The Catalan shrugged off the idea his old assistant had talked to City. “Why would I give you an update about an opinion that I don't know is about this opinion?” he said. “It's just a rumour.”
Guardiola adopted a trademark blend of playfulness and faux arrogance. “You want to fire me?” he asked “My salary is so high, so I have one more year... I know you are bored of me, ten years here. I will leave one day, I promise. But I have a contract, I'm happy, I want to fight with my team. I like to be here.”
‘Just a rumour’: Why Enzo Maresca to Man City never made any sense
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