Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal’s £60m agreement, Aston Villa’s Watkins stance revealed, Duran medical booked
Arsenal are preparing a spectacular second bid for striker Ollie Watkins while Aston Villa decide whether to sell the England international or Jhon Duran in the final days of the January transfer window.
The Gunners saw an opening bid rejected just hours before Villa’s Champions League match against Celtic, where Watkins scored and then missed a bizarre penalty, with Arsenal desperate to sign a striker before Monday’s deadline. Duran is set to undergo a medical with Saudi club Al-Nassr ahead of a £64m move, which may end Arsenal’s hopes.
Meanwhile, Mathys Tel wants to leave Bayern Munich and is now on Arsenal’s radar having interested Chelsea. Wolves’ Matheus Cunha is seen as an alternative should they not manage to secure either Watkins or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, while Arsenal lead the race for Norwegian starlet Sverre Nypan.
Manchester United are closing in on a deal with Lecce for defender Patrick Dorgu but the club need to sell to buy, with Alejandro Garnacho possibly on the way out Marcus Rashford is also searching for a move away from Old Trafford, but only one club looks like a possible option this January.
Follow all the latest news, rumours and deals below
Emery reveals Watkins stance
Speaking ahead of Villa’s Champions League match with Celtic on Wednesday, Unai Emery said: “I don’t want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.”
He added: “Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”
Mike Jones30 January 2025 14:41
Arsenal’s Watkins bid revealed
The Times are reporting new information concerning Arsenal’s bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
The Gunners formally put in a bid worth £40m which was rejected and the north London side were told £60m could be enough to secure the 29-yeard-old forward.
Villa need to sell players to remain within the boundaries of Profit & Sustainability rules which is why Arsenal are suddenly interested in Watkins.
However, the midlands club have agreed a deal with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr to sell them Jhon Duran for £64m.
It seems unlikey that Villa would let both of their key forwards leave in the same mid-season window so Arsenal may be out of luck.
Mike Jones30 January 2025 14:38
Tottenham ‘open talks’ with Bayern over Mathys tel
Tottenham have opened talks with Bayern Munich over signing Mathys Tel, report Sky Sports in Germany.
Aston Villa have also joined the race for the 19-year-old, adding to competition from Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea.
Ange Postecoglou was asked about new signings yesterday and said “opportunities were being explored”.
“Traditionally, the last few days of any window tend to be pretty frenetic. I expect us to be involved in that,” he said.
Jamie Braidwood30 January 2025 14:30
Malacia could be sent out on loan
Tyrell Malacia could go out on loan during this window if Manchester United can get a move for Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu over the line.
There are a number of clubs interested in Malacia but no move can happen until United have a replacement in situ.
Sky Sports News says Lecce’s preference is to keep Dorgu.
United did launch a bid of £25.4m + £4.2m (€30m + €5m) for the defender, but Lecce want a something closer to £38m (€45m).
Mike Jones30 January 2025 14:22
Jordan Henderson set for Monaco move
Jordan Henderson is poised to join Monaco and end his spell at Ajax.
The former Liverpool midfielder left Anfield for Saudi Arabia and Al-Ettifaq before cutting short his move to join the Dutch giants in January last year.
But now Fabrizio Romano reports the former England midfielder will start a new challenge in France.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2025 14:00
Unai Emery reacts to Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran transfer speculation
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is determined to keep Ollie Watkins at the club this month amid offers from Arsenal but admits Jhon Duran’s potential exit is a good deal, reports Jonathan Veal.
Both of Villa’s strikers are subject to interest in the January transfer window, with their Premier League rivals having a reported £60m bid for Watkins rejected while Duran is set to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.
Duran was an unused substitute, ahead of a reported 77million euros (£64.6million) move to Al Nassr, and was seen saying goodbye to fans at the end of the match.
Jamie Braidwood30 January 2025 13:28
Rashford latest as star upset by Amorim comments
The Independent understands that Marcus Rashford has been surprised by the strength of Ruben Amorim’s comments about him, especially given his willingness to stay at Manchester United and prove himself.
Last week, Amorim revealed that the reason for Rashford’s continued absence from the matchday squad is the lack of effort he is seeing in training and said he will put 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital on the bench before the England international.
While there has been much criticism of Amorim’s remarks due to the potential for further lowering Rashford’s value, and weakening United’s hand, the reality is that everyone in the market already knew Rashford’s situation.
Miguel Delaney30 January 2025 13:16
Christopher Nkunku future hinges on Tel move
Bayern want to sign Christopher Nkunku but the France forward’s return to the Bundesliga depends on other factors.
Nkunku has struggled for minutes at Chelsea and the Blues would be open to letting him leave this month if they can sign either Mathys Tel or Alejandro Garnacho.
Jamie Braidwood30 January 2025 12:59
Jhon Duran ‘completes Al-Nassr’ medical
Jhon Duran is set to fly to Saudi Arabia and join Al-Nassr after completing a medical with the club.
According to Sky Sports, Al-Nassr will pay £64m for the 21-year-old striker, plus bonuses.
The decision to sell Duran will have an impact on Arsenal’s pursuit of Ollie Watkins, with Villa unlikely to sell both players this month.
BREAKING: Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has completed his Al Nassr medical and is set to fly to Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr are understood to be paying just over £64m (€77m) plus bonuses for the 21-year-old. pic.twitter.com/n0eiUmq93y
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 30, 2025
Jamie Braidwood30 January 2025 12:45
Tottenham keep track of Tyler Dibling
Spurs are among the clubs interested in Bayern’s Mathys Tel, as Southampton look to keep hold of winger Tyler Dibling.
Tottenham have been tracking the 18-year-old attacker but the Saints are holding out for £55m and a move this month could be unlikely.
Tottenham have joined Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in pursuing Tel and the 19-year-old is said to prefer a move to the Gunners.
Jamie Braidwood30 January 2025 12:39