With two left-footed right wingers out in Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal are in the market for another. Mohamed Salah might be a little too ambitious, even with the Egyptian’s current contract situation but Bryan Mbeumo would fit the bill nicely, although Brentford would be loathe to let their talisman go halfway through the season. A summer move might be more likely, with Mbeumo’s contract due to expire at the end of next season in June 2026.
One of the most predictable things about Nottingham Forest’s unlikely charge up the table is that the big wigs come knocking for their talent, even at this early stage. Ola Aina, Forest’s lightning-fast and versatile full-back, is on the hitlist for Manchester City.
New underachievers City seem intent on multiple defensive reinforcements, and have reportedly made £30m offers for both Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, 20, and Palmeiras’ teenage centre-back Vitor Reis. City may have to balance the books by selling James McAtee, with German quintet Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Mainz and Borussia Dortmund all hoping to convince another young Englishman to hop over to the Bundesliga.
Ipswich Town were this close to finalising a deal with Hull City for Jaden Philogene in the summer before Aston Villa nipped in to nab the winger from under the Tractor Boys’ noses for £18m. But with Philogene struggling for minutes under Unai Emery, Ipswich have swooped again and will confirm a £22m deal with Villa this week. Villa may use the funds to move for Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, who has been lighting up the Champions League this season (and would be cup-tied for Villa in that competition should he make the move to Birmingham). One of Villa’s former stalwarts, Douglas Costa, has also been struggling for game time since his big-money move to Juventus. The Brazilian is being monitored by Forest.
One of Graham Potter’s first tasks as West Ham’s new manager could be to convince Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to sign on loan from Chelsea. The 26-year-old hasn’t started a single league game for the Blues since his £30m move in the summer.
Liverpool fans might be stressed about losing Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk for diddly squat in the summer. But don’t worry, Reds! Joshua Kimmich, also out of contract in June at Bayern, could arrive at Anfield on a free transfer, with Liverpool making an enquiry with the German’s agent for a pre-contract agreement.
It’s looking like Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fée will soon by swapping the Spanish Steps for Sunderland’s Bridges Shopping Centre after the French 24-year-old agreed a loan deal that includes a permanent option for the Black Cats, who remain in the hunt for promotion from the Championship.
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And Sean Dyche’s bizarre admission that Everton should be exploring other managerial options has got the mill turning. Renowned wallflower and Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho has been linked, alongside Max Allegri, Gareth Southgate and former Toffees boss David Moyes. Mourinho barking orders at Jordan Pickford? Yes, please.
