Swipe for next article
Liveupdated
Transfer news live: Liverpool identify Guehi alternative, Frank’s Spurs future in doubt, Chelsea in wonderkid talks
All the latest January transfer window news, gossip and rumours
Manchester City have completed the signing of Crystal Palace defender, and captain, Marc Guehi, for £20m. Guehi had been garnering interest from other clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich but Pep Guardiola’s side have won the race for the centre-back by paying a fee in this window rather than waiting for his contract to expire in the summer.
Liverpool are now looking at alternatives to Guehi, such as Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, while Chelsea have opened talks to sign star Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, and are also reportedly interested in Lucas Paqueta. Reports from Brazil say the West Ham midfielder prefers to return to his home country but a switch to another European club hasn’t been ruled out.
In a month that has already seen Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca lose their jobs, there could yet be more high-profile sackings on the horizon with Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham under serious threat. Spurs fans turned on the Dane after suffering a dismal defeat to relegation contenders West Ham on Tuesday. Oliver Glasner’s job at Crystal Palace is also under consideration after the Austrian claimed he had been “abandoned” by the club in an extraordinary outburst following the Eagles’ loss at Sunderland.
Manchester United are looking to strengthen before the January transfer window closes. In midfield they have lined up Joao Gomes, Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson as targets – Man City are also said to be interested in Anderson – while Nottingham Forest defender Murillo is being looked at to reinforce the defence. The club have also rejected several offers for defender Harry Maguire whose contract is expiring.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
West Ham still keen on Charlie Cresswell
West Ham remain interested in Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell despite Wolfsburg pushing hard to try and sign the centre-back.
That’s according to Sky Sports, who say the French club will not listen to offers below £22m and therefore they have rejected offers from Wolfsburg so far.
Cresswell, 23, was of interest to West Ham in the summer and they are weighing up several options for a new centre-back this month.
Luke Baker19 January 2026 17:25
The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City
Nothing, it seemed, became Marc Guehi quite like his leaving. On the last day of August, he scored a stunning goal against Aston Villa. This, it seemed, was his parting gift to Crystal Palace. He was off to Liverpool.
Except he wasn’t. Four-and-a-half months on, some 27 appearances later, with a different destination and a fee that is £15m less, his departure caused ructions at Palace and may bring regret at Liverpool.
His destination was almost Anfield at the start of September, until Palace pulled the plug on the move. Now it is the Etihad Stadium instead.
Read the full analysis from Richard Jolly:
The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City
Having come so close to signing the England international over the summer, Liverpool must now swallow the bitter pill of having been out-thought by City
Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent19 January 2026 17:02
Viana delighted to sign 'one of the best defenders in English football'
Man City director of football Hugo Viana was delighted to secure Guehi’s signature, citing the centre-back as one of the best in the Premier League.
“It is clear Marc has been one of the best defenders in English football for quite some time now, so we are absolutely delighted to bring him to Manchester City,” said Viana.
“I feel we have signed a huge talent who will help us improve. He is only 25, but he has shown already he is a leader, a brilliant professional and someone desperate to improve.
“He is strong, has exceptional defensive qualities, is an intelligent reader of the game, and brings passion and energy every time he steps onto the pitch. I am so pleased it was us he chose to join.
“Marc is entering the prime years of his career. I am sure every City fan is excited to see how good he can be in a sky blue shirt.”
Luke Baker19 January 2026 16:44
Guehi reveals excitement of playing alongside 'big brother' John Stones
Marc Guehi partnered Johns Stones in the middle of the England defence in Euro 2024 and described his international teammate as a mentor.
He hasn’t hidden his delight at playing alongside his ‘big brother’ once more at Man City.
Guehi explained: “John has taken me under his wing, especially within the national team. I see him as a big brother to be honest. He’s someone that has looked out for me.
“Especially playing with him at the last Euros, it was amazing. He just makes your life easier because of his understanding of the game and how good he is. But the person too – such a down-to-earth guy, especially with all that he has achieved.”
Luke Baker19 January 2026 16:26
Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer
Marc Guehi’s move to Man City is finally complete and he has explained what the motivation was behind the move to the Etihad
Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer
The England international has penned a five-and-a-half year contract at the Etihad Stadium and could make his debut against Wolves on Saturday
Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent19 January 2026 16:09
West Ham want £50m for Paqueta
Tim Vickery of Sky Sports says that Lucas Paqueta could be sold if West Ham’s valuation of the midfielder is met.
Paqueta has interest from Brazilian side Flamengo and the possibility he makes the move in January hasn’t been ruled out.
“Flamengo can afford Lucas Paqueta. Flamengo don't want to go above £40m, West Ham's price, it seems, is £50m,” Vickery said. “Flamengo are huge, probably the biggest club outside of Europe. The Club World Cup is huge over here, it gave them a lot of money and ambition.
“They're champions of Brazil, champions of South America, but it's not enough. They want world domination. Flamengo is where Pacqueta started. In the short-term, remember the World Cup; this is why a lot of South American players are looking to reposition themselves.”
Luke Baker19 January 2026 15:50
DONE DEAL! Marc Guehi completes Man City move
Man City have finally clinched the signing of Marc Guehi for £20m. The Crystal Palace captain, who almost joined Liverpool in the summer before a deadline-day move broke down, has agreed a five-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium after passing a medical.
Guehi takes City’s spending since the start of 2025 to around £430m and he would have been available on a free transfer when his Palace contract was due to expire in the summer.
But City, who had seen the England international as a long-term target, fast-tracked the move after injuries to fellow centre-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
“I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player,” said the 25-year-old. “This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that.”
Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent19 January 2026 15:30
Chelsea preparing to sell George
Tyrique George is looking increasingly likely to leave Chelsea this January according to the Standard.
The 19-year-old academy graduate has not featured in a Premier League squad since October and has interest from other clubs in England as well as Europe.
Chelsea are willing to sell the forward but are also open to a six-month loan until the end of the season if the terms were attractive enough.
Luke Baker19 January 2026 15:10
Brighton's Diego Coppola drawing Fiorentina interest
Brighton defender Diego Coppola is drawing interest from Fiorentina, according to Sky Italia,
Coppola joined Brighton from Hellas Verona in the summer but has made just two Premier League starts, and only nine appearances in total.
Fiorentina have already landed Leeds winger Jack Harrison on loan today but appear set to delve back into the Premier League well once more
Luke Baker19 January 2026 14:51
Celtic to miss out on Callum Wilson
Callum Wilson appeared set to be released from his West Ham contract, and Celtic were primed to snap up the experienced striker, but the Scottish side’s hopes have now been dashed.
The Athletic are now reporting that the 33-year-old Wilson will stay at West Ham after coming off the bench to snatch a dramatic late winner against bitter rivals Tottenham at the weekend.
Wilson had held talks with Nuno Espirito Santo about terminating his one-year contract following the signings of fellow strtikers Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe but both parties appear to have had a change of heart.
Luke Baker19 January 2026 14:36