Although the summer transfer window closed earlier this week following a spending spree across the Premier League, several clubs are already positioning themselves for the reopening of the market in January, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all reportedly active behind the scenes.
Arsenal endured a quiet finish to Deadline Day, missing out on a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, but the Gunners are expected to revisit their interest in the forward when the winter window opens. According to reports, Arsenal have drawn up a two-man attacking shortlist featuring Alvarez alongside Bournemouth teenager Eli Junior Kroupi, 19, who would represent a cheaper and younger alternative. Whether Arsenal move for either player in January may hinge on how manager Mikel Arteta's attacking options perform over the coming months.
Arsenal are also reportedly among the clubs monitoring Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, alongside Manchester City, with Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia also said to be tracking the Portugal international. Neto, who joined Chelsea from Wolves in 2024, is understood to be highly valued at Stamford Bridge, meaning Chelsea are under no pressure to sell despite anticipated interest.
On the contract front, Arsenal are reportedly making strong progress toward securing Arteta's long-term future, with the manager expected to commit to a new deal in the coming weeks. The club are also said to be advancing talks over fresh terms for captain Martin Odegaard, midfielder Declan Rice and defender Jurrien Timber, all considered central to the club's plans following their Premier League title success.
Chelsea's Deadline Day was among the most eventful in the league, as the club sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for a British-record-equalling £125 million but failed to bring in a replacement after Monaco withdrew from an agreement to sell Lamine Camara. Chelsea have now been linked with Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios as a January target, though the Spanish club could demand a fee in the region of €100 million.
Elsewhere, Tottenham completed late additions in Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo, while still looking to move on forward Richarlison after a proposed switch to Turkey collapsed. A move to Saudi Arabia remains a possible option for the striker when that market closes.
Manchester United, meanwhile, remain interested in Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall after failing to sign him during the recent window, with Newcastle refusing to sell. The Magpies are reportedly considering offering Hall a new contract to secure his future at St James' Park, while United are not expected to pursue a left-back in January given Patrick Dorgu is set to provide cover for Luke Shaw. United are also said to remain in discussions with Leicester over teenager Louis Page after a Deadline Day move fell through, with the two clubs reportedly closer to an agreement than initially thought, though Leicester are seeking a higher fee than the £12.5 million received for Jeremy Monga's move to Manchester City earlier in the summer.
Newcastle also rejected two bids from Nottingham Forest worth around £12 million for winger Jacob Murphy, according to reports, with manager Matthias Jaissle viewing the player as an important part of his squad this season.
At Brentford, the club have opened talks over a new long-term contract for winger Kevin Schade following interest from Arsenal, with the proposed deal reportedly including a significant salary increase for the German international.
Liverpool confirmed that sporting director Richard Hughes has stepped down from his role, with the club now searching for his successor. Hughes, who joined from Bournemouth in June 2024 and oversaw roughly £670 million in spending, is widely expected to move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. "It has been a source of great pride to have been given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution," Hughes said in a statement released by the club.
Everton were reportedly prepared to pay more than £40 million for West Ham's Taty Castellanos on Deadline Day, after moves for Folarin Balogun, Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham collapsed, though West Ham ultimately rejected the offer having failed to secure a replacement in time.
Based on reporting from London Standard (via Standard Football).