Although the summer transfer window has long since closed, Premier League clubs are already laying the groundwork for January, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all reportedly active behind the scenes.
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Andria Bartishvili, a young prospect who has drawn comparisons to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and continue to track a number of high-profile targets. The Gunners remain interested in Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi, while also keeping tabs on Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz and Como's Nico Paz. According to reports from ElDesmarque, Arsenal are considering a formal approach for Paz in January 2027, though Real Madrid hold an €80million buy-back clause on the Argentine that activates next summer, potentially complicating any move. Paz has continued to shine for Como this season, including a two-assist display against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Arsenal are also said to be locked in a battle with Chelsea for Norwegian teenager Gabriel Rajkovic. Both clubs have reportedly built detailed scouting files on the 15-year-old, who became the youngest player in Eliteserien history when he made his senior debut for Valerenga, surpassing a record previously held by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. He scored his first top-flight goal against Bodo/Glimt in August with scouts from both London clubs present. However, competition for his signature is fierce, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Real Madrid among the other clubs monitoring him.
At Chelsea, attention is turning to a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez after a Deadline Day move for Lamine Camara fell through. Monaco are reportedly willing to sell the midfielder for around €70million (£60m) in January, with Camara said to be keen on a switch to the Premier League. Liverpool, however, could emerge as a rival destination, with the Reds also considering Aleksandar Stankovic, Alex Scott and Manu Kone as they look to bolster their midfield options having failed to add a new central midfielder in the summer. Bayern Munich are also said to be showing interest in Liverpool target Florian Wirtz.
Manchester United have reportedly shifted their focus in the left-back market after missing out on Newcastle's Lewis Hall, who has signed a new contract at St James' Park - one that reportedly does not include a buyout clause, though talkSPORT suggest Newcastle could still be open to selling him next summer. United are said to be closely watching Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert as a long-term successor to Luke Shaw. The 24-year-old is valued at around £60million and remains under contract until 2030, meaning Bournemouth are unlikely to sanction a January sale, with a summer move viewed as more realistic.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Piero Ausilio as their new sporting director, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Ausilio, who spent 16 years at Inter Milan and helped build the club into one of Serie A's leading forces, is expected to take up the role from January. Spurs are also still working to resolve the situation surrounding Richarlison after a proposed return to Brazil failed to go through before the deadline.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid's Endrick faces an uncertain future after slipping behind Kylian Mbappe and new arrival Carlos Espi in manager Jose Mourinho's pecking order, despite nearing a return from injury. Arda Guler, by contrast, has agreed a new contract at the Bernabeu, according to Fabrizio Romano, with Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso known to be an admirer of the Turkish international from his time at Real Madrid.
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit also weighed in on his old club's failed pursuit of Vinicius Junior, suggesting the Brazilian's temperament might not have suited Mikel Arteta's dressing room. "I think Vinicius Jnr is a really talented player but in terms of his mentality I am not sure he is a good fit for Arsenal," Petit said. "I see so many humble players at Arsenal so if you all of a sudden bring in someone who is completely different, it can be a problem, especially with Arteta's style of management... I think he is probably a bullet dodged for Arsenal."
Based on reporting from London Standard, TEAMtalk, La Gazzetta dello Sport, ElDesmarque, Sport, talkSPORT and Fabrizio Romano.