Arsenal chiefs are ready to back Mikel Arteta in the January transfer window. The indications are that he will be given up to ₤50 million on a single player as they look to sustain another title challenge. And the top priority is signing a replacement for Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, who has sustained yet another injury which will keep him out until the New Year at least, by which time he could be called up by his country for AFCON duty. And with Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny both out of contract at the end of the season – although, in the case of the Italian, there is an option to ext ..read more

Chelsea full-back and captain Reece James is once again being linked with a move to Real Madrid. The Spanish club are looking for a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal on the right side of their defence, and James is one of their top options. That is despite the fitness issues that have plagued him over the past few seasons. He returned to action for the League Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, and impressed in his side’s two goal victory. Now his immediate priority is to put a run of games together and to force his way back into the England squad. James only signed a new deal a ..read more

Arsenal are set to beat Barcelona to the signing of young Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermeeren. The 18 year old plays for Royal Antwerp, whom he helped win the league title last season. He stood out both for his composure on the ball, and his ability to win it back in midfield. The Spanish club have been looking for a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, and had identified the teenager as a possible option. However, Arsenal have also been tracking his progress for some time, and could be ready to move for him as early as January. The fee is likely to be around ₤13 million, and that is a ..read more

Chelsea have been linked with a January move for Gavi, the Barcelona midfielder. The 19 year old is already a fully fledged Spanish international, having played 25 times for his country. He has already made more than 100 appearances for the La Liga side, and is considered one of the best players to have emerged from their academy system in recent years. However, Barcelona’s continued financial issues means that they are now considering selling him, and he and fellow teenager Pedri may be sacrificed because they can get the most money for them. Gavi has a valuation of £87 million, which would ..read more

Chelsea have activated a clause in the contract of full-back Ian Maatsen in order to fend off interest from Barcelona. The Spanish club were hoping to sign the Dutch player on a free contract, but now will have to paya substantial fee for his services. The 21 year old spent last season on loan with Burnley, helping them secure promotion as Champions. He then seemed on the verge of joining the Lancashire club on a permanent deal in the summer, with terms agreed between both clubs, but pulled out of the deal at the last minute, preferring to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge. Burnley, thou ..read more

Barcelona want another deep lying midfielder and are considering Arsenal’s Jorginho as an option. The 31 year old only joined the Gunners from Chelsea in January, but he is only on a short-term contract which expires at the end of this season. He has largely been confined to a bit-part player under Mikel Arteta, although he did start the match against Manchester City at the Emirates last weekend. The Brazilian born Italian international has also been linked with a move back to Serie A, having signed for Chelsea from Napoli. If the Gunners were to allow him to leave in January, then they would ..read more

Arsenal are tracking defender Miguel Gutiérrez, who plays for La Liga side Girona. The Gunners are keen to strengthen their options at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko their only specialist player in that position, although both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakob Kiowor have deputised there. Although he began his youth career with Girona, Gutiérrez then moved to become part of the Real Madrid academy system, and would make 9 first-team appearances for Los Blancos before returning to Girona last summer. He has been capped by Spain at under-21 level. He is under contract with his current club until ..read more

Barcelona are continue to monitor developments with Andrey Santos, the Chelsea teenager who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest. They were interested in the player when he first broke thorough as Vasco da Gama, but their financial situation at the time ruled out them making a bid. Instead he joined Chelsea in January, but remained with Vasco on loan for the rest of the season. Mauricio Pochettino subsequently determined he was not part of his plans for the season ahead, and he was allowed to join Forest instead, although he has yet to make a league appearance for them. His only senior m ..read more

Stories linking Chelsea full-back Reece James with a  link to Real Madrid have been downplayed. The Spanish club are looking for a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal, and have been tracking James for some time. Nevertheless, sources close to the West London club insist that it would take a ridiculous amount of money to persuade them to part with him. He signed a new contract with the club last season that ties him to Stamford Bridge until 2028, and he was made club captain by Mauricio Pochettino at the start of this season. Unfortunately for him and the club he picked up a hamstring ..read more

Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Real Madrid on a season long loan. The Spanish club were forced to take action after Thiebaut Courtois – another former Chelsea goalkeeper – suffered an ACL injury in training last week. That is expected to keep him out for the entirety of the 2023 – 2024 season. Bayern Munich were also interested in a player who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when Chelsea signed him from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, although he has never entirely convinced in his time at Stamford Bridge. However, although that would have meant a reunion with Thomas Tuchel, the Spaniard ..read more