Arsenal Nears Arteta Contract as January Transfer Plans Intensify
The summer window has shut, but the Premier League’s biggest operators are already moving pieces for January. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all deep in planning mode, with contracts, snubs and scouting missions shaping the next few months.
Arsenal lock in the project – and keep shopping
Arsenal’s most important bit of business may not involve a player at all. Mikel Arteta is edging towards a new contract at the Emirates, with talks now at an advanced stage.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has described the agreement as “very, very close”, with discussions between the club and Arteta’s camp progressing smoothly. The expectation is clear: the Spaniard will commit his future and continue to front a long-term project already built heavily in his image.
That hasn’t slowed the recruitment drive. Arsenal have announced an agreement to sign Andria Bartishvili, the youngster widely tagged as the “next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia”. The club also remain alive to opportunities in the forward and attacking midfield positions, maintaining interest in Kenan Yildiz, Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi, while being linked with Como talent Nico Paz.
The Gunners are also keeping a close eye on Liverpool prospect Rio Ngumoha. Reports suggest Arsenal are monitoring the winger’s situation ahead of January, with no fee or formal bid mentioned yet. With Cody Gakpo established and Bradley Barcola arriving on Deadline Day, Ngumoha faces a crowded path on the left, and Arsenal are watching to see if an opening appears.
Chelsea weigh midfield reshuffle
At Stamford Bridge, the focus is on replacing Enzo Fernandez when the window reopens. Chelsea are expected to bring in another midfielder but appear to have cooled on Lamine Camara.
The search has moved towards Marc Bernal and Manu Kone, both now firmly on the radar. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, a long-term target, remains in the conversation as the club look to reshape the balance of their midfield ahead of the second half of the season.
Chelsea also face a decision on Noni Madueke. His limited minutes have not gone unnoticed across Europe.
Atletico Madrid and Juventus are both tracking the winger, according to reports, with a loan move – potentially including an option to buy – seen as a realistic outcome in January. Atletico view Madueke as a source of pace and direct running in wide areas, while Juventus are also monitoring his situation.
Arsenal, for their part, must decide whether to keep Madueke and push for a bigger role under Arteta or sanction a temporary exit. With the England international tied to a long-term deal, the club hold a strong hand if any formal offers land on the table.
Liverpool plot midfield and youth moves
Liverpool’s rebuild is far from finished. Camara, who has slipped from Chelsea’s primary list, could yet end up at Anfield, with the Reds seen as a possible destination for the midfielder.
They continue to track Adam Wharton as well, while Bayern Munich’s interest in Florian Wirtz adds another layer to the European midfield merry-go-round. Liverpool’s attention to emerging talent also feeds into the Ngumoha situation, with the youngster’s pathway now under pressure from senior options in his preferred role.
Manchester United hit Kane wall and switch to Truffert
Manchester United’s long-running interest in Harry Kane has taken another hit. Bayern Munich are increasingly confident of keeping the England captain beyond this season, according to TEAMtalk.
The German champions believe their relationship with Kane is strong and that he remains committed to their project. United had been prepared to explore a deal running to 2027, with the striker currently under contract until the end of the season, but the momentum has shifted firmly towards him staying in Bavaria.
On the left side of defence, United have already been forced to pivot. After missing out on Lewis Hall, who has committed his future to Newcastle with a new contract, the club have turned to Adrien Truffert.
The Bournemouth defender has emerged as a leading target as United look for a long-term successor to Luke Shaw. TEAMtalk report that United are closely monitoring Truffert and have laid early groundwork for a potential move.
The 24-year-old, signed from Rennes, has impressed on the south coast and is viewed as a strong alternative to Hall. Bournemouth value him at around £60m and have him under contract until 2030. The Cherries are reluctant to sell, which makes a January deal complicated and pushes a more realistic move into next summer. United, who failed to strengthen at left-back in the summer, may now see Truffert as their priority in that position.
Tottenham turmoil: Richarlison stuck, Ausilio lined up
Tottenham’s forward department continues to be dominated by one name: Richarlison. His failed move back to Brazil has now been laid bare.
According to UOL journalist Bruno Braz, Vasco da Gama were prepared to put together a permanent deal on deadline day that would have allowed Richarlison to return abroad in January. The Brazilian club reportedly offered a clause giving him an exit route after just a few months, while Tottenham were satisfied with the financial structure.
The pressure built, the deal framework was in place – and then it collapsed.
Richarlison did not want a permanent transfer. His preferred option was to terminate his Spurs contract, then join Vasco only until the end of the year before reassessing in January. With no agreement on that front, the move fell apart.
The Brazilian had already seen talks falter with Everton and Trabzonspor over personal terms. Now, with the Vasco route blocked, he looks set to be stuck at Tottenham until at least January, potentially facing up to four months without competitive senior football. He has already reacted on social media after Roberto De Zerbi dashed hopes of a Tottenham recall, leaving his short-term future in limbo.
Behind the scenes, Spurs are preparing a structural change. The club are expected to appoint Piero Ausilio as their new sporting director ahead of the winter window. Ausilio, who has spent more than 20 years at Inter, worked closely with Roberto De Zerbi during his time in Italy.
His impending exit from Inter has already triggered movement there. Dario Baccin has been promoted to sporting director and is keen to make an immediate statement. Yasin Ayari, the Brighton midfielder under contract until 2027, has been identified as a possible target, with his situation seen as attractive in terms of age, profile and deal length. Reports also suggest Ayari is a player who could have appealed to Ausilio himself, hinting at a tug-of-war between old and new employers in the months ahead.
West Ham’s quiet business
Away from the headline chases, West Ham have moved to secure game time for their youngsters. The club have confirmed that Preston Fearon has joined Forest Green Rovers on a three-month loan.
Another deal has also been signed off: Ryan Battrum has completed a one-month loan switch to National League side Southend United. Both moves are designed to fast-track development in senior football rather than leave prospects stagnating in youth sides.
The window is shut, the games are back, but the market never really sleeps. Contracts, clauses and quiet phone calls are already shaping what January will look like. The only question now is which club turns early positioning into decisive action when it all opens up again.
