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TRANSFER RUMOURS: Man Utd in bidding war as Arsenal talks confirmed
Cameron Smith
- 20 Jan 2026 10:19 GMT
- 6 min read
News
The January transfer window is beginning to heat up as clubs across Europe look to finalise late deals in a bid to bolster their squads.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 20 January, including the latest updates on Hayden Hackney and Ethan Nwaneri.
Man Utd eye deal
Manchester United are still interested in Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, who is expected to become the subject of a bidding war, according to a report.
Tottenham Hotspur have ended their interest in the Englishman after signing Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, as per CaughtOffside, but Man Utd remain keen.
Furthermore, the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim head coach has only strengthened the Red Devils’ appreciation for him as he was in charge of Boro until last summer and witnessed Hackney's progress firsthand.
Current ETV
Hayden Hackney
DM, M (C)
Boro
Hayden Hackney
DM, M (C)
Boro
ETV Range
€20.1M - €24.6M
Ethan Nwaneri talks
Marseille are in talks with Arsenal over a six-month loan deal for Ethan Nwaneri, according to football transfer news expert David Ornstein.
Nwaneri, 18, has only racked up 515 minutes of action across all competitions so far this season and he has been heavily linked with a temporary departure before the end of the January transfer window.
It’s reported that Marseille are currently working on a deal to sign Nwaneri on a six-month loan, although an agreement has not yet been reached.
Chelsea want Julian Alvarez
Chelsea have reportedly made initial enquiries over a summer deal for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez as they look to bring him back to England later this year.
The Argentina international has enjoyed a stellar 18-month spell at the Wanda Metropolitano, but he has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League in recent weeks.
Transfer reporter IndyKaila now claims that Chelsea have ramped up their pursuit of Alvarez by lodging an initial offer worth roughly €85 million.
Newcastle ready to sell Anthony Gordon
Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their bid to sign long-term transfer target Anthony Gordon.
The England international has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for over a year and a move could potentially be on the cards this summer if Mikel Arteta’s side decide to pursue a transfer agreement.
That is because Newcastle United are ready to sell the 24-year-old this summer, as per transfer insider IndyKaila.
RB Leipzig chase Arne Engels
RB Leipzig are exploring a deal for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, who could make an unexpected return to the Bundesliga this month.
The Belgium international has been playing at Parkhead since leaving Augsburg in a €13 million deal in the summer of 2024 and he has quickly established himself as a key player for Celtic, making 52 appearances in his first season, in which he scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists.
However, according to Sky Germany, the 22-year-old's time in Glasgow could be cut short this month as has emerged as one of three midfield targets for RB Leipzig.
Kobbie Mainoo decision
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will not move in the January transfer window, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.
The 20-year-old found himself on the outside looking in under Ruben Amorim and had already requested to leave the club on loan in the summer.
He was expected to depart Old Trafford in January, but the sacking of Amorim and interim appointment of Carrick means he will now stay at Man Utd this month.
Transfer Rumour Round-Up
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are both interested in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios. (Fichajes)
Celtic are eager to sign DAC Dunajska Streda winger Damir Redzic before the end of the January transfer window. (TEAMtalk)
Aston Villa are desperate to finalise a deal for Tammy Abraham after allowing Donyell Malen to complete a loan move to AS Roma earlier this month. (Football Insider)
Everton, Newcastle and West Ham have all submitted enquiries over a January deal for Genoa defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy. (GiveMeSport)
Chelsea want to recoup the €12m fee they paid to sign David Datro Fofana as they eye a permanent sale this month. (The Daily Mail)
Football transfer news headlines today
DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today
TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea willing to sell Enzo Fernandez as January deal close
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Arsenal DEAL, Jacquet AGREEMENT, Man Utd PLAN
Jeremy Jacquet: Chelsea’s new €65m signing has one problem no one is talking about
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