Arsenal Near Arteta Contract as Premier League Clubs Plan January Moves

The summer window has shut, but the market has not gone quiet. Far from it. The Premier League’s biggest clubs are already shaping January, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all deep in planning mode.

At Arsenal, the focus is as much on the dugout as the pitch.

Arteta “very, very close” to new Arsenal contract

Mikel Arteta is on the brink of committing his future to Arsenal, a move that would cement the club’s long-term project under the Spaniard.

Talks are at an advanced stage, with negotiations between Arsenal and Arteta’s camp described as progressing smoothly. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has gone as far as to say the manager is “very, very close” to signing, and that he “definitely” expects the deal to be done.

It would be a significant marker. Arsenal have already agreed a deal to sign Andria Bartishvili, the winger touted as the next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and remain in the market for further attacking talent, including Kenan Yildiz, Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi, while keeping an eye on Como’s Nico Paz.

Locking in Arteta gives all of that a clear direction. The message is simple: the project is his.

Manchester United hit Kane wall and turn to Truffert

While Arsenal tighten things up, Manchester United are forced back to the drawing board on two fronts.

Any lingering hope of tempting Harry Kane back to England has taken a hit. Bayern Munich are increasingly confident of keeping the England captain beyond this season. The German champions believe their relationship with Kane is strong and that he remains committed to their project, despite United’s willingness to explore a deal running to 2027 with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season.

With that avenue closing, United’s recruitment team are focusing on a different position.

Having missed out on Lewis Hall, who has signed a new deal at Newcastle, United have intensified their search for a long-term successor to Luke Shaw at left-back. Adrien Truffert, now at Bournemouth after his move from Rennes, has emerged as a leading target.

United are closely monitoring the 24-year-old and have already laid groundwork for a possible move. Truffert is valued at around £60m and is tied to Bournemouth until 2030. The Cherries do not want to sell, which makes a January transfer complicated and pushes a deal next summer into sharper view.

United failed to strengthen at left-back in the summer. Truffert’s form on the south coast has ensured his name will not leave their shortlist any time soon.

Chelsea weigh up midfield and Madueke questions

Across London, Chelsea are preparing for a midfield reshuffle.

The club are expected to bring in a replacement for Enzo Fernandez in January, but their shortlist is evolving. Lamine Camara is no longer seen as the primary option, with Marc Bernal and Manu Kone now among the latest names under consideration. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, long admired at Stamford Bridge, remains on the radar.

There is also a decision looming over Noni Madueke.

The winger’s limited minutes this season have not gone unnoticed in Europe. Atletico Madrid and Juventus are both tracking his situation, with a loan move in January – potentially including an option to buy – seen as a realistic scenario, according to reports.

Atletico view Madueke as a source of pace and direct running in wide areas, while Juventus are also keeping tabs ahead of the winter window. No formal talks have taken place yet, but the interest is real.

Arsenal, interestingly, could be drawn into that story too. The Gunners will have to decide whether to keep Madueke and push for greater involvement under Mikel Arteta, or sanction a move if a serious proposal lands. With the winger under a long-term contract, Arsenal would be negotiating from a position of strength.

Liverpool watch Camara as Wirtz attracts Bayern

Liverpool’s midfield rebuild is not done either.

Camara, who has drifted from Chelsea’s primary list, could yet find Anfield as his next destination. The Reds are also maintaining an interest in Adam Wharton as they scan the market for future-proof options.

Higher up the food chain, Bayern Munich are circling Florian Wirtz. Their interest only adds more complexity to an already congested market for elite young midfielders.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are keeping a close watch on one of their own situations. Arsenal are monitoring Rio Ngumoha’s status at the club with growing interest ahead of January. With Cody Gakpo established and Bradley Barcola arriving on Deadline Day, Ngumoha faces a squeeze for minutes on the left flank. Arsenal’s recruitment team will not miss that kind of opening.

Tottenham: Ausilio talks, Ayari interest and Richarlison in limbo

Tottenham’s winter could be defined as much by the boardroom as by the pitch.

Spurs are said to be keen on appointing Piero Ausilio as their new sporting director before the January window opens. Ausilio, after more than 20 years at Inter, is understood to be closing in on a move to north London.

His impending exit has already reshaped Inter. Dario Baccin has been promoted to sporting director and is eager to make an early statement. One of his first identified targets is Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari, whose contract runs to 2027 and whose profile is considered particularly attractive to the Italian club. Reports suggest Ayari is a player who could also have appealed to Ausilio himself.

On the pitch, Richarlison’s future remains tangled.

Tottenham were prepared to let the forward leave for Vasco da Gama before the Brazilian move collapsed on deadline day. According to UOL journalist Bruno Braz, Vasco were ready to structure a permanent deal that would have allowed Richarlison to return abroad as early as January, including a clause offering him an exit route after just a few months. Tottenham were reportedly satisfied with the financial package.

The forward was not. Richarlison did not want a permanent transfer. His preferred solution was to terminate his Spurs contract, then join Vasco only until the end of the year before reassessing his options in January. That plan never materialised.

The result is stark. After failed moves to Vasco, Everton and Trabzonspor, Richarlison is stuck in limbo, facing up to four months without competitive senior football and responding on social media as hopes of a Tottenham recall under Roberto De Zerbi were dashed.

His situation will be one of the more volatile subplots when the window reopens.

West Ham busy in the loan market

Not every deal is headline-grabbing, but the churn continues lower down the ladder.

West Ham have confirmed two short-term exits. Ryan Battrum has joined National League side Southend United on a one-month loan, while Preston Fearon has completed a three-month loan switch to Forest Green Rovers.

Both moves are designed to fast-track game time and development away from the Premier League glare.

The big clubs, though, are already locked into bigger questions. Will Arteta’s new deal and a fresh wave of signings push Arsenal over the line, or will United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs find the one transfer that changes the shape of their season?