Arsenal, United and Liverpool sharpen their sights on Haaland and Costa as the January market heats up.
The end of the summer window has not slowed the frenzy in England. While most clubs have sealed their major purchases, the winter transfer window is already shaping up as a second chance for giants to fine-tune their squads.
Financial uncertainty at Manchester City has sparked fresh speculation, particularly about the fate of their prolific striker Erling Haaland. Simultaneously, a wave of young defenders is drawing attention, with several Premier League sides keen to add depth at full-back before the new year.
Among the most talked-about targets are Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi while Dani Olmo and Ibrahim Maza linger on the radar of multiple clubs. The market narrative is no longer limited to marquee signings; it now intertwines proven talent with emerging prospects, creating a dynamic puzzle for managers and directors alike.
Premier clubs target marquee striker and defender
Arsenal have reportedly opened dialogue with Manchester City regarding a potential move for Erling Haaland exploiting the latest developments in the club’s financial case. The Gunners’ interest aligns with that of Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona, all monitoring the situation as sanctions loom. In parallel, Alberto Costa the 22-year-old Portuguese right-back who impressed at Porto after his Juventus stint, has found himself on the watch-list of both Manchester United and Arsenal, with Paris Saint-Germain also in the mix. The defensive market is further enlivened by Stuttgart’s Finn Jeltsch a 20-year-old centre-back valued at around €45 million, a price tag that could trigger a bidding clash with Real Madrid.
Confirmed signings and trial breakthroughs
While the rumor mill spins, Chelsea have made a tangible addition by securing former Tottenham academy product Leo Black. The 20-year-old, capable of operating both as a right-back and a midfielder, ended a 12-year spell with Spurs in June and impressed during a trial that yielded two Premier League 2 goals, earning a nomination for September’s player of the month. Another storyline involves João Félix who openly expressed his desire to return to European competition after an underwhelming stint in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, where he shared dressing-room duties with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané.
Young right-backs become hot commodities
The demand for athletic full-backs has intensified, with Alberto Costa emerging as a prime example. Porto secured his services from Juventus in 2025 and placed a €65 million release clause in his contract, positioning the defender as a lucrative yet reachable target. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s scouting network has highlighted Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch whose physical presence and aerial ability make him an attractive option for clubs seeking a centre-back capable of immediate impact. Porto has indicated that serious offers are expected soon, suggesting that the market could see a swift resolution if a Premier League side is prepared to meet the valuation.
Potential surprise moves for the winter window
Beyond the headline names, several unexpected transfers could reshape squad dynamics. Besiktas president Serdal Adali announced an intention to bring Joe Willock to Turkey in January, even revealing that the Newcastle midfielder has selected a house in Istanbul. Brentford’s winger Kevin Schade is reportedly a shared target for Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, highlighting the competition for attacking talent. Tottenham have thrown their weight behind Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae as a possible replacement for Micky van de Ven, who is also drawing interest from United and Liverpool. Finally, Liverpool remain in contact with Real Madrid over midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni**, despite his recent long-term contract, keeping the door open for a surprise winter acquisition should his role at the Bernabeu diminish.
