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Arsenal
The Mykhaylo Mudryk story keeps on making headlines, and I’ve had a lot of Arsenal fans asking me for updates.
I’m afraid I don’t know exactly when there will be new developments, this depends on the clubs; we will update when they will return with a new bid.
For sure Arsenal remain in contact with Shakhtar and they want to insist, Mudryk dreams of Premier League football and he’s waiting to see what happens. I think he’s a fantastic talent with big potential so this is why Shakhtar ask for big fee in the region of Antony and Jack Grealish.
AS Monaco
AS Monaco head coach Clement on Badiashile-Chelsea and Bayern-Nubel negotiations: “Alex and Benoit are both focused on Monaco, they’re working so well with us. I’ve nothing else to say.”
The Benoit Badiashile deal is very advanced with Chelsea.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone on Joao Felix: “We have good working relationship, he’s important to the team. If he transmits to us what we saw at the World Cup, Joao Felix will be very important — he has talent and the team needs his qualities.”
Barcelona
Alejandro Balde on contract extension with Barca: “My agent is taking care of the negotiations. I always wanted and want to stay here, then you never know in the future.”
New deal is almost ready, valid for five years and including a release clause.
Bayern Munich
FC Bayern will prepare new contract proposal for Jamal Musiala in 2023. Current deal expires in June 2026 but Bayern want to seal new, longer agreement as soon as possible.
Lucas Hernandez and Alphonso Davies contracts will also be discussed.
Benfica
Liverpool appreciate Enzo Fernandez but never triggered the clause or made any bid, they’re absolutely quiet on Fernandez deal now. Man United are not expected to invest €120m on a midfielder in January. Chelsea appreciate him too, but the problem is the clause: €120m or nothing, this is Benfica’s position, otherwise they want to keep Enzo until June.
Everything is open – there is no agreement with any club as of now. Of course, he is tempted by the chance of joining a Premier League club, but Real Madrid also like him, even if they are not currently willing to trigger his release clause.
Chelsea
Official: Chelsea have completed the signing of Ivorian striker David Datro Fofana from Molde – here we go confirmed. He joins for €12m on a long-term deal. His medical is done and a full agreement is in place.
Chelsea statement on Reece James: “Reece James underwent assessment earlier today, scan results confirmed a setback with Reece set to be ruled out for up to a month.”
My understanding is that Chelsea will explore the right backs market, but as of now there’s still nothing advanced. Chelsea’s current focus is on the Benoit Badiashile deal with AS Monaco. Denzel Dumfries was already in the list in the summer, but as of now Inter have not received any fresh approach from Chelsea.
Chelsea could sign one more striker, so it’s not easy for them to trigger Enzo Fernandez’s release clause. We will see soon if they decide to move for him, they appreciate the player, but it’s complicated for them with Financial Fair Play.
The deal is done for Andrey Santos to join Chelsea – 100%. Just waiting for documents to be signed, work permit to be sorted and all this kind of stuff. Andrey Santos will be a Chelsea player for €12.5m fee plus add-ons.
Everton
There is no news on Jordan Pickford for now, despite speculation elsewhere. It’s something that top clubs will explore in the summer if Everton will not be able to reach an agreement on new contract. It’s still quiet now and Everton will insist again to keep him long-term.
Liverpool
Done deal, official – Cody Gakpo has joined Liverpool from PSV. He cost an initial £37m plus add-ons, has signed a long-term contract until 2028, and has been given the number 18 shirt.
As Gakpo also confirmed, it was really fast and unexpected. Jurgen Klopp in a meeting with the club asked to bring in a new winger after Luis Diaz injury and Gakpo was the perfect target for price, quality and ability to play with the team.
Klopp and Virgil van Dijk were both crucial for this signing. I think he will play as a winger, but he can be helpful in many positions.
Gakpo: “It was really hectic because it went really fast with Liverpool… and it was Christmas! Crazy! Everyone I know texted me. Van Dijk told me that this is the right move for me to become a better player, that LFC is a really massive club but also a real family.”
Klopp: “Gakpo, great player but also a smart guy. We have managed to sign a player who we have known about for quite some time… and who we believe will have a really bright future with us. Trust me, he has huge potential.”
As for other targets, Liverpool appreciate Enzo Fernandez but Jude Bellingham remains top of their list. They have never triggered Enzo’s release clause, despite some reports to the contrary.
Manchester City
Following his brace against Leeds last night, Erling Haaland has scored 45 goals in 42 official games in 2022, including 26 goals with Manchester City in just 20 appearances.
Pep Guardiola: “Haaland is not at his top, he can be sharper so we can do better.”
Manchester United
Manchester United are not going to invest crazy money in January. They had an agreement with Cody Gakpo, but not with PSV, they never made a bid. They were thinking internally about their budget, and of course the Glazers don’t want to spend crazy money while the club is up for sale.
PSG
It’s official: Marco Verratti has now signed a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain valid until 2026. Reminder: Verratti joined PSG in June 2012, ten years ago, for €12m fee from Pescara. He was a relatively unknown youngster at the time, but what a career he’s had!
Sevilla
Done deal, completed. Loic Bade is in Spain in order to undergo medical tests and sign for Sevilla. He’s close to joining from Rennes, and his loan to Nottingham Forest will be cancelled.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar vice director Nicolini on Arsenal-Mudryk deal: “€60m it’s not enough to sign Mudryk. Our director said that we need a bid closer to Grealish fee than Antony to sell Mudryk. We’re not even considering a bid with €40m as fixed fee.”