Weekly transfer window: could Madrilenian Güler really join Arsenal? Gehi the last one?

The winter transfer window is open across Europe and business is starting to happen. What are ESPN journalists hearing about possible deals?

Every Friday until February, we’ll be bringing you the latest updates and insights on the biggest transfer news.

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Could Real Madrid’s Arda Güler really join Arsenal?

Having invested more than £250 million last summer to strengthen the first team, there has been an element of long-term planning to Arsenal’s upcoming transfers. They love Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, 20, and Güler is another young player they know very well.

The Turkish international started the season as a key player in Xabi Alonso’s midfield. Part of the reason behind Madrid’s decision not to replace Martín Zubimendi was confidence in Güler’s ability to develop in central midfield. But his involvement and form have declined in recent months, and it is not yet clear what role he will play under new coach Álvaro Arbeloa, although he started in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey defeat at Albacete.

However, Arsenal have no plans to do anything significant in this window unless an opportunity arises in the final fortnight, and any official interest in Güler is much more likely this summer. James Olley and Alex Kirkland

Man City are eyeing Marc Guéhi. What is the last one?

Manchester City want a central defender with John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Rúben Dias all injured. Guéhi is seen as a long-term target who could be brought in sooner under the right circumstances. City did not think there would be much of a problem finding an acceptable fee for Crystal Palace, given they are set to lose the England international for nothing when his contract expires this summer.

It looked like it would last the entire window, given Guéhi knows he would have his choice of clubs at the end of the season and would also benefit from an improved financial package when no transfer fee is involved.

But it seems City have managed to convince him. Sources told ESPN that a deal for Guéhi was close to being finalized. Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed this at a press conference on Friday.

“According to my latest information, a deal with Marc is in the final stages. I cannot confirm a club, because it is not yet concluded, but it is in the final stages,” Glasner said. Rob Dawson

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández is on PSG’s radar. Is this a possibility or is it far-fetched?

PSG will be looking for a midfielder this summer, and Fernández is certainly on their radar. Manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos are big fans of the Argentina international, believing he could play three different positions in the team’s midfield.

However, this will not be simple. PSG are aware that Chelsea would demand a significant fee in any potential deal, given he joined in 2023 in a record €121 million transfer to the Premier League and his contract runs until 2031.

Fernández is perhaps the most important factor here. Rumors swirled about his alleged move to Chelsea in the summer of 2024, but nothing came to fruition. Chelsea would be reluctant to lose a player who has often captained the team when Reece James was unavailable.

Chelsea are not under financial pressure to let him leave, and his long-term contract helps in that area too. This means that Fernández should try to trigger action if something were to happen.

It is worth noting that he was very close to former manager Enzo Maresca, who was sacked earlier this month. If Fernández opens the door to a transfer, PSG would be interested – Julien Laurens and James Olley

Speaking of Chelsea, they have a new manager. What about the “bomb squad”?

New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior says he plans to speak to the two most high-profile members of that group – Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi – but both are expected to leave.

ESPN previously reported that Sterling would prefer a permanent move to a loan deal after West Ham approached Chelsea to take the winger until the end of the season. Fulham have already expressed their interest. Napoli are also monitoring Sterling, while Roma and Lyon are interested in Disasi.

However, Chelsea have reached their maximum of six loans abroad, as allowed by UEFA, so either that would have to change or a foreign club would have to secure a permanent deal for either player. James Olley

Barcelona has been unusually quiet. What transfers could take place there?

The arrival of João Cancelo on loan from Al Hilal this week will likely be Barca’s only signing this month, but there could be some departures. All eyes are on goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who could leave after losing the No.1 spot to Joan García. La Liga leaders are also responding to the requests of certain young people who do not benefit from regular playing time.

Midfielder Marc Bernal, recently returned from a long injury, is one of these players. LaLiga side Girona are among the clubs to have been informed of his availability, but there is nothing concrete yet. Barca’s position previously was that he would not leave; it is now recognized that it might be better for him to go out and play. Roony Bardghji is also attracting interest from across Europe. Barça’s response in the case of the Swedish striker, for now, is that he will not leave this month. Sam Marsden

Harvey Elliott has played 96 minutes in the Premier League this season. Could anyone save him this month?

Elliott is still in limbo at Aston Villa as parent club Liverpool have no recourse to cut short his season-long loan spell at Villa Park.

The 22-year-old has not touched a ball for Unai Emery’s side since a four-minute substitute outing against Feyenoord in the Europa League on October 4, and his last Premier League appearance came against Fulham on September 28.

The England Under-21 midfielder is fit and available for selection, but with Villa set to make a permanent £35 million move once Elliott has made 10 league appearances, Emery has since said the club have no plans to sign the player and he will not make any further appearances.

But with Elliott’s appearance for Liverpool at Newcastle last August meaning he has played for two clubs this season, he is unable to complete a further loan move away from Villa due to FIFA rules banning players from featuring for three clubs in one season.

Liverpool are aware of Elliott’s situation, but it will force Villa to end his loan and send him back to Anfield, triggering a financial penalty, and there is no indication that will happen this window – Mark Ogden

Liverpool only have Jérémie Frimpong and Joe Gomez at right back. Will they replace Conor Bradley?

Liverpool’s defensive options already looked limited before Bradley’s season-ending knee injury. Now, with the Northern Ireland international sidelined, they are reduced to nothing.

With centre-back Giovanni Leoni also expected to be out until the start of the next term, it would make sense for Arne Slot’s side to add reinforcements before the window closes to give themselves the best possible chance of a top-four finish. However, at present, Liverpool are unlikely to make a move in the market, with midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones capable of dropping back in at the back in an emergency.

However, Liverpool still remain interested in Palace’s Guéhi, and it remains to be seen whether they will outline their summer plans should City make a move for the defender this month – Beth Lindop

Other interesting offers in the works?

– La Liga side Villarreal remains in talks for Orlando City, USMNT defender Alex Freemanalthough a source close to the negotiations said the two sides remained “very far apart” on a deal. ESPN reported last month that Orlando had offered Freeman what is known as a max-U22 deal that could see Freeman receive an eight-fold increase in his salary from last year’s figure of $105,000. — Jeff Carlisle

– American junior international and midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes Medina Cross is close to signing with Liga MX giants Chivas, a source told ESPN. The 19-year-old represented the United States at the 2023 U17 World Cup, but has also trained with Mexico’s junior national team thanks to his dual nationality. In 2022, he is on trial with Bayern Munich. — Cesar Hernández

– Bournemouth have entered the race to sign Vasco da Gama’s teenage striker Rayan in replacement of Antoine Sémenyofollowing his departure for Man City. Sources indicated that the Brazilian side had set an asking price of 50 million euros for Rayanand Bournemouth are ready to offer 35 million euros to sign the Brazilian U20 player. — ESPN Brazil

– Espanyol studies transfer for Porto winger Angel Alarcon as they look to strengthen their efforts in support of European football. The oddity of this deal would be that they could give local rivals Barcelona an unexpected cash boost if they sign Alarcón. Barca are owed a significant percentage of the forward’s future transfer fee, who made five appearances for the La Liga leaders before moving to Portugal. — Marsden

– Oscar Mingueza is another one to watch over the next couple of weeks. Juventus are among the clubs paving the way to sign the Celta Vigo defender on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer. However, a January deal for a small fee has also not been ruled out, with Celta no longer as confident that he will draw up new terms. — Marsden

– Crystal Palace and Angers close to reaching full agreement for permanent transfer of striker Sidiki Cherif. At 19, he is one of the brightest young stars in League One. He is powerful, strong, quick and good with the ball – a player Palace believe will fit perfectly into their system and the Premier League. — Laurent

– Hirving Lozano‘s future is uncertain after San Diego FC announced they would not sign him, making his search for a new team more difficult. In Mexico, several teams told ESPN they could not afford the winger’s salary, and in Europe, Real Oviedo, part of Mexico’s Pachuca group where Lozano made his professional debut, has not ruled out signing him, although they are not in negotiations. MLS team Atlanta United also remains a possibility. — ESPN kicks out