Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool and Arsenal plot early moves as January window opens

Chris Sutton has called for Arsenal to forget paying a three-figure sum for Ivan Toney and target Dominic Solanke in January instead.

The Bournemouth striker has 12 goals in the Premier League this season, with only Erling Haaland scoring more. And the former Blackburn forward thinks a big-money move for Toney would represent a gamble given his inactivity and Arsenal’s drastic need for goals.

“Arsenal are trying to win the title, so they haven’t got time to wait for anyone to get up to speed,” he told BBC Sport. “If we are looking at the names that are supposedly within their grasp, Solanke stands out as the best candidate.”

Manchester United have reportedly sent a formal letter to Victor Lindelof’s management team to confirm they have activated the option to extend the contract.

The Swedish centre-back is now officially under contract at the club until June 2025. In contrast, United have declined to trigger the same option for Raphael Varane, meaning the Frenchman can now leave for free in the summer.

Varane is expected to start negotiation with overseas clubs immediately, and United may favour a quick-fire sale in order to recuperate the £34million fee they paid Real Madrid in the summer of 2021.

Leicester City have made enquiries to Liverpool about signing winger Fabio Carvalho on loan.

The Portuguese plater was sent out to RB Leipzig in the summer but has failed to get regular game time. He’s featured in just nine Bundesliga games, with most of his appearances limit to cameos off the bench. The Reds therefore, recalled him back to Merseyside on December 31.

And according to Sky Sports News, the 21-year-old is now on the verge of a move to the Championship leaders. It’s a deal that would seemingly make sense to all parties, with the youngster wanting game time and unlikely to break in to the Liverpool front three, even with Mo Salah heading to the AFCON.

The under-pressure Erik ten Hag has vowed that Manchester United will make progress once their current injury crisis has ceased.

The manager is due to have crunch talks with INEOS representative Sir Dave Brailsford, but was defiant yesterday over the current form of a team: “They (INEOS) know me and they know when I have a squad what is available the results will be there. We already proved against the top teams we can go head to head.

“I am convinced and have a strong belief we (can) get more progress, consistency in this team. This is part of a project. We were over performing last year, this year we are underperforming, we have to step up and I have to lead that process.”

Brailsford attended the Boxing Day win over Aston Villa and the Saturday defeat at Nottingham Forest.

After losing to West Ham, Mikel Arteta was unequivocal when asked if his current squad was capable of winning the Premier League title.

“If we don’t improve in the boxes, no,” he said. “Because at the end that is what it is.”

Supporters are desperate for a new striker to arrive, but any move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney is a tricky one. It’s likely the Gunners will need to move on some players before buying, with a full back also on the agenda. Arsenal have spent big in recent windows, could FFP restrictions hamper them this time around? We’ll soon find out.

A deal that will take Claudio Echeverri to Manchester City is expected to be completed on January 1.

Documents have already been exchanged between City and River Plate, with the 17-year-old star set to sign for £22million on a six-year deal. However, he will imeediately be loaned back to his parent club and then head to England in December 2024.

The teenager rose to prominence in the Under-17 World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in the quarter final win over Brazil. But River fans are seemingly angry with the youngster, accusing him of agreeing to the deal in private but staying silent while continuing to play for the club.

Wrexham have wasted no time in announcing their first bit of a business in the January transfer window.

However, Phil Parkinson’s side have done their business with current players, rather than bring in new ones. The club have announced that Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee have signed new contracts until 2027.

Tying down Mullin, 29, is a huge statement from the League Two side as they push for back-to-back promotions. He now has 89 goals in 116 club appearances, and has been linked with Championship clubs and an international call-up with Wales.

Jurgen Klopp promised Liverpool 2.0 this season, and he has delivered that. The Reds’ new-look midfield has impressed with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo adding to their options.

If Klopp is to recruit this month, it’s likely to be at full back, with Fulham’s Antonee Robinson touted as a potential option. And while major deals are unlikely, we’ve seen in the past that Anfield power brokers are willing to pull the trigger if the right player becomes available.

January marks the first window in which Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will assume control of footballing operations at Old Trafford. Britain’s second richest man saw his deal to acquire 25 per cent from the Glazers agreed – if not officially ratified.

However, as part of the arrangement, Ratcliffe will have a say on deals this month – and Erik ten Hag needs plenty of help. A miserable season for the Red Devils is already at historic nadirs and even if his job is safe for now, the Dutchman needs some help.

A striker is undoubtedly at the top of his wishlist, with Rasmus Hojlund finding the net just once in the Premier League, with Anthony Martial’s days numbered.

There is also an appetite to land another defender, but it may be low-cost deals or loan moves to ensure United stay out of any financial problems.

So today marks the start of the January window, and it will be open right until the start of February.

There’s fixtures on January 31, so the window won’t close until the following night at 11pm for all English clubs. Spain’s window closes at the same time, but German sides will need to finish their business by 5pm.

Happy 2024 and more importantly…Happy January transfer window.

January 1, marks the start of the madness and by the end of the month, teams could look very different. We’ll be following every deal as it happens, so stick with us for what could be a very exciting few weeks!