Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd could lose Mainoo, Arsenal want Williams and Man City’s double £85m move

Some of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s more traumatic outings in a Liverpool shirt have tended to involve Real Madrid. Normally, however, it entailed trial by Vinicius Junior, a test many a right-back has failed over the years. If there are plenty of reasons to join Real, one is that he would only have to face the Brazilian in training.

In the week Real attempted to sign Alexander-Arnold in January, his worst performance of the season felt ill-timed. Perhaps only the right-back and those closest to him know for sure if the distraction caused by Real contributed to his substandard display against Manchester United. Arne Slot, often a voice of reason, pointed out it is not the only difficult day even a player of Alexander-Arnold’s standard has experienced over the years. He afforded credit to the United double act of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, citing their status as Portugal internationals, even if the inconvenient truth is that neither remotely resembles a left winger.

The South Korean’s deal was due to expire at the end of this campaign after a decade at the north London club.

But Spurs have activated an extension to their captain’s deal, keeping him under contract until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season and ensuring that he can not depart on a free transfer this summer.

The winter transfer window began on 1 January, with clubs across Europe looking for value in a difficult market this month.

Injury crises, title challenges and relegation battles will force plenty of clubs into the market in early 2025, with plenty of eyes on the Premier League as clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City look primed to make signings.

The Serie A club’s interest is not advanced at this stage but United are aware that Rashford is wanted at San Siro.

The 27-year-old said last month he was “ready for a new challenge” after spending his entire career at Old Trafford and falling out of favour under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

The club insist the hike would only affect a small number of fans as 97 per cent of tickets have already been sold but the remainder and resold tickets will be subject to the increase.

The 22-year-old left-back has been targeted as a key first signing to give balance to the team, but the Old Trafford hierarchy are currently short on the salary offer as well as the transfer fee.

The situation reflects how difficult this crucial first window is for Amorim, with many at United openly talking about how much business needs to be done but how little money there is to spend amid Profit and Sustainability Rule restrictions.

Newcastle boosted their hopes of ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy when they took a firm grip on their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

The Magpies emerged from their first-leg trip to the Emirates Stadium – where they had won only once in 19 previous visits – with a precious 2-0 lead to take into next month’s return at St James’ Park and their dream of ending a drought, which stretches back to the 1955 FA Cup final, very much alive.

The England international was at fault for Manchester United’s opener in the 2-2 draw at Anfield and was generally poor throughout, falling well below the high standards he has set himself.

At the start of the week Real, with whom Alexander-Arnold has been strongly linked with his contract expiring in the summer, made an approach about the possibility of signing the 26-year-old in the current transfer window.

The best league position Nottingham Forest had achieved in 28 years came last season. There was one objective and only one: avoid relegation. That they did, finishing 16th, a best return in the pyramid since ninth in 1995/96.

Forest’s top-flight record until then in the Premier League era read four seasons, two relegations – and one third-place finish, improbably.

After surviving their fifth year in the division, with off-pitch headlines making more waves than anything they did on-pitch, few would have expected much other than more of the same from the Reds in 2024/25.

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia was a target for Arsenal over the summer and the Gunners even saw a bid rejected for the 23-year-old.

But Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has since stated that the club could sell the goalkeeper in the future and reports from Spain, per Sport Witness, suggest the Gunners are still interested.

Arsenal had a €20m (£16.6m) bid rejected but a second bid could be successful for a player who has a €30m (£25.4m) release clause.