The January window usually feels like a desperate scramble for spare parts, but this morning has felt different.
Honestly, if you’ve been refreshing your feed every five minutes, you know the vibe is shifting from "vague rumors" to "it’s actually happening." The biggest bombshell of transfer news live today is undoubtedly the Marc Guehi situation. Oliver Glasner basically confirmed the exit this morning, admitting the deal is in its "final stages."
City are winning.
They’ve managed to snag England’s most composed center-back for what many are calling a £20m bargain. If you're a Liverpool or Arsenal fan, that number has to sting. Both clubs were linked with Guehi for months, yet Pep Guardiola’s side swooped in while everyone else was still checking their bank balances. It feels like a heist.
The Guehi Domino Effect and Why it Matters
Why £20m? That’s the question on everyone's lips today. It’s a suspiciously low fee for a player of his caliber. Rumors suggest City took advantage of some serious internal doubt at Liverpool regarding Arne Slot’s long-term defensive plans.
While the red side of Merseyside hesitated, City acted.
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But Palace isn't just sitting on their hands. They’ve already been linked to Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth as a replacement. The Cherries are apparently open to selling because Senesi’s contract expires this summer. It's a classic January chain reaction. One big move triggers three smaller ones.
What's happening elsewhere?
- Manchester United: Michael Carrick is reportedly looking at Nottingham Forest’s Murillo. With Harry Maguire's future looking increasingly shaky—Napoli and Inter are sniffing around—United need a permanent fix, not a loan plaster.
- Arsenal: Arda Guler is the name of the hour. Since Xabi Alonso left Real Madrid earlier this week, Guler is reportedly reconsidering his life in Spain. Arsenal are at the front of the queue, though they face massive competition.
- West Ham: They are moving fast. Taty Castellanos has already arrived from Lazio for £26m and even scored an FA Cup winner recently. They’ve also added Pablo from Gil Vicente for nearly £20m.
Transfer news live today: The Staggering Reality of the Mid-Window Slump
Despite the Guehi news, some parts of the market are weirdly quiet.
Earlier this month, experts were predicting a record-breaking January. It hasn't quite materialized for everyone. Real Madrid, for instance, are in a full-blown crisis. After a "spectacular" disaster against Albacete and a Copa del Rey exit under Alvaro Arbeloa, they are desperate.
The emergency plan? Erling Haaland.
It sounds like fan fiction, but Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg is reporting that Florentino Pérez has intensified the push. It’s likely a summer 2026 move, but the talks are happening now. Madrid need a "Galactico" to distract the fans from the pitch-side mess.
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Meanwhile, in Barcelona, the Marc-Andre ter Stegen era is ending. He’s reportedly agreed to a loan move to Girona, giving up a chunk of his salary just to get the deal done. It’s rare to see a club legend leave like that in the middle of a season. It feels messy. It feels like a club trying to balance the books on the fly.
Surprising Moves You Might Have Missed
While the "Big Six" grab the headlines, the most interesting business is happening just below the surface.
Take Aston Villa. They’ve just sent Donyell Malen on loan to Roma with a £21.6m obligation to buy. That’s a huge call from Unai Emery. In exchange, Villa are chasing Tammy Abraham for a "homecoming" move.
Then there’s the weird saga of Rogers Mato. Hearts thought they had him. Suddenly, his club FK Vardar says he’s going to Sporting Kansas City in MLS. It’s total chaos.
A Quick Rundown of Done Deals (Jan 16):
- Marc Guehi: Crystal Palace to Manchester City (Final stages, roughly £20m).
- Donyell Malen: Aston Villa to Roma (Loan with obligation).
- Millenic Alli: Luton to Portsmouth (Loan).
- Justin Kalumba: Angers to Mallorca (Free).
- Jocelin Ta Bi: Maccabi Netanya to Sunderland (£4m).
What to Watch for in the Next 24 Hours
If you’re tracking transfer news live today, keep your eyes on London.
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Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a move for West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá. It’s a bold play, especially with West Ham already fighting a relegation scrap. But Chelsea’s hierarchy is apparently obsessed with Jeremy Jacquet, the Rennes defender. They’re competing with Arsenal for his signature, and a bid could land any second.
Also, watch the goalkeeping merry-go-round. With Ter Stegen moving, and Filip Jörgensen potentially leaving Chelsea for West Ham, the "Number 1" market is suddenly very volatile.
The window shuts on February 2. That feels far away, but for managers like Michael Carrick or the under-fire Arbeloa, every hour is a deadline.
Next Steps for You
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just look at the confirmed "In/Out" lists. Watch the injury reports for Arsenal and Manchester City. Mikel Arteta is currently missing three key defenders, which usually means a "panic buy" is brewing in the final week. Check the French media (specifically L'Equipe) for updates on the Enzo Fernández to PSG rumors—he’s reportedly unhappy with how Enzo Maresca was sacked and could be the next big exit.