The January transfer window has opened once again, and as always, it has brought tension, rumours, power struggles, and big decisions that could shape the rest of the season for many clubs. Across the Premier League and Europe, players are pushing for moves, clubs are protecting their interests, and directors are quietly working behind the scenes. This transfer window already feels like one of the most dramatic in recent years, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, West Ham, and several other clubs all involved in major stories that could explode at any moment.
At the centre of the latest transfer notebook is Manchester City’s growing interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. City are seriously considering stepping up their pursuit of the England international, and this time it may go beyond simple monitoring. Injuries have forced City into action. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, two of Pep Guardiola’s most important defenders, are both sidelined, leaving the champions short at the back. Guardiola values stability and control, especially in defence, and right now that stability has been shaken.
Marc Guehi has emerged as one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League over the last few seasons. Calm on the ball, strong in the air, and confident in one-on-one situations, he has grown into a leader at Crystal Palace. Wearing the captain’s armband, Guehi has become the heart of Palace’s defence, and his performances have not gone unnoticed. Manchester City have been watching closely, and now they are ready to act.
City know they are not alone in the race. Liverpool have admired Guehi for a long time and came very close to signing him last summer. That move collapsed on deadline day after Palace manager Oliver Glasner refused to sanction the sale. Arsenal have also shown interest, but at the moment, City appear to be in pole position. They are willing to pay now rather than wait, even if it means spending big money.
Crystal Palace are aware that they are likely to lose Guehi in the summer when his contract expires. Because of that, they are open to selling him in January, but only for the right price. Palace have set their asking price at more than £35 million. From their point of view, selling now is better than losing their captain for nothing later. From City’s point of view, paying such a fee for a player they could sign for free in a few months is a difficult decision.
Still, City’s new sporting director Hugo Viana is prepared to make an offer before the window closes. The belief inside the club is that securing Guehi now could be worth the extra cost if it helps protect their title push and keeps their defence solid during a crucial period of the season. Guardiola does not like taking risks, especially at the back, and a proven Premier League defender fits his philosophy perfectly.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are not expected to make a January move. Although they admire Guehi, they believe the total cost of the transfer, including wages and agent fees, is too high for a mid-season deal. Guehi is reportedly seeking a wage of around £200,000 per week, which would place him among the highest earners at most clubs. Liverpool prefer to wait and reassess their options in the summer.
Guehi himself is relaxed about the situation. He knows his value. He knows he has options. If no move happens in January, he can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside England and leave Palace for free at the end of the season. For now, he is focused on performing whenever he is selected, but the noise around his future is only growing louder.
While City push forward with their defensive plans, Manchester United are dealing with a very different kind of transfer story, one filled with emotion, controversy, and final decisions. Marcus Rashford’s future appears to be settled, and not in the way many United fans hoped. Despite the departure of former manager Ruben Amorim, United have no plans to bring Rashford back to Old Trafford.
Rashford’s exile from United was one of the most shocking stories of the season. Once the face of the club, a local hero who rose through the academy, he found himself frozen out after Amorim questioned his attitude and commitment. Rashford was placed in what became known as the club’s “bomb squad”, a group of players deemed surplus to requirements.
A loan move to Barcelona followed, and many believed that Amorim’s exit could open the door for reconciliation. Rashford has performed well in Spain, rediscovering his confidence and helping Barcelona win the Spanish Super Cup after defeating Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia. His smile returned. His football improved. His reputation began to recover.
Barcelona have an option to sign Rashford permanently for around £26 million at the end of the season, a fee that now looks like a bargain given his form. Some United fans hoped the club would change its stance, especially with Amorim gone. However, those hopes are fading fast.
talkSPORT understands that the decision to offload Rashford was not solely made by Amorim. Club officials, including director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, were heavily involved. With Wilcox and Berrada still in charge of football operations, the club’s position remains unchanged. Rashford is not part of United’s future plans.
This marks a painful chater in the club’s history. Losing a homegrown star is never easy, but United appear determined to move on. Rashford, meanwhile, looks settled in Spain and is open to continuing his career away from England.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur have been busy quietly completing one of the more emotional deals of the window. Conor Gallagher is on his way back to London after agreeing a five-and-a-half-year contract with Spurs. His move brings an end to his short but intense spell at Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher joined Atletico in the summer of 2024, stepping out of his comfort zone to experience football under Diego Simeone. While his time in Spain was challenging, it was also formative. Gallagher earned respect in the dressing room and developed new sides to his game. Still, the pull of home and the Premier League proved too strong.
Before leaving Madrid, Gallagher sent a heartfelt farewell message to his teammates and coaching staff. He was unable to say goodbye in person, but he made sure his gratitude was clear. Sources close to the midfielder say he is especially thankful to Simeone for allowing him to leave on good terms.
Gallagher believes returning to the Premier League gives him a better chance of impressing England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup. Regular football, visibility, and familiarity all play a role, and Spurs have promised him an important role in their midfield.
Tottenham’s move came late and dramatically. Aston Villa were confident they had secured Gallagher’s signature, only for Spurs to hijack the deal at the last moment. Villa manager Unai Emery has been left frustrated, having missed out on Gallagher for the second time after also failing to sign him when he left Chelsea.
The irony of Gallagher’s move is not lost on fans. He began his career at Chelsea at the age of six, captained the club at times, and is now set to play for their London rivals. Football, as always, comes full circle.
Perhaps the most explosive situation of all is unfolding at West Ham United. Lucas Paqueta’s relationship with the club appears to be breaking down, and there are growing fears that the Brazilian midfielder could effectively go on strike to force a move away.
Paqueta has made it clear that he wants to leave England and return to Brazil. Flamengo have already had a £35 million bid rejected, a decision that angered the player deeply. His reaction was so strong that West Ham left him out of their FA Cup third-round win over QPR.
Paqueta is West Ham’s record signing, arriving for £51 million, and his talent has never been in doubt. However, his desire to leave has now become a serious problem. Sources say he has told chairman David Sullivan that he has no intention of being at the club next season.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants to keep Paqueta, especially as West Ham fight to avoid relegation. But the situation is fragile. It is not even certain that Paqueta will play in the upcoming London derby against Tottenham, a match that could be vital to West Ham’s survival hopes.
With the Brazilian transfer window open until March, West Ham’s best hope may be convincing Paqueta to stay for a few more weeks before allowing him to leave. Anything else risks destabilising the squad at the worst possible time.
As January unfolds, these stories will continue to develop. Deals will collapse. Others will be completed in the final hours. Players will push. Clubs will resist. And fans will ride the emotional rollercoaster that only the transfer window can provide.
From Manchester City’s defensive search to Manchester United’s painful goodbyes, from Tottenham’s late hijack to West Ham’s internal battle, this window is already delivering drama, uncertainty, and unforgettable moments. And with weeks still to go, the biggest twists may be yet to come.
