LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Arsenal make contact over Onana, Kehrer leaves West Ham
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Friday, January 5.
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today's transfer rumours and done deals.
Today's key events
Man United 'still expecting Anthony Martial exit despite contract talks'
Manchester United reportedly still expect Anthony Martial to leave the club in the summer transfer window despite suggestions of talks over a new deal.
On Thursday, Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that one-year contract extensions had been triggered in the deals of Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri, who are now tied down to the club until 2025.
However, neither Martial nor Raphael Varane - whose deals run out at the end of the season - had their options activated, leaving them free to open discussions with foreign clubs this month.
Ten Hag told the media that the club were "talking" to Varane and Martial's camps, suggesting that a new deal could be in the pipeline, although he refused to go into detail over the nature of the discussions.
Ben Paton leaves Ross County
Ross County FC can confirm Ben Paton has left the club following the expiry of his contract.
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) January 5, 2024
The former Blackburn Rovers and Canadian youth International played 22 times for RCFC and was part of the team that finished in the top 6 in season 2021/2022.
We would like to thank Ben... pic.twitter.com/LsNqId4v3Z
Arbroath bring in Gordon Walker
Welcome Gordon Walker
Arbroath FC are delighted to announce defender Gordon Walker as our second signing of the new year on an 18-month contract.
Gordon, 25, joins the Club from Cork City.
Welcome to the Club!
➡️https://t.co/addwjDpG2j pic.twitter.com/6tIMHVzLHv — Arbroath FC (@ArbroathFC) January 5, 2024
"Arbroath FC are delighted to announce defender Gordon Walker as our second signing of the new year on an 18-month contract," read a statement from the club.
"Gordon is a right back, but is a versatile defender and can also play at centre back and right wing back.
"Gordon's arrival will boost Manager Jim McIntrye's playing squad which has been hit with an unprecedented injury crisis.
"We would all like to give Gordon a very warm welcome to Arbroath FC."
Hamilton sign Ben Williamson, Mat Kirk
We are delighted to announce we have now fully completed the signing of Ben Williamson to Hamilton Academical FC. We have agreed an undisclosed fee with The Glasgow Rangers FC for the player. We thank The GRFC for their cooperation. 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/6zeuWk9Ir8
— Hamilton Academical FC (@theacciesfc) January 5, 2024
We are very happy to be welcoming Mak Kirk from Hearts on loan to us until the end of the season. We thank Hearts FC for a smooth transaction. pic.twitter.com/1NzUNu1mVY
— Hamilton Academical FC (@theacciesfc) January 5, 2024
Inter Milan sign Tajon Buchanan
Welcome 🇨🇦#ForzaInter #WelcomeTajon
— Inter (@Inter_en) January 5, 2024
Napoli sign Pasquale Mazzocchi from Salernitana
From Naples to...Napoli!
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) January 5, 2024
Welcome, Pasquale! 💙
👉 https://t.co/SQF6vEodMJ#ForzaNapoliSempre #FromNapoliToTheWorld
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 'agrees to join Man United'
Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has apparently agreed to join Manchester United on loan for the remainder of the season.
Despite forking out a whopping £72m to bring Rasmus Hojlund to the club from Atalanta BC over the summer, the Red Devils' desire to bolster their attacking ranks is no secret.
Man United pursued a move for Hojlund after failing with their attempts to capture Bayern's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen, but the Dane has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League during his first few months at the club.
While netting five goals in Man United's doomed Champions League group-stage campaign, Hojlund went 14 games without opening his Premier League account before belatedly getting off the mark in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Bradford extend Timi Odusina loan spell
📰 | We have agreed to extend Timi Odusina's loan spell at @wokingfc until the end of the 2023/24 season. #BCAFC — Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) January 5, 2024
"Bradford City AFC and Woking have agreed to extend Timi Odusina's loan spell until the end of the 2023-24 season," read a statement from the club.
"The 24-year-old defender joined the Vanarama National League side, initially until January, in September.
"Odusina will now spend the remainder of the campaign at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
"Bradford City AFC would like to wish Timi the very best throughout his spell at Woking."
Brighton's Yasin Ayari switches loan from Coventry to Blackburn
Good luck to Yasin Ayari, who has switched from Coventry City to @Rovers, where he has signed on loan for the rest of the season. 🤝
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 5, 2024
"Yasin was a regular in the squad at Coventry, but he was finding playing time limited," said Brighton technical director David Weir.
"We feel his move to Blackburn will give him more opportunities to play, and we're looking forward to following his progress in the second half of the season."
Ben Brereton Diaz joins Sheffield United on loan from Villarreal
Bienvenido, @BenBreo 🇨🇱👋 pic.twitter.com/3oi5eXr50I — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 5, 2024
"Ben was a coveted player so we're delighted to have brought him to the club," said manager Chris Wilder.
"We all know about him from his days at Blackburn. He's a versatile operator at the top of the pitch, who gives us options in terms of playing off the side or playing through the middle. He's quick, powerful and obviously his recent goal record at Blackburn speaks for itself. He's got plenty of international experience as well over the last few years, representing Chile.
"For me, the fact that he really wanted to come here and play in the Premier League was a big factor. I didn't have to say much about Sheffield United because he knows all about us already, he's done his homework and liked what he'd heard and what we had to say to him.
"Bringing players to this club, first and foremost they need to want to be here, and Ben showed a real appetite and enthusiasm for the challenge ahead, and that was key for me. He's excited about playing for this club and I have no doubt this is a signing which will be a major help to us in the second part of this season."
Brereton added: "As soon as I knew there was interest, I spoke to a few people, and we got it done quickly. I wasn't really playing out there (in Spain) and was told I could go out on loan, so it is great to be over in England now at such a great club and a club I know well through playing against. I can't wait to get started.
"I spoke to Chris (Wilder) on the phone, and he was telling me about what the team stands for - hard work, desire and things like that. That's something I enjoy, and it was something I wanted to be part of.
"Coming here is great for myself, playing in the Premier League is something you dream of as a young boy so that's great for me and I just can't wait to get started."
Welcome, Ben. 🇨🇱
Ben Brereton Díaz signs on loan from Villarreal CF until the end of the season. — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 5, 2024
Arsenal 'make contact with Everton over Amadou Onana deal'
Arsenal have reportedly touched base with Everton to register their interest in a January deal for midfielder Amadou Onana.
The Belgium international has proven himself in the Premier League since leaving Lille for Goodison Park in the summer of 2022, registering three goals and three assists in 56 matches for Sean Dyche's men.
Onana's contract with Everton does not expire for another three-and-a-half years, but the 22-year-old has unsurprisingly been tipped to depart the Merseyside outfit in search of European football for the 2024-25 season.
Both Arsenal and Manchester United are supposedly ready to battle for Onana's signature this year, although Everton have not been expected to entertain January offers for such an integral cog in their system.
Transfer rumours: Man Utd to loan out youngsters, Liverpool reject Beck bid, Palace keen on Edwards
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly ready to loan out several of the club's youngsters during the January transfer window.
At a time when United are ready to oversee the departures of first-team players in order to bolster their FFP position, a number of prospects have been left with minimal game time.
According to Manchester Evening News, Dan Gore is one of the players who may be allowed to link up with another team on a temporary basis.
Despite being highly rated at Old Trafford, the 19-year-old has been limited to two substitute outings this campaign, one in the EFL Cup and another more recently in the Premier League to help United see off Aston Villa.
Vitor Roque officially signs as Barcelona player
✍️ VITOR ROQUE IS OFFICIALLY SIGNED! pic.twitter.com/Jp8uMwNXyu
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 5, 2024
PSG 'ready to join race for Man City's Kalvin Phillips'
Paris Saint-Germain are allegedly contemplating whether to make an approach for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Having made the switch to the Etihad Stadium from Leeds United for an initial £42m in 2022, Phillips had been expected to be provided with regular game time.
Instead, he has made just six starts and 25 substitute outings, Pep Guardiola himself admitting that a transfer elsewhere in January is a possibility.
The England international is not short of interest, yet difficulties could come from City's demands, even when it comes to a loan deal.
Spurs defender Dier 'agrees Bayern Munich transfer'
Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier is allegedly on the brink of signing for Bayern Munich.
After nine years in the first team where he accumulated 361 appearances in all competitions, Dier's 10th campaign with the North Londoners has not gone as he would have hoped.
The 29-year-old does not feature in the plans of head coach Ange Postecoglou and has been restricted to just 198 minutes of Premier League football.
That is despite Spurs having struggled for strength-in-depth in the area courtesy of the suspension and injuries to Cristian Romero and hamstring issue for Micky van de Ven.
Thilo Kehrer leaves West Ham on loan to Monaco
Thilo Kehrer has joined AS Monaco on loan until the end of the season.
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 5, 2024
Everyone at the Club wishes Thilo the best for his loan spell.
"West Ham United defender Thilo Kehrer has joined AS Monaco on loan until the end of the 2023-24 season, with a view to making the transfer permanent in the summer," read a statement from the Hammers.
"Everyone at West Ham wishes Thilo the best for his loan spell in the Principality of Monaco."
Conor Gallagher 'determined to remain at Chelsea'
Conor Gallagher is reportedly determined to reject any transfer away from Chelsea during the January transfer window.
Having spent multiple loans away from the club, Gallagher is currently in his second full season as a senior player at Stamford Bridge, the first seeing him spend time in the team and on the substitutes' bench.
During 2023-24 under Mauricio Pochettino, though, the academy graduate has established himself as a key man and has also been provided with the captain's armband on several occasions.
The 23-year-old has made 19 starts in the Premier League - only missing one game due to suspension - and he is viewed as an integral part of Pochettino's side through his energy and pressing from the centre of the pitch.
Transfer rumours: Palhinha latest, Diaz to Sheffield United, Ngonge to Villa
Fulham are reportedly confident of retaining the services of key midfielder Joao Palhinha beyond the end of the January transfer window.
The Portugal international has apparently emerged as a target for several top European clubs thanks to a string of impressive performances under Marco Silva and saw a summer move to Bayern Munich collapse at the last minute.
The German champions have been expected to reignite their interest in 2024, while Arsenal and Liverpool are also rumoured to have been lining up bids for the ex-Sporting Lisbon man.
However, Fulham have Palhinha under contract until 2028, having tied him down to an extension after his failed Bayern switch, and the Evening Standard reports that the Cottagers expect to keep hold of him over the winter.
Welcome!
Good morning and welcome to another day of transfer news and rumours!
Before we get started with a look at all of today's biggest transfer talk, let's first have a quick recap of what happened yesterday.
Yesterday's top stories
Click here to read full details of all yesterday's transfer news and rumours
