LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Martial banished from Man Utd training, Arsenal lead Simons race

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole’s live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Thursday, January 18.

Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today’s transfer rumours and done deals.

Today’s key events

Erik ten Hag banishes Anthony Martial from Manchester United training
Arsenal leading Xavi Simons race
Arsenal considering loan move for Karim Benzema
Spurs recall Japhet Tanganga from Augsburg loan

Chelsea ‘set Armando Broja asking price’

Chelsea are reportedly willing to sell Armando Broja if a club is prepared to pay £50m for his signature.

Having spent nine months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, Broja has worked his way back into the fold at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Albania international has contributed just two goals from his seven starts and 10 substitutes outings this campaign, as well as earning the penalty that led to a last-gasp 4-4 draw against Manchester City.

With Nicolas Jackson away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal and Christopher Nkunku currently dealing with a hip issue, the 22-year-old is the solitary frontline striker at Mauricio Pochettino’s disposal for the time being.

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Barcelona, Atletico Madrid ‘join the race for Kalvin Phillips’

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have reportedly joined the race to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips before the January transfer window closes for business.

The England international is set to leave the Etihad Stadium on loan before the winter deadline, and he is being heavily linked with a number of Premier League clubs.

Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Newcastle United are all keen, while there have been claims that Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping a close eye on his situation.

According to The Telegraph, Phillips’s future will be decided next week, and he could also have the option of moving to La Liga for the second half of the season, with both Barcelona and Atletico interested.

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Arsenal ‘leading the race to sign Xavi Simons’

Arsenal are reportedly at the head of the queue to sign in-demand attacker Xavi Simons.

The 20-year-old returned to Paris Saint-Germain from PSV Eindhoven last summer before making the move to RB Leipzig on loan for the 2023-24 campaign, and he has been in strong form for the Bundesliga club.

Simons has managed six goals and nine assists in 26 appearances for Leipzig in all competitions, including four goals and seven assists in 17 outings in Germany’s top flight.

The Netherlands international also made a strong impression in the group stage of the Champions League, scoring twice and providing two assists in six appearances, and his form has allegedly led to a host of attention.

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Anthony Martial ‘currently training on his own at Man United’

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly told Anthony Martial that he must improve his fitness before rejoining the first-team training group at the club.

There has been some confusion surrounding the 28-year-old’s absence, as he has not been in a matchday squad for the Red Devils since the clash with Bournemouth on December 9.

Martial has missed his side’s last seven games in all competitions, including five Premier League fixtures, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future.

Ahead of the clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Ten Hag hinted at a fitness problem for Martial despite previously stating that the ex-Monaco youngster was out through illness.

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2h ago DONE DEAL

Sheffield Wednesday’s Devis Vasquez returns to parent club AC Milan

“Devis Vasquez’ loan spell at Hillsborough has ended with the goalkeeper returning to parent club AC Milan,” read a statement from the club.

“The Colombian moved to Wednesday last August in a temporary switch from the Rossoneri and featured in 10 games for the Owls.

“We thank Devis for his services and wish him the very best for the future.”

2h ago DONE DEAL

Harry Sharp, Jack Wilkie return to Dundee

— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) January 18, 2024

2h ago DONE DEAL

Joe Walsh returns to QPR after emergency Accrington loan

📝 #asfc can today confirm that goalkeeper @Joeewalsh13 has returned to @QPR following the expiry of his emergency loan.

Everyone at the club wishes Joe all the very best for the future.

— Accrington Stanley (@ASFCofficial) January 18, 2024

“Accrington Stanley can today confirm that goalkeeper Joe Walsh has returned to Queens Park Rangers following the expiry of his emergency loan,” read a statement from the club.

“Everyone at the club wishes Joe all the very best for the future.”

Spurs ‘open to offers for fringe duo’

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly remain prepared to part ways with more of their fringe players before the end of the January transfer window.

Ange Postecoglou has made a positive impact at the North Londoners since his arrival in the summer, keeping the club in contention for the top four of the Premier League despite injuries to key players.

At a time when Spurs sit in fifth place in the standings, they have been busy in the transfer market, already acquiring players in Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner who are expected to become important members of the first team.

However, there has also been a desire to part ways with a number of out-of-favour players, that proving as much of a priority as bringing players into the club.

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Man City ‘weighing up Porro, Luiz returns’

Manchester City are reportedly considering whether to try to secure reunions with each of Pedro Porro and Douglas Luiz.

Pep Guardiola is currently bidding to become the first manager to win the Premier League title for a fourth successive season.

However, after an inconsistent first half of 2023-24, City sit behind Liverpool in the standings, albeit by just the two points.

While City remain favourites to defend their top-flight crown and lift another Champions League trophy, Guardiola will be assessing ways to improve his squad for 2024-25.

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Arsenal ‘weighing up loan move for Benzema’

Arsenal are allegedly weighing up whether it is plausible to launch a loan bid for Al-Ittihad forward Karim Benzema.

Up until the Christmas and New Year period, Mikel Arteta would have been delighted with his team’s efforts during the first half of the campaign.

However, a run of just one win and four points from five matches in the Premier League has left the Gunners in fourth position in the table, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Their return of 37 goals from 20 matches is just the seventh-best in the division, while Bukayo Saka is the top goalscorer with just six strikes to his name.

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Transfer rumours: Tanganga to Millwall, Cordoba to Palace, Whittaker to Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga is reportedly closing in on a loan switch to Millwall.

The 24-year-old made the move to Bundesliga outfit Augsburg last September on a season-long loan, with the German team having the option to buy him this summer.

However, Tanganga failed to make a single appearance during his time at Augsburg Arena, with his loan spell now officially coming to an end.

According to the London Evening Standard, the defender is now set to make the move to Championship outfit Millwall for the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.

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5h ago DONE DEAL