Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal plot shock swoop; Kroupi boost; Man Utd in Carrick sack decision; Chelsea latest

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are stepping up their recruitment plans with just over two months until the January transfer window opens. Arsenal are reportedly interested in Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, Atletico Madrid midfielder Alex Baena and Eintracht Frankfurt talent Can Uzun. Nicolo Tresoldi, Antonio Nusa, Xavi Espart, Kim Min-jae and Gustavo Varela have also been linked with Mikel Arteta’s side.

Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly competing for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, while Manchester United are considering defensive reinforcements, including Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, Rennes’ Adrien Truffert and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. United are also assessing potential managerial alternatives as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick, with Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Unai Emery among the names linked. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has also emerged as a reported candidate.

Liverpool are said to be monitoring Kylian Mbappe’s situation and considering a sensational move for former defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. Mexican youngster Gilberto Mora and Chelsea’s Malo Gusto are also reportedly on their radar. Tottenham, meanwhile, are prioritising a new striker, with Real Madrid forward Endrick linked as speculation intensifies ahead of January. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!

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Arsenal and Liverpool in £60m Kevin Schade fight

Arsenal could fight Liverpool for the signing of Kevin Schade, reports claim.

The German forward continues to go from strength to strength at high-flying Brentford, attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere in the Premier League.

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal and Liverpool are both keen on a deal for Schade, who has scored three goals for the Bees so far this season.

Brentford would apparently demand a fee in excess of £60m for the 24-year-old.

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Alexander-Arnold considering Real Madrid future

Could Trent Alexander-Arnold return to Liverpool?

Well, TEAMtalk claim the England international is considering his future at Real Madrid after growing frustrated with his lack of playing time.

The report states Liverpool among a host of clubs monitoring his situation in the Spanish capital.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be keen on Alexander-Arnold, as well as Bayern Munich.

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Tottenham keen on Real Madrid defender

Tottenham are considering a summer move for Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger.

The Germany international is yet to agree a new contract in Spain, who would be available on a free transfer next summer if Madrid do not trigger their option to extend by 12 months.

According to SPORT BILD, Rudiger’s focus remains firmly on Real Madrid. Talks over his future are expected to take place in the spring.

If a new deal fails to materialise, Tottenham, other Premier League clubs and Saudi Pro League sides could emerge as potential destinations.

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Three manager candidates emerge as Carrick faces Man Utd sack

Three manager candidates emerge as Ratcliffe weighs Manchester United decisionManchester United are reportedly considering three potential managerial replacements as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick following a difficult run of results.

According to reports, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte have emerged as candidates. Howe is viewed as a strong contender, while Nagelsmann and Conte offer alternative options as United assess their next move.

Carrick’s immediate future could depend on upcoming results, with United facing a crucial decision over whether to maintain their current course or appoint a new manager to revive their season.

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Arsenal receive Eli Junior Kroupi boost

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi after the youngster returned to first-team training ahead of the January transfer window.

According to football.london, Kroupi remains on Arsenal’s radar as Mikel Arteta considers strengthening his attacking options. The 20-year-old scored 13 Premier League goals last season, establishing himself as one of the division’s most promising young forwards.

Arsenal also explored a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez during the summer, but a deal failed to materialise. Alvarez remains highly regarded by Arteta, although his growing importance at Atletico and interest in joining Barcelona could make a transfer difficult.

Bournemouth are reluctant to sell Kroupi in January and are understood to value the Frenchman at around £90m-£100m. His return to fitness could reignite Arsenal’s interest, but the Gunners would need to convince the Cherries to part with one of their key attacking players.

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Clubs circle for Chelsea star

Flashscore claims that Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are following Chelsea's Malo Gusto.

Chelsea have started searching for a new right-back as they assess the 23-year-old's long-term future. The Blues are also reassessing Gusto's previous €80million valuation ahead of the upcoming transfer windows.

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Alonso wants Trent

Si Phillips claims that Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has approved a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold as he targets a reunion with the defender. The former Real Madrid boss is keen for Chelsea to strike a deal for Alexander-Arnold.

Chelsea are looking at right-back options, with Malo Gusto expected to leave the club next summer.

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New Chelsea transfer plan explained

Gus Poyet believes Chelsea’s recruitment strategy changed because the owners realised “what the fans want”, writes Dom Smith.

The former Chelsea midfielder has also praised the club’s owners for their highest-profile signings, claiming all three players purchased under BlueCo that cost north of £100m have proven shrewd investments.

Chelsea’s most expensive signings since Roman Abramovich’s May 2022 sale of the club have been Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £106.8m, Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115m, and the July arrival of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m.

They sold Fernandez to Manchester City this summer for £125m.

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Chelsea flop Liam Delap speaks out on 'rubbish' bomb squad exile

Liam Delap insists he will “never regret” moving to Chelsea but says it was “a bit rubbish” spending time in the infamous ‘bomb squad’ before his move to Nottingham Forest was finalised, writes Dom Smith.

Delap joined Chelsea last summer when they triggered the £30m relegation release clause in his Ipswich contract, yet the Englishman underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge and scored only three goals in 47 appearances.

The Blues then sold the 23-year-old to Forest for £45m plus £5m in add-ons this summer.

Delap had been training with a small group of outgoing first-team players during Chelsea’s pre-season and the first couple of games of their campaign, rather than working with new manager Xabi Alonso.

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Pedro Neto issues Chelsea update after 'crazy' transfer window

Pedro Neto says he feels at home at Chelsea despite a summer where the transfer window drove him “a little bit crazy”, writes Dom Smith.

The Portugal winger had interest from Manchester City and Al-Hilal and was also linked with Liverpool and Tottenham, the Blues’ opponents on Saturday, during a summer in which his future appeared uncertain.

However, it is understood that new manager Xabi Alonso was keen to keep him and Chelsea were also reluctant to let him leave.