Transfer news LIVE: New Arsenal striker target; Man Utd back in for Hall; Chelsea, Liverpool latest

Former Arsenal player Gilles Grimandi believes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a dream signing for Mikel Arteta.

Grimandi told Goal.com: “This guy is special. He’s special because he’s always good in the big games and last season, every time when the competition was getting close to the end, he was getting better and better.

“He has fantastic commitment; he’s running, he’s defending, and when he gets the ball in the final third, he’s very efficient. For me, he’s a special guy.

“He looks like he’s choosing his games because so far this season he hasn’t played too many, but he just knows that he wants to be prepared for the spring time and that’s his target. He knows that big games will come.

“He can play for any team in Europe, of course he can play for Arsenal. For me, he’s one of the best players in his position.”

Grimandi added: “I don’t think they will do it. Now it’s complicated when the guy plays in Paris because they have a huge salary and they do not need any money so it’s quite complicated to pick up one of the best players and bring him to another team except if there is a problem.

“Barcola was not supposed to be in the starting line-up this season so they let the door open if he wants to leave.

“But Kvaratskhelia, they don’t let him go because they know that in the spring time he will be one of the more important players.”

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Manchester United are planning a major defensive overhaul, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall and Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert emerging as targets to strengthen the left-back position.

According to iNews, Hall remains a key target for United, who are expected to revisit their interest after Newcastle resisted an approach earlier this year. Truffert is also under consideration as the club assess their options.

Hall is highly rated by United, but Newcastle are reluctant to lose the England international. Truffert, meanwhile, has impressed since joining Bournemouth from Rennes and is contracted to the Cherries until 2030, potentially making a deal difficult to negotiate.

United are looking to address a long-standing weakness at left-back as they plan for the future. Both defenders remain on their radar, with the club expected to continue assessing potential signings ahead of a future transfer window.

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Arsenal are closing in on an agreement with Declan Rice over a new contract, with negotiations now in the final stages, Fabrizio Romano reports.

Only the length of the deal and a few remaining details need to be finalised before an agreement is reached.

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TalkSPORT reports that Jean-Philippe Mateta is open to joining Manchester United during the January transfer window.

The Crystal Palace striker, who is in the last year of his contract, would be keen on a move to Old Trafford if the opportunity arises.

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TalkSPORT claims that Manchester United's hierarchy acknowledge they should have done more to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window.

There is a growing acceptance within the club that a lack of squad depth was not adequately addressed, with the team short at left-back and short at striker.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted his punishment handed down to him after his public falling out with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus - a backdated 30-day suspension and a paltry €255 fine, which would cost the Al-Nassr star less than a minute of earnings.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star was the story of the last international break, walking out of the Portugal camp on the eve of a Nations League clash with Denmark.

Ronaldo issued a lengthy statement where he accused manager Jesus of breaking promises regarding the attacker’s role in the national team.

In said statement, Ronaldo himself asked to be punished, stating that he deserved no leniency.

Since making his debut for the national team in 2003, Ronaldo has made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring 146 goals.

The fine, which converts to £215 at current exchange rates, will be largely symbolic based on Ronaldo’s current wages at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.

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Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal are still “the team to stop” when it comes to the Premier League title this year - but warned that the Gunners cannot afford to drop too many points amid Manchester City‘s strong start.

Mikel Arteta’s side ended Arsenal’s long wait for the league title last term, lifting the Premier League for the first time in over two decades.

After many years of challenging for the title, Arsenal got over the line thanks to their solid defensive approach, but Carragher pointed out the Gunners’ lack of attacking stars.

In the summer Arsenal tried to raid the Spanish capital for a superstar - Vinicius Junior flirted with the Gunners before signing a new contract with Real Madrid, while wantaway striker Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid hoped for a move to Barcelona, not the Emirates.

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Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is exploring the possibility of a return to La Liga.

According to FourFourTwo, Getafe are keen to sign the 40-year-old on a free transfer.

A reunion could be on the cards with Dani Carvajal after he moved to Getafe last week.

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Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha has responded to reported interest from Premier League champions Arsenal, revealing that talks over a new contract are “going well”.

The 18-year-old has played in five of Liverpool’s seven Premier League matches so far this campaign, having starred last season under former boss Arne Slot.

Born in London, Ngumoha came through the the ranks at Chelsea before joining Liverpool in the summer of 2024, leading to the Reds paying £2.8million in compensation fees to the Blues.

Under contract until the summer of 2028, Ngumoha’s emergence as a first-team player has led to his agent and club exploring a new contract.

Liverpool are reportedly keen to tie the youngster down to a longer-term contract, with The Athletic claiming that Arsenal are fans of the winger.

But Ngumoha is leaving contract discussions to his agent as he focuses on his football.

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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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