Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal make Isak decision, Man Utd star could replace Kvaratskhelia, Chelsea latest

Arsenal have backed down from a potential blockbuster move for Alexander Isak this summer.

The numbers have simply become too much for the Gunners to make work, reports the Mail.

It is no surprise that Newcastle and the market’s valuation of the Swedish striker has rocketed since his sensational run of form.

It is a blow for Mikel Arteta, who continues to struggle to find the right solution in attack, with Kai Havertz impressing at times but unable to consistently lead the Gunners’ front line.

And Isak, who Newcastle want to keep, would now cost more than the British record fee of £115m that Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo.

It was deployed once when Amorim was asked if he wanted Kobbie Mainoo to stay. The answer came in the affirmative, but with that proviso: we will see. Because it is, as Amorim variously described it, a difficult moment, a hard moment and a special moment. Which, in turn, is less because of a Premier League table that shows United in 13th.

But financially. Somehow United posted an income of £661m last year yet reported a £113m loss. They are both one of the richest clubs in the world and yet have among the least room for manoeuvre in the transfer market, constrained by PSR rules that they had hoped were supposed to limit the nouveaux riches. Their squad has a combined value of £666m, according to Transfermarkt valuations, which can sound a lot until it is factored in that Ten Hag spent over £600m, none of it on homegrown players such as Mainoo and Marcus Rashford and previous managers’ recruits like Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire.

Manchester City are in talks with Lens about a deal for the Uzbekistan centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov.

The French club’s manager, Will Still, confirmed Khusanov could leave this month as City look to make him their first January signing. He left Lens’ training ground due to illness and the 20-year-old, who joined Lens in 2023, may have played his last game for the club.

Still said: “We’re not going to lie to each other. We know that there are negotiations in progress, things are moving. We’re not fooled. For the moment, he’s still here and if things were to move, you’ll probably know before me. He went home because he’s really sick. If he’s still available, he’ll be in the squad.”

Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has sparked a potential January transfer window scramble after telling manager Antonio Conte he wants to leave.

The 23-year-old Georgia winger, valued at around £70million, is regarded as one of Europe’s hottest properties and has been linked with Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Liverpool, with the French capital seemingly his most likely destination.

He played a key part in Napoli’s first Serie A title win in 33 years in 2022-23 and is contracted to the club until 2027.

“Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club,” Conte told a press conference ahead of Napoli’s league match at home to Hellas Verona on Sunday.

“I spoke to him and he confirmed his plan to leave the club. I feel very disappointed because I spent six months trying to make him feel at the centre of the project, to make him see that something important could be done.

“There was a contract that was supposed to be renewed. Obviously I didn’t do enough to convince both parties to carry on together.

“I’ll take a step back because I can’t keep chained up a player who doesn’t want to stay.

“He’s not available for Verona. We’ll see what happens, we are losing an important player.

“We haven’t thought how to replace him yet, it was a bolt from the blue and today the most important thing is tomorrow’s match against Verona.

“If Kvara is a Napoli player today, tomorrow or on January 31st, we’ll see. The situation will be monitored but it’s right to leave the ball in the hands of the club, the player and his advisors.”

Nathan Ake believes Kyle Walker would be a huge loss to Manchester City should he leave the club this month.

City skipper Walker was left out of the matchday squad for Saturday’s 8-0 FA Cup rout of League Two Salford after expressing a desire to move.

Manager Pep Guardiola said Walker, 34, wanted to “explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career” after eight years at City in which he has won 17 trophies.

Walker, 34, still has 18 months left on his contract having signed a new three-year deal in the summer of 2023 when he was wanted by Bayern Munich but the German side were unable to agree a deal with City.

The right-back has fallen out of favour in recent weeks, having not started a game since the 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby on 15 December, and he wasn’t even selected for the much-rotated side that thrashed League Two Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday evening with Matheus Nunes deputising in defence instead.

Guardiola has now revealed why, admitting that the England international has requested to leave the club in the January transfer window to play abroad and he doesn’t believe he is in the right headspace to contribute to the team.

Potter was appointed as Julen Lopetegui’s successor on Thursday and was in the dugout to watch his side lose their FA Cup third-round tie 2-1 at Aston Villa on Friday night.

Following his appointment at the London Stadium, the Hammers have been linked with wantaway Red Devils forward Rashford in the January transfer window but Potter remained tight-lipped.

Arsenal are interested in a move for Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini say Italian publication La Repubblica.

The Italy midfielder could be on the move in this transfer window, with interest also there from Inter Milan and Napoli.

Arsenal’s interest lays in future planning for their midfield with the 28-year-old an experienced leader who may come at a low cost.

ESPN say that Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has been offered to Brazilian side Palmeiras.

The club have reportedly met with the player’s agent to negotiate but there is no offer or proposal at this stage. Jorginho’s contract expires in the summer and the club hold an option to extend his stay for an additional year if they so chose.

Arsenal winger Marquinhos has returned to Brazil having joined Cruzeiro on loan.

The 21-year-old is on a deal until December, having only recently returned from a year-long loan spell with Fluminense that included an option for a permanent transfer that was not triggered.

“Everyone at the club wishes Marquinhos all the best for his loan spell with Cruzeiro and look forward to seeing his continued development.” Arsenal said in a statement.