Transfer news LIVE: Sesko agent provides Arsenal update, Man Utd fight for teenager plus Haaland’s mega contract

Benjamin Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has provided an update on the striker’s future amid Arsenal speculation.

The Gunners need a new forward with Gabriel Jesus injured and Kai Havertz failing to convince as the No.9 for Mikel Arteta’s side.

And Basanovic tells Fabrizio Romano: “I don’t know from where does this story comes. I never talked with Arsenal about loan of Šeško”.

“Šeško is not a player for loans, never a topic for Arsenal or any other club”.

Erling Haaland has signed a new 9.5-year contract to end any speculation over his long-term future with Manchester City.

The 24-year-old forward is now tied to the Etihad Stadium until 2034, reports David Ornstein of the Athletic.

Crucially, City have removed any exit clauses that previously existed in his contract and threatened to provoke interest from Real Madrid.

Yesterday, Gianluca Di Marzio broke news that Man City are preparing an offer between €60-65m for Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso.

The 24-year-old can play as a full-back or wing-back, and has become a regular starter both both Juventus and Italy.

However, Sky Italy “believe Juventus currently value Cambiaso at around £67m and are not looking to sell him this month”.

Cambiaso has four-and-a-half years left on his Juve contract.

While reports in Spain continue to claim that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed a deal to join Real Madrid when his contract expires, Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor has said that the full-back has not agreed a verbal deal.

“Reports in Spain that there is an agreement are understood to be wide of the mark,” said O’Connor.

The 26-year-old has six months left on his current contract and is free to negotiate with other clubs as it stands.

Journalist Ben Jacobs is reporting that MLS side Chicago Fire are “in preliminary talks to sign Neymar this winter”.

He suggests that it is a difficult deal to do, while Al Hilal (and some Saudi executives) want the Brazilian to stay into the summer and beyond.

“Neymar expected to be a Saudi 2034 ambassador,” adds Jacobs.

The 25-year-old frontman, who had 18 months of his contract remaining at Dortmund, has joined for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £21million, although Villa have not released details of the length of his deal.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Dutch international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.

Further to the L’Equipe report from earlier, now Sky Sportsare reporting that there is concrete interest in Mo Salah from Al Hilal.

Kaveh Solhekol said that the Saudi champions are looking for a big signing to replace Neymar, whose contract is up in the summer.

“What we’ve consistently been told is if Salah wants to go to Saudi Arabia, his representatives need to get in touch and they will make it happen. They would love to have Salah playing in the Saudi Pro League,” said Solhekol.

Al Hilal are ready to offer the Egyptian a “lucrative” contract as they are actively “looking for a replacement” for Neymar.

We’re halfway through the 2024-25 Premier League season and the storylines are developing nicely at the top and bottom of the table. Although, depending on your perspective, or your team, they may not all be positive ones.

What is certain is that a handful of clubs will be hoping to improve their fortunes and their squads in January by delving into the market – and some might need to fare rather better in winter than they appear to have done in the summer with regards to transfers.

Here are the best and worst signings of the season so far, as picked by The Independent’s sports desk.

All 20 Premier League sides have avoided charges relating to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for the 2023/24 season after the league deemed every club to have been financially compliant.

PSR stipulates that clubs cannot post losses of more than £105m over a three-year period, with most clubs required to submit their accounts for the 2023/24 season by 31 December.

This year, the Premier League has adjudged that all clubs have adhered to the rules – in 2024, the league charged both Everton and Nottingham Forest with PSR breaches, with the Merseyside club later being given an eight-point reduction, while Forest were docked four points.

Napoli are pressing ahead with a move for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, as they seek to reshape the attack after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s expected move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Napoli have already started some work on a potential deal, and Garnacho is understood to be open to a move to the Italian club, although personal terms are yet to be agreed. The player’s pace fits manager Antonio Conte’s ideal for how he wants the team to play.