Arsenal activate Etta Eyong transfer, Chelsea hunt Alvarez.
Arsenal activate a €40 million clause for Etta Eyong; Chelsea ready to spend €150 million on Julian Alvarez; Man City pursuing Arda Guler for €100 million.
The transfer market is buzzing with activity centered around three main pillars: Arsenal are preparing to activate Etta Eyong's €40 million release clause to outbid Barcelona; Chelsea are predicted to make a €150 million bid for Julian Alvarez; and Manchester City are considering a €100 million bid for Arda Guler, potentially becoming the club's second-most expensive transfer in history. These moves are cited from independent sources and reflect the increasingly fierce competition in the European market.
Arsenal and the Etta Eyong move
Arsenal are reportedly set to activate Etta Eyong's €40 million release clause at Levante, attempting to get ahead of Barcelona in the race for the young striker (Source: Fichajes). If completed, this deal would demonstrate Arsenal's clear priority in attack and their decisive approach ahead of the winter transfer window.
Chelsea target Julian Alvarez
Chelsea are predicted to make a "blockbuster" signing by being ready to spend 150 million euros to recruit Julian Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid striker – a long-time target for Barcelona (Source: Flashscore). In the context of searching for a game-winning number 9, this fee reflects the top priority given to the attacking line.
In the event that Barcelona fail to secure Alvarez, the Catalan club could turn their attention to Victor Osimhen for up to €120 million; the total value of the deal involving Osimhen is rumored to reach €270 million (Source: Fichajes).
Man City makes an offer for Arda Guler.
Manchester City are ready to offer €100 million for Arda Guler. If the deal goes through, it would be the second most expensive signing in the club's history; Real Madrid are reportedly receiving signals from Man City (Source: Fichajes). This move indicates a focus on strengthening the technical quality of their attacking midfield.
Man United: Midfield is the priority, but there's a change in goal.
Manchester United are planning to add two key midfielders in upcoming transfer windows. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) is their number one target and is predicted to cost under £100 million; in addition, MU continues to be interested in Carlos Baleba, a player Brighton have valued at least £100 million (Source: The Mirror). These two players would be immediate additions to the midfield if agreements are reached.
In terms of goalkeeping, MU have received offers to sign Marc-André ter Stegen after he was no longer in Barcelona's plans; Besiktas have even contacted the German goalkeeper directly (Source: SPORT). Casemiro's future is also being closely monitored: two unnamed Premier League teams and an MLS club are ready to act in January if he doesn't reach an agreement to extend his contract (Source: CaughtOffside).
Aston Villa accelerates: James Trafford and Gonzalo García
The possibility of James Trafford joining Aston Villa in January is considered very high; this development could pave the way for Emi Martínez to leave Villa Park (Source: Football Insider). In addition, Aston Villa, along with Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers, have prepared offers worth €20 million to persuade Real Madrid to release Gonzalo García (Source: Fichajes). Three offers of the same amount demonstrate direct competition between English clubs for a reasonably priced attacking option.
Liverpool and Marc Guehi's priorities
Central defender Marc Guehi is reportedly prioritizing a move to Liverpool despite interest from Real Madrid (Source: Football Insider). This is positive news for the Merseyside club as they need to strengthen their defense.
Barcelona are monitoring Vlahovic.
Dusan Vlahovic is being targeted by several big clubs including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Atletico Madrid. Juventus have not made progress on a contract extension because they are unwilling to maintain the striker's current salary. With less than two months remaining before the final six months of his contract, Vlahovic will be free to negotiate with clubs outside Serie A (Source: Gazzetta dello Sport).
Tottenham are considering taking Takefusa Kubo.
Tottenham are considering Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) as a replacement for Iliman Ndiaye. Kubo has a €60 million release clause and has previously been linked with Liverpool (Source: Football Insider). A clear fee structure provides a specific benchmark for negotiations from the outset.
The race for young talent and the future of Guirassy
Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Manchester United are leading the race to sign Christos Mouzakitis from Olympiakos. The young talent has seven caps for the Greek national team and is being closely monitored by Napoli; the price could be around €30 million (Source: Nicolo Schira). This is a competition for a long-term contract in midfield/attacking, depending on how each club utilizes him.
Serhou Guirassy is reportedly considering leaving Borussia Dortmund. English giants like Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United could be interested due to a release clause in his contract. Additionally, a Saudi Arabian team is reportedly willing to offer him a three-year contract worth €20 million per season (Source: TEAMtalk; Nicolo Schira). This clear clause could facilitate a quick deal if both parties agree.
Overall perspective
The mentioned fees of 40–150 million euros indicate a continued escalation in attacking prices. English clubs are taking the initiative due to their purchasing power and speed of decision-making, while Barcelona maintains its plan with two clear directions for the center forward position. Currently, information remains at the "monitoring" and "preparing to act" stage, depending on the progress of negotiations in January.


