Liverpool target Bahoya, Real Madrid consider Haaland

Liverpool want to add speed on the left wing with Jean-Matteo Bahoya, while Real Madrid consider Erling Haaland if they part with Vinicius Junior. In England, Tottenham evaluate Samu Aghehowa amid a volatile attacking picture; Jadon Sancho will stay at Aston Villa until the end of the 2025/26 season; Liverpool have not yet agreed a contract extension with Andrew Robertson; Newcastle speed up Igor Thiago with an offer of 40 million euros.

Liverpool and Jean-Matteo Bahoya: speed to unlock the left flank

According to Anfield Watch, coach Arne Slot was impressed with the speed and dribbling ability of Jean-Matteo Bahoya (Eintracht Frankfurt). In the 2024/25 season, the French player reached a maximum speed of 37.16 km/h in the match against Bochum - the fastest in the Bundesliga at that time. The move to pursue Bahoya is to increase the depth on the left wing when Cody Gakpo has not reached his peak form.

Bahoya is noted for his good connection with Hugo Ekitike – the new signing of Liverpool this summer. Tactically, Bahoya’s speed and ability to attack space can help Liverpool stretch the defense, increase the depth of attack and create more rotation options for Slot’s attack.

Real Madrid leaves open Erling Haaland option

According to Sport, Real Madrid has shown special interest in Erling Haaland (Manchester City) in the context of Vinicius Junior's unclear future at Santiago Bernabeu. If they decide to part with the Brazilian star, Haaland will be at the top of Los Blancos' target list. Real have repeatedly expressed their admiration for the Norwegian striker since his time at Borussia Dortmund.

In terms of play, moving towards a centre-forward like Haaland would reshape the attacking structure around a spearhead in the vertical axis, requiring adjustments in the way the ball is circulated and the roles of the remaining attackers.

Tottenham track Samu Aghehowa in volatile attack picture

TEAMtalk said Tottenham Hotspur continue to monitor Samu Aghehowa (FC Porto) but have not yet made a decision for the January transfer window. Spurs are fully evaluating their attacking options before making a plan.

In the 2025/26 season, the opportunity to start in the center forward position belongs to Richarlison, then Mathys Tel and most recently Randal Kolo Muani. Dominic Solanke is expected to return in early November, giving coach Thomas Frank more data to determine the optimal structure for the front line, thereby directly affecting the door to Aghehowa.

Jadon Sancho: loan deal with no cut-off clause

According to The Daily Mail, Jadon Sancho will not return to Manchester United in January. The loan deal at Aston Villa does not have an early termination clause, meaning Sancho will stay at Villa Park until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Sancho joined Aston Villa on loan in the summer of 2025 after being ruled out of Old Trafford by manager Ruben Amorim. The Englishman's long-term future remains uncertain as neither Aston Villa nor Man Utd have made a clear direction.

Andrew Robertson: Negotiations stalled, Celtic waiting for an opportunity

Football Insider has revealed that Liverpool have made no progress on Andrew Robertson's contract extension despite wanting to keep the Scottish defender. Several big European clubs are ready to compete, with Celtic hoping to bring him back to Scotland.

For Liverpool, the delay in signing could force them to manage risks in terms of left-back depth and rotation plans, especially in a busy fixture schedule.

Newcastle lead race for Igor Thiago

According to CaughtOffside, Igor Thiago (Brentford) is being closely watched by Newcastle United, Tottenham and Aston Villa. The 24-year-old Brazilian striker has scored 6 goals in 9 matches and is one of the names sought after as the January transfer window approaches. Newcastle are said to be leading and ready to submit an offer worth 40 million euros to close early.

If completed, this is a plan to help Newcastle immediately increase firepower for the second half of the season, while also creating more internal competition in attack.

Key numbers

• 37.16 km/h: Jean-Matteo Bahoya's maximum speed in the match against Bochum, the fastest in the Bundesliga at that time (according to Anfield Watch).
• 6 goals/9 matches: Igor Thiago's achievement this season at Brentford.
• 40 million euros: the offer Newcastle are expected to send for Igor Thiago (according to CaughtOffside).
• Early November: Dominic Solanke expected return (according to TEAMtalk).
• End of 2025/26 season: the end of Jadon Sancho's loan contract at Aston Villa (according to The Daily Mail).

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