Transfer news LIVE: Henderson to Juventus, Chelsea striker joins Burnley, Ten Hag’s Sancho message after Man United exit, Postecoglou on early Tottenham business

Pep regret?

Pep Guardiola has been told he made a mistake in letting Cole Palmer leave Man City.

The 21-year-old produced another fine display for Chelsea and scored the winning goal in the Blues' 1-0 victory over Fulham.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown even compared the youngster to Kevin De Bruyne as he pulled the strings for Mauricio Pochettino's side, and questioned whether Guardiola made the right call.

“Palmer sees these opportunities on the pitch," Keown said on commentary duty for talkSPORT. "We talk about a helicopter vision of the game from De Bruyne, and I think Palmer has that as well.

"He has that calmness and he's so confident in front of goal. He’s icy cool. They should call him Cold Palmer! He’s the player doing everything, pulling all the strings, and at such a young age he's playing with a nice arrogance.

"Would you say Pep got this wrong? Should he have allowed him to come here to Chelsea?

“But it’s just as well he came here, because if he didn't come to Chelsea you wonder where they might be this season!"

Not not knocking on Evan's door

Mauricio Pochettino has played down Chelsea making a move for Brighton's Evan Ferguson in the January transfer window.

It was reported this week the Blues have a long-term interest in the 19-year-old striker and could be set to make an approach in the summer.

While he didn't deny that, Pochettino insisted there are no plans to bid for Ferguson anytime soon and they are not in talks with the Seagulls.

The boss was also adamant Chelsea do not need to sign a new centre-forward this month.

“You know very well that I’m not going to talk about rumours and I never talk about players who are at a different club, I am so respectful," Pochettino said to questions about the Ferguson links.

“No, we are not talking.

"If something happens in the squad we will communicate, but at the moment we have not taken any decision.

“I’ve never said we need a centre-forward. I have not said that. I’ve said we are working trying to assess and see the market and all the different situations that can appear.

“The most important thing is that the club is ready to act in one or another direction.

“But I never said that we need to add another player in the squad.”

We need to talk about Kalvin

It's Newcastle vs Man City tonight on Saturday's only other Premier League game following Chelsea's win over Fulham.

And all eyes, well maybe Eddie Howe's, will be on whether Kalvin Phillips gets any game time amid links with a move to St James' Park.

Phillips has been strongly linked with a move away from City this month and Newcastle are reportedly keen on landing him on loan.

Howe has attempted to play down the links, and Pep Guardiola also had little to say about it when asked earlier this week.

The Spanish coach was asked during his pre-match press conference whether there had been any movement over Phillips' future.

"No, no," Guardiola said simply, with a shake of his head.

"He’s still our player."

Cherries exit

Napoli have agreed a deal in principle to sign Bournemouth winger Hamed Traore on loan, talkSPORT understands.

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international has not played for the Premier League club since November 1 after contracting malaria during the international break with his country.

He has since returned to full training, but is now set to depart for Italy with Napoli.

Traore will initially join on loan for the rest of the 2023/24 campaign, but there will be the buy option to sign him permanently for £21.5million in the summer.

The forward only joined Bournemouth at the beginning of 2023 from Serie A side Sassuolo, initially on loan before making the move permanent in May.

He made just seven appearances for the south coast side last season due to an ongoing foot injury, and made a further six appearances this term before his illness.

He has scored one goal for the Cherries, a crucial strike in a 3-2 win over Swansea City in the EFL Cup second round in August.

So many questions

Burnley's media team always have a bit of fun with their signing announcement videos, but now they're just getting strange.

The Clarets have brought in 21-year-old striker David Datro Fofana on a six-month loan deal, and looked to a Steven Spielberg classic to help them reveal the transfer to their fans.

What movie was it? E.T.

Why? We have no idea.

The video sees Fofana's face superimposed on everyone's favourite extraterrestrial, with the new Burnley star proudly yelling 'UP THE CLARETS' from the basket of Elliott's BMX.

They're mad of a box of frogs up there at Turf Moor, but we're here for it.

Jadon? No problem

Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has defended Jadon Sancho and insisted he had no issues with the winger.

The 23-year-old has returned 'home' to Borussia Dortmund on loan after falling out with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford this season.

Ten Hag exiled Sancho over his attitude, with the player hitting back on social media, while other claims have been made about the youngster's apparent poor conduct.

But Rangnick says he didn't witness anything of the sort during his six months in charge at United, after he replaced the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.

“In the six months I had him, there wasn’t a single discipline problem," he told Sky Germany. "On the contrary, he is a calm and pleasant guy.

"He had his best time in Dortmund and, when he was healthy, he always played for me. However, he wasn't as carefree as in Dortmund. But that was also due to the overall situation. 

"When he was fit, he was set and did well under me. He no longer had a chance in Manchester. 

"He now has to get back into a rhythm and really into shape in Dortmund. From his point of view, the change makes perfect sense."

Jordan's Juve dream

Juventus are close to doing a deal to sign Jordan Henderson on loan, according to reports in Italy.

The former Liverpool captain is said to be keen to leave Saudi Arabia after only six months having struggled to settle in the Middle East, and wants to return to European football.

Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen have both been approached by Henderson's agents, while he has also been offered to Ajax and a number of Premier League clubs.

But Juventus have emerged as the favourites to sign the midfielder, says Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla.

Juve have previously been linked with an interest in Man City outcast Kalvin Phillips, but boss Massimiliano Allegri has reportedly made Henderson his priority signing this month.

Talks over an 18-month loan are said to be in an 'advanced state' with 'no complications', with Jordan set to take a big pay cut to join the Serie A giants.

Done deal

Burnley have announced the signing of Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana on a six-month loan.

Chelsea recently recalled the 21-year-old, who was signed from Molde for around £10million in January 2023, from his loan spell at Union Berlin.

Fofana is yet to open his Blues account after four appearances and only managed two goals in 17 matches during his time in Germany.

The Ivorian will now spend the remainder of the season at Turf Moor as Vincent Kompany's side fight to avoid Premier League relegation.

Fofana said: “It feels very good to be here, I’m really happy. I think it will be a really good place for me to progress and it’s the perfect move for me.

“To work with Vincent Kompany will be very good. I have seen a couple of games already and I think this is the right place for me to make the next steps.

“I have known about Burnley for a long time, they have been in the Premier League before this season and the champions last year and I’m now looking forward to now being a part of this team.”

Proving his worth

David Wagner has 'no concern' about the possibility of Jon Rowe leaving Norwich this month after the young winger underlined why he is so highly-rated with a moment of magic at Hull.

Rowe has reportedly been courting interest from West Ham and Aston Villa and the 20-year-old took his tally for the season to a dozen in all competitions with a fabulous solo goal at the MKM Stadium.

After dispossessing Tyler Morton, Rowe jinked forwards then ghosted past a couple of defenders before dispatching a shot with the outside of his right boot, which arced past Ryan Allsop and into the net.

While he helped Norwich record a 2-1 victory to move to within two points and places of the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, interest in Rowe may now increase following his latest star showing.

But when asked how hard it will be to keep hold of Rowe in this transfer window, Wagner said: "I have no concern that there is any problems."

Post-haste

Ange Postecoglou believes an alignment between all the key figures at Tottenham has allowed them to move quickly in the January transfer window.

Postecoglou repeatedly made clear his desire to bring in a centre-back early and Spurs completed the signing of Radu Dragusin from Genoa on Thursday, with Djed Spence heading on loan in the other direction.

It capped a busy week for Tottenham after they secured the loan addition of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig on Tuesday and allowed Eric Dier to depart after 10 seasons to join Bayern Munich.

Spurs' quick work is a big shift in strategy after previously waiting until the end of the month to secure signings and Postecoglou paid tribute to chairman Daniel Levy, technical director Johan Lange and chief football officer Scott Munn.

"It's easier said than done because while we might have a desire to do things early, you've got to have all parties agreeing to that and it's not easy to do, especially in January," Postecoglou said ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester United.

"The key thing for us was from the chairman to Johan and his team and Scott, we were all very aligned in what we wanted and we got our targets early.

"It was pretty clear what we wanted to do and if it didn't happen, then we've moved on. But I think the fact that we were all pretty aligned on what our objectives were allowed us to be sitting here now with two players in - not so much for Sunday, but we know we've got a two-week break which means we get at least a couple of weeks to get the lads up to speed.

"We had some pretty clear objectives. If there's an opportunity for us to get better, we'll take it, but what we were trying to achieve going into it, I'm really pleased we've got two players in who I think will play a really important part for us."

Possible stay

Borussia Dortmund could turn Jadon Sancho's temporary stay from Manchester United into a permanent switch,

That is according to the club's director Sebastian Kehl, who has commented on the English winger.

Dortmund don't have a buy option included in the deal, but Kehl has failed to rule out Sancho staying beyond the summer.

He remarked: "We don’t have a buy option for Sancho.

“Staying here beyond this season? You can never rule anything out… but we know what kind of market value he can generate.

“I’m not naive – but we’ll let things come to us.”

Return

Sheffield United have announced that defender Luke Thomas has returned to Leicester after cutting short his loan spell.

The 22-year-old has made just 13 appearances for the Blades since moving to Bramall Lane on a temporary basis.

His final outing for United came in last week's FA Cup win at Gillingham.

Thomas, who came through the ranks at Leicester, has played 85 times for the Foxes since making his debut during the 2019/20 season.

The dream is over

Simon Jordan insists there's no way back for Jadon Sancho at Manchester United.

The 23-year-old has returned to former club Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the season and, while it appears the move has suited both player and his manager Erik ten Hag, it seems the move away is only temporary.

There is no buy clause in the deal, which means Sancho will return to Old Trafford in the summer when he will no doubt have conversations with the club over his future.

If he rekindles his previous form in Germany during his second BVB spell, those talks may be positive - but talkSPORT pundit Jordan is certain his time at United is up.

Risky business or bargain buy?

Manchester United could opt to bring Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to Old Trafford this month as a short-term option up front, before searching for a longer-term signing in the summer.

That’s according to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, who says Ajax frontman Brian Brobbey is one of Erik ten Hag’s targets but doubts whether a January move for the 21-year-old will happen.

"We know Ten Hag has a relationship with the player but there are some complications - the main one is this is just about Ten Hag raising a name and now the wider Man United recruitment team will discuss things and therefore it will take a little bit of time,” Jacobs told the Five YouTube channel.

“I think a loan will be a possibility, but I sense with Brobbey it might be planning towards the summer. Martial might not go until the summer when his contract expires, I don’t think it’s a given he will be departing in this window, so Man United are in a really difficult position to bring in anyone in January.

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe won’t be in properly until the summer anyway, so strategically and financially the summer may be a stronger time for Manchester United to move, and Brobbey is one to watch, for sure. It’s absolutely true that Ten Hag likes Brobbey and rates the player.

“But I still think Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is another one to watch. Bayern are happy to let him leave because Harry Kane has come in and is scoring goals for fun. 

“He’s only made 14 appearances this season and he’s only scored two goals, but last season he got 17 goals in all competitions, so that might be a bit of a bargain.

“It ticks a lot of boxes - it’s a stopgap, it’s short-term, it’s a player who is prepared to have a role in the squad and he can chip in with a few goals.

“Also, Brobbey is 21, so is there any logic in trying to bring in another young striker to support Rasmus Hojlund? I’m not sure. Man United need goals, need experience and need someone to hit the ground running. 

“If you bring in another young player, even if the manager knows them, there might be a danger that it doesn’t give you anything in the short-term. And if Erik ten Hag is to continue at Manchester United, he needs a very big next six months, in my opinion.”

Tara-a-bit

Former Arsenal and Chelsea men Calum Chambers and Bertrand Traore have been told they can leave Aston Villa this month.

Villa boss Unai Emery has confirmed both players 'know their situation' and are up for sale.

Chambers, who arrived from Arsenal in a free transfer last January, is yet to play a single minute of Premier League action this season and is set to leave just one year into a three-and-a-half year deal.

Traore, a £20million signing from Lyon in 2020, is out of contract at the end of the season and there is every chance he has played his last game for Villa already, as he's currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Burkina Faso.

“There are some players here who can leave," Emery said in his press conference this afternoon.

"For example, there are two players — Bertrand Traore and Calum Chambers — who can leave.

“They are two players that are knowing their situation through different circumstances. Maybe there are other players that can leave and that’s not clear.

"And the possibility to sign players in substitute them, we are trying to analyse different characteristics of players.”

Thia-going?

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the club are not currently having any conversations with Thiago Silva about extending his contract at Chelsea.

The veteran defender's current deal expires at the end of the season, meaning the 39-year-old could move on in a free transfer in the summer.

Pochettino said talks are ongoing with the club's board and scouting staff about possible signings, but that there are no discussions being had with Silva over his future.

Asked if there have been any transfer conversations this month, Pochettino said ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Fulham: "With the club of course.

"The club, the owners, Behdad [Eghbali], Todd [Boehly], Jose [E. Feliciano], Laurence [Stewart], Paul [Winstanley] and here with Jesus [Perez]. We are all in conversation.

"We are going to do what is best for the club. Our objective is to look after the squad, be involved with the players and all the staff."

Asked about any talks with Silva, the manager added: "At the moment, we are not talking with players. I don't believe the club is talking.

"In my opinion, it's a moment now to work together to try and perform and get the results we want.

"That will be between the player and the club to decide what is the best for both sides and the future. At the moment, I don't believe [so]."

Good fit

Ange Postecoglou has revealed what he said to Radu Dragusin that helped Tottenham win their transfer battle with Bayern Munich for the Romanian star.

The boss says the new signing could even be in the squad this weekend for Spurs' Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

And asked how the transfer came about, the Aussie coach said: "We knew that was a priority position for us in the window. We knew that if the right opportunity came up in January we'd move.

"We did a fair bit of work on it. Once we knew the direction we were going in, Johan [Lange, new technical director] and his team did a lot of background work on him.

"After my chats with him I could tell how he would fit in."

Asked what he told the defender to make him choose Tottenham over Bayern, he added: "I don't try to sell anything, it's just a conversation. It's just a conversation about what I believe and my thoughts on them as players and where they fit in.

"Part of the key is that they want to come to this football club. I'm not going to bend their arm."

Unbelievable, Jay!

Jamie O'Hara has been left stunned by Eric Dier's move from Tottenham to Bayern Munich, and that a player not good enough for Spurs has managed to join one of Europe's elite clubs.

"Fair play to him, been a great servant to the football club," said the Sports Bar host and ex-Tottenham midfielder on talkSPORT.

"What a move, by the way! I can understand it if it's Harry Kane going for £100million to one of the best clubs in the world, one of the best clubs ever, but Eric Dier... I mean, fair play to him.

"He's a good player and he's had a decent career at Spurs, he did alright, but he's completely out of sorts now, miles off it in terms of where Spurs want to be and him playing centre-half.

"He's gone to a better club, Bayern Munich. I mean you've got Real Madrid, you've got Barcelona, you've got Man United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and he's at one of them, unbelievable!

"That's a move you'd never see happening, that is up there with something where you go, 'How's that happened?'"

"Good luck... that's it"

Erik ten Hag offered a brief 'good luck' message to Jadon Sancho after the winger's move back to Bosussia Dortmund.

The 23-year-old has returned to his old club on loan for the rest of the season, where he will hope to get more game time after being frozen out at Old Trafford by Ten Hag.

Sancho hasn't played a game for United since August following an off-the-pitch spat that spilled onto social media, which Sancho reportedly refused to apologise for, leading him to train by himself ever since.

He now has the chance to prove Ten Hag and United wrong for his period of exile, and the manager offered this short message for the player when asked in his press conference this afternoon:

"I hope he's doing well, so I wish him the best of good luck," said the United boss.

"That's it. I hope he's doing well and he'll be a success."

Ten Hag was later asked another question about Sancho, but said: "I replied. I think it's enough."

Sign here, Mo

Liverpool are preparing to open new contract negotiations with Mohamed Salah, according to reports.

The future of Merseyside's Egyptian King has been the source of speculation for months amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

But, according to David Ornstein, the Reds have been planning to sit down with Salah over a new deal for a while and are likely to get the ball rolling when he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Plus, Ornstein says he's heard on the grapevine that Salah is keen to continue playing at the highest level of European football in a Liverpool shirt.

AND, the club are also preparing to sit down with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to extend their contracts - which currently expire in 2025 - too.

So pretty good news, wouldn't you say, Reds fans?

Eddie no mates

Eddie Howe has poured cold water on reports linking Newcastle with a move to sign his former Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke.

And the Toon boss has admitted the Saudi-owned club have few friends as they attempt to bolster their squad in January, admitting they are unlikely to bring in any new players this month.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Newcastle's Premier League clash with Man City tomorrow, Howe said: "It's a frustrating story for me because yes, I love Dominic Solanke - I signed him and I rate him very, very highly.

"But we have not made an enquiry for him and we don't have the ability to sign a player of that level."

The Magpies' latest financial accounts were published yesterday, and they revealed a loss after tax of £73.4million, prompting chief executive Darren Eales to reveal they may have to sell before they can further strengthen their squad.

But Howe cast doubt on whether he will be able to do any business in January at all, given their current predicament.

The manager added: "I'm not sure there's many clubs out there that are willing to help us currently.

"To agree a loan deal, you need the club to agree to that deal, so we're in that moment where I'm not sure we have many friends in the market.

"We're not shutting the door on everything, but certainly as I sit here now, no, we're not going to bring anyone in. But that may change as the window unfolds."

Gunners' dry January

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour doubts Mikel Arteta will make any new signings in the January transfer window.

The Gunners great says the club spent too much money in the summer and, while they need to add a top striker to their team, they just can't afford to spend big on any of the names they're being linked with.

And in the case of Ivan Toney, Parlour insists there's no way in-trouble Brentford will let him go this month.

"I don't think they're going to get anyone in this transfer window, I really don't," The Invicibles hero said on this morning's talkSPORT Breakfast.

"I don't think they've got the money. They overspent in the summer on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz and probably didn't get as many players out the of door as they wanted to.

"Arsenal need a goalscorer if they want to win the league, absolutely, but the problem is who is available?

"Why would Brentford want to sell Ivan Toney? They're fourth from bottom!

"Everton are exactly the same with Dominic Calvert-Lewin - they can't afford to lose their best striker, because if they go down it's not guaranteed they'd come straight back up from the Championship, it's a very difficult league.

"No problem in the summer, Brentford might say to Toney, 'You keep us up and then you can go anywhere you want in the summer'.

"But the most important thing for any club is to stay in the Premier League and with the position they're in at the moment, they can't afford to lose their best players."

Deal close

Brighton are closing in on this signing of Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco.

talkSPORT understands the 19-year-old has completed his Seagulls medical in Argentina.

Barco has 19 appearances for Argentina at youth level, and 35 senior first-team appearances for Boca.

He is the next up-and-coming star to be discovered by Brighton's scouting network, with the Premier League club set to trigger the £8million release clause in his contract.

Evan almighty

Evan Ferguson is on Chelsea's list of summer striker targets, talkSPORT understands.

The Blues have been tracking Brighton and Republic of Ireland star Ferguson for some time.

They also have a good relationship with Brighton having signed Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo from the Seagulls for good money, as well as poaching manager Graham Potter and several backroom staff.

However, Ferguson only signed a new contract in November and Brighton believe he is worth more than the £115m British record fee they got for Caicedo.

It is also thought Ferguson is in no rush to leave.

Done deal

Chelsea have sent left-back Ian Maatsen out on loan to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old penned a contract extension with the Blues before departing for Germany, with his new deal at Stamford bridge running until 2026.

Young Dutchman Maatsen has made 15 first-team appearances this season following his promotion to the first-team, having arrived from PSV Eindhoven in 2015.

He previously spent loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, and Burnley.