Arsenal have been stumbling in recent weeks, yet there has been little expectation that they will enter the market for any significant reinforcements. Internally, there is a belief that their current squad should be sufficient to sustain a title challenge, and that injuries rather than depth have been the primary issue.
While fringe enquiries have been made, and the potential of another defender such as Victor Valdepenas touted, any late move may be opportunistic rather than a statement signing. They have been linked with Julian Alvarez - but something like that would be held for summer.
Manchester City have already brought in Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi. They have contemplated signing a midfielder - specifically Elliot Anderson - but he is not available from Nottingham Forest, leaving City unlikely to add further unless circumstances change late on. Oscar Bobb is set to leave, with Fulham trying to close a deal.
Aston Villa have moved decisively, closing in on Tammy Abraham for £18.2 million to add a new edge to their attack as they look to maintain momentum in the top-four race. They have also thought about adding a midfielder if a good opportunity presents itself.
Man Utd mulling midfielders
Fourth-placed Manchester United are making final assessments of the market as they decide whether to show any signs of activity in the final week of the window. Casemiro’s exit is further evidence that United are preparing to rebuild that area of the pitch, but sources suggest caution over how recruitment plans are handled.
They certainly plan to sign two midfielders in 2026, yet the managerial situation complicates long-term decision-making. There is trust in current boss Michael Carrick to help guide the squad into next season, but the club are also conscious that a future permanent manager will want significant input.
Wilfried Ndidi is one of the main options United could turn to this week, with an interesting proposal on the table. However, it is not currently expected that United will move to sign him from Besiktas. Felix Nmecha and Ruben Neves are other players being offered.
Chelsea have been attempting to push through a move for Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, but as that deal has stalled, they have recalled Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund. There remains a chance they look to strengthen further in that area.
One name explored is midfielder Douglas Luiz, who could arrive on loan from Juventus should his current arrangement with Nottingham Forest be cancelled. As for outgoings, the situation of Raheem Sterling, as well as Tyrique George, needs sorting.
Liverpool face a dilemma at left-back, having gone back and forth on whether to allow Tottenham to sign Andrew Robertson. At the start of Monday, the deal appeared to be off, at a time when Liverpool had explored recalling Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma and have also been linked with Fulham’s Antonee Robinson.
That completes the traditional top six - a position Spurs would have expected to occupy, but instead they find themselves lingering further down the table.
Spurs looking for left-sided cover
Additions of Souza from Santos and Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid have strengthened the squad, yet plans for a marquee signing have begun to dwindle amid uncertainty over Thomas Frank’s future. Spurs sources insist that their ambition in the market is not tied to whether they back or sack Frank, but top targets have shown increasing wariness about joining this month.
Meetings in the coming hours are expected to dictate whether Spurs can break through or hit a brick wall. Another left-back remains an option, but a left winger was expected to be the headline addition. They have explored deals for Maghnes Akliouche, Yan Diomande, Christos Tzolis, Oscar Bobb and Kevin Schade - yet there has been no breakthrough, with Djed Spence continuing to fill in.
There will be twists, turns and surprises before the window closes. Let’s see how it all turns out.
