Charlotte Harpur and Luke Bosher
January 20, 2022 at 7:08 AM EST
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today’s transfer news.
The January transfer deadline is fast approaching as clubs scramble to add to their squads for the final months of the 2021-22 season.
Arsenal received a loan bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from a Saudi Arabian club on Wednesday. The striker returned to north London to undergo further tests on his heart after contracting COVID-19. Arsenal are looking to strengthen in the central midfield and centre forward areas.
They take on Liverpool in the second leg of the Carabao Cup tonight with the score level at 0-0.
Aston Villa have been one of the busiest Premier League clubs while Everton appointed Duncan Ferguson as caretaker manager on Monday as they look to find a permanent replacement for Rafa Benitez. The two sides face each other this weekend.
Tottenham are meanwhile hoping to offload a number of fringe players. We will be bringing you updates on all of those clubs and more, as well as live updates from today’s press conferences.
And remember, we want to hear from you: get involved by emailing [email protected] and sharing what you think.
Background reading:
- Liverpool, COVID-19 confusion and the Arsenal match that didn’t need to be called off
- One half of incisive attacking showed Rangnick’s plans in action – now to do it for 90 minutes
- Two passes showed Spurs are becoming a composed Conte team instead of reverting to desperate guesses to find a winner
- Brentford need to consistently maintain the performance they showed against Manchester United if they want to start winning again
January 20, 2022 at 7:08 AM EST
FA to take no further action after Arsenal Women’s Jonas Eidevall argued with Martha Thomas
The Football Association is not going to take any further action after Arsenal Women manager Jonas Eidevall argued with Manchester United striker Martha Thomas during the Continental Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night.
Eidevall was reacting to Thomas’ challenge on Arsenal’s Beth Mead, a foul for which the Scotland international was shown a yellow card.
The Arsenal boss, unhappy with Thomas’ tackle, was seen shouting at Thomas, stepping forward in his dugout. For the full story, click here.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
January 20, 2022 at 6:42 AM EST
Cruel injury blow for Krul
It’s a sucker punch for Tim Krul.
He’s been ruled out of Norwich’s trip to Watford with shoulder injury.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper will be replaced by Angus Gunn in a huge relegation clash.
Michael Bailey has more detail here.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
January 20, 2022 at 6:12 AM EST
Everton player has bail extended until April 17
An Everton player has had his bail extended until April 17.
The footballer, who was arrested on Friday 16 July 2021 on suspicion of child sex offences, has been on police bail since July 23.
In October, Greater Manchester Police confirmed to The Athletic that his bail had been extended until January.
This is now another further extension.
No more details about the case have been provided.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
January 20, 2022 at 6:01 AM EST
Southampton considering taking down Ted Bates’ statue at St Mary’s
Ted Bates has been accused of ignoring complaints about paedophile coach Bob Higgins.
Now, Southampton are considering taking down Bate’s statue at St Mary’s.
Daniel Taylor and Dan Sheldon have more on this story below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Southampton considering taking down Ted Bates’ statue at St Mary’s
January 20, 2022 at 5:43 AM EST
Arsenal loan Pablo Mari to Udinese for the rest of the season
Arsenal defender Pablo Mari has joined Serie A side Udinese on loan until the end of the season.
That’s Arsenal’s second outgoing of the week, although Sead Kolasinac’s move to Olympique Marseille was permanent.
James McNicholas has more detail here.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
January 20, 2022 at 5:32 AM EST
Two passes showed Spurs are becoming a composed Conte team
Spurs came from behind twice to snatch three points in a thrilling 3-2 win over Leicester.
Last night showed that under Antonio Conte whatever the match situation, there are processes and movements.
Click below to understand his complex playbook a bit better.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Two passes showed Spurs are becoming a composed Conte team
January 20, 2022 at 5:07 AM EST
Barcelona drop Dembele from Bilbao squad as they look for him to leave or renew contract
It’s time for Ousmane Dembele to stick or twist.
Barcelona have dropped the Frenchman from their matchday squad for their round of 16 Copa del Rey tie against Athletic Bilbao tonight.
The club’s director of football Mateu Alemany said Dembele “must leave immediately” and hopes he departs this transfer window or renews his contract.
Dermot Corrigan has more here.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
January 20, 2022 at 4:58 AM EST
What can Samuel Kalu bring to Watford?
Kalu was out of favour in France, needing a fresh start.
He could offer Watford versatility, lots of dribbling and a terrier defensively.
To read more about what he can bring to Claudio Ranieri’s side, including insight from France and Nigeria, click below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
What Samuel Kalu will bring to Watford: Versatility, lots of dribbling and busy defensively
January 20, 2022 at 4:53 AM EST
Breaking Watford transfer news…
Nigerian winger Samuel Kalu is undergoing his medical ahead of a move from Bordeaux to Watford.
The Athletic understands he’s unlikely to play against Norwich on Friday night.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
January 20, 2022 at 4:46 AM EST
Liverpool, COVID-19 confusion and the Arsenal match that didn’t need to be called off
A lack of transparency and misleading claims sent Liverpool down a rabbit hole last week.
It has the potential to cast doubt on their intentions.
For an in-depth report, click below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Liverpool, COVID-19 confusion and the Arsenal match that didn’t need to be called off
January 20, 2022 at 4:27 AM EST
Did Brentford actually ‘destroy’ United?
So did Brentford actually “destroy” United despite losing?
They’ve now lost five of their last six matches in the league and have tough fixtures still to come.
The Athletic’s Jay Harris takes a deeper dive below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
‘We absolutely destroyed Man United’: Frank takes positives from defeat but Brentford need change of fortune
January 20, 2022 at 4:17 AM EST
Thomas Frank: ‘We absolutely destroyed Man United’
On the flip side, after their 3-1 defeat, Brentford manager Thomas Frank told BT Sport: “I think we destroyed them. I think they are unbelievably lucky.
“The way we smashed them first half is fantastic.”
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Liverpool, COVID-19 confusion and the Arsenal match that didn’t need to be called off
January 20, 2022 at 3:56 AM EST
One half of incisive attacking showed Rangnick’s plans in action – now to do it for 90 minutes
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s strop, there were signs of promise for Manchester United.
Young talents delivered and there was urgency in attack, all pointing towards evidence that Ralf Rangnick and his squad are learning from their mistakes.
Break down the game with Laurie Whitwell below.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
One half of incisive attacking showed Rangnick’s plans in action – now to do it for 90 minutes
January 20, 2022 at 3:39 AM EST
Ronaldo to Rangnick: ‘Why did you take me off?’
Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted in the 71st minute of Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Brentford and he wasn’t best pleased…to say the least
In the post-match press conference, Rangnick explained: “The only reaction I got was, ‘Why me? Why did you take me off?’
“I said to him ‘Listen, I had to take the decision in the interest of the team and the club. We had exactly the same situation five days ago at Villa Park, being 2-0 up with 15 minutes to play and we didn’t want to make the same mistake again’.
“I decided to switch to a back five with Harry Maguire and bring on Marcus (Rashford) as another fast winger on the right hand side. I think it was the right decision.
“Cristiano was not happy. He is a goalscorer. He would have wished to stay on and maybe score a goal himself but for us it was more important to be compact, to make sure that we have enough legs and also strong headers to defend their set pieces.”
Laurie Whitwell has more here.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
January 20, 2022 at 3:26 AM EST
Good morning!
Good morning and welcome to Thursday’s live blog of all the football news you need to know about.
Charlotte Harpur·
Junior Editor, News
January 19, 2022 at 5:56 PM EST
Hull’s new owner era off to a flying start
Hull have ended Blackburn Rover’s 10-game unbeaten run after a 2-0 win this evening.
It was the first game since the announcement of Acun Ilicali’s £20m takeover earlier today.
Is this the start of something special?
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
January 19, 2022 at 5:29 PM EST
Ronaldo was frustrated at being substituted
Manchester United beat hosts 3-1.
At 2-0 Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted and it was clear the Portugal international was frustrated in Ralf Rangnick’s decision.
Interim manager Rangnick explained the decision to BT Sports after the match. He said: “OK, it’s normal. As a striker he wants to score goals, he came back from a little injury, important to bear in mind we have a game in three days. On the other hand 2-0 up, same result at Villa Park, we wanted to make sure we defended the lead this time. It was the right decision to switch to a back three.”
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
January 19, 2022 at 5:04 PM EST
Arsenal Women knocked out of Conti Cup
Another disappointing result for Arsenal Women who have been knocked out of the Conti Cup by Manchester United Women.
Alessia Russo’s goal the only deciding factor.
Arsenal really need to turn things around otherwise they are also at risk of letting the WSL title slip.
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
January 19, 2022 at 4:34 PM EST
BERGWIJN!
What a final five minutes in the game against Leicester and Tottenham.
I have to say I hope I didn’t foreshadow this earlier when wondering if Leicester can keep their 2-1 lead because they’ve done the exact opposite.
Steven Bergwijn has scored two goals in the final two minutes of added time to help Tottenham win 3-2!
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News
January 19, 2022 at 4:33 PM EST
United double their lead against Brentford
A double blow for Brentford as Manchester United score two goals in seven minutes.
Anthony Elanga gave his team the lead before Mason Greenwood slotted home an easy pass from Bruno Fernandes.
Can Thomas Frank’s side do the same as Aston Villa and net to to draw level?
Holly Percival·
Junior Editor, News