Arsenal nears Arteta deal as Kane's future with United dims
The summer window is shut, but the market hasn’t gone quiet. It’s just gone underground.
Premier League clubs are already laying tracks for January, with Arsenal moving to lock down their manager, Manchester United running into a familiar Harry Kane problem, and Tottenham reshaping the hierarchy above the dugout.
Arsenal tie down the present and scout the future
Arsenal’s biggest signing of the autumn may not wear a shirt number.
Mikel Arteta is “very, very close” to agreeing a new contract at the Emirates, with talks now at an advanced stage, according to Fabrizio Romano. Discussions with his representatives are described as progressing smoothly, with the expectation that the Spaniard will commit his future and extend a project that has dragged Arsenal back into the elite.
Clarity on the manager comes as the club continue to move aggressively in the market. An agreement is already in place to sign Andria Bartishvili, the youngster widely labelled the next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while the Gunners keep tabs on Kenan Yildiz, Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi. Como talent Nico Paz is also on their radar.
There is intrigue at youth level too. Arsenal are monitoring Rio Ngumoha’s situation at Liverpool, watching closely ahead of January. With Cody Gakpo established and Bradley Barcola arriving on Deadline Day, minutes on the left flank look scarce for Ngumoha, and Arsenal are ready if that frustration hardens into an opportunity.
One decision looms larger than most: what to do with Noni Madueke. Atletico Madrid and Juventus are both tracking the winger, who has struggled for game time this season. A loan with an option to buy is seen as realistic, but no talks have started. Arsenal must decide whether to fight for his greater involvement under Arteta or cash in on serious European interest while holding the leverage of a long-term contract.
United’s Kane hope fades as Truffert climbs the list
Manchester United’s long flirtation with Harry Kane looks set to end the way it began: with disappointment.
TEAMtalk report that Bayern Munich are increasingly confident of keeping the England captain beyond this season. The German champions believe their relationship with Kane is strong and that he remains committed to their project. United, who had been prepared to explore a deal running to 2027 with Kane out of contract at the end of the current campaign, now face the likelihood that the door is closing.
So attention turns elsewhere. And fast.
Having missed out on Lewis Hall, United are intensifying their search for a new left-back and have zeroed in on Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert as a leading target. Seen as a long-term successor to Luke Shaw, the 24-year-old has impressed since arriving from Rennes and is regarded as a strong alternative to Hall, who has committed his future to Newcastle.
United have already laid some groundwork for a possible move, but it will not be cheap. Truffert is valued at around £60m and tied to Bournemouth until 2030. The Cherries are reluctant to sell, which makes a January deal complicated and pushes a more realistic move into next summer. Even so, United’s need at left-back after a quiet summer in that position means Truffert is moving quickly up their priority list.
Tottenham’s sliding doors: Ausilio incoming, Richarlison in limbo
Tottenham are reshaping their football operation while one of their biggest signings of recent years stares at four empty months.
Spurs are expected to appoint Piero Ausilio as their new sporting director ahead of the winter window. After more than 20 years at Inter, Ausilio is poised for a fresh challenge in north London, and his impending exit has already triggered change in Milan. Inter have promoted Dario Baccin into the sporting director role, and he is wasting no time.
Baccin has identified Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari as a potential target. The 2027 end date on Ayari’s contract makes him an appealing long-term play for Inter, and the report suggests he might also have caught Ausilio’s eye before the Italian’s move towards Spurs gathered pace.
While the front office shifts, Richarlison’s situation has become a saga of its own.
The Brazilian’s deadline-day move to Vasco da Gama collapsed despite Tottenham being open to letting him go. UOL journalist Bruno Braz reports that Vasco were ready to structure a permanent deal that would allow Richarlison to head back abroad in January, with an early exit clause written in. Spurs were said to be satisfied with the financial package.
The sticking point was the player. Richarlison did not want a permanent transfer. He preferred to terminate his Tottenham contract, join Vasco only until the end of the year, and then reassess his options in January. Without agreement, the move died.
This follows failed attempts with Everton and Trabzonspor over personal terms. The result is stark: Richarlison appears stuck at Spurs until at least January and could go up to four months without competitive senior football. He has already reacted on social media after Roberto De Zerbi dashed hopes of a potential recall, underlining just how uncertain his immediate future looks.
Chelsea’s midfield puzzle and Liverpool’s next move
Chelsea’s midfield rebuild is set to continue once the window reopens.
With Enzo Fernandez expected to be replaced in January, the club have cooled their interest in Lamine Camara and are now looking elsewhere. Marc Bernal and Manu Kone are the latest names linked with Stamford Bridge, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott remains a long-standing target.
Liverpool may yet step into the Camara chase. The Reds are seen as a possible destination for the midfielder and retain interest in Adam Wharton, even as Bayern Munich circle Florian Wirtz. Liverpool’s recruitment team are clearly keeping their options open in the middle of the park, aware that European heavyweights are already staking claims to the continent’s brightest creators.
West Ham’s quiet business
Away from the headline names, West Ham continue to work the loan market.
The club have confirmed that Preston Fearon has joined Forest Green Rovers on a three-month loan, offering the youngster a chance of regular senior minutes. Ryan Battrum has also departed on a short-term basis, sealing a one-month loan switch to National League side Southend United.
These are small moves on a frantic day, but they matter. For West Ham, they are investments in development. For the players, they are a shot at proving they belong in the senior game.
The January window is still weeks away. The positioning, the posturing, the quiet phone calls? They’ve already started.
