Football transfer rumours: Karim Benzema to join Arsenal or Chelsea? | Football

With Joelinton’s prognosis on his muscle injury not looking at all good, Newcastle really need a midfielder. They’re in the hunt for Kalvin Phillips, who is this window’s most recurring name, give or take Ivan Toney. Phillips, with no real chance of playing for Manchester City, is wanted by a long list that includes Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. There’s Juventus, too, while a loan move to West Ham or Crystal Palace would keep him in Gareth Southgate’s sightlines. A £7m loan fee is the asking price.

There is an alternative for Newcastle, namely Ederson at Atalanta even if the Serie A club do not want to sell. How about Conor Gallagher, on the market as Chelsea address their own profit and sustainability concerns. Another means to achieve that is the sale of Armando Broja, valued around £50m, a prohibitive price for those interested, including West Ham, Fulham and Wolves. Broja, like Gallagher, having been youth team hewn, counts as pure profit on the FFP chitty for the Bridge money men. That high price arrived via a weighting on Manchester United paying £64m for Rasmus Højlund, their similarly goal-shy striker.

Another pure profit sale would be Levi Colwill, who Liverpool may fancy to solve their injury problems across the defensive line. Trevoh Chalobah, wanted for a loan by Fulham, seems a more likely departure. Talking of sell-to-buy, and this would be highly unpopular on Tyneside, there’s talk that Arsenal would like to buy Bruno Guimarães. And PSG’s Xavi Simons, too, as Mikel Arteta seeks the latest refresh of his squad.

Those moves look more likely in the summer rather but how about this one? Karim Benzema, like Jordan Henderson, is reported to be unhappy with life in the Saudi Pro League and could be on the January market. Will, like Hendo, he defer his wages earned so far and join the Arsenal revolution? You’d have to say that would be very exciting. Chelsea are interested, too, in what would be the wildcard arrival in the Premier League this month. Is that deal more doable than Ivan Toney for £80m now that he’s declared his interest in moving to a big club.

Meanwhile, both Tottenham and Arsenal are interested in signing Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea, who for the Gunners is an either/or option for Simons, who is currently on loan at RB Leipzig and is a highly talented player who could play off the wings or as an attacking midfielder.

Let’s close out with a player who won’t be going anywhere. Amad Diallo will be allowed to stay and fight for his Manchester United place rather than go on another loan.