Anis Hadj Moussa
January 2026
Chelsea have reportedly contacted Hadj Moussa’s camp as a potential winger target, with Feyenoord aware interest could become concrete if the price is right. The report says Chelsea reached out to his agent; Feyenoord hold leverage because he extended his deal to 2030, so any move likely requires a strong offer.
Mohamed Salah
January 2026
Egypt were knocked out by Senegal in the AFCON semi-final, but Salah is still not expected back immediately because Egypt must play Nigeria in the third-place playoff. Mane scored late to decide the semi-final. Egypt can release players early, but the expectation is Salah remains with the squad until the playoff is completed.
Mohamed Salah
January 2026
Salah reached 100 goal contributions for Egypt (65 goals, 35 assists) after scoring in a 3-2 win over Ivory Coast to send Egypt into the AFCON semi-finals. He scored in the 52nd minute, taking him to 100 contributions in 111 games, quicker than Messi (122) and Ronaldo (136), but behind Pelé (77) and Neymar (94).
Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo
January 2026
Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0, ending Mbeumo’s tournament and extending Mazraoui’s run to at least the semi-finals. Brahim Diaz scored first from close range after a corner sequence, then Ismael Saibari finished low into the corner after a free-kick fell kindly. United regain Mbeumo quickly, while Mazraoui remains away for at least another week.
Brennan Johnson
January 2026
Brennan Johnson has completed a £35m move from Tottenham to Crystal Palace, ending his Spurs spell less than a year after scoring the Europa League final winner. Palace want his pace and goals to fix a recent attacking dip and push on in the league and Europe. Johnson slipped down the pecking order after Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou, prompting Spurs to accept a deal with Palace. He held role talks with Oliver Glasner and arrives early in the window as Palace prepare for Newcastle and Aston Villa, with attacking rotation also affected by Ismaila Sarr’s AFCON duty.
Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee
December 2025
Everton are reported to be considering January loan moves for Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, but any deal is described as complex and expensive, with United undecided on exits. Moyes has played down expectations of heavy January business. Everton’s interest is framed as opportunistic loans rather than quick fixes, with injuries and AFCON absences squeezing depth. Reports claim Grealish’s loan has improved Everton’s pull for higher-profile targets and could be used as part of the pitch, while the club follows a multi-window strategy.
Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee
December 2025
Ruben Amorim has warned that Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee will not be allowed to leave in January unless Manchester United secure replacements, despite both fringe players exploring moves to gain more minutes after limited starts so far this season. With Mazraoui, Amad and Mbeumo at AFCON and Bruno Fernandes injured, Amorim says United are already “short” and cannot weaken further, insisting outgoings are contingent on new arrivals as the club juggles squad depth with players’ career ambitions and constant pressure to win.
Carlos Baleba
December 2025
Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba says he wants to become the best midfielder in the world while helping Cameroon at AFCON, after emerging as an elite Premier League performer and attracting strong but ultimately unsuccessful interest from Manchester United in the last summer window. Signed to replace Moises Caicedo, Baleba impressed across his first two seasons before form dipped amid heavy transfer speculation, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler stressing the emotional impact of United’s interest and urging the 21-year-old to stay grounded, develop in Sussex and build step by step.
Mohamed Salah
December 2025
Mohamed Salah’s extended applause for Liverpool fans after the win over Brighton has been read by body-language expert Darren Stanton as a likely “swan song”, with the analyst suggesting the occasion looked and felt like a farewell even without any official announcement on the forward’s future. Restored to the squad after clear-the-air talks, Salah took a slow lap of Anfield post-match, clapping supporters as banners hailed his achievements. Stanton highlighted apparent tears, micro-expressions of sadness and the timing before AFCON as signs Salah internally recognises he may never again walk out there as a Liverpool player.
Mohamed Salah
December 2025
Mohamed Salah returned from his self inflicted exile to play 70 minutes off the bench against Brighton, setting up Hugo Ekitike’s second goal as Liverpool won 2-0 and climbed to sixth in the table before losing him to Africa Cup of Nations duty. Slot named him on the bench after their public rift, then turned to him when Joe Gomez went off injured, later describing Salah as a constant threat and insisting private talks will stay in house while accepting he now departs with other attackers still missing.