Lucas Bergvall
January 2026
Bergvall suffered a suspected high ankle sprain and Spurs fear a lengthy absence, adding to an already heavy injury list. Bergvall was forced off after a second-half challenge; Frank said initial signs suggest it “could be a longer one” with medical assessment ongoing. Spurs already have multiple senior absentees, worsening squad depth.
Kai Havertz
January 2026
Arsenal are reportedly concerned about Havertz’s long-term knee condition after a flare-up during his return, raising the prospect of careful workload control for the rest of the season and possibly beyond. Havertz has not started since August 17, returned in limited minutes in cup games, and was unexpectedly unused in a Champions League match as Arsenal balance his recovery after reported ligament damage and renewed discomfort.
Casemiro
January 2026
Manchester United and Casemiro confirmed he will leave in the summer when his contract expires, ending a four-season spell at Old Trafford. United’s statement highlighted 146 games, 21 goals, plus Carabao Cup 2023 and FA Cup 2024 success, with a final home tribute planned versus Nottingham Forest. Reporting notes a one-year extension clause tied to a starts threshold that became unrealistic after cup eliminations.
Yisa Alao
January 2026
Chelsea are reportedly close to signing 17-year-old Sheffield Wednesday defender Yisa Alao, beating Manchester United to the deal with a package that could exceed £1m including add-ons. The structure is said to be about £500k upfront with performance-related bonuses. The move fits Chelsea’s youth-heavy recruitment model and gives Rosenior an early market win against a direct Premier League rival.
Manchester United
January 2026
United fell to eighth in the Deloitte Football Money League, dropping below Liverpool and Arsenal for the first time in the report’s history, highlighting the financial impact of their poor 2024-25 campaign and reduced competitive standing. Despite recording £666.5m turnover, United were overtaken by rivals as on-pitch decline undercut growth. The report frames the slide as a long-term erosion that commercial strength can no longer fully offset.
Steven Gerrard
January 2026
Gerrard criticised Slot for repeatedly pointing to low blocks as the reason for Liverpool’s inconsistency, saying this is a normal reality in the Premier League and Liverpool must solve it rather than talk about it. Slot argued Liverpool look better in open games and struggle when opponents sit deep, citing the contrast between a 3-0 win over Marseille and a 1-1 draw with Burnley. Gerrard’s message is to adapt personnel and approach to break compact defences.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
January 2026
Mateta has reportedly informed Palace he wants to leave, believing the club no longer matches his ambitions. He is unhappy that recruitment assurances and proposed contract terms were not met, and he wants regular European football. Reports say he wanted to go last summer and stalled in late-2025 contract talks hardened his stance. Juventus proposed a loan with conditional purchase, Palace rejected it and set a higher valuation, while Villa and Chelsea have also contacted his camp.
Jack Grealish
January 2026
Reports say Grealish has a suspected stress fracture in his foot that could sideline him for months, threatening his season momentum and World Cup plans. He is expected to see a specialist to confirm severity. The setback could hurt his case for Tuchel’s England squad and complicate Everton’s potential permanent move, despite a productive loan spell of two goals and six assists in 22 appearances.
Howard Webb
January 2026
Webb said officials were correct to book Dalot rather than send him off for a studs-up challenge on Doku that sparked debate. Webb argued the contact was brief and glancing and lacked the speed and intensity typical of serious-foul-play reds, warning that slow motion and freeze frames exaggerate force and distort real-time assessment that referees and VAR must prioritise.
Kobbie Mainoo
January 2026
Mainoo is reportedly no longer considering a January exit after starting under Carrick, following a period of reduced minutes under Amorim. Amorim insisted he picked “best players” and Mainoo was used sparingly, but Carrick started him in his first match and the derby win is now framed as a turning point that cools short-term transfer talk.
