LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Henderson to join Ajax, Fernandez leaves Man Utd

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole’s live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on Wednesday, January 17.

Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today’s transfer rumours and done deals.

Today’s key eventsJordan Henderson to join Ajax after terminating Al Ettifaq contract
Alvaro Fernandez joins Benfica on loan from Manchester United
Man United enquire over Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo
Aston Villa to sign Red Star Belgrade’s Kosta Nedeljkovic

Anthony Martial ‘wants to continue career in European football’

Anthony Martial will reportedly reject offers from Saudi Arabia this summer to continue his career in European football, with the forward widely expected to leave Manchester United in June.

The Red Devils have decided against activating an extension in the Frenchman’s contract, and his terms with the 20-time English champions are due to expire at the end of the campaign.

Man United are believed to be open to January offers for the former Monaco youngster, but it is unlikely that he will be on the move before the end of the transfer window.

Martial is instead expected to leave on a free transfer this summer, and there have been claims that a number of clubs in the Saudi Pro League are interested in his services.

Click here to read the full story.

Pellistri ‘in advanced talks over Granada move’

Granada have reportedly put themselves in pole position to secure a loan deal for Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri.

The Spanish outfit have endured a dismal campaign in La Liga thus far, collecting just 11 points from their 20 matches in 2023-24.

However, sitting just five points adrift of 17th position in the table, Alexander Medina’s side remain in contention to eventually get out of trouble.

Goals have not necessarily been an issue with Granada having scored more strikes than seven teams in the top flight, yet it appears that Nazaríes are eager to strengthen in the final third.

Click here to read the full story.

1h ago DONE DEAL

Veteran goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu leaves Nice for KaragumrukAfter four months at #OGCNice, Salvatore #Sirigu has officially left the club, with the 37-year-old goalkeeper moving to Turkish top-flight side @karagumruk_sk.

OGC Nice would like to thank the Italy international, who has earned 28 caps for his country, for his professionalism… pic.twitter.com/3kCsD4XEUm

— OGC Nice 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@ogcnice_eng) January 16, 2024
Liverpool’s Thiago ‘wanted by Flamengo, Al Ettifaq’

Flamengo and Al Ettifaq are allegedly interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

Having made 97 appearances across his first three seasons at Anfield, Thiago is a valued member of the squad by Jurgen Klopp.

However, a hip injury has prevented the Spain international from making a single outing during the 2023-24 campaign.

The latest update is that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich man may be ready to return to training with the Premier League leaders at some point next month.

Click here to read the full story.

Mbappe confirms that he will leave PSG in the future

Kylian Mbappe has acknowledged that he will not spent the remainder of his career at Paris Saint-Germain.

Since representing the French giants since 2017, Mbappe has established himself as one of the greatest players in their history.

As well as winning 13 pieces of silverware, the France international has netted 238 goals in all competitions, becoming the club’s highest-ever goalscorer.

Given his status on the world scene, Mbappe’s future has been a constant hot topic for debate, particularly in recent years when Real Madrid have held a long-standing interest.

Click here to read the full story.

1h ago DONE DEAL

Brendan Wiredu extends Fleetwood Town deal until 2026

“I’ve got to thank the club for showing faith in me to extend my deal, something that’s been in talks for a long time now, and now I can focus on my football now it all signed and sorted,” Brendan told the official Fleetwood Town website.

“I’ve adjusted to staying in the North West well; coming from London was hard but everyone has made me feel welcome. People in the local community have made this feel like home which has made everything easier.

“Personally, I feel like I’ve done well coming up to League One and have managed to help the team as well. One thing I won’t forget, and probably the fans won’t either, is when we made history in the FA Cup last season!”

1h ago DONE DEAL

Richard Keogh leaves Wycombe Wanderers by mutual consent👏 Thank you and good luck to Richard Keogh, who leaves us by mutual consent.

— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) January 17, 2024
1h ago DONE DEAL

Al-Hilal sign Renan Lodi from Marseille🎬 The destination to Saudi Arabia.. Toward #AlHilal 💙
pic.twitter.com/EV31e9BPTu

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) January 17, 2024
Villa ‘win race for Serbian youngster Nedeljkovic’

Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on the signing of Red Star Belgrade youngster Kosta Nedeljkovic.

With the West Midlands outfit competing for the Premier League title, it is anticipated that Unai Emery will eventually make at least one senior addition to his squad before the end of January.

Villa may have to wait until the likes of Calum Chambers and Bertrand Traore, who have each been made available for transfer, find a new club.

Nevertheless, it appears that Emery and the club’s recruitment team also have one eye on the future having made an effort to sign Nedeljkovic this month.

Click here to read the full story.

Liverpool, Arsenal ‘to battle for Wolves’ Ait-Nouri’

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Liverpool and Arsenal.

Since initially moving to Molineux on loan in 2020, Ait-Nouri has gone on to make 97 appearances in all competitions, contributing four goals and eight assists.

Despite spending time out of the team under previous boss Julen Lopetegui, the Algeria international has flourished in Gary O’Neil’s wing-back system.

While the 22-year-old does not have a single goal or assist to his name during 2023-24, he has only enhanced his reputation with his performances.

Click here to read the full story.

Jordan Henderson ‘agrees to join Ajax from Al Ettifaq’

Al Ettifaq midfielder Jordan Henderson is on the verge of completing a swift exit from the Saudi Pro League to join Ajax, according to a report.

Given his previous unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ Community, the 33-year-old sparked widespread fury when he left Liverpool for Saudi Arabia – where homosexuality is punishable by death – after a 12-year spell at Anfield.

Henderson strenuously denied that he was motivated to join Al Ettifaq for financial reasons amid reports of a £700,000-a-week deal, instead insisting that he wanted to help grow the game in the Middle East.

Henderson was immediately appointed captain and has been a regular fixture in Steven Gerrard’s XI, but only six months after joining, it was reported that the England international was pining for a move back to Europe.

Click here to read the full story.

3h ago DONE DEAL

Juventus Women complete deal for Giulia Bison— Juventus Women (@JuventusFCWomen) January 17, 2024
3h ago DONE DEAL

Crystal Palace youngster John-Kymani Gordon loaned to AFC Wimbledon— Crystal Palace F.C. Academy (@CPFCAcademy) January 17, 2024
Transfer rumours: Ederson to Newcastle, Benrahma to Marseille, Ejaria to Plymouth

Newcastle United are reportedly exploring a January deal for Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson.

The Magpies are finding it difficult to do business this month due to the rules surrounding Financial Fair Play, but news of Joelinton’s long-term thigh problem could see them enter the market for a new midfielder.

According to Sky Sports News, Newcastle are keeping a close eye on Ederson’s situation at Atalanta with a view to potentially making an offer for him before the end of the winter window.

Ederson’s Italian club are believed to be willing to listen to offers in excess of £35m for a player who has also been linked with Manchester United this month.

Click here to read the full story.

4h ago DONE DEAL

Tottenham Hotspur recall Alfie Devine from Port Vale loanWe can confirm that we have exercised the option to recall Alfie Devine from his loan spell at Port Vale.

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 17, 2024
Ratcliffe ‘planning to bring elite striker to Man United this summer’

Manchester United’s incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning to bring an elite centre-forward to Old Trafford during this summer’s transfer window.

Ratcliffe was in the stands for Man United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, a match which saw both Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford register.

Hojlund is the team’s leading goalscorer this season with seven, but Rashford only has four, and the Red Devils are short of options at centre-forward, with Anthony Martial still on the sidelines.

Martial only has a contract at Old Trafford until this summer, and the Frenchman is widely expected to move on, which will open up space in the squad for a new striker to arrive.

Click here to read the full story.

4h ago DONE DEAL

Greenock Morton convert Iain Wilson loan into permanent deal— Greenock Morton (@Morton_FC) January 16, 2024
Man United ‘make enquiry for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo’

Manchester United have reportedly asked for information on Ronald Araujo’s situation at Barcelona, with the Red Devils identifying the centre-back as a leading transfer target.

Bayern Munich continue to be heavily linked with the Uruguay international, and it is understood that the German champions are still pushing to sign him during the January transfer window.

However, Barcelona are unlikely to allow the defender to depart in the middle of the 2023-24 campaign unless an substantial offer from Allianz Arena arrives.

According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern view him as their ‘top target’, with the German club’s head coach Thomas Tuchel determined to secure his signature.

Click here to read the full story.

Man United’s Alvaro Fernandez completes Benfica loan move

Manchester United have announced that left-back Alvaro Fernandez has joined Portuguese giants Benfica on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 20-year-old had been on loan at Granada, but it was announced over the weekend that his spell with the La Liga outfit had come to an end ahead of the expected switch to Benfica.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the Primeira Liga outfit have an obligation to purchase the full-back if he makes a certain number of appearances this season.

The report claims that Benfica also have a separate buy option if he does not feature in the required amount of matches, while Man United have a buy-back option and sell-on clause.

Click here to read the full story.

7h ago