Arsenal Nears Arteta Contract as United's Kane Pursuit Stalls

The summer window has shut, but the market hasn’t gone quiet. It never does. Across the Premier League, plans for January are already being drawn up, reshaped and, in some cases, ripped up.

At Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, the next few months are already in motion.

Arsenal lock in the project

Arsenal’s biggest signing may not even 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 the Spaniard’s camp are described as progressing smoothly, and the expectation is clear: Arteta will commit his future to the club.

It’s a powerful signal. Arsenal are already putting pieces in place for the next phase, having announced an agreement to sign Andria Bartishvili, dubbed the “next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia”. They remain active in the market too, tracking Kenan Yildiz, Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi, while being linked with Como talent Nico Paz.

There is also an eye on youth elsewhere. Arsenal are monitoring Rio Ngumoha’s situation at Liverpool. With Cody Gakpo established and Bradley Barcola arriving on Deadline Day, Ngumoha’s path on the left looks crowded, and Arsenal are watching closely ahead of January, even with no fee or bid yet mentioned.

The manager staying. The squad evolving. Arsenal are not standing still.

United’s Kane plan stalls, Truffert rises

Over at Old Trafford, the picture is more complicated.

Manchester United have suffered a blow in their long-running admiration of Harry Kane. Bayern Munich are increasingly confident of keeping the England captain beyond this season, with the club believing their relationship with the striker is strong and that he is committed to their project. United had been ready to explore a deal running to 2027, with Kane’s current contract up at the end of the season, but that route now looks blocked.

So the focus moves to the other end of the pitch.

United are stepping up their search for a new left-back after missing out on Lewis Hall, who has committed to Newcastle with a new contract. Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert has emerged as a leading target and a potential long-term successor to Luke Shaw.

TEAMtalk report that United have already laid groundwork on a possible move for the 24-year-old, who is valued at around £60m and tied to Bournemouth until 2030. The Cherries are reluctant to sell, making a January deal difficult and pushing any realistic move towards next summer.

United failed to strengthen at left-back in the summer. Truffert’s form since arriving from Rennes has now thrust him to the top of their list as they plan for life beyond Shaw.

Chelsea’s midfield puzzle and Liverpool’s next move

Chelsea, still reshaping under their ownership, are expected to bring in a replacement for Enzo Fernandez in January.

Lamine Camara had been a strong candidate, but attention appears to be shifting. Marc Bernal and Manu Kone are among the latest midfielders linked, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott remains a long-term target admired at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool could yet benefit from that change of course. The Reds are seen as a possible destination for Camara and continue to track Adam Wharton, with Bayern Munich also circling Florian Wirtz. The midfield rebuild at Anfield may not be finished just yet.

Spurs: Richarlison stuck as new powerbroker looms

Tottenham’s winter could be defined as much by the boardroom as the pitch.

The club are said to be keen on appointing Piero Ausilio as their new sporting director ahead of the January window. Ausilio, who has spent more than 20 years at Inter, is closing in on a move to north London, according to Sport Witness, after working closely with Roberto De Zerbi in Italy.

His expected exit has already prompted change at Inter, with Dario Baccin promoted to sporting director. Baccin wants to make an immediate mark and has identified Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari as a target. The 21-year-old is under contract until 2027, a situation Inter view as particularly attractive. The same report suggests Ayari is a player who could also have appealed to Ausilio himself.

On the pitch, Tottenham’s forward department remains clouded by uncertainty around Richarlison.

The Brazilian’s move to Vasco da Gama collapsed on deadline day despite Tottenham being prepared to sanction an exit. UOL journalist Bruno Braz reports that Vasco were ready to structure a permanent deal, with a clause allowing Richarlison to move abroad in January and another exit route after just a few months. Spurs were said to be satisfied with the financial package.

Richarlison, though, refused a permanent transfer. He wanted to terminate his Tottenham contract, then join Vasco until the end of the year and reassess his options in January. The deal fell apart.

He has since reacted on social media after seeing hopes of a potential Tottenham recall under Roberto De Zerbi dashed. With earlier moves to Everton and Trabzonspor also breaking down over personal terms, he now faces the prospect of up to four months without competitive senior football, stuck at Spurs until at least January.

For a forward in his prime, that’s a brutal limbo.

Madueke on the radar, decision looming

Noni Madueke’s future is another storyline building towards January.

Arsenal could be forced into a call on the winger, with Atletico Madrid and Juventus both monitoring his situation after limited minutes this season, according to CaughtOffside. A loan, potentially with an option to buy, is seen as realistic by the clubs watching him.

Atletico view Madueke as a source of pace and direct running in attack, while Juventus are also keeping close tabs ahead of the winter window. No formal talks have started, but the interest is real.

Arsenal, holding the cards with Madueke under a long-term contract, must decide: keep him and push for a bigger role under Arteta, or cash in on the interest and let him leave on loan with a view to something more permanent.

One way or another, January will ask for a firm answer.

West Ham’s quiet business

Away from the headline names, West Ham have been tidying up their own squad planning.

The club have confirmed that Preston Fearon has joined Forest Green Rovers on a three-month loan, giving the youngster valuable senior experience. Ryan Battrum has also departed on a short-term basis, joining National League side Southend United on a one-month loan.

Small moves, but the kind that shape pathways and careers.

The window may be closed, but the pieces are already shifting again. Arteta’s new deal, United’s pursuit of Truffert, Kane’s Bayern commitment, Ausilio’s likely arrival at Spurs, Madueke’s crossroads and Richarlison’s stand-off all point to one thing.

January will not be quiet.