But once in a while big transfers are made outside of the plastic clubs. One such example is the free transfer of Edin Džeko to 2. Bundesliga leaders Schalke 04. Under the new sporting management of Frank Baumann, the club have managed to convince the 39-year-old former Manchester City player (and Bundesliga champion with Wolfsburg in 2009) to return to Germany for the first time since leaving Wolfsburg in 2011.
Arsenal are reportedly not prepared to sell defender Ben White in this January's transfer window despite reported interest from Everton. The Gunners are seemingly keen to keep hold of White, according to football.london, with Everton's interest also not yet confirmed anyway. White has been a key player for Arsenal down the years, though he's no longer the automatic first choice for Mikel Arteta's side.
Likewise, with the 2026 World Cup fast approaching on the horizon, many of England's biggest superstars are looking to shore up their spot in Thomas Tuchel 's squad to North America. With a number of spots still reportedly up for grabs, it has been suggested that a number of fringe English aces are looking to complete a January return to the Premier League.
Despite Xabi Alonso's side suffering another injury crisis defensively, the newspaper reports president Florentino Perez is not intending to sanction a major acquisition this month. The news will be a big disappointment for the club's supporters, who have had to watch as Madrid have struggled through to this stage of the season, churning out a series of average performances. They remain four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona despite the weekend win over Real Betis.
The January transfer window is now open, and already clubs are moving to bring in fresh talent for the second half of the season. Crystal Palace, for example, wasted no time in splashing 35 million on former Tottenham Hotspur man Brennan Johnson, who has already played his first Premier League game for his new employers. But all sides do not need to be as eager as the Eagles in tying up their business. Here's how long clubs have left to get those big-money moves finalised.
Real Madrid have joined the race for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to AS. The Spanish outlet reports that Madrid have been offered the player, but the transfer fee would need to be worth more than €70 million to land the 21-year-old. Madrid are interested and see the England international as the perfect alternative to Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield, or to enable to play further forward.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dropped a clear hint that his club will be actively exploring a variety of options in this January's transfer window. The Gunners are currently enjoying a fine season, sitting top of the Premier League table and Champions League table. However, they have been in a similar position before in recent years, and won't be taking anything for granted in a close title race with the more experienced Manchester City, who are just four points behind them in the table.
