Kostas Tsimikas may be enjoying the Roman sunshine on loan, but Nottingham Forest are still peering longingly across the Mediterranean at Liverpool’s spare left-back. The arrival of Milos Kerkez has left Tsimikas firmly behind Andy Robertson in the Anfield pecking order but Forest’s interest has never gone away. Roma would be willing to end his loan period early provided they can find someone else first – understandable given he has only four Serie A starts this season under Gian Piero Gasperini, whose wing-back system does not suit the 29-year-old.
Sunderland are reportedly clutching Noah Sadiki with the kind of white-knuckled intensity usually reserved for a North Sea ferry in a gale. Manchester United are admirers of the 21-year-old DR Congo midfielder and have even toyed with the idea of a player-plus-cash deal involving Manuel Ugarte, but the Black Cats have no interest in a deal. Sadiki’s value has apparently doubled since his £15m arrival from Union Saint-Gilloise and Sunderland seem in no mood to cash in just yet. The player has started every Premier League match under Régis Le Bris bar the games he was away for Afcon.
Unai Emery has peered into the abyss of his injury list and seen a Ruben Loftus-Cheek-shaped silhouette staring back. Boubacar Kamara, who has been a standout at Aston Villa this season, came off injured in his side’s FA Cup win against Spurs and the club fear he could miss the rest of the season. For Emery’s side, sitting third and daring to glance at Arsenal seven points ahead, replacing such a pivotal player could prove rather important.
Down at Selhurst Park, the “Everything Must Go” sign continues to attract interest with Liverpool said to be circling the Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, joining a queue that includes Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle. Palace are reportedly open to selling at the end of the season – for a starting price of £65m.
Napoli are on the lookout for fresh width for Antonio Conte and have begun running the numbers on the Real Betis winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. The 24-year-old Morocco international, admired for his close control and untapped upside, has joined a growing shortlist that already features Raheem Sterling and Daniel Maldini.
James Ward-Prowse, meanwhile, appears to be heading for the exit after slipping out of favour under Nuno Espírito Santo at West Ham, having not played since September. A permanent transfer looks unlikely with Premier League suitors are scarce and Championship budgets struggling with the fee, leaving a loan as the most realistic outcome. Burnley are interested observers, having reportedly recognised the strength the 31-year-old could bring in an era where set-pieces are dominating the game.
Robert Lewandowski, 37, and still collecting goals like souvenirs, apparently has “very concrete” options in MLS while a move to the Saudi Pro League is also on the table. The striker, whose contract expires in the summer, has scored 112 goals in 170 games during his three and a half seasons at the club.
Over in Madrid, Vinícius Júnior has attempted to pour cold water on any transfer gossip by reiterating his desire to stay put. With a year left on his contract, the Brazilian insisted there is “no hurry” and that his relationship with Florentino Pérez is harmonious enough to sort things out later after his side’s dominant 6-1 defeat of Monaco in the Champions League. The player reportedly was uninterested in renewing his new deal while Xabi Alonso was at the helm.
And Arne Engels is expected to stay at Celtic despite Bundesliga interest. Leipzig inquired about the player but the Belgian midfielder is said to be happy under the returning Martin O’Neill and focused on helping Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership title. The 22-year-old joined Celtic from Augsburg in 2024 for a club-record fee of £11m.
