£40m Striker: Man Utd, Liverpool In Transfer ‘Tug Of War’

There are now just six days left until the January transfer window slams shut, as transfer windows are wont to do, and once again we’re keeping you in the loop on all the latest stories with morning round-up of some the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours – and today, starting with a big story concerning Manchester United and their perennial rivals Liverpool.

Caught Offside claim that both sides have set their sights on the same player – Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, after whom both sides have “already enquired” with the Ligue 1 club open to offers as they look to sell their way out of a serious financial crisis. Apparently a fee in the region of €22m (£18.4m) would be required to secure the 21-year-old winger’s services.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested too, although they have “not yet taken any formal steps” towards a bid. That would suit United and Liverpool, who prefer to make a move in the summer – Spurs’ desperate need for new signings combined with Lyon’s desperate need for cash could speed the process up, however.

If there’s one reason Spurs wouldn’t sign Cherki, it’s that they’re actual buying a different forward entirely – at least, according to Sport Witness, who cite French newspaper L’Equipe in reporting that Ange Postecoglou’s embattled side are interested in Switzerland and Monaco striker Breel Embolo, who scored two goals for his country at Euro 2024 (and, for that matter, at the last World Cup).

The 27-year-old is into the last 18 months of his contract with Monaco and are “open to a sale” to maximise their profits. Not that Spurs will have it all their own way if they are indeed interested – apparently Galatasaray and Como are interested, as are unnamed clubs from Saudi Arabia.

There’s no word on how much Embolo, who has 15 goals in 73 caps for the Swiss national team, might cost any buyers, but he set Monaco back around £10m when he arrived in 2022.