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Chelsea in fight with Man Utd and Liverpool for next-big-thing left back

  /  autty

The transfer window is open and here are today's developments from Daily Mail Sport's Simon Jones.

Stoke ramp up interest in Smit

Stoke are in talks over a £4m deal for Dutch striker Milan Smit.

The 22-year-old from Go Ahead Eagles has scored ten goals this season.

Stoke boss Mark Robins has been forced into the market after Divin Mubama, who was on loan from Manchester City, suffered ligament damage during a challenge against QPR on Saturday.

Fulham close in on Bobb

Manchester City midfielder Oscar Bobb is closing on a move to Fulham if the clubs can agree on the structure of a £35million transfer.

Marseille to secure Nwaneri loan

Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri will arrive in Marseille today ahead of joining on loan for the rest of the season.

Villa make Mateta enquiry

Aston Villa have enquired about Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta after Juventus were rebuffed in their offer for the 28-year-old. Palace have an interest in Villa striker Evann Guessand.

Winger Leon Bailey returned to Villa from Roma last night after his loan was cut short. Ajax are interested in the Jamaica international.

Villa are among the clubs to have been offered AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek who is ready to move back to England. A return for Douglas Luiz has also been floated to Villa after Boubacar Kamara was ruled out for most of the season. Luiz is on loan at Nottingham Forest from Juventus.

Ajax want to upgrade Zinchenko deal

Ajax are trying to sign Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko on a permanent deal.

His medical was delayed yesterday as Ajax tried to upgrade their original loan proposal.

They had also been rebuffed in a loan offer for Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte.

Alao in demand

Chelsea have stepped into the race for highly-rated Sheffield Wednesday left-back Yisa Alao.

Manchester United and Liverpool had both made offers for the 17-year-old who has already broken into the first team and has been offered his first professional contract.

United had offered around £400,000 with substantial add-ons and were considered favourites but Chelsea are willing to offer more to crisis club Wednesday who are struggling to stay in the Championship following their points deduction.

He started his first senior game at home to Brentford in the FA Cup earlier this month, followed by a first Championship start against Portsmouth last weekend.

Alao was outstanding in Wednesday's defeat to Portsmouth but was taken off after an hour as manager Henrik Pedersen tries to manage his progress and minutes on the pitch.

Chelsea are understood to be willing to offer around £600,000 plus substantial bonuses on performances for Alao but also under serious consideration will be the youngster's career pathway.

Wednesday entered administration in October 2025 due to severe financial issues under owner Dejphon Chansiri, leading to unpaid wages, EFL charges, and an18-point deduction. Begbies Traynor were appointed administrators, and a consortium led by James Bord has been selected as the preferred bidder for a takeover, with the process awaiting final approval.

Chelsea teen to Tractor Boys

Ipswich Town are signing Chelsea forward Charlie Runham on loan with an option to buy the 19-year-old.

Norwich want Bodo/Glimt hero

Norwich City are trying to sign Bodo/Glimt goal hero Kasper Hogh, the Danish striker who scored twice against Manchester City last night.

Ngenge joins Leeds

Leeds United have confirmed the arrival of 18-year-old Leonard Ngenge. The centre-back has two senior Nigeria caps but will start with Leeds’ under-21s.

He has signed until June 2027. He was previously with Remo Stars FC.

Hammers check on Disasi

West Ham midfielder Guido Rodriguez is wanted on loan at Valencia.

The Hammers have agreed to sign Venezuela winger Keiber Lamadrid on loan from Deportivo La Guaira.

They are also among the clubs to have checked on Axel Disasi's situation at Chelsea.

Watford have signed free agent midfielder Edoardo Bove on a six-month deal. The 23-year-old had a cardiac arrest 14 months ago.

Sheffield United defender Nils Zatterstrom is in talks to join Genoa.

Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of Alex Toth from Ferencvaros on a five-and-a-half-year deal for £10.4m plus £2.6m and a sell on.

Birmingham are frontrunners for Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento.