Marcus Rashford could be handed an unexpected route back to Manchester United following the sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim, as Old Trafford braces for sweeping changes both on and off the pitch.
The 28-year-old England forward, currently on loan at Barcelona, is reportedly among the players who could benefit from Amorim’s exit, with sources suggesting the managerial change may reopen the door for Rashford’s return to United.
Attention has now turned to who will take charge at Old Trafford, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner emerging as a leading candidate. The Austrian coach is admired by United’s hierarchy, and his contract at Selhurst Park expires in the summer. Fulham manager Marco Silva is also believed to be on United’s radar, with the London club bracing for a possible approach.
Amorim’s departure has also altered the mood among several United players. England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, forward Joshua Zirkzee and Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte were all reportedly considering January exits had the Portuguese coach remained in charge.
Elsewhere, Juventus have opened discussions with Liverpool over a potential loan move for Federico Chiesa. The Italian forward is said to be open to a return to Turin, where he previously spent two seasons, as Liverpool weigh up their options during the January window.
In the Premier League, Bournemouth saw a €40 million (£34.7m) bid for Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling rejected, with the German club unwilling to sell despite the Cherries preparing for the possible departure of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.
Chelsea face stiff competition in their pursuit of Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester United all monitoring the highly rated 20-year-old. Barcelona, meanwhile, have made a loan offer for Portugal defender Joao Cancelo, currently at Al-Hilal, with Inter Milan also interested.
Crystal Palace are reportedly ready to rival West Ham for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, while Tottenham have held talks with Santos over teenage Brazilian left-back Souza, who is also attracting interest from Newcastle United.
West Ham forward Callum Wilson is in discussions over terminating his contract after just five months at the club, while former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has held talks about taking over at Strasbourg amid a potential managerial reshuffle involving Chelsea.
In the Football League, Southampton striker Damion Downs is set for a loan move to Hamburg, while Coventry City forward Norman Bassette is expected to join FC Kaiserslautern with an option to buy. Birmingham City midfielder Marc Leonard could also depart on loan, though only if reinforcements arrive.
With managerial uncertainty at Manchester United and clubs across Europe positioning for mid-season reinforcements, the January transfer window is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years.
