Transfer Rumors: Man United Plot Palmer Move as Rivals Snatch €120m Star; Chelsea and Liverpool Line Up Mega Bids

The January transfer window is two weeks old and the chaos is only getting started. 

Manchester United want to raid Chelsea for Cole Palmer in a club-record bid. Liverpool are reportedly preparing a €180 million offer for Jude Bellingham. Real Madrid might sell Vinicius Junior if he doesn't sign a new deal. And somewhere in all this madness, Antoine Semenyo just became the most expensive signing of the window after Man City paid €72 million to steal him from Bournemouth.

Welcome to January 2026, where nothing makes sense and everything is possible. 

Let's sort through the noise.

According to FootballTransfers, Manchester United are ready to make a blockbuster move for Chelsea's Cole Palmer, and here's the wildest part: Chelsea are open to selling him. 

Wait, what? 

Palmer arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2023 for €47 million and immediately became one of the Premier League's best attacking midfielders. Last season, he was Chelsea's talisman, racking up goals and assists while dragging them through a chaotic campaign. This season, he's battled a groin injury that's kept him out for two months, and since returning, Chelsea have won just one of nine league games.

Still, Chelsea are willing to listen to offers? For Palmer? The guy they signed to a contract until 2033? 

Here's why this might actually be real: Bruno Fernandes is reportedly tired of life at Old Trafford and looking for an exit. Multiple sources claim United players "fear" Fernandes has grown exhausted with the club's dysfunction. If Bruno leaves, Palmer slots in as the perfect replacement. He's English, he's young (23), he's a boyhood United fan, and he's entering his prime.

The problem? Palmer's Estimated Transfer Value sits at €99.7 million, which means United would need to break their club record (Paul Pogba's €105 million in 2016) to get him. And after sacking Ruben Amorim, United don't even have a permanent manager yet. Michael Carrick is now the caretaker until the summer. 

My take: This feels like posturing from United's side. Chelsea aren't idiots. Palmer is under contract until 2033. They'd demand €150 million minimum. United are broke, managerless, and 7th in the table. Unless they're planning to sell Fernandes to Saudi Arabia for €80 million and use that as a down payment, I don't see how this happens in January.

But summer? That's a different story.

United Also Want Marcos Llorente 

Elsewhere, United have submitted a formal €35 million offer for Atlético Madrid's versatile midfielder Marcos Llorente (Source: Fichajes). Llorente can play right-back, central midfield, or as a box-to-box runner. He's 30, so this screams "quick fix for a broken squad." But with Amorim gone, who even knows if United's new manager wants him?

According to Fichajes, Liverpool are ready to submit an offer of €180 million for Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. 

Let me be clear: This is not happening.

Bellingham is under contract until 2029. He's one of Real Madrid's cornerstone players. He's 22 years old and already a superstar. Why would Madrid sell him? Why would Bellingham leave? 

This rumor exists for one reason: Liverpool need to replace aging midfielders, and Bellingham is English, young, and elite. So agents throw his name into the mix to create leverage.

Chelsea are also reportedly prepared to bid for Bellingham if they sell Palmer (Source: Defensa Central).

Again, not happening. Chelsea can't afford Bellingham unless they sell half their squad. 

Liverpool Targeting RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande

Bukayo Saka Signs Until 2031 

Arsenal managed to fend off a late approach from Real Madrid and signed Bukayo Saka to a new contract until 2031 (Source: Defensa Central). 

Massive win for Arsenal. Saka is 25, entering his prime, and irreplaceable. Locking him down until 2031 sends a message: Arsenal are serious about winning.

Ben White to Everton? 

One player who could still leave Arsenal this month is defender Ben White, with Everton exploring a deal (Source: Football Insider). 

White has been excellent for Arsenal, but if Everton are willing to pay €40 million+ and Arsenal have a replacement lined up, this could happen.

Marcus Rashford to Barcelona permanent: Barca sporting director Deco met with Rashford's agent to confirm the club's intention to trigger their €30 million buy option (Source: SPORT). Rashford has been decent on loan, and €30 million is a bargain in today's market. 

Real Madrid deny Nico Schlotterbeck signing: Madrid are not considering signing a new defender this winter despite reports of an imminent Borussia Dortmund deal (Source: MARCA).

Vinicius Junior available if no new contract: Arsenal have been credited with interest in Vinicius, who will be made available this summer if he doesn't agree to a new deal (Source: Fichajes). This feels like agent leverage, but imagine Vinicius at Arsenal. Chaos.

Juventus want Noussair Mazraoui from Man United: Long-time target Mazraoui could finally get his move to Turin this winter (Source: Flashscore).

Ousmane Dembélé rejects PSG's €30 million offer, demands €60 million: Dembélé's future is "up in the air" with several European giants monitoring the situation (Source: Foot Mercato, Fichajes).

Fenerbahce agree terms with Ademola Lookman: Fenerbahçe are set to head to Bergamo next week for direct negotiations with Atalanta over a fee (Source: Hurriyet). Lookman to Turkey? That's... unexpected.