Twenty-nine days into the January transfer window and we've officially entered the chaos zone.
Liverpool are locked in a bidding war with Tottenham for Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni. Cristiano Ronaldo is already planning his post-retirement empire in Saudi Arabia. Vinicius Junior has given Real Madrid an April deadline to sort his contract or he's gone. And somewhere in the middle of all this, Chelsea are bidding €40 million for an 18-year-old Turkish midfielder nobody outside of Trabzonspor fans has ever heard of.
Welcome to late January 2026, where the desperation is palpable and the agent leaks are flowing like wine.
Let's cut through the noise.
LIVERPOOL: THE €100M TCHOUAMÉNI BATTLE
According to Fichajes, both Liverpool and Tottenham have submitted formal bids worth €100 million for Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, and here's the twist: Real Madrid are actually considering it.
Wait, what?
Tchouaméni joined Madrid in 2022 for €80 million and was supposed to be the heir to Casemiro's throne. Instead, he's been solid but not spectacular. Injuries haven't helped. And with Madrid reportedly eyeing younger midfield targets, they might actually cash in.
Liverpool need midfield reinforcement after shipping out Curtis Jones (more on that below). Spurs need... well, Spurs need everything. But €100 million for a 25-year-old who hasn't quite lived up to the hype? That's a gamble.
My take: This one feels real. Madrid are tempted by the fee. Liverpool have the funds and the need. Spurs have the desperation. I'd say 60% chance this gets done, and Liverpool are the favorites to land him.
Tsimikas Returns to Liverpool from Roma
Tsimikas spent the season on loan at Roma, but with Andy Robertson reportedly on his way to Tottenham (yes, really), Liverpool need cover at left-back. Tsimikas knows the system, Arne Slot rates him, and the deal was done quickly.
TOTTENHAM: THE AGGRESSIVE WINDOW
Spurs Going After Liverpool's Entire Left Side
Tottenham's strategy this January appears to be: "What if we just raided Liverpool?"
They want Andy Robertson. They want Curtis Jones. They've bid €100 million for Tchouaméni. And all of this is happening while Spurs sit 9th in the table.
This screams desperation. Spurs need reinforcements, sure, but throwing €100 million at Tchouaméni when they can't defend set pieces feels like buying a Ferrari when your house is on fire.
My take: They'll get Robertson. They won't get Tchouaméni. Jones is 50/50 depending on the price.
CHELSEA: THE SCATTERGUN APPROACH
Chelsea Bidding €40m for Turkish Teenager Christ Inao Ulaï
Chelsea have submitted a staggering €40 million bid for Trabzonspor's 18-year-old Ivorian midfielder Christ Inao Ulaï (Source: Africa Foot).
Who? Exactly.
This is peak Chelsea. They've got 47 players on the roster already, but sure, let's add another teenager for €40 million. At least they're consistent.
Chelsea Also Want Franco Mastantuono, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Mohamed Kader Meïté
Chelsea are reportedly making a surprise approach for Real Madrid teenager Franco Mastantuono, who's struggling for minutes in Madrid's senior setup (Source: Fichajes).
They're also targeting PSG's freshly crowned AFCON champion Ibrahim Mbaye alongside Aston Villa (Source: Florian Plettenberg).
And they're competing with Crystal Palace and Al Hilal for Rennes' 18-year-old striker Mohamed Kader Meïté, who Al Hilal are willing to pay €40 million for (Source: CaughtOffside).
Crystal Palace Want Chelsea's Josh Acheampong
Acheampong is 19, highly rated, and buried in Chelsea's academy depth chart. If Palace offer €15-20 million, Chelsea will sell.
MANCHESTER UNITED: THE QUIET DESPERATION
Mateta is a solid Premier League striker, but United have bigger problems than their attack. This feels like agent noise.
Manchester United are also credited with interest in Mohamed Kader Meïté if one of their strikers leaves this month (Source: Foot Mercato).
Given United's current state, I'd be shocked if they make any significant moves in January.
LA LIGA: THE VINICIUS ULTIMATUM
Vinicius Jr Gives Real Madrid an April Deadline
Here's the big one.
According to El Nacional, Vinicius Junior has warned Real Madrid that if he hasn't received a definitive answer on his contract situation by April, he's leaving.
PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi is reportedly "obsessed" with signing Vinicius, who is demanding an annual salary of €30 million.
Let's break this down. Vinicius is 26, one of the best wingers in the world, and under contract until 2027. Madrid want to keep him but won't meet his €30 million salary demand. PSG are willing to pay it.
My take: This is classic agent leverage. Vinicius wants a raise. Madrid will eventually give it to him. But if PSG come in with a €150 million bid this summer? Then we've got a real saga.
Julián Alvarez Gets €100m Saudi Offer
Alvarez is 27, a World Cup winner, and having a great season at Atlético. Arsenal and Barcelona are also reportedly interested.
Does Alvarez want to go to Saudi Arabia at 27? Probably not. But €100 million is €100 million.
REST OF WORLD: CRISTIANO'S NEXT CHAPTER
Here's the most interesting story of the day.
According to talkSPORT, Cristiano Ronaldo could retire once his Al Nassr contract expires in summer 2027, and the first step in his post-playing career might be an ownership role in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo already owns a 15% equity stake in an unnamed Saudi club, and there's talk of increasing that stake.
This makes perfect sense. Ronaldo has been the face of the Saudi Pro League's expansion. He's built relationships with Saudi stakeholders. And he's not going back to Europe at 42.
Owning a Saudi club, bringing in star players, and continuing to shape the league? That's the perfect next chapter.
Morgan Guilavogui to MLS
Ligue 1 surprise title challengers Lens are set to lose Morgan Guilavogui to MLS outfit Real Salt Lake (Source: Santi Aouna).
Guilavogui has been solid for Lens, but MLS money talks.
January is always wild, but the final 48 hours? That's when things get truly chaotic. Clubs are desperate. Agents are leaking. Deals are collapsing and materializing by the hour.
Stay tuned. This is about to get messy.
