Football transfer rumours: Ronaldo on the move? City in for Zubimendi?

Paracetamol. Check. Water. Check. Rumour Mill? Check! Welcome to 2025, eerily similar to the end of 2024, save for a new calendar on the kitchen wall and the opening of the January transfer window. Not only does that mean that ailing Manchester-based clubs will be able to sign new shiny players for extortionate prices, but also that players out of contract at the end of this season will also be able to arrange free transfers on the cheap (but with extortionate wages).

Among the latter is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is nearing the end of the record contract – total reported salary of €200m (£177m) per year once commercial agreements are included – that tempted him to Saudi Arabia two years ago. The Portuguese has previously stated that he wanted to win the Saudi title with Al-Nassr, something he has not yet achieved, but when pushed on his future last week he stated: “You never know what can happen in the future.” Whether he stays put or not, Ronaldo will not be short of offers, even with his 40th birthday looming in February. There are a host of superstars out of contract in six months, with Son Heung-min, Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kevin De Bruyne, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, Leroy Sané, Jonathan Tah, Jonathan David and Angel Gomes all free to begin talks with other clubs in January.

Another veteran who is available to sign for free RIGHT NOW is former Chelsea star Willian, who has just terminated his contract with Greek giants Olympiakos. The Brazilian, who looked very useful in two years at Fulham before leaving last summer, has previously stated he had “possibilities in Europe, England, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and MLS”, and there will surely be a few struggling Premier League clubs, lacking a creative spark, that will be interested.

Manchester City have already declared they will look to do some business – “even the players think we have to add”, insisted Pep Guardiola last month – with Martín Zubimendi high on the hitlist. The Spanish midfielder was close to joining Liverpool last summer before rejecting a move to Merseyside and now Rodri-less City look to be favourites to land the 25-year-old, who successfully replaced Rodri in the Euros final for Spain in July. Arsenal are also reportedly sniffing about for Zubimendi, who has a €60m (£50m) release clause at Real Sociedad.

Jack Grealish is one that could leave City, with Tottenham and Newcastle two clubs linked with the former Villa man. The latter would be a surprise, given Newcastle have both Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes on the left wing.

Manchester United can only buy if they sell, despite Ruben Amorim’s desire to have players that fit his preferred 3-4-3 system. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is being tracked, but the 21-year-old left wing-back will not come cheap.

Arsenal are desperate not to see their season derailed by Bukayo Saka’s injury. With Raheem Sterling injured and Ethan Nwaneri still inexperienced, the Gunners may opt to strengthen. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves’s Matheus Cunha have both been linked but would both cost upward of £60m.

skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Football Daily Free daily newsletter Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion

That’s your lot for now. Happy new year, all!

Click here to read article