Transfer news live: Liverpool block Robertson move, Man City monitor Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea battle Man United for French striker

Sunderland have recalled Milan Aleksic from his loan to KS Cracovia.

The 20-year-old Serb signed for the Black Cats in 2024, and made six league appearances for Cracovia during his six-month stay in Krakow, with a further two outings in the Polish Cup.

Aleksic did make one appearance for Sunderland before leaving on loan, bagging an assist in a Carabao Cup defeat by Huddersfield, which was decided by a penalty shootout.

With Casemiro’s exit now confirmed for the end of the season, Manchester United will need to strengthen their midfield in the summer.

The club have apparantly drawn up a shortlist of four players to replace him with summer moves the most likely.

Accordin to The Sun, the players United are looking at at Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

All four have previously been linked with Manchester United and if Michael Carrick can lead them to the Champions League this term then the Old Trafford higher ups will have a better chance of securing their services.

Manchester United are considering hijacking Chelsea’s interest in Rennes striker Mohamed Kader Meite.

TEAMtalk report that the 18-year-old is currently being eyed up by the Old Trafford hierarchy with United becoming the latest club to show interest in the Chelsea target.

The striker is being looked at by nine clubs, including Crystal Palace and Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

Chelsea are reportedly looking to sign Harry Maguire from Manchester United.

As reported by CaughtOffside and The Standard, Chelsea are in the market for a new centre-back before the end of January.

Jeremy Jacquet seems to be the priority but negotiations for the 20-year-old have reportedly been difficult.

That has seen Chelsea turn attentions to Maguire, who is enjoying a key role under new Man Utd interim manager Michael Carrick.

Juventus are unlikely to make a move for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta despite talks over Youssef En Nesyri collapsing over the weekend.

Palace value Mateta at £35m and that is too much for Juve to consider at the time being.

Palace are highly unlikely to let Mateta go on loan given their current predicament. They are eight points above the relegation zone and trying to ensure Oliver Glasner stays until the end of the season.

Liverpool have thrown their hat into the ring to sign much sought-after RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande.

Tricky forward Diomande shone for Ivory Coast at the recent Afcon and has been superb for Leipzig in recent times.

German outlet Bild are reporting that the Reds are keen to bring the 19-year-old to Anfield, entering a race that also includes Bayern Munich, although Diomande is said to prefer a move to Liverpool.

Arsenal are exploring a potential move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, although a bid wouldn’t come until this summer, according to ESPN.

Alvarez, who moved to Madrid from Manchester City for £82m in 2024, has scored 45 goals in 80 games for Atleti.

The Spanish club would reportedly demand a fee in excess of €100m to sell the player.

Alongside Arsenal, both Barcelona and Chelsea are said to be tracking the Argentina international.

But while Liverpool considered Tottenham’s offer out of respect for Robertson, they have concluded that, as things stand, they need him at Anfield.