It may be Christmas Day, but across the Premier League there is very little time for rest. While most people are sitting down with family and enjoying the holiday, club executives and agents are already deep in conversations as the January transfer window edges closer.
Deals are being discussed quietly, options are being explored, and rumours are spreading quickly as clubs look to strengthen or reshape their squads for the second half of the season.
One of the more eye-catching stories doing the rounds involves Newcastle United and Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling. According to reports emerging from Spain, Newcastle are being described as the most likely destination for the former England international, with Chelsea said to be searching urgently for a solution that removes him from their wage bill.
Sterling has slipped well down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and is no longer seen as a key part of Chelsea’s plans, despite his experience and pedigree at the very top level.
Newcastle, on the other hand, are believed to be looking for proven Premier League quality rather than raw potential. The idea being floated is a loan deal during January, possibly with an option to buy in the summer if things work out.
The suggested fee to make the move permanent later on would sit somewhere between €20 million and €25 million, which would represent a significant drop from the sums once paid for Sterling during his peak years.
From Newcastle’s point of view, it would be a low-risk way of adding experience and attacking depth at a time when injuries and inconsistency have tested the squad.
Sterling himself is said to be keen on staying in England and wants regular first-team football above all else. If that is truly the case, a move to Newcastle could appeal, especially if he feels he would be trusted and given a clear role.
That said, there is currently no firm indication that talks have actually taken place, and some scepticism remains around the reliability of the source behind the claim. Even so, Chelsea would almost certainly be open to letting him leave if another club were willing to shoulder a portion of his wages, and Newcastle may see an opportunity worth exploring.
Elsewhere, Liverpool are also active behind the scenes as they reassess their attacking options. Reports suggest the Reds are moving away from Antoine Semenyo after learning that the forward has his heart set on a move to Manchester City, should that opportunity arise in January. With that door seemingly closing, Liverpool are now being linked with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola as a potential alternative.
Barcola is highly rated and has impressed with his pace, directness and ability to stretch defences. At just 23 years old, he fits the profile of player Liverpool often target, and he is said to be admired by head coach Arne Slot.
PSG have no desire to sell him, but talks over a contract extension have reportedly stalled. His current deal runs until 2028, yet the player is believed to want time to fully assess his options before committing his future, which has naturally caught the attention of clubs across Europe.
Liverpool are said to be monitoring the situation closely, looking at both a potential winter move and a more realistic summer approach. However, there is little clarity over what fee PSG would demand, and a January deal appears extremely unlikely given the French club’s stance.
For now, this feels more like groundwork being laid than an imminent transfer, and Liverpool supporters may have to wait until the end of the season before anything concrete develops.
The festive rumour mill does not stop there. Leeds United are also being linked with defensive reinforcements as they prepare for a busy second half of the campaign.
Reports suggest internal discussions are taking place over a possible move for RB Leipzig defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu. At just 20 years old, the French centre-back has already built a reputation as a physically dominant presence, standing at 6ft 5in and showing maturity beyond his years.
Bitshiabu has found opportunities limited at Leipzig, often being used as a rotational option rather than a regular starter. With Leeds believed to be prioritising defensive depth in January, his situation has caught their attention.
The defender is thought to be keen on playing more consistently, and a move to Elland Road could offer him that chance. West Ham United are also said to be monitoring his availability, which could complicate matters.
Leipzig may be open to either a loan or a permanent deal, giving interested clubs flexibility when it comes to structuring an agreement. However, much of this speculation appears to stem from tentative reports rather than confirmed negotiations, and there is still a lack of concrete detail around Leeds’ true level of interest. It is one to keep an eye on, but far from a done deal.
As Christmas Day rolls on, one thing is clear. While fans enjoy a brief pause in the action, the transfer market is quietly warming up. Newcastle are being linked with a big-name winger seeking a fresh start, Liverpool are scanning Europe for alternatives as targets slip away, and Leeds are weighing up defensive reinforcements.
Some of these rumours will fade quickly, others may gather pace, but all of them reflect the same truth. In modern football, there is never really an off switch, even on Christmas Day.
