Manchester United have reportedly added Bournemouth forward Marcus Tavernier to a short list of left-wing options as they consider reinforcements for next season. The move follows an acknowledged need for natural width on the left, a role that Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount have been asked to fill despite both being primarily central players.

Interim manager Michael Carrick said it is “quite possible” that United will look for a left winger ahead of next season. Reports place Tavernier alongside RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White on the club’s list. Gibbs-White is more of a No. 10 and has only sporadically been used on the left.

Tavernier’s versatility is a key reason he has attracted interest. This season he has started in a variety of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield and on the right. In his two Bournemouth starts against United he has been directly involved in four goals and assists; one appearance in December 2023 saw him as a left winger in a 3–0 Cherries win, while the 4–4 draw at Old Trafford last December saw him line up in central midfield.

The 26-year-old is rated at $53.6 million (£40 million) and has produced 10 goals and assists in 26 appearances across all competitions so far this season. He remains under contract with Bournemouth until 2029, a fact that would allow the south coast club to demand a significant fee should they decide to sell. The Cherries have a recent history of cashing in on players they have developed into stars.

Top-five rivals Aston Villa are also reported to have shown interest, making enquiries during the January transfer window. United are expected to continue monitoring Tavernier before making a final choice at the end of the season, a decision that is likely to be influenced by whether Champions League qualification is achieved.

The club will weigh Tavernier’s adaptability, existing cover and the market before committing to any summer business. Dorgu, who was recruited as a defensive player after a spell as a left back at Lecce prior to a 2025 transfer, flourished higher up the pitch before his current injury layoff, a development described in some quarters as a happy accident.

The January window settled into a narrative of concentrated spending and late-market drama. English clubs combined to outspend the rest of the continent, their £390 million ($530 million) outlay dwarfing other top divisions. Meanwhile the Saudi market and Brazil’s strengthened finances injected headline moves.

Lazio were unusually active despite a prior transfer ban. The Romans replaced Taty Castellanos and Mattéo Guendouzi, who moved to West Ham United and Fenerbahçe respectively, by signing Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor for just shy of €17 million ($32 million) and adding young centre forward Petar Rakov. The fees recouped left Lazio with a net spend of -€23 million (-$27 million).

Fenerbahçe’s window pivoted around Guendouzi (€28 million) and the late acquisition of N’Golo Kanté on a free after his return from Saudi Arabia. The club banked on established midfield reinvention to challenge Galatasaray at the top.

Bournemouth again invested in youth, paying €28.5 million ($33.7 million) for Vasco de Gama prospect Rayan and also signing Golden Boy nominee Alex Tóth. Tottenham’s January activity saw Conor Gallagher arrive alongside Brazilian left back João Souza, though many supporters felt more reinforcements were needed. Sporting director Johan Lange asserted after the window that it was important the club remained disciplined amid potential temptations.

West Ham strengthened early, paying a combined €52 million ($61 million) for Castellanos and Gil Vicente’s Pablo to reshape their attack. They also added Adama Traoré for a small fee and brought in Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea.

Atlético Madrid spent late, bringing in Ademola Lookman from Atalanta for €35 million ($41 million) and signing Elche prospect Rodrigo Mendoza as a potential long-term addition after Giacomo Raspadori’s exit.

Flamengo flexed improved finances following a strong Club World Cup showing, reporting club-record revenue of €249 million ($294 million) for the first three quarters of 2025 and setting a Brazilian transfer record by paying €41 million ($48 million) to re-sign Lucas Paquetá from West Ham.

In Saudi Arabia Karim Benzema’s move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal coincided with Al Hilal leading Al Nassr in the title race. Cristiano Ronaldo’s fallout is believed linked to that switch; Ronaldo has gone on strike while Benzema scored a hat-trick on debut. Al Hilal also extended Rúben Neves and added Mohamed Kader Meïté, with the club labelled the “Real Madrid of Asia” by Benzema.

The Premier League has published its January 2026 shortlists for Player and Manager of the Month.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yasin Ayari is nominated after a productive month. The 22-year-old contributed to a goal in each of his four games across January, recording two goals and two assists.

Michael Carrick is included among the managerial nominees after a perfect start as Manchester United’s interim manager. Patrick Dorgu is cited as a key inspiration. Playing as a winger, he scored against both Arsenal and Manchester City, adding to an assist in Darren Fletcher’s league game as caretaker. Carrick oversaw two matches in January, both ending in victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

Chelsea vice-captain Enzo Fernández featured in January’s goals, popping up at crucial moments for Liam Rosenior. Stoppage-time strikes against Manchester City and West Ham United were headline moments in a month which included a total of three goals and an assist.

Crysencio Summerville’s run also caught attention. Fernández’s late strike against West Ham United broke the heart of one of the game’s earlier scorers, Crysencio Summerville. Entering January, the Dutch winger had not scored in the Premier League since October 2024, but he now has three in his last three outings after netting against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago added five goals in January, with a hat-trick against Everton and a brace versus Sunderland, and he seeks to become the first player to win the prize twice this season. Harry Wilson makes the shortlist again after goals against Chelsea, Brighton and Liverpool while approaching the end of his contract. Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz earns a first nomination after a return of three goals and an assist in a month that produced just one win in six for Liverpool.

On the managerial side, Nottingham Forest began to recover under Sean Dyche, turning four straight defeats into two wins and a draw from four fixtures, losing only to Aston Villa. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola ended an 11-game winless run when his side beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–2, with Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers also beaten by the Cherries. Chelsea newcomer Liam Rosenior receives his first nomination after winning all three of his Premier League outings in January, seeing off Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham to become the fourth English manager to win their first three Premier League games.