Transfers
Chelsea’s Midwindow Recall of Aarón Anselmino Leaves Dortmund Angered and Options Open
Chelsea recall of Anselmino angers Dortmund and gives the Blues an internal defensive option today.
Chelsea have recalled Aarón Anselmino from his loan at Borussia Dortmund, a move that has left Dortmund’s decision-makers “furious,” per BILD, and reshaped the Blues’ defensive options with one week of the winter window remaining.
Anselmino, 20, had won plaudits at Dortmund. Niko Kovač lauded Anselmino’s “crusader spirit” earlier this season. “When things get tight, there’s no nonsense with him,” the similarly straightforward coach beamed. “He breaks through. And that’s something you need at this level. You need defenders who love defending. The boy does that excellently. I love players like that, who do their job with dedication and passion.” Teammate Julian Brandt hailed him “an absolutely great guy,” and sporting director Sebastian Kehl had discussed making the loan permanent before Chelsea triggered a recall clause on Sunday.
Dortmund had relied on Ramy Bensebaini and Waldemar Anton as their most regular defensive pairing amid injury struggles which have afflicted Nico Schlotterbeck. With Niklas Süle failing to convince and youngster Filippo Mane scarcely trusted since earning a red card on the opening weekend of the season, Anselmino provided crucial depth. Dortmund even posted a pointed video showing Anselmino fighting back tears while bidding farewell to his short-lived teammates.
The timing has compounded Dortmund’s frustration. With a week left of the winter window and no advance warning of his departure, Dortmund are not expected to secure a like-for-like replacement, a factor that helped fuel the club’s reported anger.
For Chelsea, the recall follows a growing acceptance in recruitment circles that defensive reinforcements are required after the arrival of Liam Rosenior, despite Enzo Maresca having pressed that case since the summer. Interest in Rennes’ Jérémy Jacquet has stalled as the French club hold firm on demands in excess of €60 million (£52.1 million, $71 million), while speculation over a move for Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae has also been mooted. Anselmino offers an internal, immediate option.
The club has used recalls before: Trevoh Chalobah was brought back from Crystal Palace last season, “starting and winning the finals of the Conference League and Club World Cup before establishing himself as a regular this term.” The Athletic note that “all options are being kept open” by Chelsea. Clubs are only allowed six players on loan at a foreign team at any one time in an attempt to avoid stockpiling talent. Chelsea had fulfilled their allotment before bringing back the Argentine and David Datro Fofana this month to afford themselves some wiggle room.
Manchester City
Alf-Inge Haaland Says Erling Is Blocking Out the Noise Around City’s Appeal
Alf-Inge Haaland says Erling is ignoring the talk and waiting for City’s appeal verdict.
Alf-Inge Haaland has said his son Erling remains focused on football while the wider debate around Manchester City’s legal situation continues to dominate discussion away from the pitch.
Speaking to Viaplay, the former player pushed back against comparisons being drawn between City’s case and Juventus, saying the situations should not be treated in the same way. “Well, Juventus was match-fixing and a few other things,” Alf-Inge told Viaplay as he argued the two cases should not be compared. “I think we should await the appeal process. It could happen quickly, even though there are rival supporters, clubs and, not least, journalists who are out for blood against City right now.
“So we’ll just have to wait and see what the appeal outcome says. City believe they have strong evidence to stand up and prove their innocence, so I think we wait until that decision is reached.”
The Haaland family are, for now, waiting like everyone else for the appeal process to run its course. Alf-Inge said there has been little direct communication from the club beyond what is circulating publicly.
“Nothing more than what’s in the media,” he revealed. “And there is an awful lot written there, and very one-sided, I would say, right? ”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club, Alf-Inge was clear that Erling is keeping his attention on the game itself. “Erling thinks about playing as much football as he can and concentrates on that,” Haaland Sr said. “I think it’s more those of us outside the pitch who think a bit more about it.”
Haaland is formally represented by Rafaela Pimenta, though his father continues to play a major role in discussions about his future. That future remains uncertain, with long-term admirers Barcelona and Real Madrid both linked, while domestic rivals Arsenal have also been mentioned as potential challengers should an opening emerge.
There have also been claims that Haaland’s contract includes a release clause for this kind of scenario, but Alf-Inge refused to address that. “I can’t comment on player contracts or Erling’s contract,” he stressed. “I can’t comment on that.”
Barcelona
Barcelona firm on Fermín López as Manchester United consider alternatives
Barcelona are confident over Fermín López, leaving Manchester United to consider other midfield options instead.
Manchester United’s search for a midfield solution has led them to Barcelona’s Fermín López, but the Spanish club are not expected to make any deal straightforward.
The Daily Mail reports that United view the 23-year-old as a serious option as they weigh up an ambitious move. Fermín’s output last season underlined why he has drawn interest, with 13 goals and 17 assists across all competitions. He has already added five goals and four assists this season, further strengthening his reputation as a creative midfielder who can also arrive in the box.
That profile helps explain why he is being discussed as a possible long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes. The United captain is out of contract at the end of the season, although there is an option for another 12 months in the deal.
The report places Fermín’s valuation at around £70 million ($94 million), though Barcelona may still resist even at that level. Interest in the midfielder has been building for weeks, with several clubs across Europe said to be monitoring his situation at Camp Nou. Chelsea remain among those who have tracked him closely, after an unsuccessful bid of €40 million ($45 million) last summer.
Despite the noise around his future, Fabrizio Romano says there is no doubt inside Barcelona. Club officials are said to view him as a central figure now and later, while the player himself is understood to be very happy after signing a new five-year contract with the La Liga leaders.
The report states Fermín will “100%” remain with Barcelona.
If United are indeed looking at him as a Fernandes replacement, they may need to turn to other names. The same report suggests that, should the club have the budget to explore this level of signing, alternatives could include Como’s Nico Paz or Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest.
MLS
Malik Jakupovic’s rise keeps Europe watching as Premier League links emerge
Jakupovic is attracting Premier League interest after a slow rise through Philadelphia Union.
Malik Jakupovic is beginning to draw serious attention at Philadelphia Union, even if his progress has come in measured steps rather than a sudden burst. While Cavan Sullivan continues to command headlines, Jakupovic is quietly building a case of his own at Subaru Park.
The Michigan-born striker only made his MLS debut in March and is still waiting for a first start. His recent usage underlines that gradual path: only two of his last five appearances have lasted more than a minute. Even so, the interest around him keeps growing.
Borussia Dortmund were already credited with an approach over the summer, with reports saying Philadelphia rejected a bid for the teenager. Since then, the picture has widened further, with Premier League links now circulating alongside the long-standing Bundesliga connection. For a player with just one senior goal, that level of transfer noise says plenty about how highly he is regarded.
Jakupovic’s record in MLS NEXT Pro helps explain why clubs are paying attention. He joined the Union academy three years ago, moving to Philadelphia at 14 with the hope of climbing the ranks and helping the club one day win its first MLS Cup. By 2025, he had become an important part of the reserve side, scoring eight times in 19 MLS NEXT Pro appearances and finishing as the team’s second-highest scorer in his first campaign.
His senior breakthrough followed in 2026, when the Union called him into their Concacaf Champions Cup squad. He made his official debut in the 7–0 win over Defence Force, then moved between the first team and Philadelphia Union II as his form dictated. That pattern continued this season until September, when he finally held his place long enough to make an impact. In his third straight appearance for the Union, the 17-year-old scored his first MLS goal, finishing from close range in stoppage time during the 5–0 win over San Diego FC.
Minutes have remained scarce since then, however, and Philadelphia’s attack is crowded. The team has scored 23 goals in its last six matches, with Sullivan in strong form, Bruno Damiani scoring freely and Milan Iloski adding another layer of competition.
“Malik has shown great growth since joining our academy, and his maturity at just 16 years old speaks to his professionalism and commitment,” Philadelphia sporting director Jon Scheer said of Jakupovic back in April.
That professionalism may serve him well, whether his next step comes in Philadelphia or abroad.
