🔄 Liverpool & Man United Face Off, Chelsea Ready To Sell £100M Star

Welcome back to your essential daily transfer briefing! Thank you for subscribing to the Transfer News Podcast newsletter. It's Friday, February 6, 2026, and the transfer window continues to deliver drama across the Premier League. Today we're covering Liverpool and Manchester United's rivalry spilling into the transfer market, Chelsea's willingness to cut their losses on a £100M+ signing, and a striker who suddenly has three top clubs fighting for his signature.

The headline act today is the developing battle between Liverpool and Manchester United for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Both clubs are circling the talented England international, and Palace have indicated they're willing to negotiate for the right price.

What makes Wharton so attractive? His creativity in midfield would suit either Arne Slot's system at Liverpool or Michael Carrick's rebuild at Old Trafford. At just 21 years old, he's already earned England recognition and represents exactly the type of young, progressive midfielder both clubs are targeting.

Expect this one to rumble on throughout the remainder of the window. Palace are in no rush to sell, and with two giants competing, they'll be looking to drive the price up significantly.

In what could be one of the most significant departures of the window, Chelsea are open to selling Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder, who cost over £100 million just a few years ago, hasn't quite lived up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.

Manager Liam Rosenior is clearly willing to move players on to reshape the squad, and Fernández could be a significant departure if the right offer arrives. This represents a massive financial loss for Chelsea, but it also signals their commitment to building a squad that fits their current tactical vision.

No specific clubs have been mentioned yet, but expect Europe's elite to monitor this situation closely. A World Cup winner with elite technical ability suddenly becoming available will attract significant interest.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has become the transfer window's most in-demand forward, with three clubs now competing for his signature:

FPL Perspective: If Mateta moves to a bigger club with better service, he could become a serious mid-price striker option. Monitor where he lands before making any transfer decisions. His current Palace form has been decent under Oliver Glasner, but a move to Milan, Forest, or Villa could unlock even more output.

Curtis Jones to Inter Milan (Loan): Inter want the versatile midfielder on loan for the remainder of the season. Jones has struggled for regular minutes under Arne Slot, and a loan move to Serie A could be exactly what he needs to rediscover his form.

Ibrahima Konaté Contract: The French centre-back's contract situation is not yet settled. Konaté has been crucial to Arne Slot's defence this season, and Liverpool will be keen to tie him down before other clubs start circling.

Trent Alexander-Arnold Updates: Multiple developments here. Manchester City are keeping close tabs on the right-back as his contract situation remains unresolved. However, there will be no Real Madrid exit this month - any move to Spain will have to wait until summer at the earliest.

Andy Robertson to Tottenham: Spurs could pay just £5 million for the Scottish left-back. With his contract situation and age, Thomas Frank's Tottenham see an opportunity for a cut-price deal on an experienced Premier League defender.

Mohamed Salah Saudi Interest: The Egyptian king remains a prime target for the Saudi Pro League. At 33 years old, Salah still has incredible quality, but the financial offer from Saudi Arabia could eventually prove too tempting to resist.

FPL Alert: None of these moves are imminent for February, but monitor Salah's situation carefully. If he shows any signs of checking out mentally, consider moving him on despite his elite output.

Beyond the potential Robertson deal mentioned above, Tottenham are relatively quiet this window. Their focus appears to be on defensive reinforcements, with the Scottish left-back representing excellent value at just £5 million if they can complete the deal.

Beyond the Enzo Fernández news, Chelsea are also making a move for young French talent Enzo Jacquet. The Blues continue their policy of signing promising youngsters from across Europe. Whether he goes straight into the first team or joins the development squad remains to be seen, but it fits Chelsea's established recruitment strategy.

As mentioned, City are keeping close tabs on Trent Alexander-Arnold. The thought of Alexander-Arnold in a City shirt would send shockwaves through Merseyside. Pep Guardiola has long admired the right-back's technical ability and creative output, and with his Liverpool contract situation unresolved, this is definitely one to watch as the season progresses.

Oliver Glasner on the Radar: With Michael Carrick currently in interim charge at Old Trafford, United are weighing up their options for a permanent appointment. Glasner has done excellent work at Crystal Palace, and his tactical acumen would certainly appeal to the United hierarchy.

Beyond competing for Adam Wharton, United's transfer activity has been relatively quiet, though expect that to change if they appoint a permanent manager soon.

Atletico Madrid want Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. The Brazilian has been one of the standout players for Rob Edwards' side this season, and Atletico see him as the perfect addition to their engine room.

Wolves will be extremely reluctant to sell such an important player mid-season, especially given their precarious league position. However, Spanish clubs have a habit of getting their targets when they set their sights on someone.

Palace are facing a potentially turbulent end to the window. With Mateta attracting three serious suitors and their manager Oliver Glasner on Manchester United's radar, the Eagles could face significant disruption.

If Mateta departs, Palace will need to move quickly to replace those goals if they want to maintain their mid-table push. The club's willingness to negotiate suggests they're prepared for this scenario, but finding a replacement of similar quality mid-season is never easy.

Juventus are reportedly interested in striker Beto. The Italian giants are looking to bolster their attacking options, and Beto's physicality and work rate fit their profile.

Whether David Moyes wants to let him go mid-season is another matter entirely, especially with Everton fighting for every point in what's shaping up to be another survival battle. Expect the Toffees to resist any approaches unless an enormous offer arrives.

Forest have made a £35 million bid for Jean-Philippe Mateta, attempting to hijack Milan's move with a substantial offer. Sean Dyche knows a proven goalscorer when he sees one, and Mateta would be an excellent addition to Forest's attack as they push for European qualification.

Brighton have rejected an approach for captain Lewis Dunk. Manager Fabian Hurzeler has made it clear the defender is not for sale, and rightly so.

Dunk has been the backbone of Brighton's defence for years, and losing him mid-season would be a massive blow to their European ambitions. The Seagulls are standing firm on this one.

Villa are targeting Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Unai Emery wants to add more creativity to his midfield, and the former Chelsea man would bring Premier League experience and technical quality to Villa Park.

Loftus-Cheek has shown glimpses of his potential over the years, and a move to Villa could reignite his career under one of Europe's best coaches.

Villa are also interested in Jean-Philippe Mateta, making them the third club chasing the Palace striker. Their European football could be an attractive proposition compared to Forest or even Milan's current situation.

Juventus are certainly busy. Beyond their interest in Everton's Beto, they're also eyeing both Randal Kolo Muani and Joshua Zirkzee.

The Italian giants are clearly looking to overhaul their attack, and both strikers would bring different qualities to their front line. Kolo Muani's pace and Zirkzee's technical ability make them attractive options for a club chasing Champions League football.

Raheem Sterling is in talks with seven different clubs as he looks to revive his career. The former Manchester City and Chelsea winger has had a turbulent time recently, and multiple clubs across Europe are interested in securing his services.

At 31 years old, Sterling still has plenty to offer, and this could be a fascinating move wherever he lands. No specific clubs have been named, but expect a decision soon as Sterling looks to secure regular football for the remainder of the season.

Listen to the full podcast episode for even more detailed analysis and discussion of these transfers. Archer breaks down the tactical implications and fantasy football impacts in much greater detail.

That's all for today's transfer roundup! Make sure you're subscribed to get tomorrow's newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. You can also visit transfernewspodcast.com for more coverage and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

Until next time, may your transfers be shrewd and your points be plentiful! ⚽