Transfer activity is gathering pace as Chelsea have joined the race to sign Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari. The 23-year-old Sweden international has become a key target for Chelsea, who are now competing alongside Turkish club Galatasaray in their pursuit. Meanwhile, Arsenal could be set to alter their frontline options regarding Viktor Gyokeres. The 28-year-old Sweden striker could be moved on, with Arsenal keen to recoup the £55m fee they paid to sign him, although an exit is considered more likely to happen at the end of the season rather than in the upcoming January market.
Arsenal are also featuring prominently in other recruitment storylines across European football. The club currently leads the race among Premier League sides to sign 20-year-old Turkey midfielder Can Uzun from Eintracht Frankfurt. Furthermore, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was strongly tempted by a move to Arsenal in the summer, but the 26-year-old Brazil international now hopes to spend the remainder of his playing career with Real Madrid. Real Madrid are also monitoring Aston Villa's 21-year-old Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi alongside Barcelona, following the youngster's impressive start to his career at Villa.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Liverpool are showing patience regarding fresh terms for Alexis Mac Allister. Despite the 27-year-old Argentina midfielder enjoying an upturn in form this season, Liverpool are in no rush to open contract negotiations. At the same time, Liverpool and several top European clubs are interested in signing 18-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora from Tijuana. Manchester United are similarly tracking youth prospects on the continent, featuring among multiple European sides showing interest in FC Twente's highly rated 18-year-old Dutch centre-back Ruud Nijstad.
Looking ahead to immediate mid-season recruitment, other clubs are preparing crucial January transfer window additions. Sunderland are getting ready to submit a renewed bid to sign 25-year-old Mozambique winger Geny Catamo from Sporting. At the same time, Everton are monitoring Dinamo Zagreb's 24-year-old Croatia striker Dion Beljo as one of several attacking options in the January window, setting up significant roster adjustments across the leagues.