TRANSFER GOSSIP COLUMN: Arsenal weigh up Karim Benzema move, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid enter Kalvin Phillips race and Armando Broja could leave Chelsea in January

As the January transfer window approaches its last week, Karim Benzema continues to be a man in demand.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner signed a three-year deal worth £258million with the Al-Ittihad in the summer, but despite scoring 15 goals in 24 games rumours over his future have swirled from the moment he landed in the Middle East.

The former Real Madrid striker was linked with Manchester United and Chelsea earlier this week, but the Gunners have now seemingly entered the chase as Mikel Arteta looks to address his team’s issues in front of goal.

Elsewhere, the saga over Kalvin Phillips’ future drags on.  The England international has found first team opportunities hard to come by since joining from Leeds for £45million last summer, making just 10 appearances in all competitions this season. 

Newcastle have reportedly called off their pursuit of Phillips due to City demanding a £7million loan fee, but that hasn’t put off Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

West Ham, Everton and Juventus, meanwhile, are all interested but are waiting for City to lower their demands.

Below, Mail Sport takes a look at the transfer rumours on Thursday morning.

Arsenal are weighing a potential loan deal for Karim Benzema, as Mikel Arteta looks to address his team’s lack of attacking options. The former Real Madrid star joined Al-Ittihad in the summer but has since been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea. (TeamTalk)

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who looks set to leave the Etihad this month. The England international has also attracted interest from Juventus and several other clubs. (The Telegraph)

Crystal Palace, Newcastle and West Ham are among the clubs waiting for Manchester City to lower their demands for £7million loan fee before bidding for Kalvin Phillips. (The Guardian)  

Tottenham and Arsenal are both interested in signing Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea, with the two clubs scouting him over the past two months. The  22-year-old has four goals and two assists in 22 matches in all competitions this season. (The Sun)

Kalvin Phillips is expected to leave Manchester City this month amid interest from six clubs

Napoli would be interested in signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg if Tottenham were to sell the Danish midfielder in January

Newcastle’s pursuit of Ederson is set to be frustrated as Atalanta have no intention of allowing the 24-year-old midfielder to leave in January. (TuttoMercatoWeb  – in Italian)

Arsenal are leading the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Xavi Simons, who is currently on loan at RB Leipzig. The 20-year-olld Holland international has scored six goals in 26 games in all competitions this season. (Sport Bild – in German)

Napoli would be interested in signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg if Tottenham were to sell the Danish midfielder this month. (The Telegraph) 

Tottenham are interesting in signing Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Ko Itakura, whose release clause will be worth between £9m and £13m this summer. (Sky Germany) 

Armando Broja could leave Chelsea this month either on loan or on a permanent basis. West Ham, Wolves and Fulham are all interested in the Albania international. (The Athletic)

Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga is set to join Millwall on loan after returning from Bundesliga side Augsburg. (Mail Sport) 

Fulham want to sign Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah, who is yet to play for the Blues this season. The Cottagers are hoping to agree to a six-month loan deal with an option to buy. (Sky Germany)

Aston Villa have enquired about signing 21-year-old USA midfielder Giovanni Reyna from Borussia Dortmund. (Football Transfers)