North London Rivals Target Midfielder Carlos Baleba

With January coming closer, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are in need of more midfield reinforcements and Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba seems to have caught their eye. The 20-year-old Cameroonian arrived in Brighton from Lille last summer for £23 million and has immediately established himself as a regular, playing 37 times in his debut season with the Seagulls. He's bagged two goals in his last 10 matches this season, though he didn't make the final five against Liverpool.

Baleba's deal runs until 2028 so Brighton are unlikely to hand him over anytime soon. But with Arsenal long-term fans and Tottenham desperate to build a midfield, Brighton will struggle to keep hold of the young talent if a solid offer arrives.

Chelsea and Liverpool Watch Borussia Dortmund Striker Karim Adeyemi

Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly set to upend Liverpool by signing Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi as the "next Mohamed Salah". Chelsea are desperate to enlarge their attacking ranks, but with an already overstocked squad, they might have to sell first. Liverpool are also keeping a close eye on Adeyemi, particularly with Salah yet to sign a new deal at Anfield. Adeyemi is arguably one of Europe's brightest young stars, and the Premier League elite are set to start buzzing in January.

Serie A Clubs Eye Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyökeres

In Serie A, AC Milan and Juventus are both tracking Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres as he approaches an expected 2025 departure from Sporting Lisbon. The 26-year-old has netted 20 goals in 16 games this season, making him one of Europe's most sought-after strikers. While Gyökeres' Є100 million release clause could be a stumbling block for the Italian clubs, Manchester United and Arsenal are also rumored to be interested, putting additional pressure on Sporting to weigh offers sooner rather than later.

Manchester United Scouts Young Stars Under New Manager Ruben Amorim

Manchester United are already looking at potential signings for new manager Ruben Amorim. Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg, reportedly on United's wishlist, is among the players linked with a move, according to Football Insider. The 17-year-old Englishman has attracted attention from major clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, but Sunderland are said to be demanding £20-£30 million to keep him in the northeast.

Amorim is also linked with Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande, suggesting United are prioritizing young, exciting talent as they embark on a new era under the Portuguese coach.

West Ham United's Tough Season Rekindles Interest in Ademola Lookman

West Ham United are rumoured to be looking at a second bid to get Atalanta's Ademola Lookman out of East London this January after a poor start to the campaign. Lookman, a 27-year-old Nigerian international, is a former Hammers target but Atalanta are retaining their £60 million asking price. The Italians expect Lookman to extend his current deal, until 2026, but West Ham's persistence reflects their desire to improve their attack.

Check back for more transfer updates in January, with Premier League teams chasing vital acquisitions that might keep them in contention for the whole season.