Christmas is just four days away and football clubs are looking at how they can treat themselves in the upcoming January transfer window.  

As injuries wrack up and a packed fixture list begins to take its toll, a number of Premier League sides are assessing whether their ranks have the necessary depth to challenge in the second-half of the season.

Manchester United could be busy – in terms of outgoings – while the future of Ivan Toney is likely to be one of the biggest talking points, after a Brentford chief admitted that the Arsenal target could move ‘very shortly’.  

Here’s our morning round-up of the latest transfer gossip on Thursday. 

Kalvin Phillips wants assurances of regular playing time as he looks to leave Man City

Chelsea aim to see off competition from Newcastle and Jose Mourinho’s Roma to land Bosnian wonderkid Amar Dedic from Red Bull Salzburg. (The Sun)

Arsenal are leading the chase to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney during the January transfer window, though the 27-year-old is also a target for both Tottenham and Chelsea. (Independent) 

Tottenham have made Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo their top target for the January transfer window. (talkSPORT)

Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips wants assurances that he will get regular playing time before he is to make a switch to either Juventus or Newcastle. (Telegraph) 

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Newcastle and Crystal Palace are leading the race to sign Juventus winger Matias Soule, who is out on loan at Frosinone and is valued at £22m. (Football Italia)

Manchester United are interested in Real Sociedad’s Japanese winger Takefusa Kubo as a potential replacement for Brazilian winger Antony. (The Sun) 

Takefusa Kubo is a target of Manchester United after impressing at Real Sociedad

The Japanese winger is reportedly seen as a potential replacement for Brazilian winger Antony

Tottenham have made Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo their top transfer target next month

Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart have joined RB Leipzig in the race to sign Manchester United’s exiled winger Jadon Sancho during the January window. (90min) 

Tottenham have a long-standing interest in Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo though the Cottagers hope he will extend his contract with them beyond next summer. (Standard) 

Steve Cooper is a contender to succeed Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace following his sacking by Nottingham Forest. (Standard) 

Manchester United target Donyell Malen is ready to leave Borussia Dortmund because of a lack of playing time. (ESPN)