Transfer news live: Jordan Henderson quits Saudi Arabia, Barca want Arsenal boss, Man Utd chase Olise

Spending is down compared to the last two years, with Eddie Howe bemoaning a lack of response from rivals, while Tottenham have been one of the few busy clubs in a waiting game around the league and Europe overall, writes Miguel Delaney:

Barcelona would make Mikel Arteta a candidate should they decide to sack manager Xavi, according to Adrian Sanchez.

Xavi is under huge pressure, with the team fourth in La Liga off the title pace, and after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of rivals Real Madrid in the recent Spanish Super Cup final.

Spanish journalist Adrian Sanchez says Arteta, who played for Barcelona, would be a target should they hierarchy decide to make a change.

Jordan Henderson has quit Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, rupping up his contract with the Steven Gerrard-managed side in order to pursue a move to Ajax.

Henderson has been concerned both about the PR of playing in Saudi Arabia and his England prospects ahead of Euro 2024, which could realistically be the 33-year-old’s last major tournament for his country.

Dutch football expert, Marcel van der Kraan, spoke to Sky Sports News about the Henderson situation and revealed that Ajax are willing to sign the former Liverpool midfielder permanently.

He said: “Initially, Ajax wanted to see if a loan for Jordan Henderson was possible. A big player, maybe not affordable to buy. But because of the difficulties getting him out on a loan, Ajax have intensified their efforts. They really want to buy him permanently.

“Normally £5m is the maximum wage structure for any player joining Ajax, and I’ve never seen them break the bank before, but they really need to change something in the squad and need to change results. They seem prepared to break the bank to pay Henderson a much bigger wage than they’ve ever paid a player before.

“Ajax have everyone prepared to get this deal going. The agent is talking to the player. There are other individuals involved because there are also tax issues at play. There is also a bit of prestige in Saudi Arabia. They bought in Henderson as a major coup – a top player with a big trophy cabinet. That kind of player gone after six months would be difficult to accept in Saudi Arabia; they would see this as a loss of image.”

Tottenham have recalled attacking midfielder Alfie Devine from loan at Port Vale, with a view to moving the 19-year-old on to Plymouth Argyle.

Devine has impressed in League One this season, scoring three goals and picking up three assists across all competitions for Port Vale.

Spurs now want to give him experience of the Championship, according to The Athletic, where Plymouth are currently 19th and fighting to avoid slipping into a relegation scrap.

As mentioned below, Besiktas are closing in on Cedric Soares and the Portuguese defender looks set for a loan to the Turkish club.

Soares is into the final six months of his contract at Arsenal and it seems unlikely he will play for the north London club again.

He made 61 appearances for the Gunners.

Good morning, and we start with the news that both Arsenal and Liverpool are thought to be interested in signing defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.

The Gunners are light in the left-back position, and they are about to get lighter with Cedric Soares on his way to Besiktas on loan. Liverpool have their own problems in the role, with injuries to Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas forcing Jurgen Klopp to play Joe Gomez on his less-favoured side.