European Football Morning Briefing: January 23, 2026 – Injuries Mount, Transfers Heat Up

Good morning to all football enthusiasts! As the January transfer window enters its final stretch and the European leagues navigate crucial fixtures, a flurry of significant news has emerged overnight and into this morning, January 23, 2026. From deepening injury crises in England and Spain to high-profile transfer dealings in Italy and Germany, the football world is buzzing with developments that could shape the remainder of the season.

Premier League

The English Premier League continues to be a hotbed of activity, particularly concerning injuries and clubs scrambling for reinforcements in the transfer market.

Tottenham’s Injury Woes Deepen as Bergvall Faces Extended Layoff, New Signings Arrive
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has expressed significant concern over the club’s growing injury list, describing the situation as “cursed.” The latest blow comes with the news that 19-year-old midfielder Lucas Bergvall sustained an ankle injury during Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund and is now feared to be out for several months. This adds to an already extensive list of absentees, with Tottenham having recorded 19 injuries this season, placing them among the highest in the league alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leeds. Key players like Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Richarlison, and Ben Davies have all picked up serious problems recently, while James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have yet to feature this season. In response to these mounting injury concerns, Spurs have moved swiftly in the transfer market. The club confirmed the £34 million signing of midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid, brought in to provide cover following Rodrigo Bentancur’s hamstring surgery. Additionally, Brazilian full-back Souza is close to completing a £13 million move from Santos, offering much-needed depth in defense. On the outgoing front, Brennan Johnson has departed for Crystal Palace, having struggled for consistent minutes this season.

Federico Chiesa’s Recurring Injury Setback at Liverpool
Liverpool’s Italian international Federico Chiesa has once again found himself sidelined due to injury, missing Wednesday’s convincing 3-0 Champions League triumph over Marseille. Head coach Arne Slot confirmed that Chiesa sustained the issue during Tuesday’s open training session. While Slot does not anticipate a long-term absence, the timing is a concern, with the forward’s availability for Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash against Bournemouth remaining uncertain. Chiesa’s tenure at Anfield, following his £10.3 million move from Juventus in the summer of 2024, has been plagued by recurring fitness problems. He has managed only four goals and five assists in 36 appearances for the Reds, with just four starts this season across all competitions and only two in the Premier League since his arrival. This latest setback inevitably fuels speculation about a potential January exit, with a return to Serie A and Juventus having been strongly rumored. However, reports suggest a prospective move back to Turin has stalled due to Liverpool’s prohibitive demands and Juventus’s inability to justify his substantial £150,000-a-week wage given his backup role to Kenan Yildiz.

Aston Villa Eye Ruben Loftus-Cheek Amidst Midfield Injury Crisis
Aston Villa are actively exploring options to bolster their midfield, with a loan move for AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek reportedly high on their agenda. This comes as manager Unai Emery faces a significant injury crisis in the middle of the park. There are growing fears that key midfielder Boubacar Kamara could miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, a devastating blow given his importance to the team – Villa have lost only two games he has started this season. Further compounding Emery’s worries, captain John McGinn was forced off in Sunday’s defeat to Everton and is expected to be out for “some weeks” with a knee issue. Loftus-Cheek, who was recalled to the England squad in September 2025, is seen as a suitable fit for Villa’s system. Given financial fair play regulations, a loan deal is thought to be the preferred option for the West Midlands club as they seek to navigate this challenging period without two of their most influential midfielders.

Pedri Sidelined for a Month, Barcelona Face Midfield Conundrum
Barcelona has confirmed a major injury blow with star midfielder Pedri expected to be out for approximately one month due to a hamstring injury. The highly-rated Spaniard sustained the injury during Barcelona’s 4-2 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague on Wednesday night. Manager Hansi Flick openly expressed his dismay at the sight of Pedri limping off, acknowledging that it was “no good news.” This injury means Pedri is projected to miss a crucial run of seven games across all competitions between January 22nd and February 22nd. His absence will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for Flick, who will need to find a way to replace Pedri’s unique blend of calm, control, and creativity in the heart of Barcelona’s midfield. The club will be hoping for a swift and complete recovery as they push for silverware on multiple fronts.

Kang-in Lee Dismisses Atlético Madrid Transfer Speculation, Commits to PSG
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Kang-in Lee has firmly rejected recent speculation linking him with a move to Atlético Madrid during the current January transfer window. Reports from Spanish outlets had suggested that Atlético were keen on the versatile South Korean international, and that Lee might be open to a return to La Liga, where he previously played for Valencia and Mallorca. However, sources close to the player and within PSG indicate that Lee is now fully committed to the Parisian club. Despite expressing some frustration over limited playing time last summer, his situation has reportedly changed, and he is now content and focused on fighting for his place at the European champions, where he is under contract until June 2028. Lee, who has contributed two goals and three assists in 21 appearances this season, has no plans to depart before the transfer deadline on February 2nd.

Real Madrid Secures Convincing Victory in Copa del Rey
In recent Copa del Rey action, Real Madrid secured a dominant 3-0 victory over their opponents in a match played earlier this week, showcasing their depth and attacking prowess. While specific details of the match on January 22nd are not explicitly provided in the immediate search results, the broader context of recent fixtures suggests that top clubs are actively competing in cup competitions. This victory allows Real Madrid to advance further in the prestigious domestic cup, maintaining their pursuit of multiple trophies this season. Their strong performance underscores their status as a formidable force in Spanish football, even amidst the league’s ongoing challenges and transfer narratives.

Serie A

Italy’s top flight sees significant transfer movement and key injury updates impacting clubs’ ambitions.

Juventus Reportedly Agrees En-Nesyri Deal with Fenerbahçe
Juventus are reportedly on the verge of bolstering their attacking options, with news emerging that an agreement in principle has been reached with Turkish club Fenerbahçe for the transfer of striker Youssef En-Nesyri. While the finer details of the deal are yet to be fully disclosed, the potential arrival of the Moroccan international would provide a significant boost to Juventus’s forward line as they aim to compete for the Serie A title and progress in European competitions. This move signals Juventus’s intent to strengthen their squad during the January window, adding a proven goalscorer to their ranks.

Napoli Hit with Two-Month Layoff for David Neres
Napoli’s challenging season has been compounded by another significant injury blow, as winger David Neres faces a potential two-month period on the sidelines. The Brazilian international has sustained a tendon injury, a setback that will undoubtedly impact Napoli’s attacking options and depth. Neres’s absence adds to a series of unfortunate events that have disrupted Napoli’s campaign, which has been marked by inconsistency. The reigning champions will now need to find alternative solutions to maintain their competitive edge in Serie A and their European aspirations during this crucial period.

Bologna’s Domestic Struggles Contrast with European Endeavors
While Bologna recently secured a 2-2 draw against Celtic in the Europa League, their domestic form in Serie A has been a cause for concern. The club’s league performance has “fallen off a cliff” since mid-November, registering only one victory in their last twelve Serie A matches. This stark contrast between their European showings and their struggles in the Italian top flight highlights a challenging period for the Rossoblù. Despite the draw in Europe, the focus will undoubtedly shift back to improving their league position and finding consistency in their performances to climb out of their current slump.

RB Leipzig Suffers Defensive Blow with Castello Lukeba Injury
RB Leipzig has been dealt a significant blow to their defensive ranks with the confirmation that center-back Castello Lukeba has suffered a knee capsule injury. The French international will be unavailable for Leipzig’s upcoming Bundesliga fixture against 1. FC Heidenheim this weekend. Head coach Ole Werner stated that the focus is now on gradually increasing Lukeba’s load, with hopes for his return in the coming games, although his participation in the rescheduled match against FC St. Pauli on Tuesday remains uncertain. Lukeba joins an expanding injury list that already includes Assan Ouedraogo, Johan Bakayoko, and Viggo Gebel. This defensive crisis comes at a critical time for Leipzig, especially after their recent heavy 5-1 home defeat, highlighting the need for defensive stability.

Bayern Munich Welcomes Back Key Players, Goretzka and Gnabry Expected to Stay
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are receiving positive news on the injury front, with several key players nearing a return to action. Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito are all reported to be on their way back, providing a significant boost to Thomas Tuchel’s squad depth as they contend for domestic and European honors. Meanwhile, speculation surrounding potential January moves for Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry appears to be subsiding. Despite earlier rumors, both players are now widely expected to remain at the Allianz Arena. It is believed that neither player wishes to jeopardize their chances with the German national team by moving to new environments that might offer uncertain playing prospects. Bayern’s financial stability and the players’ desire for continuity are key factors in their anticipated stay.

Schalke 04 Completes Signing of Edin Dzeko
In a notable transfer development in the Bundesliga, Schalke 04 has officially announced the signing of experienced striker Edin Dzeko. The acquisition of the veteran forward is a significant move for the Royal Blues, who will be looking to Dzeko’s proven goalscoring ability and leadership to boost their fortunes. This transfer demonstrates Schalke’s ambition to strengthen their squad during the winter window and improve their standing in the league. Dzeko’s arrival is expected to inject quality and experience into the team’s attacking line, providing a focal point in their offensive strategies.