Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Christian, Liverpool: With Liverpool entering the crunch period of the season with no signings and three contract rebels, are they gambling potential successes on no injuries/loss of form to key players?

Morning, Christian. I wouldn’t call Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold “contract rebels.” They are trying to negotiate their next deals - or their next moves - carefully, and the way they are all performing is certainly not rebellious.

I suppose there is a small element of a gamble, especially with potential injuries, but ask yourself this question. Who is out there who Liverpool could realistically get, who is of the sort of quality who would improve their squad at the moment?

I am not sure I can think of anyone in this January window. I think, looking at the all-round strength of Liverpool’s squad, the club’s recruitment team have got it absolutely right this month.

Fans often clamour for signings, but coming up with realistic available names, who would actually improve things in January, a difficult month to sign quality, is not quite so easy.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Tim Steidten's time at West Ham lasted for less than two seasons, having arrived in the summer of 2023 shortly after the Hammers won the then-named Europa Conference League.

Steidten's arrival came at the start of David Moyes' final season in charge of West Ham.

Towards the end of last season, Steidten was told to stay away from the club's training ground after heading the recruitment process for Moyes' replacement before Moyes' exit had been finalised and just a few months after Moyes had been offered a contract extension, that was later withdrawn.

Having then acquired Julen Lopetegui to replace Moyes, Steidten was again told to stay away from training last month following a fall out with the Spanish manager shortly before his departure.

Shortly following the arrival of Graham Potter at the London Stadium, the Englishman had confirmed the arrival of Kyle Macauley as the club's new head of recruitment, who Potter had previously worked with at Ostersund, Swansea, Brighton and Chelsea, making an exit for Steidten inevitable.

Erm, James. That's two words.

West Ham's statement: "Tim has been instrumental in our recruitment efforts.

"With the arrival of our new head coach Graham Potter, who has brought in his own head of recruitment, it is time for Tim to pursue new opportunities.

"We would like to thank Tim for his dedication and hard work and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

West Ham United

West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten will be leaving the club, say the Premier League side.

Theo Walcott
Former England forward on the Monday Night Club

I’m saying to Marcus Rashford now be the first one at training, be that last one off the pitch. When things are going well be in that gym, be seen doing the right things because there’s loads of eyes around all these clubs these days, they always keep an eye on you, so I’d just advise him, even if it’s really hard to do, for me I think it’s going to be a really positive move, I really do. It’s a different environment and one he will thrive in. Manchester United haven’t been doing great without him

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Dan, Kidderminster: Hi Phil. Although I think we are still a centre back short. Do you agree that Villa "won" the transfer window?

Good morning, Dan. I’ve heard this phrase about winning the transfer window before, but you can never really make that judgement right away. It’s often been said then been wrong. You actually have to see how these players settle in and perform.

What I do think is that Villa have once again proved their ambition and willingness to back manager Unai Emery, and why not given the superb job he has done?

I have never quite been convinced by Axel Disasi at Chelsea but agree there would have been a gaping hole in that position had Villa not brought a centre-half in.

Emery will bank on getting Marcus Rashford firing again, while Marco Asensio brings huge experience.

So, I would not say Villa have won the transfer window but they have certainly demonstrated they are prepared to show ambition.

It’s now down to Unai Emery and the players he has brought to Aston Villa.

Of course, everyone at BBC Sports wishes Radu Dragusin a speedy recovery. Never nice getting an injury like that.

We'll share any updates when we get them. In the meantime, our chief football reporter Phil McNulty has been answering more of your questions...

Tottenham haven't given any indication of a return date, as is to be expected with a lengthy ACL knock.

"Radu will be assessed by our medical team to determine when he can return to training," is what they've said on their club website.

Jonty is going to write a list of all of Tottenham's injuries this season. It might take him a while.

Are Spurs the unluckiest Premier League side in recent memory?

I know there are plenty of examples out there, but Tottenham's injury record feels so lengthy it might even be up there with the Middlesbrough team that once had to forfeit a game.

Tottenham have an awful injury record this season. Dragusin joins defenders Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie who are also currently sidelined.

Radu Dragusin was substituted after picking up his knee injury in the 66th of Tottenham's Europa League match with Elfsborg last Thursday.

The 23-year-old has made 28 appearances for Spurs this season.

Tottenham Hotspur

Some breaking news this morning.

Tottenham have just confirmed on X that defender Radu Dragusin will undergo surgery for an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury on his right knee.

Theo Walcott
Former England forward on the Monday Night Club

On Marcus Rashford's move to Aston Villa: I think sometimes as a player, a change of voice and scenery, even getting out of the city, experiencing being on your own, away from distractions and just focussing on the ultimate goal which is playing and performing at the level we all know. We all want to see the smile, I want to see it back, I want to see the levels that he has I can relate to the fact that at times, being at a club for such a long time, do that step. You have got to take that leap.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Matt, Birmingham: Question for Phil: How do you feel about Rashford's loan to Villa? Good opportunity to rediscover his form? Or a mistake for Villa to cover most of his wages, considering how poor he has been for the last year?

Hi Matt. I actually think is a gamble worth taking by Aston Villa and a great opportunity for Marcus Rashford at an ambitious club with a real desire to pursue big prizes under an outstanding manager in Unai Emery.

It is an expensive short-term commitment by Villa, but they will have weighed up the financial aspects and if it works out it will be money well spent.

Rashford’s career has, unfortunately, lost its way at Manchester United, head coach Ruben Amorim making that crystal clear in a series of brutal reflections on the player.

What we do know is that Rashford has great talent, can score and make goals – and will now be working under a manager with a proven track record of improving players in Emery.

It is up to Rashford to make it work. You can be sure he will get all the help and support (and maybe even some tough love when needed) from Emery.

Shall we return to the transfer chat?

Earlier we asked you to send in your transfer questions to BBC Sport chief football reporter Phil McNulty - keep sending them in by the way.

Well, Phil is now online...

And that's Eddie Howe's news conference done.

PSR has been successfully "managed" said the Newcastle boss.

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on St James' Park's home support: "That's been a combination of us and the crowd, we've become a really potent team together and that's going to to be really important in this game. We have to make this a positive atmosphere."

Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on his message after winning the first leg against Arsenal 2-0: "I think my message is we're at the halfway point, the away game was a good performance from us but against any opposition, the game is still alive. You then add the quality of Arsenal, we have to be on our guard.

"We have to try and be positive and aggressive, there will be no deviation from that. We have to engage the crowd and try and make the most of every opportunity."