Summary

  • January transfer news and rumours

  • Sancho completes Dortmund loan move

  • Dier close to Bayern move

  • Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson announces terminal cancer diagnosis

  • Phil McNulty's half-season report

  • Carabao Cup semi-final first leg - Liverpool 2-1 Fulham

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

Live Reporting

Katie Stafford, Joe Rindl, Tasnim Chowdhury and Sam Drury

  1. Man Utd - 'A dysfunctional squad'

    Manchester United

    Erik ten HagGetty Images

    Where to even start with this? The improvement of last season has been followed by dull regression this term, with United not getting out of their Champions League group and losing half of their first 20 Premier League games.

    Manager Erik ten Hag presides over a dysfunctional squad that lacks belief and cohesion. He is also under added pressure now Sir Jim Ratcliffe has bought a stake in the club and will be running the football operation. He will demand improvement.

    They are making a mockery of my pre-season verdict.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: Fourth.

  2. Brighton - 'Good times in Sussex'

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Roberto de ZerbiGetty Images

    Brighton remain one of the most exciting sides around and are comfortably in the top half of the Premier League despite losing key midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo to Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.

    Roberto de Zerbi is an inspirational leader and a fine tactician while Joao Pedro has been a top-class acquisition from Watford.

    Brighton continue to progress and might fancy their chances in one of the cup competitions they are still in. Good times in Sussex.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: Ninth.

  3. Right then, back to Phil McNulty's mid-season report and we're down to those sides on the fringes of the European spots.

    First up in this group, it's Brighton...

  4. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Really sad to see Dier leave Spurs like this. He served the club well and had some great moments, scoring on his debut for one. I know he hasn't been first on the team sheet but zero gripes, zero headlines and relentlessly professional. I wish him every success.

    Paul, Spurs fan

  5. 'Dier is a specialist centre-back' - Tuchel

    Bayern Munich

    Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has been speaking at a pre-match press conference in the last few minutes and has had this to say about Eric Dier, who is closing in on a move to the Bundesliga champions...

    “He's a specialist at centre-back. He has also played as a six in the Premier League, but not anymore for a long time.

    "We're getting him for the centre-back position, can play right or left centre-back as well as in back three.”

  6. Dier in Germany ahead of Bayern move

    Alex Howell
    BBC Sport

    Eric DierGetty Images

    Eric Dier is getting closer to completing a move to Bayern Munich for a fee of €4m.

    Dier has been pictured in Germany ahead of undergoing a medical.

    The England international has been out of favour under Ange Postecoglou and has only made four appearances in this Premier League this season.

    Dier will join up with former Tottenham teammate Harry Kane at Bayern.

    Spurs are set to complete the signing of Genoa centre back Radu Dragusin who will replace Dier for around £25m.

  7. Martial rejects approaches to leave Man Utd

    Today's gossip column

    Anthony MartialGetty Images

    According to the Athletic, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has turned down approaches from Fenerbahce, Marseille and a Saudi Pro league side.

    The 28-year-old Frenchman is set to stay at Old Trafford until his contract runs out in the summer.

    Man Utd say they have not been approached by any clubs regarding a move for Martial.

    Click here to read more from today's gossip column

  8. Haaland to Madrid?

    Today's gossip column

    Manchester City's Erling HaalandGetty Images

    AS have reported that Real Madrid are assessing the prospect of signing Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland, 23.

    Madrid are concerned about whether France forward Kylian Mbappe, 25, will leave Paris St-Germain to join them.

    Click here for more gossip from today's column

  9. We'll get back to Phil McNulty's mid-season report in a little while but now it's time for a bit of transfer gossip.

    It is January after all...

  10. West Ham - 'Riding high'

    West Ham United

    David MoyesGetty Images

    David Moyes still seems a taste yet to be acquired by some West Ham United fans. It is a mystery why that is the case after he won the Europa Conference League last season and has them riding high in the Premier League, with the recent win at Arsenal a particular highlight.

    The Hammers possess the traditional Moyes traits of organisation and durability but also have Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus providing the 'X Factor'.

    There is plenty to look forward to in the second half of the season - and they are doing much better than I predicted, although he did get the signings after the season had started and my predictions were made that I felt he needed.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: 11th.

  11. Tottenham - 'High-octane & highly entertaining'

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Ange PostecoglouGetty Images

    Ange Postecoglou has made Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a happy place again, which has been no mean feat given he had to contend with the loss of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich. They play in a high-octane, all-out attacking style that comes with risks... but is highly entertaining.

    James Maddison and Micky van de Ven looked high-class additions before their injuries while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is a bargain at £17.5m.

    Spurs will miss Son Heung-min, who is away with South Korea at the Asia Cup, but if you had offered their fans this position at the start of the season they would have surely signed up for it instantly.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: Eighth.

  12. Support and best wishes to Eriksson

    Earlier we brought you the sad news that Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has terminal cancer.

    Here's some latest reaction:

    Leicester City on X (formerly Twitter): "We are all saddened to hear the news of former Leicester City Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson’s diagnosis. We are all with you, Sven."

    England on X: "Sending our love, Sven."

    EFL on X: "Our thoughts, love and support are with you, Sven."

    Peter Shilton on X: "Very sad news to hear of Sven’s illness he’s a real gentleman and a great manager."

  13. Arsenal - 'Glaring lack of a top-class striker'

    Arsenal

    Mikel ArtetaGetty Images

    Arsenal have shown much to admire this season without the fluency of last term - and a recent poor run has thrown the spotlight on the Gunners' glaring lack of a top-class striker.

    Mikel Arteta has created noise around the goalkeeping position by dropping Aaron Ramsdale for summer recruit David Raya. Could the £65m handed to Chelsea for Kai Havertz have been better spent on a reliable finisher?

    A fine side, but they are approaching a crucial stage of the season with questions for Arteta to answer.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: Third.

  14. Man City - 'Still my tip to win title'

    Manchester City

    Pep GuardiolaGetty Images

    Not quite at their majestic best so far this season but there are signs of that form in recent games and the return of Kevin de Bruyne will be a massive lift both psychologically and in terms of their performances. Erling Haaland will also be back soon and we are entering that time of the year when Manchester City usually fire on all cylinders.

    They are right in touch despite some slips, and are still my tip to win the title.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: First.

  15. Aston Villa - 'A club rejuvenated'

    Aston Villa

    Unai EmeryGetty Images

    A superb season so far under the expert guidance of Unai Emery. Aston Villa have been a team and a club rejuvenated since he succeeded Steven Gerrard. They are hugely formidable at home, where Manchester City and Arsenal were beaten in a matter of days.

    Optimism is therefore sky high at Villa Park, and why not? They are flying high in the league, with sights on next season's Champions League and are surely among the favourites for the Europa Conference League - with European specialist Emery guiding them.

    Can they maintain it? Emery will believe they can.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: Fifth.

  16. Liverpool - 'Expectations have been exceeded'

    Liverpool

    Jurgen KloppGetty Images

    Anfield is always the home of high expectations but after the disappointment of last season and Jurgen Klopp's rebuild - dubbed 'Liverpool 2.0' - there was talk of 'transition' going into this season.

    Instead, Liverpool are top of the Premier League, in the EFL Cup semi-finals, strolled through their Europa League group and had an outstanding win at Arsenal in the FA Cup.

    Expectations have therefore actually been exceeded. Mohamed Salah's continued brilliance, the imperious defending of Virgil van Dijk and a world-class goalkeeper in Alisson remain the bedrock, but a new, exciting Liverpool is emerging.

    They are genuine title contenders and the second half of the season is shaping up as something special.

    McNulty's pre-season prediction: Second.

  17. Here's a reminder of how things currently stand ...

    Premier League tableBBC Sport

  18. The Premier League is into the second half of the season and it is clear the battle for the title is shaping up to be a fascinating one.

    Liverpool lead the way but the top four are separated by just five points, meaning there are likely to be plenty more twists and turns to come.

    Meanwhile, promoted sides Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United are in the relegation zone - but those just outside it will be looking over their shoulders.

    At the start of the season, BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty predicted where the 20 sides will finish and he now reflects on their progress so far.

    So, let's get started shall we?

  19. Get Involved - What does your club need?

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    We're just past the halfway stage of the season with Premier League clubs preparing for the staggered winter break - but what does your team need to achieve their ambitions this season?

    With injuries starting to pile up, do Liverpool need to bring in a defender to maintain their challenge on four fronts?

    Sheffield United are the lowest scoring side in the top-flight. Could a new striker give them a boost in their bid to avoid relegation?

    Meanwhile, the battle for automatic promotion from the Championship looks like it could go down to wire. Ipswich, Southampton and Leeds fans - what does your side need to come out on top and go up without the stress of the play-offs?

    Whoever you support, let us know what your club needs going into the second half of the season!

    Get involved at #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

  20. Sancho set for BVB medical

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho is in Germany and will have his medical today ahead of completing his loan move back to Borussia Dortmund.

    Sancho has not played since August, so his fitness levels need to be assessed but Dortmund hope the England star will train later today and tomorrow.

    After that it is up to coach Edin Terzic whether Sancho will be part of the squad for Saturday's Bundesliga encounter with Darmstadt.

    Dortmund were on a terrible run of six games without a win prior to Germany's lengthy winter break. They have dropped to fifth in the table, six points behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig and 15 off leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

    They really need Sancho to hit top form quickly.