Canny armchair scouts have observed that Southampton’s Tyler Dibling looks a fair bit like his true level may lie above that of a side that only has six points from 22 Premier League games this season. If Chelsea, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Liverpool or Leipzig – all linked to the 18-year-old midfielder this month – want him, that’ll be £55m please.

Enzo Maresca’s chances of attracting the midfielder may depend on how put out the player was by limited chances offered up at under-18s level in his brief spell at the club in 2022. Saints, understandably, would very much like to postpone losing they key asset until what’s looking likely to be a turbulent summer.

Related: Manchester City seal Marmoush deal, taking January spend to £122.5m

It’s never easy, is it? Any lovely floaty feelings Mikel Arteta might have been experiencing after Arsenal’s smooth Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb have doubtless gained more than a little hissing sound … as plans to soup up his currently meagre striking options have hit a snag.

Benjamin Sesko had been identified as a potential solution to their shortfall, but Leipzig have warned Arteta away from a move for their in-form Slovenia striker this month, hot on the heels of Wolves wagging fingers at anyone sniffing around Matheus Cunha. Though Gabriel Jesus has undergone successful surgery on his ACL injury, Kai Havertz has little in the way of relief in his position and may have a long four months ahead of him. Stick or a late huge-money twist? The Alexander Isak talk hasn’t gone away. The Newcastle man’s stock seemingly keeps rising with every goal he scores, however – £150m is the latest price tag kicking around for the Swede.

Nottingham Forest were also batting eyelashes at Cunha, and have had another setback after their offer for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa was rejected. We go again.

Manchester City’s busy January continues. Hot on the heels of this morning’s news that Omar Marmoush has signed, Kyle Walker is on the verge of completing a loan move to Milan – that switch looks likely to be sealed later on Thursday, with an option to buy part of the deal. Josh Wilson-Esbrand, an occasional bench presence for Pep Guardiola this season, has popped off to Stoke on loan for the rest of the season.

Despite Chelsea’s interest, Napoli feel they are winning the race for Alejandro Garnacho, despite valuations for the Manchester United winger varying wildly. Though Neapolitan heads feel £46m will get the deal over the line, the Ineos efficiency machine has set the finish line for a move at £70m. Marcus Rashford’s hopes of making Barcelona his next destination, meanwhile, are being scuppered by Ansu Fati’s reluctance to leave – Barça need to sell before any players can come in.

And Chelsea may have more joy with an approach for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz. Juve are not loving a loan approach for the former Villa man, however, and would like to recoup the £42.4m outlay made last June thank you very much.