Deadline day: the headline moves
We’re still awaiting official confirmation of Axel Disasi’s loan move to Aston Villa – and João Félix’s arrival at Milan – but both are expected to go through in due course. For now, here are the headlines from a lively January deadline day:
You can catch up with all today’s deals in our interactive, where we’ll post news of any last-gasp transfers. Thanks for reading, it’s been real. Goodnight!
Wolves sign Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi
Wolves have secured the second part of their deadline-day double move, signing Zimbabwean defensive midfielder Marshall Munetsi from Reims for £16m. Munetsi is the second player to join Wolves from Reims in this window, after centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou arrived for a similar fee earlier in January.
Everton sign Carlos Alcaraz on loan
One of the deal-sheet transfers is done: Everton have secured the signing of playmaker Carlos Alcaraz, formerly of Southampton, on loan from Brazilian club Flamengo with an option for a permanent move.
“I am ready for any challenge with this beautiful club, so that’s why I came and accepted the offer to keep fighting for my dreams,” said Alcaraz, who will wear No 24.
Updated
Wolves sign centre-back Djiga for £10m
Wolves have got the first of those two late deals over the line, signing Burkina Faso centre-back Nasser Djiga from Red Star Belgrade. He’ll cost them £10m and signs a long-term deal until 2030. Fun fact: he’ll be the fourth Burkinabé player to feature in the Premier League, assuming he plays for them at some point.
Departures at Chelsea on busy deadline day
João Félix is heading to Milan on loan for the rest of the season, six months after joining Chelsea for £45m. The Portugal forward has grown frustrated over his lack of opportunities under Enzo Maresca and will hope for more playing time at Milan, who are paying a loan fee of around £5m.
Christopher Nkunku has endured similar frustration but Chelsea found no takers for the France forward as the deadline passed. Other outgoings at Chelsea included the England left-back, Ben Chilwell, who joined Crystal Palace on loan. Aston Villa submitted a deal sheet after agreeing a loan deal for the centre-back Axel Disasi and Dortmund signed the midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on loan.
Chelsea also agreed a deal in the region of £12m for the teenage Saint-Étienne midfielder Mathis Amougou, who could be loaned out to partner club Strasbourg.
Let’s check in with the interactive elves, who are tugging at my sleeve to inform me that Brentford have signed Birmingham City attacker Romelle Donovan to their B-team, while Milan have spent £8.3m on Monza midfielder Warren Bondo. We’re still waiting on confirmation of João Félix’s loan move …
According to the BBC, there are “a few” deal sheets in from Premier League clubs – but Sky reckon that Wolves’ double signing of Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi is going through without the need for them. Well, someone put in a deal sheet. At least Everton owned up to it. I can wait all night!
Another last-minute deal that has gone through – Bournemouth have signed 18-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi and loaned him back to Lorient, where he has smashed in nine goals in 17 Ligue 1 matches this season. Just how many more quick, prodigious talents can Andoni Iroala fit into his squad?
Crystal Palace sign Ben Chilwell on loan from Chelsea
Another done deal, as Palace confirm the arrival of Ben Chilwell on a straight loan with no option to buy agreed. “I’m very excited to be here,” he told the club’s website. “Crystal Palace are a club that’s going in a great direction. You look at the last few months, with the results and how the team’s playing, and it was a no-brainer to make the decision to come here.”
Everton are still working on Carlos Alcaraz’s proposed loan move from Flamengo, so the dreaded deal sheet has indeed gone in. David Moyes predicted his first transfer window back at the club would go down to the wire – like many others during his first spell in charge – and he wasn’t wrong.
More on that deal from David Hytner:
Tottenham have completed the loan signing of the Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel with an option to buy for £50m in the summer after going back in for one of the hottest properties of the winter transfer window.
It appeared at the end of last week that the 19-year-old was not inclined to join Spurs, where the manager, Ange Postecoglou, has been desperate for a new attacking option. Spurs had offered £50m to make a permanent deal happen straight away.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United had been among the other clubs to look at Tel, who has fallen from favour at Bayern, making only four starts this season under the manager, Vincent Kompany. But Spurs were able to talk him round, Postecoglou playing a key role, the player and his agent, Gadiri Camara, flying to London ahead of the deadline to finalise the move.
Tottenham sign Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern Munich
Confirmation from Spurs that Mathys Tel has arrived on loan with a £45m permanent option for a six-year deal, ending a transfer saga that drew in Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United before Ange Postecoglou got involved. He will wear No 11, and has been announced with a “Show and Tel” video – I’d have gone for Tel-etext myself.
Updated
The Scottish transfer window also closed at 11pm – and Celtic have just announced the arrival of Jeffrey Schlupp on loan from Crystal Palace. That presumably clears the way for Ben Chilwell to move from Chelsea to Selhurst Park.
“Worth reminding yourself where Liverpool signed Kaide Gordon from, just to twist the knife even further for Derby fans,” notes Christian Lowis. Ah. Oh!
Manchester City seal €60m deal for Porto's González
Manchester City have signed Nico González from Porto for €60m (£49.8m) inside the final hour of Monday’s 11pm transfer deadline, with the champions’ fourth major signing of the winter window taking their January spending to £177.5m.
The fee for the 23-year-old represents the former Barcelona player’s release clause. City were reluctant to pay the full amount but it is thought the club structured the transfer to source the fee over several instalments.
Gonzalez bolsters Pep Guardiola’s options and adds depth to the manager’s squad as he can operate as a defensive, central or attacking player. The Spanish midfielder has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal, tying him to City until June 2029.
The January transfer window has closed
The bell tolls in the Premier League – but that doesn’t mean the spending is about to stop …
I can sense the dreaded deal sheet approaching for Everton, who are trying to seal a loan deal for Carlos Alcaraz (the former Southampton player, not the tennis star). It’s going to the wire with his current club, Flamengo, a few hours behind the UK.
Updated
More potential bad news for Derby (sorry Tom), as their relegation rivals bring in a new striker on loan …
Liverpool forward Kaide Gordon has completed his loan move to Portsmouth. It is his second loan of the season, having made 10 appearances for Norwich before his recall.
With 30 minutes to go, we await official news on Mathys Tel to Tottenham, Nico González to Manchester City, Ben Chilwell to Palace and Axel Disasi to Villa. Willian is also expected to rejoin Fulham on a free transfer.
Wolves’ hopes of bringing Conor Coady back appear to have fallen flat, but Vitor Pereira’s side are on course to sign Red Star Belgrade centre-back Nasser Djiga and Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi tonight, although the clock is ticking.
Updated
“Things are (again) looking pretty dire for Derby right now – Southampton getting three points on Saturday really twisted the knife,” writes Tom Hopkins. “It’s definitely too much to expect 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong to save us in the way that Leon Osman (also on loan from Everton) did back in the day, but it’s a nice comparison to look to for comfort.”
You can keep up with all the done deals as they’re announced with our interactive guide, which the transfer elves at Guardian Towers are relentlessly updating.
A few updates: Tyrell Malacia is expected to join PSV on loan, but Manchester United have an extra day to organise that one, as the Dutch transfer window closes tomorrow night. Willian to Fulham appears to be very much on, and Hayden Hackney looks likely to stay at Middlesbrough with Porto’s £10m offer turned down.
We’re into the final hour in England, Italy and Spain; the window has closed in Germany and France. We begin with news that Rob Holding, completely frozen out at Crystal Palace, has joined Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season.
Burnley sign Ajax forward Jaydon Banel
Burnley have signed forward Jaydon Banel from Ajax for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old academy product of the Eredivisie side has signed a four-and-a-half-year permanent deal.
After joining the Clarets, Banel said: “It feels amazing to be here. It’s a historical club and I see a lot of options here for me to show my qualities. I immediately had a good feeling about coming here. It’s a new chapter in my football career and my life; I am now ready to get focussed and get started.”
Updated
Ipswich sign West Brom keeper Alex Palmer
Ipswich have signed West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer for an initial £2m fee – potentially rising to £4m with add-ons – and he is likely to compete for the No 1 spot at Portman Road with Aro Muric out of form and Christian Walton injured. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career at the Hawthorns and was loaned out seven times before becoming first-choice keeper.
Updated
“With the loan signing of Axel Disasi I am proclaiming the Villa’s transfer window to have been a success,” roars Dan King.
“Disasi will slot straight in at the back, allowing our best midfielder, Boubacar Kamara, to go back into his proper position. And Rogers, Watkins, Ramsey, Rashford and Asensio is a formidable set of front line options. I wish we could have held on to Durán but the last 24 hours has softened that blow.”
It’s been an excellent window, particularly if Villa can push on and secure a top-five finish this season. I would have said selling a temperamental player for such a big fee was a positive, too, but then I haven’t watched Jhon Durán all that much this season.
Just under two hours to go, and this is the point in the night where I realise that there are going to be deal sheets, giving clubs who have had one calendar month to sign players an extra two hours, or three hours, maybe five, whatever you need.
Some updates on the evening’s outstanding deals: Ben Chilwell is closing on a loan move to Crystal Palace with no option to buy, while Axel Disasi looks set to join Aston Villa on loan without a purchase option, but with a €5m loan fee.
João Félix, meanwhile, is heading to Milan for a similar loan fee, but no permanent deal agreed. And finally … Mathys Tel’s expected move to Tottenham will include a purchase option, according to Sky.
Updated
“Is it controversial to suggest Man Utd have had a decent window?” writes Sir Jim Kevin Wilson. “They signed a player in the one position they needed immediately (Patrick Dorgu). They moved on underperformers and trouble makers on big wages. They won’t get relegated and won’t get anywhere near Europe. Losing can’t be great for confidence, but all they can do is get used to the system and for the summer to overhaul the squad further. Panic buys are a terrible idea.”
I can see that point of view – most clubs making January moves are trying to fix problems in a market where it’s difficult to get the players you really need. There’s nobody out there who can single-handedly repair this United squad. On the other hand, if Rashford scores 15 goals for Villa and Dorgu does as well as some of their other young recruits, it’ll be a different story.
Armstrong signs Everton deal and joins Derby on loan
Harrison Armstrong, Everton’s talented 18-year-old midfielder, has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the club (with an option for a further 12 months) and joined Derby County on loan for the rest of the season.
Harrison was handed a first team debut by Sean Dyche at Tottenham in August and has made six first team appearances so far. He has moved to the Championship to gain more regular first team experience with Paul Warne’s side. “I’m really excited to sign this deal with a club that means everything to me,” said the Liverpool-born teenager.
“It shows the belief that Everton have in me and I just want to keep progressing and getting better. Getting the chance to play for the first team this season has been great and I just want to push on and reach more. I now have an opportunity at a really good club like Derby to learn and hopefully do well for them and I’m looking forward to it.”
A quick actual football update – West Ham lead 1-0 at Chelsea! After the hosts missed a number of half-chances, Jarrod Bowen showed them how it’s done with a fine finish on the break.
A couple of familiar names on the move in Europe: Michy Batshuayi is joining Eintracht Frankfurt from Galatasaray for about €3m, while left-back Juan Bernat – somehow still at PSG – is now no longer at PSG, having joined Getafe on a free.
Emmanuel Dennis, who tore up the Premier League for about two weeks in 2021, is heading to Blackburn on loan from Nottingham Forest, reports Will Unwin.
In other Forest news, the Champions League chasers have signed New Zealand international defender Tyler Bindon from Reading, but will loan him back to the Royals until the end of the season. Forest are also looking to recruit 16-year-old Aberdeen defender Lewis Carrol, in what could surely be called a fairytale move.
Lloyd Kelly joins Juventus on initial loan
In one of today’s more eyebrow-raising moves, Newcastle defender Lloyd Kelly has joined Juventus on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. In short, he won’t be coming back to Tyneside, and Juve will pay a reported £20m in the summer; handy for PSR purposes, no doubt.
An excellent email from Matthew Lysaght: “On Nkunku being on the bench tonight, I’d like to see a situation akin to the NHL, where a player can be traded literally at any stage of the day regardless of they are playing or not.
Recently, JT Miller was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to the NY Rangers 25 minutes after entering the Canucks dressing room for their away game against the Dallas Stars. Then there’s Matt Duchene, who was pulled from the line-up in the 2nd period of a Colarado Avalanche game as he’d been traded to the Ottawa Senators. He then had to fly to Sweden with his old team as they were playing his new team there!”
Arsenal to admit defeat in attacker search
Arsenal are set to admit defeat in their attempts to bring in attacking reinforcements as the deadline fast approaches. Mikel Arteta had made no secret of his desire to add to his squad following the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. But having seen their bid for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa and exploring a potential loan for Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, their search is expected to end without them making a signing. Arsenal supporters won’t be happy but Arteta will have to make do with what he’s got until the summer.
Fulham have a bit of history when it comes to deadline-day splurges, although they run a tighter ship these days. But according to the Telegraph, they could bring Willian back to the Cottage. The Brazilian is a free agent after leaving Olympiakos, so that doesn’t have to get over the line tonight.
Middlesbrough might not land Tyler Morton tonight, but they have signed Kelechi Iheanacho on loan, with the Nigeria striker being shown around the Riverside before their game with Sunderland. Iheanacho joined Sevilla on a free in summer but his only goals in Spain so far have come in the Copa del Rey.
Dortmund have announced that initial loan deal for Carney Chukwuemeka, which we mentioned about 50 minutes ago. Some more Chelsea news – Sky are reporting that Axel Disasi to Tottenham isn’t happening, clearing the way for Aston Villa to add another heavyweight loan signing before the deadline. It looks like Kevin Danso will be Spurs’ only defensive recruit this month, despite Radu Dragusin being ruled out long-term with an ACL injury.
Updated
Having said that, in the modern era I wonder if it might be possible to complete, say, a six-month loan move while on the substitutes’ bench? It must have happened somewhere.
Christopher Nkunku has been the subject of transfer speculation throughout January – but it looks like he’ll be staying put, as he’s on the bench for Chelsea’s home game against West Ham. Follow that with John Brewin, here:
It’s been a little quiet in the Championship so far today, but one club who are still busy are Swansea. Having lost Matt Grimes to Coventry this month, they’ve signed Lewis O’Brien on loan from Nottingham Forest. Get your masks ordered now, Swans fans.
Swansea are also trying to wrap up loan moves for Manchester City’s Jacob Wright and the former Liverpool midfielder Bobby Clark, who is currently at Red Bull Salzburg. They have also seen a six-figure bid for Ethan Galbraith knocked back by Leyton Orient earlier in the day.
Sky’s Melissa Reddy is at Old Trafford, where she confirms the lights are already out – Sir Jim Ratcliffe clearly keeping tabs on that energy bill. Their major January signing, wing-back Patrick Dorgu, has been on a stadium tour with his family this afternoon. I wonder if they had to pay for it.
Reading have signed Burton forward Billy Bodin on loan; he can slot in to my imagined old-school footballer names XI, along with left-back Harry Milne, who has joined Hearts from Partick Thistle. Who else might be included? Stanley Mills (son of Danny) went to Oxford from Everton, while Tommy Watson appears to be staying at Sunderland.
Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Nico González, with the Porto player reportedly undergoing his medical in Portugal. One move that looks like it might not happen, according to Andy Hunter:
“Middlesbrough’s bid for Tyler Morton - £10m plus add-ons - is way short of Liverpool’s valuation of the midfielder so that deal will not be happening as things stand.”
Updated
Aston Villa sign Marco Asensio from PSG on loan
Another big name lands at Villa Park! Spain’s Marco Asensio has completed his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season.
European football doyen Andy Brassell is on Sky, talking about the Asensio deal. He explains that he has struggled at PSG as he’s been plugging gaps rather than playing in his preferred playmaker/No 10 role. He adds that like Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen, he arrives with a big reputation but struggling for consistency in recent months.
Chuwuemeka seals Dortmund loan move
A departure at Chelsea is confirmed: Borussia Dortmund have completed the loan signing of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka until the end of the season, with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Updated
On Feyenoord’s Santiago Giménez joining Milan today, Mitchell Porter writes: “Amazed that no Premier League team looking for a striker didn’t go after him for the £26.6m price.”
Agreed, and he would have been good value even with a little PL tax on top. I know all the top English clubs have vast scouting networks, so it’s weird when it feels like they’re copying each other – see the Mathys Tel saga this week, for instance.
‘Memba Andrea Belotti? The Italian striker was once the king of deadline-day rumours but never made it to Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham or any of the other dozen Premier League clubs he was linked with. Now 31, he’s shipping out from Cesc Fàbregas’ Como to join Benfica on loan.
One of the Premier League’s forgotten men, James Ward-Prowse, is heading back to West Ham after his Nottingham Forest loan was cut short. He made 10 appearances for Forest but has barely featured since the end of November. Can Graham Potter restore some of his old magic – or should he go back to Southampton and try to break David Beckham’s free kick record?
“I hope Roma’s transfer target at RB Salzburg has told them in no uncertain terms that ‘I’m Your Man’, causing the suitors in the Italian capital to break into song, clapping vigorously to the chorus, ‘If you’re Gourna-Douath, do it right, right, do it with me!’” offers Peter Oh in a quite exceptional piece of punnery.
Today's headlines so far
Thanks, Will. There are around four hours and 30 minutes left before the window shuts, for Premier League clubs at least. And there will be deal sheets; there are always deal sheets. Here are the top stories so far today …
Right, that’s yer lot from me. Niall McVeigh is set to take my place on the transfer merry-go-round.
Schlupp looks to be Celtic-bound
Crystal Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp is set to have a medical with Celtic after the Scottish champions made a late swoop to sign the Ghana international on loan. Schlupp has rarely been used this season by Oliver Glasner, with the impending arrival of Ben Chilwell meaning he is surplus to requirements. That is likely to end Celtic’s attempts to bring in Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney this month, with the Scotland defender now set to return to his former club in the summer.
Manchester United have no plans for more signings
No further incomings are expected at Manchester United. The understanding is that the football leadership at the club are happy with recruiting Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven and Diego León (pre-contract). The club were not prepared to recruit for the sake of it. Profit and sustainability rules were also a major factor. Tyrell Malacia may still go on loan to a club in a country where the window remains open.
In more fizzy drink franchise news, Red Bull Salzburg have signed the former Belgium youth international Yorbe Vertessen from Union Berlin. The forward has followed the well-trodden path from Bundesliga to (other) Bundesliga, signing a contract running to 2029.
Updated
Ribeiro joins Blackburn on short-term deal
Blackburn have signed the former Nottingham Forest left-back Yuri Ribeiro from Braga. The deal, which is subject to international clearance, is a permanent transfer until the end of this season.
In the Championship, relegation-threatened Luton have made their eighth signing of the winter window with the arrival of Lasse Nordås from Tromsø. The Norway Under-21 forward is “a really exciting signing for us”, according to Matt Bloomfield, the Luton manager. “He comes really highly regarded, but Lasse is someone who already has some good experience so he’s got good pedigree and knows where the back of the net is.” Nordås is a teammate of Thelo Aasgaard, another winter addition, at international level, so should have no trouble settling in at Kenilworth Road.
Liverpool weigh up Boro bid for Morton
Middlesbrough have made a £10m+ bid for the Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton. The 22-year-old wants more regular football than Arne Slot is able to give him and the deal, which could be worth more to Liverpool with add-ons, could develop in the coming hours.
We’ve got a helpful transfer roundup here, for anyone looking to catch up on deadline day’s comings and goings so far.
More from Gazzetta: the former Arsenal midfielder Ismaël Bennacer could be on his way from Milan to Marseille. Bennacer is reportedly keen but the Rossoneri need a replacement, with Monza’s Warren Bondo in their sights.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, Roma are close to signing the much sought-after midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath from Red Bull Salzburg. The France Under-21 international could be set for a loan including an option to buy.
Updated
We’ve got some correspondence. Eric Peterson writes: “Now that Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa loan is signed, sealed and delivered, I suppose that makes Rob Holding the Premier League player most likely to be found sitting in his parked car outside some club facility twiddling his thumbs. Any Guardian eyewitnesses keeping watch over Bramall Lane?” Not that I know of, Eric, but there ought to be.
According to Joost Blaauwhof of Voetbal International, the Dutch outlet, Tyrell Malacia could be on his way to PSV Eindhoven. The Manchester United left-back, who has only recently recovered from a serious knee injury, reportedly came close to joining Benfica only for the deal to fall through.
Everton may miss out on Fellows but Alcaraz close
Everton do not expect to sign Tom Fellows from West Bromwich Albion today, although they were one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in the 21-year-old. A fee of around £12m had been discussed but the England Under-21 international is likely to remain at the Hawthorns until the end of the season. Carlos Alcaraz, who underwent a medical yesterday ahead of a proposed loan move from Flamengo, could be the only incoming at Goodison Park.
Updated
What’s going on around Europe, then? Paris Saint-Germain have just announced the departure of Cher Ndour, the Italy Under-21 midfielder, to Fiorentina. There’s lots going on in Serie A, with Lazio signing the Morocco midfielder Reda Belahyane from Hellas Verona and the Denmark Under-21 centre-back Oliver Provstgaard from Vejle. Como have loaned their left-back Marco Sala to Lecce, while Bologna have brought in the former Barcelona forward Estanis Pedrola from Sampdoria. In Spain, Athletic Club have let Javier Martón go on loan to Albacete while Las Palmas have packed off their winger Pejiño to Elche on another loan deal.
Hello! How are we enjoying the last-minute swoops, raids, splurges, sprees, panic buys and supermarket sweeps? Has anyone issued a come-and-get-me plea yet? There’s still time. Let’s get to it.
Updated
OK, that completes my stint on the blog. Will Magee, the real Fen tiger, is taking over.
Updated
Watson staying at Sunderland despite Brighton efforts
Brighton’s hopes of signing Tommy Watson this month are over after they saw a third bid worth £13m for the 18-year-old rejected by Sunderland.
The Championship side – who have already wrapped up the signing of Jayden Danns from Liverpool on loan today – look set to hold onto the England Under-18 winger for now having also discussed a potential move the other way for the Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are also understood to be interested in Watson, who will only have 12 months left on his contract in the summer …
Updated
Everton news: there’s reports they have moved for West Brom winger Tom Fellows, and a fee has been agreed for £10m. Those reports are disputed. But there’s one to watch as the small hours approach.
Bournemouth news via the Irish Independent’s football writer, Dan McDonnell: “Gavin Bazunu is flying to Belgium with a view to completing loan move to Standard Liege for rest of season. Had options around Europe. Ajax amongst those to enquire but looks bound - connection with Liege sporting director Fergal Harkin (loan manager at Man City) a key factor.”
More from Jacob: “Fee for Amougou is £12m. Chelsea have also enquired about Sporting Lisbon youngster Dario Essugo, but that’s one to revisit in the summer.”
They always keep you guessing.
Disasi to Tottenham?
Tottenham are once again exploring a loan deal for Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi. There are doubts over the level of their interest but a move is possible. Spurs have run into a brick wall in their attempts to sign Marc Guehi.
According to Toni Juanmartí of Sport, the Catalan paper: “Nico González undergoing a medical with Manchester City. He will sign for the remainder of the season plus another five campaigns. Barça will receive around 20 million euros.”
Barcelona sold the Spaniard to Porto in the summer of 2023.
Updated
Holding to Sheffield United, Chilwell Palace loan
Sheffield United are in talks with Crystal Palace over a move for Rob Holding, who has made just one senior appearance since he joined from Arsenal on summer deadline day in 2023. Oliver Glasner refused to lift the lid on a reported training ground argument between the pair last week when asked about his future but admitted there was no chance of Holding being part of his plans again despite Palace’s need for a central defender. “The reason Rob knows and it is not for the public. If there’s a club who wants to sign him and he wants to go there, there will be a solution,” said Glasner.
Ben Chilwell is expected to complete his loan move from Chelsea after having his medical today but AC Milan have turned down Palace’s enquiry for Serbia defender Strahinja Pavlovic, who is valued at around £35m. A reminder that Tottenham’s bid for Marc Guehi - which was understood to have been an initial £55m but rising to a potential £70m with add-ons - was rejected by Palace earlier. Club sources have insisted the England defender will not leave today.
Charles Antaki on the Arsenal conundrum. They really need a striker.
“Yesterday’s events were a good example, in accelerated time, of Arsenal fans’ feelings about whether a new signing upfront is needed: absolute certainty (when dear old Kai Havertz misses a sitter, again) to dismissive complacency (when he does actually score, and still more when the fifth goes in). The way the day is going, it looks like we’ll have to make tea with the latter. The cycle will restart, of course, once Havertz fluffs the next 100% certainty.”
Chelsea to sign St Etienne midfielder
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign teenage midfielder Mathis Amougou from St Etienne.
That SSN are leading with Joao Felix and Conor Coady shows that this isn’t likely to be one of those days that made the station’s reputation. There was a time when Andy Burton was the name on everyone’s lips. These days, he’s on the other side of the wall in “talent management”. He was working at Bournemouth for a few years.
The Championship leaders are sticking with what they know.
Graham is the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Leeds writer.
Updated
Burkina Faso correction: I forgot Bertrand Traore, now of Ajax, once of Chelsea and Aston Villa. I’ve met him, too. Lovely lad.
Announcement from Rangers: “We are today delighted to announce the signing of Lyall Cameron on a pre-contract agreement from Dundee. Lyall will join the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer.”
North-east transfer talk
Middlesbrough have rejected a £10m bid from Porto for their much admired homegrown midfielder Hayden Hackney, while Newcastle seem determined to resist Galatasaray’s interest in Kieran Trippier. Yet with the Turkish transfer window not closing for another few days the Istanbul club may not give up the chase too easily.
While the Aston Villa winger Samuel Iling-Junior has completed his loan move to Middlesbrough, Michael Carrick remains confident of completing Kelechi Iheanacho’s loan to the Riverside from Sevilla by the time Boro kick off at home to Sunderland tonight.
The defender, Nasser Djiga, who you may have seen starring for Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League supergroup, is set for Wolves. He would become the third PL player from Burkina Faso behind Dango Ouattara and Issa Kaboré, who made one appearance for Manchester City. He’s on loan at Werder Bremen.
Tel’s deal to Tottenham is a loan, of course. Bayern not willing to sell or cash out for pure profit.
We’re all experts on Mathys Tel these days, right? He was a leading name in our Next Gen of 2022.
“He’s 17, but he has qualities that not many in the world have,” said Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic when Tel joined for €28.5m in July. “He has the potential to be great. He’s the best talent in Europe at this position.” Having started his career at Ligue 2 side Paris FC, the player from Sarcelles – the same banlieue as Riyad Mahrez – has enjoyed an even faster rise than the Manchester City forward. Tel surpassed Eduardo Camavinga as Rennes’ youngest-ever player last season and has already set new records for Bayern, with his debut Bundesliga goal against Stuttgart coming a few days after he had broken his duck in the DFB-Pokal 10 days earlier. Ed Aarons
Watch Mathys Tel in action
October 2023 update Has become something of a cult hero among Bayern fans with three Bundesliga goals already this season, including the late winner against Borussia Mönchengladbach. At the time of writing, Tel has the best minutes-per-goal ratio in Bundesliga history but must now attempt to break into Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice side. Has also scored twice in the Champions League, including one against Manchester United.
October 2024 update Still mainly an impact sub but 74 Bundesliga appearances at the age of 19 is impressive. The next challenge is to get more starts. Has two caps for France Under-21s but no senior call-up at the time of writing. “The first season at Bayern was good for me,” he told Kicker. “I learned a lot and that was very important for my self confidence. I am young and I must work very hard and learn every single day.”
Milan are closing in on a loan deal for Joao Felix, who is not expected to feature for Chelsea against West Ham tonight.
If, like me, you’re watching deadline day in glorious UHD, then Chelsea are taking much of the agenda. Carney Chukwuemeka, a player who was wanted by everyone, is now off to Dortmund on loan, and Joao Felix, a player whose high value when compared to his achievements reminds of that Stella Artois motif “reassuringly expensive”, is off to Milan. Deadline day is often where you get to meet great, lost talents.
Who knows where this magical adventure might end? Let’s see. There’s still time for a trolley-dash or two. Manchester United need a forward – among much else, sure – so let’s see if some silliness happens there.
Right … that brings an end to my stint running this blog. Do not worry, because the imperious John Brewin is taking over. Happy transferring.
Man City close on Gonzalez
Manchester City expect to seal a deal to sign Porto’s Nico Gonzalez, with the fee set to be the midfielder’s release clause of around £50m.
City had been reluctant to pay all of the clause, it is thought, but are considering doing so to add the former Barcelona player to the champions’ squad.
The 23-year-old would bolster Pep Guardiola’s options, as he can operate as a defensive, central or attacking player. Following Rodri’s season-ending knee injury, the manager is light in midfield.
Currently he can call on Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, the veterans Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, plus the utility player, Rico Lewis, who Guardiola has fielded in the position on occasion.
In the January window City have so far signed Omar Marmoush for €70m (£59.1m) plus €5m in add-ons from Eintracht Frankfurt, the defenders Vitor Reis, bought from Palmeiras for £29.6m, and Abdukodir Khusanov, signed for £33.8m from Lens, for a total spend of £122.5m.
Tel heading to Spurs
Mathys Tel looks set to join Tottenham on loan after the France Under-21 forward had a change of heart over a move to Ange Postecoglou’s side.
He has been pictured on Instagram with his agent on a private jet heading to London to complete a medical despite initially rejecting a permanent move to Spurs last week for £50m. Arsenal and Manchester United were both interested in Tel but couldn’t agree a deal with Bayern, who have now accepted a loan with no obligation to make the move permanent at the end of the season. Daniel Levy strikes again on deadline day ...
Updated
West Ham confirm Ferguson signing
West Ham United have completed the loan signing of striker Evan Ferguson from Brighton until the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international links up with Graham Potter for a second time after working together at the Amex Stadium.
“It feels good to be here. Seeing the stadium and being here today, I’ve got a very good feeling,” Ferguson said. “I can see and know how big West Ham United is. It was a big opportunity for me to come here. I know the gaffer well and look forward to working under him again. I want to come in and do my best for the Club, score goals, and see where we get to.”
Milan are still trying to work out a formula that would enable them to sign Joao Felix on loan from Chelsea. Felix, remember, only returned to Stamford Bridge last summer, joining as part of a deal that saw Conor Gallagher head in the opposite direction for Atletico Madrid. Was that the wisest choice from Chelsea? Hard to say. Felix, who has a seven-year deal, hasn’t played much for Enzo Maresca. His representatives are working hard to find him a new club. Aston Villa have looked but aren’t in the race any more.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have recalled left-back Caleb Wiley from his loan at Strasbourg - and loaned him straight to Watford. That frees up one of their international loan spots.
Updated
Andrew Lloyd emails: “I note UTD are playing Villa last match o’the season. Rashford: he couldn’t could he? Do a Denis Law, I mean.”
No, he couldn’t, because he will not be eligible to play.
Not much news is coming out of Leicester today, which will worry their fans. They certainly needed invested during the window to help with their relegation battle but have only acquired Woyo Coulibaly from Parma thus far.
Aston Villa are not likely to permit Leon Bailey’s departure amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham. Juan Foyth is not thought to be live option as a defensive reinforcement. Axel Disasi was always priority out of the pair but Chelsea want a prohibitive loan fee.
Can anyone guess which number Marcus Rashford will wear at Aston Villa?
Stockport County have announced the departure of Jack Stretton.
Check out all the deals in our transfer interactive!
Hello once again! Let’s hope for more fun and some frolics.
Will’s had his soup, and he’s back! Over to you Will.
Latest word is that Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku will not be on the move today.
Bayern Munich and Manchester United were keen, but aren’t willing to stretch beyond £40million.
You can also reflect on talking points from the weekend’s action in the Women’s Super League, right here:
Soothe your deadline-day anxiety with Andy Brassell’s latest Bundesliga blog:
“I might be late to the party on this one,” writes Darrien. “But I’ve just spotted David Moyes and the tough tackling Vinny Samways having a sandwich together in a trendy Lytham cafe.”
Vinny Samways, the player, was last spotted at Algeciras in 2005. So only 20 years late.
Anthony now chips in with an email entitled “Hot stories.”
“My wife and I went on our honeymoon taking a campervan around France in 2021. It was 40+ degrees at night. I wish we’d booked a hotel instead of being stuck in a mobile home. It was the hottest I’d ever been. Proper hot.”
That’s great, thank you Anthony.
Updated
“Thanks for the liveblog,” emails Euan Healey. “As ever there’s not enough West Brom content. Devastation and surprise abounds in the streets of the Black Country as Alex Palmer departs to link up with Dara O’Shea and Conor Townsend - two other of our academy products at Ipswich.
“Reports are now floating around on X about Tammer Bany (no me neither) coming from Randers in Denmark. Celtic were linked with him earlier in the window. Hoping we can sign a defender too with this lovely, if tear-stained, Alex Palmer cash.”
Updated
Napoli have reportedly agreed to take Noah Okafor on loan from Milan with an option to buy. Tottenham and West Ham have also been linked with the Switzerland international forward.
Updated
Do email me with any hot stories. Thanks.
Paul Merson is not convinced about Marcus Rashford’s move to Aston Villa, “because he has to take his head with him.”
Thanks Will and enjoy your soup.
I am off to eat some soup to energise myself for more HOT TRANSFER NEWS.
Luke McLaughlin will be here in my stead.
Updated
Arsenal and Bayern Munich appear to have reached an impasse over a potential move for Mathys Tel, with Mikel Arteta’s side preferring to do a loan deal that contains an option rather than an obligation to buy. Bayern had agreed a £50m fee for the France Under-21 forward with Tottenham but he rejected a move to Ange Postecoglou’s side last week before Manchester United had two offers turned down. As it stands, they have yet to return to the table, while Arsenal are believed to be considering other targets but need to get a move on if they are to bring someone in before tonight’s deadline.
Richard Woods emails about Bristol Rovers: “Things were going so well - relatively - for the Gas this window. We have secured three promising looking loans assuming Reindorf comes in, and things have been auguring well. We even had a victory yesterday. And now WBA sell their keeper. Cue the falling dominos. Josh Griffiths has earned us so many points this season so far, but his loan will have to be cut short. Presumably FGR will then be unhappy as we will have to recall Jed Ward, who has done well for them. The absolute textbook demonstration of “never fall in love with a loan player.” Grits teeth. Good luck, Josh.”
I always felt it seemed somewhat inevitable that Alvaro Morata would have a spell in Turkey. The Spain striker has joined Galatasaray on loan from Milan.
Ipswich are set for a dabble in the market after agreeing a deal to sign goalkeeper Alex Palmer from West Brom.
“In reply to the earlier question, can I suggest that the return of James Ward-Prowse from the loan to Forest has the same ‘new signing’ appeal as discovering a slice of stale old toast butter side down on a dog-haired carpet under the sofa. And I’d still prefer the toast to take any set pieces …”
Emailer Brian is not a fan of James Ward-Prowse.
Marcus Rashford is extremely unlikely to play competitively for Manchester United again even if Ruben Amorim is no longer the head coach, with the relationship between the forward and his boyhood club near irreparable.
It is understood, too, that there is no call-back clause in the forward’s loan terms with Aston Villa should he start to score prolifically.
Ferguson's West Ham move to set to be confirmed
An official announcement is due later but I am told that West Ham have finalised the loan signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. There are whispers that Graham Potter is also trying to bring in a centre-back …
Update on Tottenham’s interest in Marc Guehi: Basically, the Crystal Palace centre-half is going nowhere today. Spurs like him and they made an offer to Palace, but if anything happens, it will not be until the summer.
Manchester City are pursuing Porto’s Nico Gonzalez but no deal agreed for the Porto midfielder. Translation from this humble hack: the champions don’t wish to meet the circa £50m release clause. Yet!!!
However serious the injury Lisandro Martinez suffered in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, Manchester United are not expected to move sign cover today.
The information is that as Ruben Amorim has the centre-backs Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and now Ayden Heaven plus Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw who also operate in a can all play in a back three, there is cover enough.
Amorim expressed concern that Martinez’s injury is serious and there is to be no update from the club on Monday.
Regarding Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea and Christoper Nkunku going the other way to United, those in the know at Old Trafford believe this is unlikely.
Updated
Crystal Palace reject Spurs bid for Guehi
Jacob Steinberg has the latest!
“Why are you censoring the news from Craven Cottage?” asks Richard Hirst. “We must surely by now have signed cover at goalkeeper, right back and right wing, and a centre forward. Come on Mr Khan, we need to push on for Europe.”
Blame the MSM.
Rick Harris emails: “Fascinated as I am by the Stretfordenders soap opera whose daily episodes grip millions either in horror / pain / shame / delight / righteous vindication, the loans of Antony and Marcus Rashford do throw up the tantalising potential of massive egg on the face of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his beleaguered prematurely appointed Ten Hag replacement, if either or even both suddenly outscore the supposedly superior forwards left at the Club at the Crossroads Motel.”
Norwich sign Brighton's McConville
Norwich have completed a permanent deal for Ruairi McConville from Brighton on a five-and-a-half year deal.
The young centre-back was on the bench for the Seagull’s thrashing at Forest on Saturday but has now been allowed to move on.
Chelsea to loan Chukwuemeka to Dortmund, O'Reilly bid rejected
Carney Chukwuemeka is in Germany ahead of a loan move to Borussia Dortmund, who will have an option to buy the Chelsea midfielder for roughly £40m. Other Chelsea outgoings are expected to include Ben Chilwell, who is heading to Crystal Palace on loan, but Aaron Anselmino’s loan to Marseille looks to be off. Axel Disasi, as previously reported, is wanted by Aston Villa and Joao Felix is a possibility for Milan, although their funds are limited after the arrival of Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord.
Chelsea have had an approach for 19-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly knocked back by Man City. Enzo Maresca would like a midfielder to sign but time is running out. Chelsea have also been looking for a left winger and a striker. Will they pull something out of the bag?
West Ham’s move for Lorient striker Eli Junior Kroupi looks dead in the water. They held talks over a £35m deal for the 18-year-old, who has impressed in Ligue 2, but he is unlikely to be going anywhere today. Lorient, who are pushing for promotion, are part owned by the Bournemouth owner Bill Foley. There is a strong possibility that Kroupi will join Andoni Iraola’s side in the summer.
Samuel Iling-Jr heads to Middlesbrough
As earlier reported, Samuel Iling-Jr has cut short his spell with Bologna in order to join Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the campaign from Aston Villa.
Carlisle sack Williamson
Mike Williamson has been sacked by Carlisle, leaving the Football League’s bottom club looking for a third manager of the season.
Williamson signed 11 new players in January but has been unable to arrest a desperate run of form that has seen the Cumbrians plummet to the foot of the League Two table.
A 5-1 defeat at home to Swindon on Saturday was the final straw, taking his side’s run to five losses in their last six games. Overall, the former Newcastle defender oversaw just four league wins since being appointed in September to replace Paul Simpson.
Williamson’s relationship with the club’s fans had already soured and there were chants calling for him to go at the end of the match.
Tottenham have been trying to pull off an audacious swoop for the Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. It is thought that Spurs made a bid not far off Palace’s valuation of £60m. A deal seems unlikely at the moment but it is not being definitively ruled out by sources. Spurs have cooled their interest in a loan for Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi, who has agreed terms with Aston Villa, who, er, have not agreed terms with Chelsea.
Brighton have had a busy deadline day already, having confirmed the signing of Stefanos Tzimas from Nuremburg and announced the departure of Benicio Baker-Boaitey to Millwall. It is understood that the fee for Tzimas - who will return to Germany on loan until the end of the season - could rise to €25m including add-ons.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have also seen two bids for Sunderland’s Tommy Watson rejected, with the latest understood to have been worth up to £12m for the 18-year-old. Crystal Palace are also interested in Watson but Sunderland - who are trying to bring in striker Jayden Danns on loan from Liverpool - do not want to sell him unless they can find a replacement.
Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell is set for his medical at Palace today ahead of his anticipated loan from Chelsea but appear unlikely to follow up interest Serbia defender in Strahinja Pavlovic of Milan.
The word from Sir Matt Busby Way is that it is very VERY unlikely Manchester United can/will revive any deal for Mathys Tel. Any more and this dutiful correspondent will Kiss and Te l…
Updated
It seems Sunderland have won the race for Jayden Danns. The 19-year-old Liverpool striker has been booked in for a medical on Wearside ahead of a loan move from Anfield and is expected to watch his new team play at Middlesbrough tonight.
Sunderland’s manager Regis Le Bris has been pursuing a new striker for the past month and will be delighted to have won a race for Danns also involving, among other teams, Blackburn and Hull.
Meanwhile many Newcastle fans are asking why Eddie Howe is unable to strengthen this month. The answer is that the club’s Saudi Arabian owners are determined to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules and believe that selling now will enable them to buy in the summer.
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with Reading for centre-back Tyler Bindon. He will undergo a medical today and most-likely remain at the Berkshire club for the remainder of the season.
Lewis O’Brien is on his way to Swansea before completing his loan move from Nottingham Forest.
Brighton sign Tzimas and loan him back to Nuremburg
Brighton have acquired Stefanos Tzimas from Nuremburg for an undisclosed fee and the Greek under-21 international will return to the Bundesliga 2 club for the remainder of the season. The winger has signed a deal running until June 2030 with the Seagulls.
Fabian Hurzeler said: “Stefanos is an exceptional young talent, an out-and-out centre-forward with a natural ability to score goals, and we are absolutely delighted to have signed him.
Edwards joins Burnley from Sporting
Marcus Edwards has completed his loan move to Burnley from Sporting CP until the end of the season.
“It feels amazing. Burnley is like a Premier League club,” Edwards said. “I’m really happy to be here.
“I know Scott [Parker] from my time at Spurs. I know what he’s like. He’s ambitious, he’s driven. We had a good relationship back then so when I knew he wanted me to come that was enough for me.”
“From knowing what he’s like and how he is and the fact that Burnley is such a big club in general. It made sense.
“The main thing now is to get promoted back to the Premier League. I’m coming here to try and get myself into the team. I hope we can make it over the line this season and I hope Burnley fans will enjoy watching me play too.”
“The cheekiest transfer bid of all time has to be Barcelona attempting to steal away Norwich City’s right-back Max Aarons on loan right in the middle of a promotion-chasing season,” claims Johny Bennett.
“Aarons may have agreed personal terms, but with no obligation to buy at the end of the deal and absolutely no incentive to accept the bid, Norwich rightly turned the deal down, with Daniel Farke assuring our outraged fans that he wouldn’t sell the full-back for £100 million.
“The story had a happy ending, though: Aarons went on to win the Championship that year with Norwich, before finally earning a transfer in 2023 to sit on the bench at Bournemouth. Sliding doors and all that.”
Good luck to Marcus at Burnley. I’ve seen plenty of the Clarets recently and it is not a fun place for wingers …
Watch out for an exciting move by Burnley later on today – they are set to take Marcus Edwards from Sporting on an initial loan until the end of the season. The one-time Tottenham youth prodigy has also had interest from Sunderland but he is ready to return to England with Burnley to help their promotion push from the Championship.
A potentially big move in the offing …
Watford centre-back Ryan Porteous could be set to leave the club today. A number of Championship clubs are looking at signing him before the deadline, I am told.
Spurs will not be signing Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea. This is not one to watch today.
Kári Tulinius suggests: “From today’s perspective, bids don’t come cheekier than Alex McLeish trying to sign wee Lionel Messi in 2003 on the recommendation of his son, who’d heard of the future all-time great on Championship Manager. When told no way, McLeish asked for Iniesta.”
If all this was not enough tittle-tattle, we have the Rumour Mill for your eyes to gaze at. Drink it in.
Villa's Nedeljković heads to RB Leipzig
Aston Villa have confirmed that teenage defender Kosta Nedeljković has joined RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the season.
I am still waiting on my contract from Harrogate … will one come before 11pm?
Ewan Glenton gets in touch to say: “Jock Wallace nearly(?) bringing Johann Cruyff to struggling Leicester circa 1980 was pretty audacious/cheeky, I’d say.”
We are off (when it comes to cheekiest bid)!
“I’m sure you’re going to get a torrent of people emailing ‘Arsenal’s £40m plus £1 for Suarez’ in answer to what the cheekiest bid of all time is,” emails Billy Ward. “But Arsenal thought that anything over £40m was required to trigger a clause, so why the hell would they add more?! Turns out the clause was simply ‘Liverpool have to consider’ rather than ‘Liverpool have to accept’. So not cheeky, just stupid.”
Glory days.
Lloyd Kelly is in Turin and set to join Juventus on an initial loan from Newcastle that will automatically turn into a £20m transfer in the summer. The left sided centre-half or left-back joined Eddie Howe’s team from Bournemouth on a free transfer last summer but has struggled to break into the first team.
At Middlesbrough Michael Carrick is close to securing two potentially key attacking loans. With Emmanuel Latte Lath in the United States finalising a £22.5m move to Atlanta, Boro have lined up a central striking replacement in Kelechi Iheanacho. The former Leicester forward is currently at Sevilla but has struggled for game time, hence the loan to Teesside.
Boro are also set to borrow Samuel Iling-Junior from Aston Villa. The England Under-21 winger has spent the first half of the season on loan at Bologna but now seems Championship bound.
A couple of outgoing loans are likely to be the only business for Liverpool today. Jayden Danns has interest from several clubs in the Championship and Sunderland are currently leading the way on that one, while Kaide Gordon is expected to join Portsmouth on loan. James McConnell may have also have gone out on loan but, as Arne Slot said after the Champions League game at PSV, the midfielder’s impressive display in Eindhoven has kept him in the Liverpool head coach’s plans.
Arsenal remain in talks over a potential move for Mathys Tel, although Bayern Munich are digging their heels in over the France Under-21 forward. Having rejected two bids from Manchester United over the weekend, the German side are pushing for a permanent sale or for an obligation to buy to be included in any loan until the end of the season.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal are willing to make that commitment as they attempt to provide Mikel Arteta with attacking reinforcements to cover the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. They have targeted RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko in the summer and Arsenal are pushing Bayern for a loan with an option to buy.
Jorginho looks set to stay at Arsenal for now after they rejected an offer from Flamengo, although he is expected to join the Brazilians for their Club World Cup campaign in the summer at the end of his contract. Oleksandr Zinchenko could be allowed to leave today if Arsenal receive a suitable bid. Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have both held talks over the Ukraine defender, whose appearances have been restricted by the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly this season.
Off the back of Jamie Jackson’s contribution. I ask the question … what is the cheekiest bid of all time?
Manchester United would not be surprised if Chelsea make a cheeky late bid for Alejandro Garnacho though the early signs are the west London club may not. For United, after letting both Marcus Rashford and Antony go on loan (to Aston Villa and Real Betis) there would surely be serious uproar if Sir Jim Ratcliffe allowed another wide forward, who Ruben Amorim talked up last week, to depart.
Updated
Ruben Amorim left more than £100m of striker on the bench in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. Surely he wants the Manchester United hierarchy to invest in someone that guarantees goals. He also sanctioned the departures of Antony and Marcus Rashford, leaving them short of options in attack, not that either has done anything of note this season.
Updated
Where will Mathys Tel end the day?
I am told that Nottingham Forest are expecting a quiet day in the market. I doubt the Ward-Prowse news changes that as the weekend saw the return to Premier League action of Danilo and Ibrahim Sangaré to boost Nuno Espirito Santo’s central midfield options.
Does someone returning to their parent club from an unsuccessful loan count as the first official deal of deadline day?
Ward-Prowse returns to West Ham
West Ham are bringing James Ward-prowse back from his loan at Nottingham Forest. No recall option was included but a mutual agreement has been reached by the clubs and the midfielder will be back in east London soon. Meanwhile West Ham are set to confirm Evan Ferguson’s loan from Brighton. Their move for the Lorient forward Eli Junior Kroupi has stalled as he is looking to stay put until the summer. Celtic striker Daniel Cummings could join for £500,000 today.
As we wait for transfer to get into full swing, why not check out Premier League Talking Point after a fun weekend of action.
I have my own couple of transfer lines from yesterday and they are BIG!
Lewis O’Brien is set to join Swansea on loan from Nottingham Forest.
Ben Fox will leave Northampton for Harrogate.
Some of the latest transfer news from last night.
Marcus Rashford is now an Aston Villa player … until the end of the season at least.
Evan Ferguson and Ben Chilwell are on the move.
Manchester United sign Patrick Dorgu.
Preamble
This feels significant! The transfer window is set to SLAM shut at 11pm GMT and plenty of work needs to be done by clubs across the country. Agents and sporting directors will be working on their numerous phones and ensuring they always have a charger on hand to avoid missing out on the deal of the decade.
Spend in January is up on last year in the Premier League, although a lot of that can be put down to Manchester City opening the cheque book in an attempt to halt their slide down the table. Eyes today will be firmly across the road in Manchester to see if United can pull off something to help Ruben Amorim’s stuttering revolution, and at Tottenham, who need fresh bodies to help move them away from the relegation zone.
There are few guarantees on deadline day but I am sure it will be hectic. We will bring you the latest news from our correspondents and plenty of gossip to boot.
