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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ed Aarons and Barry Glendenning and Simon Burnton

Transfer window: Giroud, Aubameyang and Laporte on move – as it happened

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, left, pictured at Dortmund airport at lunchtime. Photograph: Florian Groger/PA

With that, I’m going to sign off. I’ll be back for Huddersfield v Liverpool a little later, and the big deadline-day liveblog will be up and rolling come the morning/evening/whenever-15-hours-from-now-is-where-you-are. I’ll leave you with a link to our big transfertracker:

And a picture of Gerard Deulofeu at Watford, because I’m struggling to get used to the concept of the Hornets taking decent, first-team players from Barcelona, and because he took the trouble of inserting something vaguely hornetish. Bye!

“I do not understand Borussia’s thinking,” boggles Filip Zec. “Why would they rather have Michy, who’s not exactly crap, but a big question mark, than Giroud (or Welbeck)? You know what you’re getting with Giroud and Welbeck, which is goals and industry. Michy, I am not so sure he does anything exceptionally well. Also, I know they’d go the distance to get Aubameyang, but why is Arsenal, for the second week in a row, helping a direct rival?”

As I understand it Borussia would have taken Giroud, but the player wanted to remain in London. Arsenal would prefer not to assist a direct rival, but if it’s going to let them sign Aubameyang they’re willing to accept it.

“Mahrez on form is my favourite player in the league and I think Guardiola is the greatest manager the game has seen,” writes Richard Ensor. “So naturally I’d be thrilled to see Mahrez in this City team. But he’s a left-footed right-winger. This move would leave the squad with Sterling, Silva and Mahrez on the right but no straight-forward replacement for Sané on the left. I’m confused. Am I missing something?” Well Sterling has previously played on the left and Mahrez could probably do so as well, though it would destroy his cut-inside-and-hit-a-left-footed-curler-towards-the-far-post shooting shtick.

Sky Sports’ latest report is that Manchester City have made two bids for Riyad Mahrez this month, the latest of £50m, and the player has handed in another transfer request as he attempts to push through the move.

David Hytner’s news story is live:

According to this chap from L’Equipe, Watford have already given up on Dendoncker and have come to an agreement with Sunderland over a loan-with-an-option move for Didier Ndong:

The Watford-related news I posted but 15 minutes ago is already out of date – the Dodi Lukebakio deal is done!

This just in from Andy Hunter, our man on Merseyside:

It’s quiet on both sides of Stanley Park but Napoli are interested in Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen and Middlesbrough likewise in Mohamed Besic. Manager Sam Allardyce confirmed on Monday that Everton have received several loan enquiries for Klaassen but had not accepted any, which is a little odd given he wants the Netherlands international to leave on loan. “He has never appeared on the subs bench so it would be better for him and the club if he moved on, just on loan, because maybe next season he might be good enough,” Allardyce said. Klaassen was signed for £23.6m from Ajax in the summer and has made three starts in the Premier League. He was substituted after 60, 45 and 55 minutes of his three league starts and has featured in only one match-day squad under Allardyce, and that the Europa League dead-rubber at Apollon Limassol. Napoli have expressed interest but, as is the case with Boro and Besic, they have a long way to go to land the out-of-favour midfielder.

David Hytner’s full story on the Giroud/Batshuayi/Aubameyang triple-swoop will be online very shortly, but starts thus:

Olivier Giroud is primed to join Chelsea from Arsenal in a deal worth £17.5m, which will pave the way for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to move from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal. Michy Batshuayi is set to complete the interlocking transfers with a loan from Chelsea to Dortmund. Dortmund gave Aubameyang permission to travel to London on Tuesday in order to undergo a medical at Arsenal and complete the finer details of a deal that is valued at £60m. But they had made it clear that they would not sign off on the transfer until they had sourced a replacement.

Chelsea have wanted to offload Batshuayi but they, too, had refused to do so without a replacement – a player to lighten the load on the first-choice centre-forward, Alvaro Morata. They turned to Giroud and he is set to smooth the wheels of the deals.

So it goes like this: Dortmund are willing to sell Aubameyang to Arsenal, but only if they can source a replacement – and they want Michy Batshuayi; Chelsea are willing to sell Batshuayi to Dortmund, but only if they can sign a replacement; Giroud is that man, and thus makes everything possible.

I have news from Watford, who are about to snap up the Belgium Under-21 winger Dodi Lukebakio. It’s a slightly curious deal: the player is currently on loan from Anderlecht to Sporting Charleroi, where he has started 15 league games this season, with three goals and three assists to his name. But that deal came with a pre-negotiated option to make the deal permanent, at a cost of €2m at the end of the season, or a bargain €1.5m this month. So Charleroi will pay Anderlecht the €1.5m, immediately sell him again, and pocket as pure instant profit the difference between that and whatever Watford are offering.

The player’s agent, Mogi Bayat, also worked with Watford on their purchases of Stefano Okaka – who could leave the club on loan in the next 24 hours, perhaps to Fulham – and Sven “Saturday” Kums, who joined the Hornets in August 2016, spent a season on loan at Udinese, never played for Watford and moved on to Anderlecht in the summer. Bayat – who apparently is in London at the moment, working on the Lukebakio deal – has considerable influence at Anderlecht, and Watford are also being linked today with a move for their midfielder Leander Dendoncker. Got that? Good.

Hello! So, who’s stepping on the transfer merry-go-round this evening?

That’s all from me today, I’m off home for a lie down. Simon Burnton will be here shortly to guide you through the rest of the evening. Hasta mañana

Well this has turned into an interesting day after all. Reports now that Riyad Mahrez has handed in another transfer request in an effort to force through his move to Manchester City. Not the first time he has tried that tactic of course but will it work on this occasion?

Olivier Giroud set to join Chelsea for £17.5m

Olivier Giroud is primed to join Chelsea from Arsenal in a deal worth £17.5m, which will pave the way for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to complete his switch from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal.

And here’s today’s Fiver from the esteemed (and versatile) Barry Glendenning.

You can sign up to receive it daily here:

Updated

While we wait for more news on the Aubameyang transfer, why not take the time to read this piece from our archives? An update is expected very soon...

Our colleagues at Get French Football have a Newcastle transfer line but sadly it’s a potential outgoing. Turkish side Sivasspor are said to be in talks with midfielder Henri Saivet about a possible loan.

Updated

Another line from Swansea, who are in desperate need of reinforcements. They are hoping to complete a loan deal for Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic, although West Brom and Wolfsburg have also shown an interest in the Serbia international.

Here’s more on City’s interest in Riyad Mahrez. Sounds like this one won’t be easy...

The predictable news of Roque Mesa’s loan move to Sevilla will be greeted with dismay by many Swansea City supporters, especially given that the Welsh club has yet to make a signing in this transfer window. Mesa joined from Las Palmas for £11m last summer and was viewed by the club (there’s a notable distinction to be drawn there) as a long-term successor to Leon Britton. However, Paul Clement, Swansea’s manager at the time, never seemed truly convinced by Mesa and was reluctant to play him.

Carlos Carvalhal, Clement’s replacement, reached the same conclusion. As for Mesa, he will probably be grateful to escape, not least because he is swapping a relegation battle for Champions League football. A final thought on the goings on at the Liberty Stadium: Swansea have spent £30m-plus on four players - Mesa, Borja Baston, Jefferson Montero and Jordi Amat - who are currently all out on loan. That is a criminal waste of money for a club with their resources.

Food for thought here for fans of Newcastle, Huddersfield and Brighton....

Olivier Giroud update!

Updated

Leicester are insistent that they have not received any offers for Riyad Mahrez, despite Manchester City’s interest in the player. That’s not to say that enquiries haven’t been made, or that conversations haven’t taken place between the respective parties, but there’s certainly been nothing concrete.

Furthermore, Leicester are not keen on selling and the word from inside the club is that it would take a “mind-blowing” offer, in line with current market trends (i.e. Coutinho/Van Dijk), for the club to be persuaded to let the Algerian leave. In other words, it’s hard to see City signing Mahrez unless they are prepared to make a huge bid.

Some news now from our learned friends at Scouted Football, who say that 18-year-old Marcus McGuane is set to join Barcelona’s B side. He’s been at Arsenal since the age of six.

The latest from West Ham is that they don’t think a £15m deal for Russia striker Fyodor Smolov is going to happen. But you never know...

Blimey that moved quickly. The reliable Nabil Djellit from France Football saying City have lodged a £59m bid for Mahrez.

Farewell, rocky table

My current understanding is that City have yet to bid for Riyad Mahrez but this may change. The extent of the injury suffered by Leroy Sané has triggered a change of heart from Pep Guardiola, with the German now expected to miss up to six.

Mahrez has made no secret of his desire to leave Leicester, although it is likely to take an offer approaching £60m to tempt them into doing business.

Updated

Manchester City interested in Riyad Mahrez

Now this is a surprise. Having been gazumped for Alexis Sánchez, City have now turned their attention to the Algeria international. Here’s our man Jamie Jackson with more....

Some interesting info from Nick there, a reminder that Stoke are expected to complete the £15m signing of Ndiaye from Galatasaray in the coming hours.

Aubameyang update!

After more than 30,000 people tracked his flight to Luton, the latest update from Sky Sports News says Aubameyang and his family have now arrived at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground.

He is expected to have a medical but there is still no news on whether Dortmund have found themselves a replacement so don’t get too excited just yet Gooners...

Updated

Pep Guardiola has spoken of how he would respond to critics of his more than £400m spend since taking over in summer 2016.

“I would tell them I understand,” he said. “Some clubs spend £300- £400m on two players. We spend it on six players. We had a problem last summer with six players out of contract. When you want to compete at the highest level, you need to spend. Maybe one day this clubs will spend £100m or £130m on one player but we decide not to do it. We understand the inflation of the market. It is what it is. We accept criticism but what matters is our signings perform well and fit in at this club.”

We’ve had loads of responses to my question earlier about best and worst January signings. Let’s kick off with George Rogers, who thinks he has the definitive answer. Or maybe not...

“Robert Huth to Leicester in 2015. Without him I don’t think they stay up. If they don’t stay up they can’t win the league the following year. A transfer that made fairy tales come true.

“Also, I’m a liar. Because apparently it wasn’t a transfer it was a loan. And even more shock horror, it wasn’t a January loan even, as he completed the move on 2 February.”

Thanks George. Next up is Chris Parker, who rates Jermain Defoe to Sunderland as a straight swap for Jozy Altidore in Jan 2015, as one of the best pieces of business. Good shout Chris.

James Diamond plumps for another Leicester signing in the form of Riyad Mahrez, although he admits the Algerian was a “bit of a slow burner” at first after joining from Le Havre in 2014.

Meanwhile, Norwich fan Charles Horwood clearly hasn’t forgiven Alex Neil.

“The January signing of Steven Naismith certainly ranks as one of the worst,” he writes. “£8m, a reported £40k a week and a 3 1/2 year contract and he’s been pretty much rubbish ever since. He’s been loaned out to Hearts now but we’re apparently still paying 75% of his wages”. Ooofh!



Updated

More from Antonio Conte’s press conference earlier, when the Chelsea manager seemed to suggest that he did not know much about new signing Emerson Palmieri, who is expected to complete his move from Roma tomorrow.

Asked if he remembered him from his time in Italy, Conte said: “No, I don’t remember Palmieri because he only came to Italy last season, when he had an important season for Rome. Then he had a bad injury. He broke his ligaments. Now he’s recovering. I don’t know if he’s ready to play. I know that he played only one game in the Italian club against Torino.”

He was similarly dismissive of Chelsea’s chances of signing any more players before the end of the window.

“I can hope for everything. But the most important thing is reality. Now the reality is this. I have to prepare the game in the right way with these players, and I’m very happy to do this. As you know very well, I always say that I would be happy in both cases: if the club decides to add players (or not). Otherwise I’m very happy to work with these players because they show me every day great behaviour and great commitment. My only hope is this transfer window finishes very soon, especially because that means you can change this line of questioning for me.”

You get the sense that Conte can’t wait for February...

Updated

As Kevin Wilson writes, the transfer of Iñigo Martínez to Athletic Bilbao from Real Sociedad is a big surprise.

“Just over 20 years ago, Bilbao signed the silky Joseba Etxeberria from Real Sociedad, a transfer that probably still rankles,” he recalls. “It’s probably more controversial than one of the Glasgow or Istanbul clubs screwing another over.”

So there you have it. But, as Manchester City have repeatedly shown, money talks.

Someone claiming to be the pilot from Aubameyang’s private jet appears to be up for a laugh . FlightC25A has just posted a picture apparently showing the man in question on his way to Luton airport from Dortmund. Hmmm...

Updated

Another intriguing one here. Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli has admitted Internazionale striker Mauro Icardi “is being observed and almost tempted by Real Madrid”. That comes on the back of Icardi’s cryptic Instagram on Monday where he posted: “To say goodbye is to grow.” His post also included the words “Chau Chau” and a waving emoji.

Updated

Just been at Mauricio Pochettino’s press conference and his lips could not have been tighter on the subject of Lucas Moura. The Tottenham manager is always uncomfortable saying anything about a prospective new signing until the deal has been done. But Moura has been at Tottenham’s training ground today to finalise his move from PSG and all the signs are that the club will confirm it tomorrow - ideally before their home game against Manchester United kicks off! Moura will cost £25m.

Now this is a statement from Athletic Bilbao. They have responded to the sale of Aymeric Laporte by reportedly paying the €32m release clause of Iñigo Martínez, who was also on City’s radar. Given that he plays for Athletic’s big rivals Real Sociedad, that is big news in the Basque country.

“It’s like a game of grandmother’s footsteps played out on national scale.” Jack Bernhardt reveals his love for all things transfer deadline day.

Got to love this epic bantz from Flightradar, whose traffic (sorry forgive the pun) must increased tenfold every transfer deadline day. They say 32,000 people have been tracking this flight from Dortmund.

That puts paid to the question of whether Auba was flying easyJet or Ryanair then! Although with all those bags it would have cost a fortune.

Updated

Here’s an interesting one. Nottingham Forest are not budging over their young defender Joe Worrall. Burnley have bid £12m but the player is not pushing to leave and Forest have held firm so far. Palace are also understood to be interested in the 21-year-old, who has played twice for England Under-21s.

Some more info on Laporte’s move to City. “It means a lot that the club have shown faith in me and I am excited to get started,” he said. As one door closes...

Updated

On Olivier Giroud, Conte added: “As I said before, I gave my opinion to my club. Then the club is trying to do the best in the transfer market. I can speak about specific characteristics of the players, or the role that we can improve. But we are talking about the players of another team. I think it’s right to continue to have respect for other players.”

Updated

Antonio Conte has been speaking about potential transfers and Michy Batshuayi remains in the building despite being linked to Borussia Dortmund to replace Aubameyang. The Chelsea manager has revealed Batshuayi trained today and is in contention to face Bournemouth tomorrow.

Asked if he is expected to move to the Bundesliga, where the transfer deadline is at 5pm rather than 11pm in England, Conte said: “I don’t know. But now he’s a Chelsea player. For this reason, he’s in contention for tomorrow’s game. Also because I have [Alvaro] Morata injured and I don’t have other options. Especially as Willian is also injured. Hazard can play No9, so I’d need to find another No10.”

Updated

They’re flooding in. As discussed earlier, Watford have now confirmed the arrival of Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona. He looks suitably thrilled.

Very interested to see how Laporte fits in at the Etihad. He has still yet to win a senior cap for France despite being one of the best defenders in La Liga over the past few seasons but could be a long-term partner for John Stones in City’s defence. Please let me know your thoughts via email or Twitter.

Manchester City sign Aymeric Laporte

At last - some actual news! As reported yesterday, City’s record transfer is now complete, meaning they have now spent an estimated £1bn* on new defenders.

(* this figure may not be correct)

Updated

Ed Aarons has returned – sated and re-energised – from his trip to the canteen, where Lebanese lamb kebabs (this being the Guardian, it should go without saying that vegetarian options are available) on sticks and in pitta are being served with a nice yoghurt and cucumber salad, among other treats. I’ll hand back over to him ...

West Ham update from Jacob Steinberg: “West Ham are still looking for that elusive forward after selling Diafra Sakho to Rennes yesterday, but a move for FC Krasnodar’s Fyodor Smolov is up in the air at the moment,” he says. “They’ve been linked with the Russian forward all month, but they’re unsure whether the Russian is the right fit – and that could put an end to Andre Ayew’s hopes of a return to Swansea, even though the Ghanaian wants to leave West Ham in order to get more games.

“Danny Ings is another name who’s been mentioned, but his injury record is a concern for West Ham and Liverpool have already loaned Daniel Sturridge to West Brom.”

Aubameyang update klaxon!

Big news from Dortmund, where Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has been spotted rolling up to the airport in a gold 4x4 Chelsea tractor. Where on earth could he be going, eh?

Updated

Josh Tymon speaks: With five appearances for Stoke City under his belt this season, the 18-year-old left-back has been speaking to the MK Dons website after inking a loan deal with the League One side. Tymon is rather jumping from the frying pan into the fire, swapping one relegation battle for another by leaving a club that’s fourth from bottom of the Premier League for one that’s in the same position in the third tier.

“I am very happy to be here,” he said. “It has been a stop-start season for me so far at my parent club, and when I heard this offer on the line I was eager to come. I class myself as an attacking full-back. When I met Dan Micciche he told me he likes his full-backs to attack, so that appealed to me straight away. The lads here seem great and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Josh Tymon
Josh Tymon in action for Stoke City against Manchester City earlier this season. Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images

Updated

Good afternoon, all: It’s first stop Italy for me, where Inter are understood to be interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore on loan. Pink paper the Gazzetta dello Sport say PSG are happy to loan the Argentinian to the Serie A side, but will want a large fee to grease the wheels. Pastore has made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue1 leaders this season, scoring four goals. Born in Córdoba, Argentina to a family with Italian roots, Pastore has previous in Serie A, having spent two years with Palermo.

Javier Pastore
Javier Pastore is wanted by Inter. Photograph: Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images

Updated

I’m off for some lunch now but my colleague Barry Glendenning is here to guide you through the next half-an-hour or so...

An interesting tale here from our Dominic Fifield, who says Palace have not seen loanee Reuben Loftus-Cheek for more than week...

Adam Griffiths has a pre-lunchtime poser for you all...

“This talk of a possible Bendtner move got me thinking; who have been the best January transfer window buys?
I don’t think you can look past Evra and Vidic for the top two places in this best buy table I’ve just made up but who else makes the cut? Arguably Arteta to Everton and Hangeland to Fulham could be said to have had almost as big an impact as the two Man Utd transfers but who else grabs the readers’ attention?
Oh, and happy birthday to Dimitar Berbatov.”

Happy birthday, indeed. The best January signings are tricky but Luis Suárez to Liverpool and Ashley Young to Villa are two I remember well. As for the worst, let me know what you think. I suspect the names Afonso Alves, Gianelli Imbula, Andy Carroll and Savio may just crop up...

Updated

West Ham United have an interest in Morgan Schneiderlin but Everton appear unlikely to sell the midfielder to David Moyes’ club in this window. The former Southampton and Manchester United player impressed at Goodison Park following his arrival last January in a deal worth up to £24m. This season, however, he has had a shocker.

Even so, Schneiderlin has featured regularly under Sam Allardyce and with James McCarthy’s season over due to a broken leg, plus midfield replacements difficult to get over the line, there seems little appetite at Everton to sanction a permanent exit to West Ham. At present, that is.

A small update on Palace: sources have confirmed they are in talks with Preston over Jordan Hugill but he is one of several options they are considering. Meanwhile, negotiations over a move for Ibrahim Amadou are continuing, with Lille asking for almost £18m. Lee Chung-yong looks set to leave Selhurst Park for Bolton, although the winger is a part of the Palace squad who face West Ham at the London Stadium tonight.

Updated

Swansea’s pursuit of André Ayew looks set to go right to the wire. West Ham are happy to let Ayew leave but only if they can find a replacement – and that is the biggest barrier to any deal being agreed right now, not the transfer free, which will be around £18m.

Swansea’s situation is desperate – this window was viewed as an opportunity to try and address the mistakes made last summer, yet with less than 48 hours to go, they have failed to make a single signing and Roque Mesa is on the verge of joining Sevilla. West Ham are interested in Ki Sung-yueng but Swansea would be reluctant to allow the midfielder to leave, especially with Mesa moving on. Ki, however, is out of contract in the summer and Swansea will have a dilemma on their hands if West Ham insist on Ki being part of any deal involving Ayew.

For the moment, West Ham say that their primary concern is strengthening in the attacking positions. Either way, Swansea are resigned to a frantic deadline day and the alarming possibility of the transfer window delivering Ayew or nothing.

Updated

Stoke are getting ready for a busy day by the looks of things and Paul Lambert has already allowed Josh Tymon to leave.

An interesting one here on Southampton, who have already broken their transfer record this month to sign Guido Carrillo. Apparently they are very keen on Dutchman Quincy Promes but face a struggle to lure him from Russia

Palace supporter Matt Pearce has been thinking out of the box a bit.

“So much Giroud talk but what will happen to Danny Welbeck if Auba signs for the Gunners? Could see him fitting into the Palace team well if he can stay fit,” he writes. “The Moussa Dembele from Celtic link seems to have gone quiet as well, someone who would definitely add a different dynamic to the big Belgian - but maybe too pricey for Parish?”

I think so. Welbeck is the forgotten man at the Emirates in all this but it’s unlikely he would be allowed to leave given all the comings and goings. Then again, never say never...

You may have noticed the earlier update on Lucas Moura mentioned the involvement of a certain Pini Zahavi in the £25m deal between Tottenham and PSG. As outlined by yours truly last week, the Israeli is renowned as one of the most powerful agents in the game so it is no surprise to hear that he has been keeping busy.

For anyone who missed it, here’s the piece:

The departure of Daniel Sturridge will not alter Jürgen Klopp’s view that Liverpool must remain “cool” in the final days of the transfer window. Cool can be interpreted as “quiet” in this instance. Klopp confirmed Philippe Coutinho would not be replaced this month before Sturridge had completed his move to West Bromwich Albion, but knew the deal was unfolding when he spoke on Monday. The striker’s exit changes nothing.

As Klopp said: “We need results to reach our targets, we know that, but the solution is not out there in the transfer market in this moment. We always have open eyes but it is not like there is something out there for us to get because we really think we have to use, first of all, our players. Unfortunately in the moment when Phil left Adam (Lallana) got an injury. That was unlucky but that cannot be the reason for getting nervous and going out to try to do something. In the long term we will do a lot, in the short term I don’t think a lot will happen.”

Updated

We have movement in Manchester! Here’s Aymeric Laporte getting into a car...

Not to be outdone by all the Arsenal fans, Watford’s own Jonathon Moloney is flummoxed by their approach this month.

“What an odd window my team, Watford, is having. I imagine that Sturridge to WBA has put a halt to Deeney leaving, but we desperately need more than we currently have, with scores of players seemingly unhappy or seemingly not trying. Deulofeu appears to be a good signing, but I think we need more to avoid the drop.

“The root cause of this, I imagine, is how all teams from (insert whichever team is currently 8th here) below are desperate to 0-0 their way to safety. What a boring grind it is supporting a team in this predicament. Balotelli on a 6 month deal for the sheer silliness and smiles would be good.”

Now that would be entertaining! And Super Mario has been in good form this season with 13 goals in Ligue 1 already.

Updated

There was a familiar sense of hopes being dashed on Tyneside yesterday as West Brom hi-jacked/gazumped Newcastle’s proposal to take Daniel Sturridge on loan from Liverpool. It leaves Rafa Benitez without the prolific striker he needs to help be sure of avoiding relegation and it will be interesting to assess the Newcastle manager’s mood during his press conference this lunchtime to preview tomorrow night’s all important home game against Burnley.

With Newcastle’s pursuit of Feyenoord’s Denmark striker Nicolai Jorgensen having also come to nothing - the Premier League club offered £15m but were not prepared to go any closer to the £20m asking price - time and options are fast running out.
Benitez is, of course, not the first Newcastle manager to be disappointed by Mike Ashley’s transfer window parsimony and there will almost certainly be a real sense of deja vu at today’s press conference.....
If no one arrives - and Watford’s Troy Deeney and Leicester’s Islam Slimani remain two attacking possibilities - the prospect of Benitez departing in the summer will become a near certainty.

More immediately, avoiding relegation is the priority. Avoiding it will be a minor miracle for what is essentially a Championship squad. Benitez was desperate to sign a new goalkeeper, a left back, a no10 and a centre forward this month but, so far, only Kenedy, the Chelsea reserve left wing back has arrived on loan.

There has been lots of speculation over Thomas Lemar’s future since his proposed move to Arsenal in the summer but it seems the versatile Frenchman will not be going anywhere for now.

“He will stay at Monaco until the end of the season 100%,” vice-president Vadim Vasilyev told French radio station RMC. “If Liverpool or Arsenal come with a big offer before the end of the market? This is not relevant.”

David Squires on … the countdown to transfer deadline day

Newcastle fans never have it easy do they? With Mike Ashley still nowhere near to agreeing a deal to sell the club, the prospect of new signings to boost their chances of survival have so far been scuppered. Rafael Benítez is said to have been “furious” after Daniel Sturridge reneged on his move to the north-east yesterday in favour of West Brom, while a move for Nicolai Jorgensen of Feyenoord appears to have hit the buffers. With Badou Ndiaye also reportedly having turned down Rafa in favour of Stoke, those of a black and white persuasion will be hoping Benítez can persuade Ashley to put his hand in his pocket sooner rather than later...

Not sure about you but I’m still reeling from that news. Lord Bendtner?! Why didn’t we think of him before? Perhaps he could be the answer to Antonio Conte’s problems? Then again, maybe not...

Here’s an interview with the man himself from 2015.

Some interesting transfer lines from the reliable and well-sourced Get French Football News:

  • PSG winger Lucas Moura arrived in London late last night and is expected to undergo a medical with Tottenham Hotspur today ahead of signing a 4.5 year contract with Spurs. The deal is worth £25m excluding bonuses, brokered in part by Pini Zahavi, and represents good business for PSG in their FFP predicament.
  • Despite concrete efforts from Brighton and Crystal Palace, Celtic striker Moussa Dembélé is currently not close to leaving the club this month.
  • L’Équipe report this morning that Chelsea & Arsenal have yet to agree a fee for Olivier Giroud, despite the Gunners having been willing to accept an offer worth £15m plus bonuses, but the North London club missed Chelsea’s deadline to respond to the offer.
  • Meanwhile, AS Monaco, in the hunt for another striker before the deadline, enquired for Giroud last night.
  • Bordeaux’s new manager Gus Poyet is currently encouraging club representatives to pursue a deal with Rosenborg for 29-year-old striker Nicklas Bendtner.

The Arsenal supporters are out in numbers this morning. Ashley Harvey has sent an mail in response to Dilan’s earlier ode to Giroud.

“I am a massive fan of Giroud and he has been loyal to the club and has scored a lot of important goals,” writes Ashley. “He is also a very useful plan B that Wenger often turns to and I too would like to wish him well. I am a massive Arsenal fan and have nothing but respect for him.

HOWEVER

“I would not want to see him go to Chelsea, a top 4 rival who are currently struggling and whom Giroud would definitely help with his calibre and goal scoring threat. I think this kind of idea is often Arsenal’s problem. We hold on to players for too long and try and do what’s best by them, a lovely trait, but it doesn’t help us. We have to start being a bit more ruthless. Giroud still has a contract with us and if he hinges the Auba deal going through then we should insist if he goes anywhere that he goes to Dortmund to help facilitate this. Again I am a big fan of his, but we need to win things and helping out our rivals is not going to help this! It’s like offering the £1 more for Suarez to trigger his release clause, nice idea but we need to be ruthless. Go in with big money and force their hand. If Arsenal keep acting like a doormat we can’t be surprised when people walk over us!”

Manchester City’s final two days of the window are about the expected arrival of Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao, and the club’s interest in Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred may well having to be put on hold until the summer.

Regarding Laporte, the Basque club’s €65m (£57.2m) release clause for the centre-back was met on Monday so providing a medical and other formalities go to plan he could officially be signed at some point today.

On Fred, there remains a possibility the midfielder could join Laporte though the chance is understood to be less than 50-50. At Manchester United it is a case of “never say never” regarding a second signing to follow Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal, but at the moment there is a sense it is unlikely.

If Laporte does sign for City then Tosin Adarabioyo may be allowed out on loan - maybe to a Championship club, with Sheffield Wednesday among those interested. The hope would be that if he does sign temporarily the centre-back will play regularly and that the style of play is approximate to City’s.

Updated

Arsenal fan Dilan Muheddin has got in touch via email to express his view on Olivier Giroud. He clearly wishes him well....

“I believe that Olivier Giroud warrants the choice of having full autonomy as to where he sees himself. He has been a loyal servant to Arsenal and irrespective of Chelsea not selling Demba Ba to us many years ago, times have changed. With Jose Mourinho moving to Manchester United it has dramatically healed our relationship between the two clubs. As much as I would like Olivier Giroud to stay, with the addition of Lacazette and possibly Aubameyang I find it unfair to let a player of his calibre sit on the bench when there is an upcoming World Cup ahead. I wish Olivier the best of luck and hope he finalises a move that serves him well.”

Eddie Howe has said this morning that he has received no bids for any of his players this month, with Harry Arter persistently linked with a move to West Ham United. David Moyes has moved for Tom Cairney, with Bournemouth big admirers themselves, but Fulham insist the midfielder is not for sale. Lewis Grabban is of interest to Cardiff City, and could be sold before the deadline if the price is right. Benik Afobe, meanwhile, looks set to stay put, with Wolves among those keen on the striker.

We have our first done deal of the day...! Ahmed Musa, who has never really shown what he can do in the Premier League, has returned to former club CSKA Moscow on loan until the end of the season. That comes as no surprise with Musa’s participation at the World Cup in jeopardy given that he hasn’t played a single minute in the league for Leicester this season.

Now here’s an issue that will have been keeping many of you awake at night I’m sure. Just who will Crystal Palace sign as back-up striker to Christian Benteke? It’s been a hotly-debated topic in south London given the Belgian’s poor form in front of goal, with numerous names apparently in contention. The latest is said to be Preston’s Jordan Hugill, who has scored 10 goals this season and has 18 months left on his contract. An £8m offer is rumoured to have been made, although Preston sources are denying that at the moment. Palace also remain keen on Everton’s Oumar Niasse, while Norwegian Alexander Sorloth of FC Midtjylland is yet another new link.

If you missed any of yesterday’s action by the way - and there was plenty of it - then why not catch up with our fabulous transfer interactive?

Yesterday was a big loan day, with Daniel Sturridge opting for West Brom, Charly Musonda Jr heading to Celtic and Gerard Deulofeu joining Watford from Barcelona. As you do.

Elsewhere, Tottenham look like they’ll be dusting off the cheque book a few ours earlier than usual after agreeing a £25m fee with PSG for Lucas Moura, while Tim Cahill has ‘come home’ to Millwall 14 years after leaving the club.

As always seems to be the case during the January window, there’s so much to be resolved in transfer land before tomorrow night’s deadline. A quick summary of what we can perhaps expect today....

  • Arsenal’s move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rests on a complicated chain of events that could yet involve Olivier Giroud moving to Chelsea. Reports in France this morning suggest that
    Giroud had agreed terms with Antonio Conte’s side only for the offer to be withdrawn. L’Equipe says he now faces “the longest 48 hours of his life”. What drama!
  • The other players involved in this striker swapshop appear to be Michy Batshuayi and Fernando Llorente, with Conte not exactly enamoured with the Belgium striker. Chelsea are willing to allow him to join Borussia Dortmund but also want a replacement before that happens (still with me?). While the move for Giroud could still happen, Conte tried to sign Llorente in the summer before he ended up at White Hart Lane and is thought to be available for a cool £18m.
  • Elsewhere, the sides battling relegation are on the hunt for bargains, with Stoke reported to be have lined up a move for Galatasaray midfielder Badou N’Diaye. The 27-year-old Senegal international will now fly to England to discuss personal terms and complete a medical.

Feel free to email me with any thoughts, queries and questions - I’ll read as many and publish as many as I can throughout the day.

Let’s kick things off with all the latest rumours from our man Barry Glendenning. Apparently there may be some suitors for Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala, who is surely surplus to requirements given the impending arrival of Aymeric Laporte...

Updated

Preamble

Hello and welcome to the second day of the Guardian’s transfer blog ... and it’s LIVE!

If you can handle all of the excitement, I’ll be bringing you news of rumours, gossip and actual done deals throughout the day (well, until 5pm GMT), courtesy of the Guardian’s crack team of reporters. With little more than 36 hours until the window slams slut, it looks like being a busy day ahead...

Updated

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