And with that, it’s probably time to wrap this blog up for the day. Cheers for reading, we’ll be back for more of the same tomorrow.
To keep up with all the piping hot action while we’re away, and to take a look at what’s gone down so far, check out our transfer window page...
Well, this could be interesting...
I am hearing Ravel Morrison could be joining Nottingham Forest
— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) August 30, 2016
A transfer window staple and a man who has been on the verge of signing for Everton and Tottenham about 50 times, Yevhen Konoplyanka has moved to FC Schalke on loan from Sevilla.
Get this - rumours from Another Media Outlet suggest Chelsea could be keen on bringing David Luiz (!!!!@£!@!@£$!!@£!!!!!!!!) back from PSG. A £32m fee is being mentioned.
Here’s an update from Louise Taylor on a saga that has been running for months...
Tottenham’s interest in Moussa Sissoko appears genuine but they are reluctant to invest more than £20m in the Newcastle midfielder - a sum the St James’ Park board will not countenance. Newcastle are holding out for £30m. While they might settle for £25m on Wednesday Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s owner, drives a notoriously hard bargain and is not really the type to back down. The France midfielder has long been desperate to leave Tyneside but, right now, doing so seems difficult. Could the Championship beckon after all?
Meanwhile West Brom, Crystal Palace, Everton, Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid - Sissoko’s preferred destination - continue to monitor the situation but would be happier were he priced in the £15m bracket...
As we all place our hands together and pray for the end of the transfer window, there’s nothing like a good joke to lighten the mood. And this, from Felix Wood, is nothing like, etc and so on and so forth:
“As a QPR fan I hope that the new signing’s fee isn’t undisclosed because they’ve paid Sylla money.”
Good to see everyone’s giving the EFL Trophy the respect it deserves.
Meanwhile, 43-year-old Exeter manager Paul Tisdale has named himself on their bench, along with 15-year-old wonder-kid Ethan Ampadu #OUFC
— Oxford United FC (@OUFCOfficial) August 30, 2016
Small update on Wilfried Zaha: Crystal Palace have now rejected a bid from Tottenham worth around £21m, although their interest might not end there. Details here.
Barnsley have been busy puppies today - they’ve now got themselves a striker on loan, specifically Adam Armstrong from Newcastle, who scored a bunch of goals for Coventry last season.
Hull sign Will Keane from Manchester United!
Having not bought so much as new toilet roll for most of the summer, Hull are cooking on gas now: having bagged David Marshall and Ryan Mason earlier in the day, they’ve now completed the signing of striker Will Keane from Manchester United. Another day like this tomorrow and they’ll be able to put out a full team.
Updated
Swansea sign Alfie Mawson!
This one has been in the works for a few days, but Swansea City have completed the signing of central defender Alfie Mawson from Barnsley. The Tykes recruited Middlesbrough’s bearded beefcake Adam Jackson on loan to replace him earlier in the day.
Welcome to Oakwell, @adamjackson99! #YouReds pic.twitter.com/noDxgOkyet
— Barnsley FC (@bfc_official) August 30, 2016
Evening all. Fancy a little look at who have trod the path to Italy from these shores before? Have a watch here.
Nick Miller now takes the reins for continued transfer-related shenanigans. Keep your tweets and emails coming folks – bye!
Updated
Gabigol to Internazionale from Santos!
Gabigol’s future is finally settled after months of speculation. The Brazil forward, who appeared for his country at the Olympics, was also linked with Leicester and Juventus, but has signed a four-year deal with Inter after moving from Santos …
.@gabigol è dell'#Inter! Con noi fino al 2021! https://t.co/vVXocVtNGx ⚫️🔵🇧🇷 #WelcomeGabigol #FCIM pic.twitter.com/6ttCo4fa29
— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter) August 30, 2016
Talk about endearing yourself to the locals …
The picture of Hart holding up a 2016-17 Ultras on Tour T-Shirt is priceless https://t.co/qfBtylJL1s
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) August 30, 2016
On the other side of this bank of desks, Tom Davies is doing his best to keep up with the avalanche of runs at Trent Bridge. With two overs left of their innings, England are 429-3, with the ball almost permanently airborne …
QPR sign Idrissa Sylla from Anderlecht!
Another done deal, the Press Association report …
QPR have signed Anderlecht striker Idrissa Sylla for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old, a Guinea international, has joined Rangers on a three-year deal and becomes boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s sixth summer signing.
Hasselbaink told the club’s official website: “This is very good business for the club. He is very good in the air, and scores quite a lot of goals with his head. He is technically very good, and we feel he will add to the squad. We also feel there is a lot of improvement in him. He can get better and stronger.”
Sylla added: “This is a very exciting move for me. I have always dreamt about playing football in England and the opportunity to join QPR was something that really appealed to me. I am pleased to be here and can’t wait to get started.”
Welcome to @QPRFC, @idrissasylla40. Looking forward to seeing you wear the famous #QPR shirt. #SyllaSigns pic.twitter.com/S8YhESL6pr
— Andy Sinton (@AndySintonQPR) August 30, 2016
Updated
The news from the Potteries keeps on coming. This from Mr James, which also offers an update on Mamadou Sakho’s potential future …
Stoke City’s problematic pursuit of Saido Berahino has encouraged them to explore other options up front, including taking Wilfried Bony on loan from Manchester City.
Stoke, however, would need Manchester City to heavily subsidise the striker’s £120,000 a week wages in order for a loan deal to work. Manchester City would prefer to sell Bony but Stoke will not break their wage structure to accommodate the Ivory Coast international, partly because of the problems it would create with other players in the squad demanding a pay hike. It is understood that Sunderland are also showing an interest in Bony as well as the Leicester striker Leonardo Ulloa.
Stoke had initially targeted Berahino to add some firepower to their attack, but West Brom will not allow the 23-year-old to leave unless they can bring in another striker first. With the clock ticking, Stoke are not optimistic that will happen and for that reason have widened their net.
The Midlands club also remain in the market for a defender and another goalkeeper to provide cover. Mamadou Sakho was identified to fill the centre-half position and although the defender has rejected the chance to join them on loan, Stoke have not totally given up on the possibility of signing the 26-year-old, especially now that Liverpool have made it clear the Frenchman is not part of Jürgen Klopp’s plans.
More on the Bruno Martins Indi news mentioned earlier …
Stoke are closing in on the signing of Bruno Martins Indi from FC Porto after agreeing a deal to take the Holland central defender on a season-long loan.
Martins Indi, who moved to Portugal from Feyenoord for €7.7m, has been told he is free to leave the Estádio do Dragão this summer after Porto lined up Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala as his replacement.
The 24-year-old has won 31 caps for his country and was a regular in Louis van Gaal’s side which reached the semi-finals at the 2014 World Cup. It is understood that Martins Indi flew to England on Tuesday to discuss personal terms ahead of his move, with Liverpool and Everton both reported to have also shown an interest.
However, Stoke are now believed to have moved ahead, with the player expected at the club’s training ground on Wednesday morning for a medical.
Valencia fans aren’t taking Alcácer’s move to Barça all that well …
Furious Valencia fans burn Paco Alcácer's shirt in disgust at Barça move - https://t.co/FhKz3IjZK3 pic.twitter.com/sGwGjncWdh
— AS English (@English_AS) August 30, 2016
“We understand Joe Hart has had his medical with Torino, in Turin, in Italy,” report Sky Sports News HQ.
Cheers.
Meanwhile Peter Oh has been in touch:
Very evocative, that photo of Joe Hart looking out a window on the final day of the transfer window. A window to the Hart, if I’ve ever seen one.
I’m ashamed to say I opened that email and laughed a little. Gah. It’s been that kind of day.
Interesting/bannerfolk-baiting piece from the Press Association regarding Diego Costa’s wantaway hopes over the summer …
Diego Costa has admitted he wanted to leave Chelsea to return to Atlético Madrid this summer.
The striker has been regularly linked with rejoining Diego Simeone at Atletico since moving to Stamford Bridge two years ago.
Chelsea have always insisted they would not entertain a bid and that Costa was happy – although he says he did wish to return to Madrid.
“The truth is that I had hopes of returning [to Atletico], I won’t lie,” Costa told Spanish television station Movistar. “Everyone knew there was the possibility to return, it wasn’t to be because of some details.
“Right now I’m at Chelsea, I’m happy there and the league has started. I hope Atléti do very well like last season and win some titles.”
Updated
More from the growing archive of videos of newly transferred players talking about how pleased and delighted they are above moving to a club, while keeping any trace of being pleased and delighted from their facial expressions. This time: Arsenal’s Lucas Pérez:
More on Mr Agüero’s FA charge from Jamie …
Sergio Agüero has been charged with violent misconduct and so could miss to play in next month’s derby with Manchester United after the City striker appeared to elbow Winston Reid.
A statement from the FA said: “Sergio Agüero has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
“The Manchester City forward was involved in an incident with West Ham United’s Winston Reid in the 76th minute of the game on Sunday [28 August 2016]. He has until 6pm on Wednesday 31 August to reply.
“Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials. Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.
“For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.”
Full story below …
Charles Antaka has been in touch regarding Paco Alcácer’s move to Barça from Valencia, echoing a point several have made below the line.
An odd one to be sure, Alcácer being the Martin Chivers of the Spanish scene (being fine at what he does up top, but rather flat on the international stage and destined to oblivion). His own reasons for going to sit on a bench while being paid several fortunes may be reasonably easy to see, but what Barça get out of it is less so.
You can see the appeal of being at Barça, but it’s the old sitting-on-a-bench-at-a-massive-club v being-ever-present-at-a-less-massive-club argument. Be interesting to see if he gets any kind of a chance before Christmas, and if he does, whether it makes any difference whatsoever to the pecking order.
Updated
David Squires on the transfer window
If you missed this earlier, miss it no more – it’s the latest cartoon from David Squires …
Uh-oh Sergio …
Sergio Aguero charged by FA. Possible three-game ban ahead.
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) August 30, 2016
Our news piece on the Ryan Mason deal has just gone live.
Hull have completed the signing of Ryan Mason for a club-record fee.
The sum they will pay Tottenham for the 25-year-old midfielder remains undisclosed, but Hull have confirmed it is a new record.
Mason will further strengthen their squad following the earlier signing of goalkeeper David Marshall from Cardiff, and becomes the latest to leave White Hart Lane for East Yorkshire, following Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore and Michael Dawson.
Cristian Gamboa moves to Celtic from West Brom!
The Costa Rica international full-back has signed on a three-year deal from West Brom. After threatening to break through in the 2014-15 season, the 26-year-old has barely featured since but now tries his luck in the Scottish Premiership.
This from the Celtic website:
A pacey full-back with attacking instincts, the 26-year-old has spent the past two years at The Hawthorns after impressing for Norwegian side Rosenborg.
He has also had spells at Fredrikstad and Danish outfit FC Copenhagen, having left his homeland at the age of 21.
Gamboa becomes Brendan Rodgers’ fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Moussa Dembele, Kolo Toure, Scott Sinclair and Dorus De Vries.
Welcome to Celtic, @Cris_GamboaCR! #WelcomeGamboa pic.twitter.com/gWvzBLD2jD
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) August 30, 2016
@stuartgoodwin Gamboa is a GREAT buy for Celtic. Watched him live for Rberg plenty in league and Europe. Like a Costa Rican Seamus Coleman.
— David (@DavidDfallon) August 30, 2016
Updated
Reece Burke signs for Wigan on loan from West Ham!
Here be word from both sides of this deal. The 19-year-old England youth international was at Bradford City on loan last season, where he made 34 starts.
BREAKING NEWS: @Reeceburke5 has joined Latics on loan from @WestHamUtd >> https://t.co/3UII6U2Nm2 #wafc pic.twitter.com/7GzA9ufzbP
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) August 30, 2016
Reece Burke has joined Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan. I wish Reece the best of luck in the Championship. dg pic.twitter.com/8J7pizRfvU
— David Gold (@davidgold) August 30, 2016
Sunderland fans, some news of men minding nets from Louise …
Sunderland’s desperate search for a goalkeeper – Vito Mannone, remember, has sustained a severe elbow ligament injury – continues apace with David Moyes considering a move for Torino’s Daniele Padelli.
Displaced by Joe Hart’s move to northern Italy - ironically Moyes considered taking Hart to Sunderland on loan from Manchester City but the England goalkeeper was a little cool on that nation – Padelli is likely to move before Wednesday night and it might, just might, be to Wearside.
Meanwhile Hull’s joy over beating Sunderland to Ryan Mason’s midfield signature from Spurs is tempered slightly by Burnley’s 11th hour attempt to hijack their move for the Derby midfielder Jeff Hendrick. Burnley now appear in pole position.
Even so, Sunderland fans are beginning to fear their squad could be weaker than Hull’s – who are relieved Abel Hernández’s mooted move to Aston Villa is now completely off – come Thursday morning.
Moyes desperately needs another striker/s to play with Jermain Defoe (their sole forward now Borini plays wide) plus central midfielders and a centre-half.
Updated
Eliaquim Mangala may return to Porto on loan from Manchester City, reports our man in the former home of the Granada Studios Tour …
Eliaquim Mangala could move back to Porto on loan, the centre-half having had a disappointing two years at Manchester City since his £42m transfer.
Porto are one of a few options for the 25-year-old, who has failed to fulfil the promise that made City pay what was then a record fee for a defender.
John Stones’s £47.5m transfer from Everton this summer has further demoted the Frenchman’s standing in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Mangala has struggled with the demands of the English game, making only 47 Premier League starts.
More here, including the latest on Samir Nasri’s potential destination.
Updated
Our man Ed again, teasing Spurs fans with a potential Zaha U-turn surprise hullabaloo like some kind of football news-generating minx …
Told reports that Tottenham have ended their interest in Wilfried Zaha may be premature... #cpfc #thfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 30, 2016
Watford re-sign Adrian Mariappa!
The Harrow-born defender, now 29, returns to the club he played over 200 times for between 2005-12 having been released by Crystal Palace when his contract expired earlier in the year. He’s back on a three-year deal, so the legend goes.
It's official, #watfordfc fans! Adrian Mariappa is back! 👊🏻https://t.co/GwiJEEczQq
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) August 30, 2016
Leicester are doing still more of that nailing-down-key-players thing.
Marc Albrighton, come on down. Not sure they needed a montage of four pics to tell this story, but at least he looks happier than David Marshall did at Hull earlier (see 3.19pm BST).
Four. More. Years. 🙌
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 30, 2016
Marc Albrighton signs a new deal until 2020! 📝
Full story: https://t.co/QpIMBfr5cv pic.twitter.com/C0xxTmm8KG
Updated
Rooney talks retirement! Those three words feel weird together. I could’ve sworn he was about 19 five blinks ago.
In other sporting news, Alex Hales is banjoing the ball everywhere at Trent Bridge. He’s just sailed past England’s longstanding ODI record. As I type this, he’s unbeaten on 171 .
Oh. As I typed the full stop he’s been given out LBW. My bad. Join Tom Davies over in the other live sport place, where I hope nobody’s noticed that it’s possibly my fault.
Somewhere in among all the bedlam, today’s Fiver has landed. If you’re not already signed up, and you find yourself without anything to read around this sort of time of a weekday, etc, etc …
Juventus keep plugging away trying to spend their Pogba fortunes … this just in:
Juventus and Chelsea in advanced talks for Cuadrado. #CFC #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2016
Ryan Mason signs for Hull City from Spurs!
THE HULL TRANSFER JUGGERNAUT CONTINUES APACE.
You have to love the juxtaposition between bragging about it being a club record fee, while keeping the actual figure to themselves.
📑 | We are delighted to have completed the signing of @RyanMason for a Club record undisclosed fee 🐯#WelcomeRyan pic.twitter.com/VKVnN6BhMs
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 30, 2016
Updated
More from our man Ed …
Told that Holland defender Bruno Martins Indi is close to joining Stoke on loan from FC Porto #scfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 30, 2016
Updated
Hark – some quotes from Arsenal’s new forward Lucas Pérez, courtesy of the Press Association …
I was really happy and flattered when I heard about Arsenal’s interest. I was very hopeful to get the chance to come here.
I played as a striker for most of my career but I can adapt to any of the four positions across the front line. I prefer playing as a striker but I have no problem playing anywhere up front. I’m a pacy player. I like to link up and combine with my team-mates, playing one-twos to work a shot.
“I don’t want to put myself in a box, I hope that the Arsenal fans can see for themselves and enjoy watching me. I want to show what I’m about, get stuck into playing and perform well.”
More on Wilshere, as Ed Aarons updates our earlier news story with a little extra on Roma’s interest, as well as an interesting tidbit about Crystal Palace potentially showing interest …
Roma are among the clubs to have been offered the opportunity take Jack Wilshere on loan after the England midfielder was informed he would be allowed to leave Arsenal in search of more first-team football.
The 24-year-old has been limited to two substitute appearances this season as manager Arsène Wenger has opted to start with new signing Granit Xhaka and Santi Cazorla in central midfield. Wilshere, who was left out of Sam Allardyce’s first England squad on Sunday despite being in the Euro 2016 squad under predecessor Roy Hodgson, is understood to have mutually agreed with Wenger that he would be best served by leaving the Emirates after two injury-ravaged seasons.
Whether Roma could afford to pay the wages of a player who commands a salary of £90,000 remains to be seen, although there is a possibility that Arsenal could make a contribution to smooth his departure. Former Tottenham technical director Franco Baldini is back at the Serie A side to assist with transfers and it is believed he was in London over the weekend to discuss a potential move. Roma have already signed Wojciech Szczesny for a second successive season on loan.
Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace are also interested in Wilshere, although Arsenal will not allow him to move anywhere that could be considered a rival to finish in the top four.
Full story below …
Updated
Speaking of Hart, a couple of bits of important picture news have come in to Guardian Towers as he takes in the sights and sounds of Turin. First, Joe in a Torino scarf, thumbs up, looking confused at a window …
Next, Joe in shades, looking a bit like an Arctic Monkey, looking slightly more confident with an Ultras Granata shirt.
Are your sympathies with Team Hart or Team Wilshere as they prepare for life out on loan? Paul Wilson is firmly in the latter camp …
By its very nature every transfer window will produce winners and losers – that is part of the reason for all the cod drama on television – but some dramas happen to be real and this summer seems to be specialising in personal tales of woe.
Until recently Joe Hart was the main object of sympathy, having to put a brave face on the fact his face no longer fits at Manchester City, before Arsenal brought a collective gasp from English football by revealing they would be willing to let Jack Wilshere go out on loan.
Wilshere was supposed to be the future. Fabio Capello said so, back when he was in charge of England and when Wilshere was still emerging as a delightfully mature youngster. Unfortunately the midfielder has rarely been fit enough to live up to that promise, a series of frustrating injuries interrupting a career that now seems to be back where it started.
Check out the full piece below.
Updated
Stu here, taking over from Mr Ostlere, who has a home to go to. There’s a bit of breath-catching going on here, after a bit of a whirlwind of ACTUAL CONFIRMED TRANSFERS on this Deadline-Day’s Eve.
It’s all a far cry from the dying embers of the last window, where we were trying to muster excitement from Oumar Niasse to Everton (record since: five starts), James Maddison to Coventry (no starts) and Saido Berahino – ultimately – to nobody (twas ever thus).
If you’ve genuinely got nothing better to do, you can relive it here, and marvel at how my colleagues Alan Smith and Nick Miller managed to muster six full blog pages of content from an almost sinfully quiet day and night.
That’s all from me, thanks for reading. I’m going to handover to Stuart Goodwin who will take you through the next bunch of thrills and spills on Deadline Eve. Bye!
Lucas is not the first, and probably won’t be the last:
@LawrenceOstlere The not so common image of the new signing wearing the new shirt whilst holding new shirt. #itfc pic.twitter.com/lppm4pmyM2
— Oliver Bunting (@OllieBunting) August 30, 2016
More details on the striker Jonathan Kodjia’s expensive move from Bristol City to Aston Villa:
Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror is reporting that Crystal Palace have entered the race to sign Jack Wilshere. Roma, Valencia and Juventus have also been linked with varying degrees of uncertainty.
L’Equipe is reporting that Manchester City’s Samir Nasri is close to signing for Sevilla. Pep Guardiola has not been overly positive about Nasri’s future at the club and it looks as though the winger will depart before tomorrow’s deadline.
Here is Bastian Schweinsteiger earlier today, discussing his relationship with José Mourinho and his wish to stay and succeed at Manchester United:
Torino fans getting crazy for Joe Hart! 😄 (pic via @AghemoPaolo) pic.twitter.com/QYTdzOpodU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2016
This is interesting:
Turin press say it was the great Attilio Lombardo, now on the coaching staff at #Torino, who persuaded Joe Hart to join the club from #MCFC.
— Matt Barker (@matthew_barker) August 30, 2016
Answer! Paul Pogba to Man Utd; Zlatan to Man Utd; Jamie Vardy (not) to Arsenal. The Premier League gets people talking, clearly. Here’s the top ten:
The most-discussed rumoured / done deals of the summer window, as #DeadlineDay looms.. pic.twitter.com/nVB07TGfyb
— Twitter UK (@TwitterUK) August 30, 2016
Quiz! According to Twitter data, what have been the three-most discussed transfer deals/rumours in this window?
The latest on a possible loan move for Jack Wilshere away from Arsenal:
Jack Wilshere has been offered to AS Roma. #AFC #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2016
There is a lot of discussion around Aston Villa’s £15m capture of Bristol City striker Jonathan Kodjia. It is now being reported as an initial £11m with potential add-ons, but it still feels like a huge sum of money for a 27-year-old in the Championship. Villa now boast the two most expensive second-tier signings ever made, having bought the £12m Ross McCormack from Fulham earlier in the window.
“I’m sure plenty have written in with this but £15-17m gets you a 27 year old striker,” emails Sam Hedges. “One that has either proven themselves at Deportivo, or Bristol City. Surely that there is what is wrong with football? I know it’ll prove harder to get players to Villa, but still...”
A few of loan moves in the Football League:
Hartlepool United have brought in 20-year-old striker Bradley Fewster from Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town have signed Leicester City’s Tom Lawrence on a season-long loan deal, and Oldham Athletic have signed the 23-year-old Crystal Palace striker Freddie Ladapo until 2 January 2017.
Is it possible to be too excited?
🎥 | A message to @HullCity fans from our new signing David Marshall… 🐯#WelcomeDavid pic.twitter.com/6PUbyKyP0h
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 30, 2016
More from Louise Taylor on a Middlesbrough mystery:
Albert Adomah may be very popular with Middlesbrough fans but the winger has had his ups and downs with Aitor Karanka and might well be moved on from Teesside. While a potential switch to Aston Villa has collapsed, Burnley are said to be interested. Much hinges on whether Karanka succeeds with a late bid for a mystery attacking midfielder...
Here is the full story on double-shirted Lucas’s £17m move to Arsenal:
A nice message for Tomas Rosicky:
...after 15 years you are back home. Good luck @ACSparta_EN, bro 👍😉 #Rosicky #TomasRosicky #friends pic.twitter.com/OvPO6rtDuj
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) August 30, 2016
This, emailed by Sam Lewis and several others, is a good point: “Why is Lucas both wearing an Arsenal shirt and holding an Arsenal shirt? In these situations isn’t it traditional to do one or the other, but surely not both? Overkill.” He looks like an Arsenal fan who has been given the chance to sign for Arsenal.
Over to Louise Taylor with an update from Sunderland, where David Moyes is not having much fun as his target Ryan Mason nears a move to Hull City:
Things go from bad to worse for David Moyes with Ryan Mason – currently undergoing a medical at Hull – deciding that he would prefer to swap Wearside for Humberside after all. Now that Sevilla’s Vicente Iborra has also said no, securing Yann M’Vila – so impressive at the Stadium of Light while on loan last season – looks imperative or there are really going to be gaping holes in central midfield. Then there’s the need for an attacking partner for Jermain Defoe and a goalkeeper.
Hull are happy with David Marshall already signed from Cardiff, Will Keane, en route from Manchester United, and Mason close, but Aston Villa have made a £20m bid for Abel Hernandez, their star striker. At present Hernandez wants far higher wages than Villa are prepared to pay – Mike Phelan must pray a compromise cannot be reached because it is hard to see Hull turning down that much money.
And yet more frustration for David Moyes: Chelsea have rejected Sunderland’s attempt to take their reserve goalkeeper Asmir Begovic – previously of Stoke – on loan. The goalkeeper, and striker, and central midfielder, and central defender hunts go on...
Here’s a heartwarmer: Tomas Rosicky has returned to his boyhood club Sparta Prague after 15 years away with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal. The 35-year-old was released by the Gunners at the end of last season and has signed a two-year contract with Sparta.
Another detail emerging as part of Barcelona’s £25m signing of Paco Alcácer: the academy product Munir El Haddadi has moved the other way on a season-long loan deal. Valencia have the option to buy the 20-year-old forward for €12m (£10m) at the end of the loan, Barcelona have announced, with his parent club entitled to a percentage of any future sell-on fee.
Back to Lucas Pérez, 27, who has signed a four-year deal at the Emirates reportedly worth £2.1m per year. Full story to come.
The BBC are reporting that Villa have paid £15m for Kodjia, on a four-year contract. While we are tying up loose ends, the goalkeeper David Marshall, has joined Hull from Cardiff on a three-year deal for a fee thought to be worth around £3m.
It was rumoured that Bristol City’s sought after forward Jonathan Kodjia could be joining Derby County or Hull City, but Aston Villa have just confirmed the signing of the 27-year-old:
Breaking news: We are delighted to announce the signing of Jonathan Kodjia from @bcfctweets. #WelcomeJonathan pic.twitter.com/CQwbWbyYlj
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) August 30, 2016
Lucas scored 17 goals in La Liga last season. Arsenal fans have been crying out for a striker and now they have one. Should Olivier Giroud be worried?
Arsène Wenger on Arsenal’s new signing Lucas Pérez, who is believed to be costing the club around £17m: “He’s not only a goalscorer, he’s a guy who combines well with partners, who can give a final ball and makes good runs. He’s got a good eye for goal and had an outstanding season last year.”
Arsenal sign Lucas Pérez from Deportivo!
The Gunners have confirmed the singing of the 27-year-old Spanish striker. Details to come...
Hull City are getting busy. Reports suggest they have won the battle for Ryan Mason and are close to a deal for the Spurs midfielder, and they’ve just captured the Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall, who looks elated:
📑 | We are delighted to announce the signing of David Marshall from @CardiffCityFC 🐯#WelcomeDavid pic.twitter.com/UPaKPre8UP
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 30, 2016
The full story on Crystal Palace’s loan signing Loïc Rémy – and the expectation that they will reject a likely increased bid from Tottenham of £21m plus add-ons for Wilfried Zaha:
This, I think, has been the overwhelming reaction to Joe Hart’s decision to try his luck in Serie A:
Never been the biggest Joe Hart fan, but have to applaud him going to Torino rather than just knocking around the bottom half of the EPL.
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) August 30, 2016
The Press Association is reporting that neither Arsenal nor Jack Wilshere have ruled out a move to another Premier League club before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.
Re Chelsea’s move for Marcos Alonso: “So, you are actually allowed to BUY a left back and not just make do with what you have?” emails Patrick Crumlish incredulously. “Has anyone told Jurgen Klopp?”
Updated
Barcelona’s new man Paco Alcácer is 22 and already has an impressive goalscoring record with six in 13 appearances for Spain, and 13 goals in La Liga last season at Valencia. Game time might be harder to come by at the Camp Nou however – presumably he is aware Barça’s forwards are quite good. “When I found out about the offer from FC Barcelona I asked the club to listen to it, as it was my decision to take a step forward in my career. I want to thank Valencia CF and the fans. Despite the fact that I am leaving Valencia CF, I will always be a Valencianista at heart.”
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Barcelona sign Paco Alcácer from Valencia!
The striker has moved for a reported £25m on a five-year deal:
🎥 @paco_alcacer passes FC Barcelona medical #AlcacerFCB https://t.co/j3xOMb7N0Z
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 30, 2016
Crystal Palace sign Loïc Rémy on season-long loan
The Chelsea striker has struggled for first-team football since moving to Stamford Bridge and the arrival of Michy Batshuayi signalled another tough season for the 29-year-old, who has decided to move to south London:
BREAKING: #CPFC are delighted to confirm Loïc Rémy has joined on a season-long loan from @ChelseaFC. #WelcomeRemy 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/NRHwE8AFMo
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 30, 2016
Tom Marriott emails to tell us that Juventus are the favourites to sign Jack Wilshere on loan, with Valencia and then Bournemouth the next clubs most strongly tipped. There doesn’t seem to be great consternation below the line over Wilshere. A smart move for all involved, or is Arsène Wenger making a mistake?
Chelsea’s defence would start to look very nicely balanced with a reliable specialist left-back, and Alonso would give Conte the option to play three at the back with César Azpilicueta switching to right-wingback and Branislav Ivanovic moving into the centre. Options.
And here is the full story on Chelsea’s move for the Fiorentina left-back Marcos Alonso:
Deadline Eve roundup
The main stories so far today:
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Hart set to join Torino on season-long loan from Man City
- Wilshere set to leave Arsenal on loan before end of transfer window, Chambers set for season-long loan with Middlesbrough
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Marcos Alonso close to joining Chelsea from Fiorentina for £20.5m
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Schweinsteiger: I have no problem with Mourinho
- Palace expected to reject Spurs’ planned £21m offer for Zaha, Spurs near transfer of N’Koudou from Marseille
- Liverpool’s Balotelli in talks over Nice loan move
- West Brom close in on record deal for Tottenham’s Chadli
- Newcastle sign winger Atsu on year-long loan from Chelsea
- Leicester working on deals for Sporting’s Silva and Slimani
Updated
Some thoughts below the line on Joe Hart’s loan move to Torino:
I'm by no means his biggest fan, but got to give credit to Joe Hart for doing what very, very few English footballers do and moving abroad. Why so many choose clubs, and places, like Stoke, Sunderland and Hull instead of going to experience life in Italy, Spain et al is beyond me - a sad little Englander mentality I suppose - but Hart is taking the plunge and gets to reap the rewards of rich culture, beautiful weather, wonderful food, stunning architecture, and should become a better player, learning in a completely different environment and league, and a better all-round person.
Then again, Michael Owen spent his whole time in Madrid sat in a hotel.
I saw Jeremain Lens score a brilliant goal in 2015-16 pre-season and immediately made him my fantasy football captain. Looking back, probably a rash decision.
You want details behind Jeremain Lens’s loan move from Sunderland to Fenerbahce? Here’s Louise Taylor:
Jeremain Lens is reunited with his long term mentor Dick Advocaat following the completion of his year long loan switch from Sunderland to Fenerbahce. “Sunderland couldn’t wait to get rid of me,” claimed the sometime Holland winger in a bad tempered parting shot as he headed to Istanbul.
Very much a bit part player since Advocaat – who resigned as Sunderland manager last October – took him to Wearside from Dynamo Kiev for £8.5m last summer, a parting of the ways seems in everyone’s best interests. But how Ellis Short, Sunderland’s owner must regret that £8.5m investment. His club have a nasty habit of losing big money on signings – Emmanuel Giaccherini or Steven Fletcher anyone? – and it seems unlikely that they will eventually recoup their cash on Lens.
Although the apple of Advocaat’s eye Lens failed to impress either Sam Allardyce or, more recently, David Moyes. Yet such apparent transfer market mistakes are an inevitable consequence of life at a club now on its seventh manager in five years...
Marcos Alonso is close to joining Chelsea from Fiorentina, Fabrizio Romano reports. Chelsea have made a €27m (£23m) bid which Fiorentina are minded to accept and the left-back, who has played in England for Bolton and Sunderland, has agreed personal terms.
Geraint Morgan emails regarding Joe Hart’s shades, natty blue shirt and cream pants: “Please please please tell me he is auditioning for the remake of Risky Business.”
The story on those Bastian Schweinsteiger comments earlier today:
On the suitability of Turin as Joe Hart’s new home: “I don’t think Joe Hart has done so badly by relocating to Turin,” emails David Hopkins. “Not sure if he still qualifies for an Interrail pass, but he can be in Milan in an hour, Florence in about three, and Rome in less than five. Or if his deal runs to a company car he can be in Chamonix in the shadow of Mont Blanc in two.” What about Turin itself? I hear they have a terrific shroud.
The latest from our Manchester correspondent Jamie Jackson: “Joe Hart is now in Turin – he has been photographed wearing shades, natty blue shirt and cream pants...”
Hart now in Torino...
— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) August 30, 2016
Celtic sign West Brom right-back Cristian Gamboa
The Scottish Premiership club have announced that the 26-year-old arrived in Glasgow on Monday for a medical and has now penned a three-year deal with the Hoops after agreeing personal terms, report PA.
The Costa Rica international, who joined the Baggies in 2014 from Rosenborg, has won 47 caps for his country and played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He will now go head to head with Mikael Lustig and Saidy Janko for the slot on the right-hand side of the Parkhead defence as Brendan Rodgers’ side get set for their first Champions League group stage campaign in three years.
The Celtic boss decided to step up his search for defensive cover after watching former Manchester United youngster Janko struggle badly during their nerve-racking play-off clash with Hapoel Be’er Sheva. The Hoops has already recruited Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele, Kolo Toure and Dorus de Vries to the Parkhead club this summer. Gamboa will be unveiled at a press conference later on Tuesday afternoon.
The big question is of course: Has Joe Hart chosen the right European city to spend a year on loan? He might not have had many other options but in defence of Turin:
@LawrenceOstlere Those who know, know Piemonte is where Italy's best food and best wine come from & Turin is a beautiful & elegant city.
— il jacobite (@il_cagnaccio) August 30, 2016
Sunderland’s Jeremain Lens moves on loan to Fenerbahce
The Dutch midfielder signed 12 months ago under Dick Advocaat and has rejoined his former manager in Turkey, report PA. In an interview with Fox Sports earlier in the week, Lens said: “Sunderland would just love to get rid of me. I did not play, was not even on the bench. I just had a problem with the club. What? No idea.”
Fenerbahce are drawn in the same group as Manchester United in the Europa League.
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The situations that Bastian Schweinsteiger and Joe Hart have found themselves in during this transfer window are reminders of how brutal football can be at the highest level. Paul MacInnes has written a piece today on that very topic, and it’s well worth a read:
Bastian Schweinsteiger, shutout by José Mourinho at Manchester United, has told a press conference in Dusseldorf that his dream is to be successful at Old Trafford, saying “football is a hard business”:
“Of course my absolute dream would be to play for Manchester United and help them reach the goals they have. Of course we have had talks and I have no problem with Jose Mourinho. We had a good chat and he told me his side of things and I also know what I want. We’ve got to wait and see how things go in September and October, but there is respect between us and that’s important for me. I’m certainly not going to stop playing football.
“The transfer window is closed in the USA so I’m not going there now. It’s my dream still to play for Manchester United and if I get a fair chance, I believe in it. I played in the semi-finals of the European Championship as part of the world champions’ team, and I believe in my ability and dream of helping United.
“Despite this situation, I’m feeling fine. I think the Champions League final (defeat to Chelsea in 2012) in Munich was harder to get over. I am more mature now and know how to deal with certain situations in football. It’s not all about highs, there are also lows but I can deal with it. Football is a hard business.”
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Ben Watson emails on Joe Hart’s loan move to Torino: “The strange thing about his move is that’s not really a top Italian side. The idea that it means he might play for 6/7 seasons in top divisions seems a bit odd, as until two weeks ago, no one would have doubted that for a second. Odd that one of the top four in one of the top three European leagues hasn’t come in for him. And really, if you’re going to move to Italy, you’d really want to be moving to Florence, Rome, Naples or Milan. Even Bologna’s pretty nice. Turin though - not all that.”
Finger. On. Pulse.
@LawrenceOstlere i'm @ The dead sea.just saw salvatore schilacci in a Norwich top.move immenent?
— Dutty rainbow (@duttyhenge) August 30, 2016
David Squires on … the transfer window – as brilliant as ever. Take a peak:
@LawrenceOstlere "Joe Hart to Torino" is the sort of move that would utterly ruin my suspension of disbelief while playing Football Manager.
— Panini Cheapskates (@CheapPanini) August 30, 2016
Leicester win the league? Uninstall.
The full story on Joe Hart’s move to Torino:
Dominic Fifield with more on Tottenham, who are always good for a transfer saga, and their chase for Wilfried Zaha:
Tottenham Hotspur are expected to lodge an improved offer to Crystal Palace for Wilfried Zaha worth an initial £21m ahead of Wednesday’s transfer deadline. The proposal is likely to include add-ons which would take the potential deal closer to £26m, though it will be given short thrift by the south London club.
The Palace chairman, Steve Parish, made clear the player will not be leaving Selhurst Park in the current window. “I can absolutely reassure every Palace fan he is an integral part of our plans,” he told TalkSport. “We’ve told Spurs there is really no point bidding for him because he is going nowhere, 100% guaranteed.”
Spurs are expected to sign Georges-Kevin N’Koudou from Marseille and have also enquired about the Newcastle forward, Moussa Sissoko, as they seek to add another attacking option to Mauricio Pochettino’s ranks. The France international, who has interested Internazionale, Everton and Palace this summer, is valued at around £35m by the Championship club though Spurs would be reluctant to pay more than £20m.
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While we are on Mario Balotelli, this is a lovely watch. A story told by the Happy One:
To Liverpool now, where maverick mercurial enigma and ultimately underwhelming striker Mario Balotelli is nearing his inevitable departure. Ligue 1 club Nice are in talks and that deal is expected to be completed before the deadline closes, according to PA. Liverpool’s winger Lazar Markovic has been linked with a loan to Newcastle among other clubs, while Mamadou Sakho is also thought be nearing a temporary move away. Andre Wisdom is set to join Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg on loan, but moves for Danny Ings have been turned down by the Anfield club.
Do get involved in the debate below the line, where Aaron78 has neatly summarised the whole event:
What shallow fools we are to be so in thrall to the cynical machinations of these Machiavellian agents and their callow wards.
(Why haven't Everton signed a striker yet?)
The latest from the the Guardian’s London football correspondent, Dominic Fifield, featuring West Brom’s big-money (depending on your reference point) move for Nacer Chadli:
A trio of Premier League clubs have joined Crystal Palace in declaring an interest in Genoa’s versatile midfielder, Tomas Rincon. West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and West Ham have all been asked to be kept abreast over developments after the Italian club received an offer from Palace worth around £6.8m.
The south London club are understood to be in discussions with the 28-year-old’s representatives and consider him a potential replacement for the departed Mile Jedinak. Alan Pardew had hoped to secure James McCarthy from Everton, though the player is believed to be reluctant to move south. Chelsea’s Loic Remy has also agreed in principle to move to Selhurst Park on loan, to be sealed on deadline day.
West Brom are likely to be very active in the market over the next 36 hours even in the wake of completing Nacer Chadli’s club record £13m signing from Tottenham Hotspur, with Tony Pulis still intent upon adding five new faces to his squad.
An enquiry was lodged with Palace on Monday night as to the potential availability of Connor Wickham, though Pardew would have to secure a replacement before any deal would be considered in this window. Jordon Mutch is interesting Derby County and could move to Pride Park if Jeff Hendrick leaves the Championship club.
Updated
Cardiff City have released forward Federico Macheda. A club statement read: “Cardiff City can confirm that Federico Macheda’s contract with the club has been terminated by mutual agreement. The player leaves Cardiff City with immediate effect. We would like to thank Federico for his contribution and wish him the very best for his future.”
Joe Hart’s loan deal with Torino does not include a January break clause, reveals the Guardian’s Jamie Jackson, which means the goalkeeper is set to play for the Italian club for the rest of the season. We will have the full story on that move very shortly.
“Rather than being a step down and a signal of a fading career I would say that Joe Hart’s decision to play abroad will ensure he is playing in one of Europe’s top four leagues for the next 7-8 years,” emails Neil Mackie. “If he does well in Serie A then there will be a number of clubs looking for another keeper, particularly in the same city where Buffon cannot go on forever. Similarly, if he proves he can play well in both English and Italian leagues (and he has been a top tier keeper here for a few years albeit not the best) then the thought may be that he can do it in Germany and Spain. I also like that an English player is wanting to play abroad and wish more of our players would do that.”
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More from Louise on Middlesbrough, and details on a loan move for the Arsenal defender Callum Chambers:
Callum Chambers should completed a season long loan move to Aitor Karanka’s side today. Having concluded the bulk of their transfer activity early Boro are not expected to sign anyone else but few would be totally surprised were Jordan Rhodes to depart Teesside.
And the latest from Sunderland, where their move for Vicente Iborra appears to have collapsed:
David Moyes is not having the easiest of inductions to life as Sunderland manager. The latest blow suffered by Sam Allardyce’s successor comes from Spain where Vicente Iborra, the Sevilla midfielder, has decided that he does not want to swap Seville for Wearside after all.
Moyes is now attempting to hijack Hull’s £8m move for the Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason as well as push through Yann M’Vila’s potential transfer from Rubin Kazan. At the moment though M’Vila’s long mooted move seems to have reached an impasse.
Still desperately seeking a striker and a goalkeeper, Sunderland’s manager hopes to keep Lamine Kone, his Ivorian centre half out of Everton’s clutches but is talking to Manchester City about possibly taking their young defender Jason Denayer on a season long loan.
Updated
To the north-east now where Louise Taylor has all the latest. First up, Newcastle United:
Christian Atsu has completed a year long loan move from Chelsea to Newcastle who have an option to sign him next summer should things proceed to plan.The 24-year-old Ghana winger has not made a first team appearance for Chelsea but has had loan stints at Vitesse, Malaga, Everton and Bournemouth. Atsu is Newcastle’s 12th signing of a busy summer.
Rafa Benitez has also been offered another winger Callum McManaman by West Brom and talks are on-going regarding a potential deal.
Meanwhile long-standing attempts to find Cheik Tiote a new club have foundered once more with the midfielder’s proposed move to Galatasaray collapsing at the last moment. Tiote is now hoping to fly from Istanbul to Athens where there is a chance he might sign for Olympiacos.
And Moussa Sissoko? Well it seems a case of who blinks first. Several clubs are circling around the France midfielder - Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Spurs and Everton among them - but none has come remotely near matching Newcastle’s £30m valuation. While £25m might secure his services Benitez refuses to countenance a loan deal. Could Sissoko end up a Championship player this autumn?
Is his loan switch to Torino an admirable move by Joe Hart, or the mark of a career quickly unravelling?
Joe Hart moves to Torino on season-long loan!
Joe Hart’s loan move to Torino has been confirmed by the player’s agent, according to Reuters:
Joe Hart has joined Serie A side Torino on loan until the end of the season, the player’s agent confirmed on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has been out of favour at Manchester City since the arrival of new manager Pep Guardiola and dropped to number three in the pecking order behind £17m signing Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero.
Hart’s agent Jonathan Barnett told Tuttosport: “Yes, Joe Hart will play at Torino. It’s done. He has said ‘yes’ to the club and now Manchester City have given the OK. It’s all true, it’s certain.”
Hart is on international duty with England this week but has been given permission to fly to Italy to resolve his future with the British media reporting that he was due to arrive in Turin later on Tuesday.
Updated
As reported earlier in the week, Burnley have been chasing a loan deal for the Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford, and that move has now been confirmed. Might this be his chance to finally thrive in the top-flight? With the possibility of a ban looming for Andre Gray, Bamford could be go straight into action. Here’s more from PA:
The 22-year-old, who has been unable to force himself into the first-team picture at Stamford Bridge, has had previous spells at MK Dons, Derby, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Norwich.
Bamford arrives at Turf Moor after the club signed Steven Defour from Anderlecht for a fee in the region of 7.5million a fortnight ago and deals for Jamie Thomas, Robbie Leitch, Nick Pope and Johann Berg Gudmundsson earlier in the summer.
Bamford, a graduate of the Nottingham Forest Academy, caught the eye in the 2014-15 season when he scored 17 times in the Championship for Boro. He also scored in a memorable FA Cup win at Manchester City that season but missed out on a European Championship spot with England Under-21s through injury.
He played in the Premier League with both Palace and Norwich last season but neither spell proved fruitful.
Is Jack Wilshere’s loan move a chance to reinvigorate his Arsenal career with game time elsewhere, or a gentle nudge towards the permanent exit door?
@guardian_sport @LawrenceOstlere the penny finally dropped at Arse HQ, Wilshere just isn't really much good #dontbelievethehype
— Lobot (@thehorg) August 30, 2016
“Not sure if there’s anything in this,” emails Tim Owen, “but a friend texted me to say he saw Jonathan Kodjia near Moor Farm (Derby County’s training complex) about an hour ago. Deal imminent?” Well I’m convinced. Then again, the Bristol City forward has been linked with Aston Villa and Hull City too. You can read about that and more in today’s Rumour Mill:
Leicester City are closing in on a £50m double-deal for Sporting’s Adrien Silva and Islam Slimani. Do they need another striker? Well, apparently they do. Here’s more:
However, Sporting say Silva is not for sale while talks with Slimani are still in progress. One to keep an eye on.
Still no agreement between Leicester and Sporting over Islam Slimani. Talks ongoing #lcfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 30, 2016
First up, Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal midfielder has been struggling for fitness (that’s not the news) and has been left out of Sam Allardyce’s first England squad. The 24-year-old wants game time and is set to leave the Emirates on loan:
Preamble
Hello! It’s that time of year when the world of football goes a little madder than usual. Transfer windows close slam shut across Europe tomorrow night (paperwork to be filed by 11.30pm BST), and we’ll be bringing you all the latest fact and fiction right here as the countdown continues. If you spot Peter Odemwingie in a Premier League car park, please do email lawrence.ostlere@theguardian.com or tweet @LawrenceOstlere.
In the meantime, here are some of stories from the past 12 hours or so to get you in the mood:
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Makes sense for Wilshere. He's dropped a place now Xhaka has joined. He can't develop with endless substitute appearances.