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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Tindall and Dominic Booth

Transfer window: Manchester City agree Nunes fee, Chelsea bid for Palmer – as it happened

Manchester United Djed Spence Marc Cucurella Chelsea Leeds United Chelsea FC Forest Nottingham Forest
Matheus Nunes is set to be granted his wish of a move to Manchester City.
Matheus Nunes is set to be granted his wish of a move to Manchester City. Photograph: Shutterstock

So, that’s it for today. Let’s say things are brewing. You know, calm before the storm stuff. Join us again tomorrow to see if the transfer winds whip up and more deals get over the line.

Just before we close the blog down for today, an update on Tottenham’s bid to bolster their attack following the loss of Harry Kane. Richarlison did manage to find the net in the Carabao Cup last night but one goal in 30 Premier League appearances for Spurs almost makes Neal Maupay look prolific.

Justin Madson thinks he’s spotted some Chelsea revisionism…

“Re: Matthew Richmond’s comment. Salah and de Bruyne forced their way out of Chelsea because they wanted more playing time. Huth found his success almost 10 years after leaving Chelsea. Courtois unceremoniously forced his way out because he wanted to play for Madrid. These players (other than Huth) were not cast off, they decided to force their way out (Salah was unwanted by Mourinho due to squad depth and Salah giving little in return when given starts, leading him to want to leave). While Cucurella is a bit of an enigma when it comes to how good he actually is, to frame this as a “Chelsea let another great go” isn’t necessarily the full picture for any of these players.”

Dembele to ‘Pool. Ooh, what’s this? A big move on a pretty quiet day? Not quite; it’s Blackpool signing Karamoko Dembele on a season-long loan from French Ligue 1 side Brest.

Here’s David Hytner on Djed Spence’s move to Leeds and further potential outgoings at Tottenham.

Salah tracker: another newly-released pic of Mo Salah NOT looking like a sulky man desperate to force through a move to Saudi Arabia.

Mohamed Salah during a training session at AXA Training Centre.
Salah at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre today. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo reports that defender Nat Phillips is travelling to Glasgow this afternoon to sign a season-long loan deal with Celtic. The Scottish champions have injuries in central defence and the former Liverpool boss, Brendan Rodgers, believes Phillips can provide quality cover.

Updated

A stat to make us stop and think how we judge transfers. On the left, Darwin Nunez, a man regarded as a bit of a flop. On the right, Luis Suarez, one of Liverpool’s greatest ever signings. It gets forgotten that Suarez’s finishing was much derided early in his Anfield career. Then again, he had normally jinked his way past five players before blasting the ball over the bar whilst gasping for breath.

A reminder of Suarez’s numbers in the Premier League. Liverpool would be ecstatic if Nunez gets close to following that trajectory:
2010-11: 13 appearances, 4 goals
2011-12: 31 appearances, 11 goals
2012-13: 33 appearances, 23 goals
2013-14: 33 appearances, 31 goals

Rich gets in touch following Chelsea’s move for Cole Palmer. “Maybe he isn’t as good as many think, but at the same time it feels a bit disappointing getting rid of Cole and bringing in Doku. Losing Tommy D is also a bit of a shame. Doesn’t send much of a message to the academy.”

A reminder of the latter point in Ben Fisher’s piece earlier. “Manchester City have agreed to pay Wolves €55m (£47.25m) for midfielder Matheus Nunes. As part of negotiations with City, Wolves have sealed a season-long loan move for Tommy Doyle, who impressed last season loan at Sheffield United. The clubs have inserted an option for Doyle to sign permanently for a cut-price fee of €5m.”

Lukaku completes Roma switch

Romelu Lukaku’s move from Chelsea to Roma is done, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Mural of the street artist ''Anonimo74'' depicting Romelu Lukaku’s arrival in Rome.
Romelu Lukaku street art. Photograph: Angelo Carconi/ANSA/ZUMA Press/Shutterstock

Nottingham Forest went beserk in last summer’s transfer window and if all the reports come true there’s going to be another huge churn at the City Ground. More here from the transfer correspondents.

More Cucurella and Chelsea debate…

William Morgan: “To be fair to Cucurella, he was brilliant for Brighton, he also started well for Chelsea, then became the poster boy for last season’s car crash. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that he’s still good? From my memory there wasn’t a deal set up with City. They were way below Brighton’s valuation of him.”

Peter Oh: “My Cucurella theory is that United are desperately trying to fill the De Gea (the hair)-shaped hole in their squad.”

Matthew Richman: “There are some other precedents for Chelsea cast offs. Salah and de Bruyne spring immediately to mind, but let’s not forget Courtois and Robert Huth also earned their crowning achievements after they left. (Courtois might not count as he was already No. 1 for Chelsea, but point stands). It’s just not a club for everyone and Cucurella and Havertz could well find their feet again.”

A bit of news on West Ham’s pursuit of Brazilian striker Yuri Alberto from Corinthians. South American football guru Tim Vickery, speaking on talkSPORT, says any potential deal is tricky due to the Brazilian club only owning 50% of his transfer rights (Russian club Zenit own the other half).

As for the 22-year-old’s prospects, Vickery says he’d suit David Moyes’ counter-attacking plan but adds he “isn’t 100% convinced” that Yuri Alberto is Premier League material yet.

Luton are set to complete the signing of Manchester United defender Teden Mengi on a permanent deal. The Hatters have lost their opening two Premier League matches by three-goal margins so need reinforcements. Arsenal’s Rob Holding was also on the radar but a move for Mengi has emerged as the priority.

Mengi came through the United youth system but has made just two appearances for the first team. He’s spent loan spells at Derby (2021) and Birmingham (2022).

More Cucurella chat. Yash Gupta emails: “To be fair to Cucurella, Manchester City had an agreement to sign him last summer from Brighton. But then Hot Rod’s Todd entered the scene and bought him for Chelsea. So there is optimism for Man United fans they’re signing a player Man City once liked. Other examples - Maguire, Alexis Sanchez.”

Matthew Carpenter-Arévalo also weighs in: “I think some of your readers may not be considering the challenge facing clubs in the transfer market. Every club has two options: players with proven ability to operate at the highest level, and players with potential. The former are fewer and therefore fetch a premium price. ManU needs cover and therefore requires experience. Cucurella may not have had a great spell at Chelsea but he is a proven talent that can play at the highest level. We forget it wasn’t long ago that Pep wanted him for City. Most importantly, he’s available. Getting him in on a loan is therefore quite pragmatic.”

And Jon Taylor adds: “Re David Flynns’s theory (15:38). On the contrary, I’d argue that big hair really magnifies errors and makes players into figures of fun. See also David Luiz. It’s why Carlos Valderrama had such high passing accuracy: with that majestic barnet he couldn’t afford to give the ball away.”

Here’s the full story of Manchester City agreeing a deal for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes. Also news on Wolves being close to announcing the €10m arrival of the Girona centre-back Santiago Bueno.

Not much love for Cucurella out there. David Flynn has a theory. “Much like David Luiz, I maintain that Cucurella would be on absolutely nobody’s radar if he had a shaved head. Harry Maguire has really missed a trick, if he grows an afro by Christmas he might get a fax from Real Madrid.”

Jeff Sax has been in touch and he’s bemused. “Incredible!! Who actually is responsible for buying players at these teams?! Arsenal buy Rice and Havertz and MU want Cucurella. Rice is overrated, Havertz not lived up to his potential and Cucurella, well, a total loss. Afterwards people wonder why these teams don’t win the Premier League.”

Manchester City agree on fee for Matheus Nunes

Manchester City have verbally agreed to pay Wolves €55m for midfielder Matheus Nunes, reports Ben Fisher, bringing us updated news on the fee.

As part of negotiations with City, Wolves have sealed a season-long loan move for Tommy Doyle, who impressed last season on loan at Sheffield United. The clubs have inserted an option for Doyle to sign permanently for a cut-price fee of €5m. City could help pay for the deal by sanctioning the sale of homegrown talent Cole Palmer, who is wanted by Chelsea.

Updated

It looks as if Cheick Doucoure to Liverpool won’t be happening. Although the 23-year-old was left out of Crystal Palace’s Carabao Cup victory over Plymouth last night, it seems we shouldn’t be reading anything into that. Palace have set the bar at £70m and Liverpool don’t want to cough up such a fee for the Mali international.

Two other key Palace players remain subject of transfer rumours. Tottenham have an interest in central defender Marc Guehi while Manchester City are admirers of Eberechi Eze although no bid has been made.

Thanks Dominic. And let’s start with news on Chelsea’s move for Manchester City attacker Cole Palmer. Jacob Steinburg reports that a £35m bid has been rejected so Chelsea may need to find another £10m to get their man. That doesn’t seem a problem though. “There is confidence that Chelsea will manage to strike an agreement with City.”

Lucas Ocampos’ switch to Fulham might be on the rocks.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are weighing up an offer for Cole Palmer from Chelsea, who in turn are considering letting Manchester United have Marc Cucurella. Ryan Gravenberch is another player whose future is up in the air at the end of the window, with United and Liverpool in the mix for him. And then there’s Nunes, Lenglet, Van de Beek, Amrabat etc etc who all appear to be on the move.

It’s enough to make you need a rest. Luckily for me, I’m grabbing a break. David Tindall is back.

Updated

Done deal klaxon, as Bayern Munich prodigy Gabriel Vidovic heads to his homeland on a season-long loan, plus option to buy.

Updated

More Tottenham news … and there could be lots of incoming and outgoings in North London in the next couple of days. More power to the Ange.

Justin Madson emails in to (coherently) question my Cucurella take.

Calling Cucurella an ‘established first-team star’ may be overselling him a bit, but he does seem to have some power in those beautiful curls that make teams who don’t own him believe he is their solution. For all the stick Chelsea took for buying Cucurella for what they did, people are apparently very ready to forget his underwhelming performances now that United are interested in paying his wages instead.

Manchester City are going to get their man, in Matheus Nunes. Tommy Doyle heading in the other direction is an interesting aspect to this one.

Manchester United fans are going to be rather smug if their club can get Marc Cucurella and Sofyan Amrabat over the line before Friday’s deadline. The latest indication is that both deals are very much alive.

Chelsea allowing two established first team stars to join United in the same summer would be quite something, wouldn’t it?

Marc Cucurella and Mason Mount in action for Chelsea
Could Cucurella join Mason Mount at Old Trafford? Photograph: Irina R Hipolito/AFP7/Shutterstock

Trackers. Lukaku was subject to some tracking, there’s been talk of a Salah tracker. But how about this website’s ever-updating transfer tracker? It’s the best way of staying across every confirmed deal in Europe’s top five leagues, as they happen.

Clement Lenglet is moving to Aston Villa, according to widespread reports.

The Barcelona centre back had seemed keen on a return to Tottenham, but will instead link up with Unai Emery’s side on a straight season-long loan – no option to purchase. Another high-profile deal incoming for the ever-improving Villans.

Thanks David. It’s been alarmingly quiet, considering there are only two days remaining until the window, *puts on Sky Sportsy voice*, SLAMS shut.

The deals will surely trickle in soon.

Right, time to hand the blog over to Dominic Booth for more gossip and fact.

I mentioned a Mo Salah tracker earlier. Well, how about this one for Romelu Lukaku following his loan move to Roma. Although, as one reply says: “Roma fans? It was Juve fans making sure the torture of him possibly arriving was over.”

Updated

Hull sign goalkeeper Ryan Allsop

Just to get one in the bag, this is a concrete deal: Ryan Allsop has moved from Cardiff to Hull. From the club website: “Hull City are delighted to announce the signing of experienced goalkeeper Ryan Allsop from Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee. The 31-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, with a club option of a further year, and brings added competition to the goalkeeping department.

“The well-travelled shot-stopper has kept 98 clean sheets in more than 300 appearances for 13 different clubs, with 114 of his outings coming in the Championship and two in the Premier League. Confident with the ball at his feet, the Birmingham-born glovesman started all but three of Cardiff’s league matches last season, registering 12 shutouts and saving two of the four penalties he faced.”

Talking of Sofyan Amrabat – and you think we just throw this thing together – a new update from Fabrizio Romano has just dropped.

Reports now that Manchester United have accepted a loan bid from Lorient for out-of-favour Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek. This one comes from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna. Does this, if true, accelerate a United bid for Sofyan Amrabat?

Mo Salah tracker. Perhaps not as fun as that Santa one you show your kids on Christmas Eve but after his trip to London, Salah’s latest location can now be revealed. And it’s not Saudi Arabia. Note: is Caoimhín Kelleher riding a dodgem car?

Aston Villa appear to be leading the race to sign Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on a loan deal. The French international was on loan at Spurs last season, making 35 appearances. But Tottenham don’t appear to be chasing any sort of deal, either permanent or loan, so Villa’s Spanish boss Unai Emery is about to step in and boost his defensive options following the long-term injury to Tyrone Mings.

Some added background: Villa’s new President of Football Operations, Monchi, signed Lenglet during his time at Sevilla so clearly rates the defender. For Barca, it would be a good opportunity to get a fairly big wage earner off their books.

L’Equipe report that midfielder Han-Noah Massengo is in advanced negotitations with Burnley.

Our friends at Get French Football News have fleshed this one out. “His signing would represent a spectacular turnaround after the French publication reported in July that the former Bristol City midfielder had rejected a move to Vincent Kompany’s side. Burnley have been interested in Massengo all summer. The former AS Monaco midfielder’s contract at Bristol City expired at the end of the season. However, just prior to that expiry, the France youth international had a promising six-month loan spell at AJ Auxerre. Although Massengo couldn’t prevent the club from relegation to Ligue 2, his performances nonetheless raised his profile.”

The desperate hunt for a combative, defensive midfielder is one of the big narratives in this transfer window. So imagine finding one down the back of the sofa. Fair play to Ange Postecoglou for giving Yves Bissouma his chance at Spurs. Perhaps other big clubs should look from within… not that I want you to stop reading all this transfer gubbins.

Good news, literally, for Wolves. They’re about to sign Santiago Bueno. The Girona defender, 24, has been capped twice by Uruguay.

Presumably Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino won’t miss Malang Sarr too much having failed to place the name when asked about the Frenchman’s future earlier this week. Nottingham Forest and Fulham are pushing to sign the mystery Blues defender.

Imagine a year ago this graphic actually being a thing rather than a flight of fantasy. Will more strikers be tempted to fill their boots in the Saudi Pro League before the transfer window closes? I mean, if Malcom has bagged four already…

Manchester United have been linked with Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat all summer but the wheels don’t appear to be turning. The Fiorentina player hasn’t featured for his Italian club as he trains alone and waits a call but that may now be coming from elsewhere. Atletico Madrid and Napoli have both been linked.

Nicky Bandini believes United’s deal for Amrabat won’t go through while other rumours suggest Liverpool could pounce.

Harry Maguire turning down a move to West Ham seemed a rather curious decision at the time given the ‘win-win’ nature of the switch. But maybe Erik ten Hag will be happy enough given the breaking news that Raphael Verane will miss several weeks after being taken off against Nottingham Forest.

Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Maguire are now the only senior central defenders at the club. Luke Shaw showed he could play there last season but the England defender has suffered an injury of his own. Could United perhaps move for someone else who can play both left back and central defence?

Chelsea are in the hunt for Manchester City’s Cole Palmer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The youngster scored City’s equaliser in the Super Cup win over Sevilla earlier this month but Pep Guardiola said later: “I don’t know [if he will stay]. When we arrived I had the opinion that he wanted to leave but now I don’t know. I don’t think a loan is going to happen. He’s going to stay or he’s going to be sold.”

More transfer predictions from Jan Aage Fjørtoft later. I’m getting the word Mo? … Joe? … John?

Jan Aage Fjørtoft is getting it in the neck from Liverpool fans after claiming he “understands” that Mo Salah is heading to Saudi Arabia.

This is the same Fjørtoft who was convinced that Kylian Mbappe would leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer and that Jude Bellingham was keen to return to England. An hour later, to much mirth, Liverpool pulled out of the race for the England midfielder.

These are the tweets from the former Sheffield United and Middlesbrough striker, who now works in the media. They’re getting short shrift from many replying Reds.

Updated

Goalkeeping news. Dean Henderson is off to Crystal Palace, with Manchester United bringing in Altay Bayindir.

Bayindir, who measures in at 6ft 6in, could get a few games between the sticks at Old Trafford given that new No 1 Andre Onana is set to be at the Africa Cup of Nations (13 January to 11 February) with Cameroon.

More Chelsea and the link with Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe. This one keeps doing the rounds but the speculation has been rather dampened by James McNicholas of The Athletic.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, McNicholas says: “The good news is Smith Rowe, although he’d like more minutes I don’t doubt, from what I hear is not in a position where he’s looking to push something through or force something through. Never say never in football but certainly the noises that I’m hearing today suggest that this is not going to happen.”

Here’s Jacob Steinburg furnishing us with a fuller picture of Callum Hudson-Odoi’s possible move from Chelsea to Nottingham Forest.

There’s also news on another academy product. “Burnley and West Ham have been tracking Ian Maatsen but the left-back could stay if Marc Cucurella joins Manchester United on loan. Mauricio Pochettino has been impressed with Maatsen since becoming Chelsea’s head coach.”

Barry Glendenning brings you this morning’s episode of The Rumour Mill. Plenty to tuck into here, with Ivan Toney and Eric Dier leading quite an extensive flow of fluff.

Over at Get French Football News, they carry a report that Salah seekers Al-Ittihad have also sounded out a move for Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté. Then again, it does conclude: “However, the Saudi club may once again have to concede defeat. Konaté is happy at Liverpool and he is keen on reaching his objectives with the Merseyside club.”

Samuel Campbell gets in touch. “Re Manchester United signing a new left back, this is a real pet hate of mine especially among the big sides. Get an injury and they immediately go out and sign someone. How about playing someone from the under 23s? What’s the point of having a youth system if they can’t get a chance in these circumstances.”

Let’s be honest, a fair chunk of you have tuned in for Mo Salah gossip. Some reports claimed that the game at Newcastle would be the 31-year-old’s final appearance in a Liverpool shirt before he jetted off to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ittihad.

Reds fans have been refreshing Salah’s social media pages fervently but there was some relief yesterday when the Egyptian popped up in London where he’d had a lovely day out and didn’t look like a man on the brink of packings his bags for Saudi Arabia.

Presumably, this now sparks rumours that he’s joining Chelsea.

Updated

Back to two teams mentioned already and Nottingham Forest look close to landing former wunderkind Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea.

The 22-year-old is another to have fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge after being hyped as the next big thing and he spent last year on loan in the Bundesliga at Bayer Leverkusen, making 21 appearances in total. The potential Forest move is is believed to be at the ‘advanced talks’ stage.

Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea runs with the ball during the Florida Cup match against Arsenal in Orlando in 2022.
CHO could be heading to the City Ground. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

Meanwhile, one Forest-related deal that has been done is a new shirt sponsor. No, me neither but Kaiyun Sports are renowned across Asia as a leading digital sports platform. They already have partnerships with Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Marc Cucurella to Manchester United is one to keep track of between right now and Friday. Our transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, says United are trying to work out a potential loan deal for the Chelsea defender who doesn’t appear to be in favour with new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.

A move for Cucurella makes sense following the injury to Luke Shaw and the former Brighton defender looks a good fit for Erik ten Hag. He’s not the only one being linked though. Oh no. Take your pick from Sergio Reguilon, Marcos Alonso, Nicolas Tagliafico, Luke Thomas and Ryan Bertrand.

Leeds sign Djed Spence on loan

Let’s open with some hard fact and Leeds United have signed Tottenham full-back Djed Spence on loan. The defender was great in the Championship for Nottingham Forest but didn’t get a look in at Spurs before joining French side Rennes on loan in January. It’s a boost for Leeds fans after they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup following a penalty shootout loss against League Two Salford last night.

Leeds Twixter have a nice pen to paper pic and slow-motion montage to herald Spence’s arrival.

Preamble

Morning everyone. Tick tock. Tick tock. Yes, we move ever closer to Friday’s transfer deadline day and the panic/hysteria levels are ramping up among fans all over the land. So let’s embrace the madness and give you a heady mix of tittle tattle and hard fact. Stay tuned!

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