Here are your latest football.london headlines on Saturday, February 5.
Ross Barkley transfer claim
There have been some conflicting reports over the last 24 hours regarding the attacking midfielder's immediate future.
Barkley was unable to secure a deadline day move to any club in the Premier League but with a few European mid-season windows still open, there are chances that various clubs can make their moves still for fringe players.
The latest to be linked is the Evertonian who according to Turkish outlet Ajansspor, is close to finalising a loan deal to Super Lig club Galatasaray to join recent recruit and former Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis.
Whilst agreeing that talks have been held, Telegraph journalist Matt Law rebuffed the idea that any deal was close to fruition with his latest tweet on the situation which read: "There have been some enquiries from Turkey for Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley to move on loan, but nothing is close to agreement with any club and there is every chance he will stay at Chelsea."
It will be interesting to see if there are any more developments on this story in the next 24 hours.
Thomas Tuchel confirms Chelsea's Ousmane Dembele stance
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that 'no' contact was made on deadline day between the Blues and Ousmane Dembele as the German admits he's 'satisfied' with the January transfer window.
The Blues came into the window seeking wing-back cover after Ben Chilwell's and Reece James' respective injuries but no moves came to fruition as sole focus was put on to recalling Emerson Palmieri to no avail, football.london understands.
With no full-back signings imminent ahead of deadline day on Monday, all talks turned to Ousmane Dembele who was being forced to consider his options at Barcelona's request.
"I am satisfied because it was a clam window and to be calm was the best thing. We were open for things. I did not have contact with Ousmane [Dembele]. There was no contact in winter between us," Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference.
Read the full story here.
Injury update
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will all miss Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash against Plymouth through injury
The Blues haven't been in action since their 2-0 victory against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur just under a fortnight ago, allowing some players the chance to rest up after sustaining injuries in recent times.
Left-back Chilwell is set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a knee ligament injury in a Champions League clash with Juventus back in November.
Meanwhile, fellow fullback James has been sidelined for over a month, sustaining a hamstring injury during a 1-1 draw against Brighton over the festive period, with midfielder Loftus-Cheek missing Chelsea's last seven league fixtures through a combination of injuries and Covid-19.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash, Tuchel said: "Not Reece James and not Ben Chilwell. Not Ruben Loftus-Cheek. They are still injured. Everyone else was training except Thiago and Pulisic. Everyone else was there."
Read more here.
