'Lack of respect': Lyon hit out as Benrahma deal fails
Saïd Benrahma’s proposed move to Lyon has collapsed, with West Ham claiming that the deal was not done before the English 11pm (GMT) deadline. But the Ligue 1 club have hit back in anger:
“Olympique Lyonnais were delighted to welcome Saïd Benrahma to Lyon this Thursday to finalise his transfer from West Ham,” a club statement said.
“The two clubs had signed a temporary transfer agreement … however, at the start of the evening, while [Lyon] had entered all the administrative data on the dedicated Fifa platform (Fifa TMS), West Ham had never launched the slightest technical procedure.
“In the absence of this reciprocal action on the part of the English club and following this incomprehensible behaviour, raising questions, the international transfer certificate could not be requested before closing time.
“Olympique Lyonnais deeply regrets this situation and this decision, demonstrating a profound lack of respect on the part of West Ham towards the Institution and the player.
“The club reserves the right to initiate all appropriate procedures necessary to validate the transaction at a later date, and to hold West Ham responsible if necessary.”
Fulham confirm loan deal for Armando Broja
The Chelsea forward joins on loan until the end of this season. The loan fee is thought to be on a sliding scale up to £4m, based on how many appearances he makes.
It's official! ✅@armandobroja9 joins us on Deadline Day. 🇦🇱
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 2, 2024
Fulham have filed a deal sheet for Chelsea striker Armando Broja. That will give both clubs and the player until 1am to sort things out. We wish them all good luck … and good night. Thanks for reading this rolling blog!
No news yet of Armando Broja to Fulham. Meanwhile a blow for Leicester City, as their attempt to land Internazionale midfielder Stefano Sensi has fallen through. The two clubs couldn’t agree terms in time, and so while all other Is were dotted and Ts crossed, the deal collapsed.
Forest confirm Sels deal
Nottingham Forest didn’t manage to make the announcement before the deadline, but the paperwork was filed in plenty of time. They’ve confirmed the signing of Matz Sels from Strasbourg. The Belgium goalkeeper will cost Forest up to £5m.
The transfer window quietly closes
Aston Villa sign Morgan Rogers and Lino Sousa
Crystal Palace welcome Blackburn’s Adam Wharton
Lucas Bergvall agrees summer Spurs move
Burnley sign defenders Maxime Estève and Lorenz Assignon
Bournemouth sign Getafe striker Enes Unal
Fulham set to land Armando Broja on loan
Jesse Lingard agrees deal with FC Seoul
Rangers sign Lens winger Oscar Cortes
Ipswich confirm arrival of Kieffer Moore
Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma nearing West Ham exits
Mason Holgate joins Sheffield United
David Moyes didn’t confirm anything but said Real Betis have made a bid for Pablo Fornals. He intended to have Fornals in his squad tonight but things changed; nothing has been done yet and he may not leave. Said Benrahma is meanwhile in France for a medical with Lyon but Moyes couldn’t say if it’s done or not. “It looks like we’ve done possibly some late business,” Moyes added cryptically.
While we wait for the Armando Broja loan to go through, a quick update on the particulars of the deal - I’m told that the number of games that the Chelsea striker needs to start for Fulham not to pay a loan fee is ten. Anyway his medical is done so the signing should be ready soon.
Updated
Ah, here we go, a bit more on that Enes Unal deal: it’s a loan, but Bournemouth have an obligation to buy him for £14m.
Bournemouth confirm Enes Unal deal
… and just like that, another long-awaited move has been confirmed. Bournemouth have officially announced the loan signing of Getafe and Turkey striker Enes Unal. Three goals in 32 international appearances isn’t much of a haul, but he’s been rattling them in at the rate of one in three for Getafe, so Cherries fans need not fret.
Adam Idah joins Celtic on loan
Rangers wrapped up their deadline-day move earlier; now Celtic have joined the party. They’ve confirmed the long-anticipated signing of Adam Idah on loan from Norwich City. Idah, who has 22 caps and three goals for the Republic of Ireland, says: “It’s such a huge club with such a big history behind it and I can’t even put into words what it’s like to be at Celtic. My family and my friends are all delighted that I’m here and I just can’t wait to get started. All of us back home support Celtic so it’s huge for me and I’m so excited to be here.”
Burnley have already signed Montpellier defender Maxime Estève, but now they’re two in the hole: 23-year-old Rennes right-back Lorenz Assignon has joined on loan until the end of the season. “I’m ready to go,” says Assignon. “It’s the best league in the world and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”
That's all folks! ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/5SzBnSPzbl
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) February 1, 2024
Aston Villa have signed a new understudy for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez: 23-year-old Joe Gauci from Adelaide United. Gauci is currently at the Asian Cup with Australia, but took his medical yesterday in the hope of getting this deal over the line.
Swedish wonderkid Lucas Bergvall has reportedly agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. The 17-year-old Djurgården sensation, whose big birthday is tomorrow, also had an offer from Barcelona, but has opted for a senior contract with Spurs instead. Here’s what our Next Generation 2023 feature had to say about the young man:
Bervall was only 16 when he helped Brommapojkarna get promoted to the Swedish top flight in 2022. Before that he had been captain of the club’s various youth teams that had won cups all over Europe. After his exploits in Superettan with BP, Sweden’s top sides wanted to sign him and he opted to stay in Stockholm with his favourite club, Djurgården. He joined together with his younger brother, Theo. Now 17, Bergvall has impressed during his first season in the top flight, and has made 20 appearances at the time of writing, scoring the winner against Halmstad on 30 September. Plays up for the national team, with the under-18s and was recently called up to the under-21 squad. It seems just a matter of time before he moves abroad.
Deadline day: the headlines so far
Aston Villa sign Morgan Rogers and Lino Sousa
Crystal Palace welcome Blackburn’s Adam Wharton
Burnley sign Montpellier defender Maxime Estève
Fulham set to land Armando Broja on loan
Jesse Lingard agrees deal with FC Seoul
Rangers sign Lens winger Oscar Cortes
Ipswich confirm arrival of Kieffer Moore
Bournemouth close on Getafe striker Enes Unal
Fornals and Benrahma nearing West Ham exits
Mason Holgate joins Sheffield United
The 19-year-old Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has joined Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season. Santos had spent the first half of this campaign at Nottingham Forest, but his appearances were limited and the deal terminated. Strasbourg are managed by Patrick Vieira and owned by a certain Todd Boehly.
Brighton were also in the hunt for Bryan Gil. However the Spain winger has turned down the chance of a loan move to the south coast for the rest of the season and will stay put at Tottenham Hotspur.
Brighton & Hove Albion have signed their latest star of tomorrow: 18-year-old midfielder Josh Robertson from Sunderland. The attacking midfielder had been at the Stadium of Light since the age of nine, and made his Premier League 2 debut last September. “He’s demonstrated his ability to play in a variety of attacking roles while also showing his goalscoring threat,” says Brighton under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth. “We believe he will fit in well with our style of play which will also allow him to show his strengths. He will join our under-21 squad and we are excited to see how he progresses in our environment.”
Jesse Lingard off to South Korea
Jesse Lingard, the erstwhile Manchester United star most recently employed by Nottingham Forest, has reportedly agreed a two-year deal to join South Korean side FC Seoul. The club have won six K League titles, the last in 2016, the same year Lingard scored an extra-time winner in the FA Cup final.
The game at the London Stadium has finished with honours even: West Ham United 1-1 Bournemouth.
Mason Holgate has swapped a promotion push with Southampton for a relegation challenge at Sheffield United. Holgate had been on a season-long loan with the Saints from Everton, but that deal has been mutually terminated so the 27-year-old defender can join the Blades. “Mason’s desire to come here and join our fight is huge for me,” manager Chris Wilder told the club website. “He’s got a point to prove, he’s a local lad who knows what Sheffield United are all about, he has his finger on the pulse and knows what to expect here.”
Queens Park Rangers have convinced Isaac Hayden to join their Championship struggle. The Newcastle United midfielder moves to Loftus Road on loan for the remainder of the season, with the Rs in serious relegation bother. “It is obvious to see the position the club are in at the moment but it is a challenge that I feel I can add some value to,” he says. “I feel very happy, very pleased to be joining QPR.”
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Birmingham | 28 | -10 | 32 |
| 21 | Huddersfield | 29 | -18 | 28 |
| 22 | QPR | 29 | -15 | 25 |
| 23 | Sheff Wed | 29 | -24 | 23 |
| 24 | Rotherham | 28 | -27 | 19 |
How Blackburn announced the Billy Koumetio deal. The estate of Ennio Morricone should have a word.
✍️ #BillyTheKid has arrived!#Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/nLysAyeP2l
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 1, 2024
Rangers sign Lens winger Cortes
Also subject to international clearance, but otherwise confirmed by the club: Rangers have signed Colombia winger Oscar Cortes on loan from Lens with an option to buy. If the paperwork goes through in time, he could make his Ibrox debut against Livingston this weekend. “I am very honoured and privileged to be signing for Rangers,” Cortes tells the club’s official website. “I have heard a lot about the history and tradition of Rangers, and I have had positive conversations with the manager who said I can help the team reach their goals this season. I am really excited to join up with my teammates and hopefully exciting the fans with my style of play.”
Blackburn Rovers have signed Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old, who has played twice for the Reds, had recently returned to Anfield after spending the early part of the season on loan at French Ligue 2 side Dunkerque. The deal is subject to international clearance.
The aforementioned Kevin van Veen to Kilmarnock loan deal has been confirmed. If the Dutch striker makes his Killie debut this weekend, he’ll be doing so at Fir Park, home of Motherwell, for whom he scored so many times last season. Lovely tasty delicious juicy narrative.
At the London Stadium, West Ham have equalised against Bournemouth. Lloyd Kelly tripped Mohammed Kudus in the box, and thought he’d got away with it only for VAR to intervene. James Ward-Prowse made like Ray Stewart and battered the penalty down the middle. It’s 1-1.
West Bromwich Albion have signed Mikey Johnston on loan. The Celtic winger joins for the remainder of the Championship campaign. “I think the deal has been rumbling on since the start of the window, so I’m just happy to get it over the line,” the Republic of Ireland international tells his new club’s website.
Kevin van Veen is set to join Kilmarnock on loan. Van Veen scored 29 goals for Motherwell last season before falling out with the club and leaving for second-tier Dutch side Groningen. Desirous of returning to Scotland to be with his family, the 29-year-old became the subject of a three-way battle for his signature, and Killie have fended off Motherwell and St Mirren for his signature.
More from Ben Fisher regarding spendthrifts and transfer-deadline-day-specialists Nottingham Forest. “Orel Mangala and Brandon Aguilera are most likely heading out tonight, with Strasbourg’s Belgian international keeper Matz Sels incoming.” Forest had reportedly enquired about Liverpool reserve keeper Caoimhin Kelleher but were knocked back on that one.
CJ Egan-Riley has left Burnley for PSV Eindhoven. The 21-year-old defender, formerly of Manchester City and Hibernian, joins the 1988 European Cup winners on loan until the end of the season.
Hibernian have signed two 20-year-old centre-backs on loan: Nectarios Triantis from Sunderland and Owen Bevan from Bournemouth. Both will stay at Easter Road until the end of the season. Australia under-23 international Triantis played under Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery during Central Coast Mariners’ A-League title-winning season, while Bevan’s arrival is the first fruit of the Hibees’ new relationship with the Cherries. “Our relationship with Bournemouth allowed us to look closely at their young players, and Owen was one that stood out instantly,” Montgomery says.
Deadline day: the big deals so far
Aston Villa sign Morgan Rogers and Lino Sousa
Crystal Palace welcome Blackburn’s Adam Wharton
Burnley sign Montpellier defender Maxime Estève
Fulham set to land Armando Broja on loan
Ipswich confirm arrival of Kieffer Moore
Bournemouth close on Getafe striker Enes Unal
Fornals and Benrahma nearing West Ham exits
Palace waiting on loan deal for Maxwel Cornet
Adam Wharton has revealed that Crystal Palace’s track record for developing players signed from the Championship convinced him to join them from Blackburn Rovers.
The 19-year-old midfielder became the most expensive transfer to go through on deadline day when his move was finally announced on Thursday, with Palace understood to have paid £18.5m up front in a deal that could be worth up to £22m with add-ons. Wharton becomes Palace’s second signing of the January transfer window after the arrival of Daniel Muñoz from Belgian club Genk earlier this week, although a late bid to sign West Ham’s Maxwel Cornet failed to materialise despite agreeing terms with the Ivory Coast winger.
Wharton’s move was agreed on Tuesday after Palace had seen their initial offer of £15m up front rejected by Blackburn. But having seen Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise become integral parts of Roy Hodgson’s squad since they were signed from QPR and Reading respectively after starring in the Championship, the England Under-20 international admitted he is hoping to follow in their footsteps.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the Premier League and to play for such a big club like Crystal Palace is a great honour,” Wharton said.
“The way they’ve brought players from the Championship and developed them into world-class players in the Premier League is something that stood out to me, and it’s a big reason why I wanted to come here.”
Chairman Steve Parish added: “I’m delighted that Adam, a player whose rapid development we have followed closely, has decided to join us at Crystal Palace. Adam’s consistently impressive performances for Blackburn at such a young age have understandably caught the eye of many a club, but we believe Palace to be – as has so often been the case in recent years – the perfect place to harness his undoubted potential, and we look forward to working with him in the years ahead to do so.”
Enes Ünal continues to edge ever closer to Bournemouth. Our man Ben Fisher reports that the deal “is (all but) done, Kieffer Moore’s loan to Ipswich paving the way for Unal to come in from Getafe on loan”. The 26-year-old Turkish international has been scoring for the Azulones at a rate of one in three, give or take.
Bertrand Traore is leaving Aston Villa. The 28-year-old Burkina Faso forward has terminated his contract with the club and is off to join Villarreal.
The Armando Broja to Fulham deal has been described to me as on a sliding scale. All sounds a little complicated. Rather than £4m straight up, it will be dependent on how many games the striker plays when he is fit and available. And sources close to the deal have said Fulham won’t be paying a loan fee if Broja plays half of their games between now and the end of the season. Remember that Chelsea wanted a £5m loan fee at the start of the day. There was even talk of them wanting £50m for him to leave permanently earlier this month!
Of course, new signings aren’t a guaranteed panacea for one’s ills. By way of illustration, West Ham recently welcomed Kalvin Phillips into the fold, and practically his first touch for the club has set up a goal … for Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke. The Cherries lead 1-0 at the London Stadium.
Elsewhere in Scotland, Rangers are hoping to get Lens winger Oscar Cortes through the door. The young Colombia international is expected to join on loan for the remainder of the campaign. Meanwhile 20-year-old Rangers full-back Adam Devine heads to Motherwell on loan for the rest of the season.
The transfer window shuts at 11pm in England. Scotland has gifted itself an extra half an hour, mind, and that’s where we head next, as St Johnstone have landed 25-year-old striker Adama Sidibeh from Northern Premier League club Warrington Rylands. He joins for an undisclosed fee on a contract until May 2026.
Thanks Niall. [takes receipt of baton, sighs, hauls oneself up for one last push] Can’t go on? Let’s go on!
Time for me to pass the transfer baton to Scott Murray, who will see you through to the bitter end, and the 11pm deadline …
Ipswich have confirmed the arrival of Kieffer Moore, on loan from Bournemouth. The Wales forward was previously at Portman Road from 2016-18, and Ipswich are reportedly paying 75% of his wages.
✍️ We are delighted to announce the loan signing of Kieffer Moore.
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) February 1, 2024
The striker has joined for the second half of the 2023/24 season. ⬇️
Just to clarify that Burnley have signed Maxime Estève on loan, not permanently – although Montpellier have wished him “the best of luck with your career”, which suggests this will be a permanent deal come summer.
Some big transfer news from the women’s game: Nigeria forward Asisat Oshoala has left Barcelona to join Bay FC, an expansion team in the NWSL based in San José, California.
“I just feel like I want something different. If you follow my career for a long time, you realise that I get easily bored,” Oshoala said. “I don’t really stay long in any place. I’ve played on a couple of continents and I feel like I want to play elsewhere.”
Marcus Rashford is in the Manchester United starting line-up as they face Wolves tonight. Follow that match here:
It wouldn’t be deadline day without Nottingham Forest making moves – and Fabrizio Romano reports they are chasing a late loan move for Ajax forward Chuba Akpom. The club have knocked back a formal bid, but the player is thought to want the move.
Orel Mangala is still expected to join Lyon, although the Ligue 1 club have about 12 deals they need to close by 10 o’clock tonight.
🚨🌳 More on exclusive story about Forest bid to Ajax for Chuba Akpom.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Understand there’s official bid for loan with buy option clause worth €16m.
Buy clause becomes would obligation in case Nottingham Forest stay in Premier League.
↪️ All news LIVE: https://t.co/yrmINTY1P2 pic.twitter.com/tW7oN2nSyl
Updated
Maxime Estève has spoken about his move to Burnley. “I feel very good, I’m really happy and ever since I first heard about the move I wanted to move here,” he said.
“I have followed the Premier League since being a young child and had only pictured myself ever being here, so I am really excited. The manager spoke really positively about the project here and I just wanted to be a part of it straight away.”
Also, the biggest move of deadline day is now official … Mercedes have confirmed Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari at the end of this season!
Burnley sign Montpellier defender Maxime Estève
Burnley have loaned in a centre-back with big potential, with a reported £10m option to buy – and it’s been announced in truly bantorious fashion.
Take a walk on the wild side 🦫 pic.twitter.com/hIrmaUSoAy
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) February 1, 2024
Updated
Sky are reporting that Enes Ünal to Bournemouth is a done deal, but the club haven’t confirmed it – although they do have the small matter of a Premier League game tonight, at West Ham. The hosts have named Kalvin Phillips in their starting line-up with Maxwel Cornet – linked with a loan move to Palace tonight – on the bench.
Some breaking and somewhat surprising news from outside the world of transfers: Brighton Women head coach Melissa Phillips has left the club.
Melissa Phillips has left her position as women's head coach with immediate effect.
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) February 1, 2024
Mikey Harris, supported by Owen Fisher, will take interim charge for the foreseeable future, supported by the current women’s first-team technical staff.
Luton have signed 18-year-old forward Taylan Harris from Reading for an undisclosed fee. “My aim is to play in the Premier League –every player in the world wants to do that,” Harris said. “This has given me an opportunity to do that and achieve that.”
“Taylan is technically very good. He is a winger or forward who is very quick, has a real eye for goal and likes a shot from range,” said the Hatters head of recruitment, Mick Harford. “We are looking forward to working with him and seeing how he develops.”
More on Adam Wharton joining Palace, for a fee that reportedly could rise to £22m.
The 19-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at Selhurst Park, and is the club’s second January signing after Colombian right-back Daniel Muñoz. He will wear No 20 for the Eagles.
“I’m delighted that Adam, a player whose rapid development we have followed closely, has decided to join us,” said the Palace chairman, Steve Parish. “We believe Palace to be the perfect place to harness his undoubted potential.”
“I’ve always wanted to play in the Premier League and to play for such a big club like Crystal Palace is a great honour,” Wharton said. “The way they’ve brought players from the Championship and developed them into world-class players is something that stood out to me, and it’s a big reason why I wanted to come here.”
If you’re seeing Laporte and Inter Miami trending on Twitter, it’s nothing to do with transfers …
Aymeric Laporte scored this from Europe (basically) ☄️
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 1, 2024
(via @ssc_sports) pic.twitter.com/bWFjqzgGKJ
“I know he’s not a big name but Ajdin Hrustic is Australia’s most skilful player and he’s been sidelined at Hellas Verona, losing his national team place in the process,” writes Ajdin Hrus Matthew Stephens. “Have you heard any news of a possible transfer?”
Well, we don’t usually take requests – but according to my sources (Twitter) he could join Ascoli on loan before the Italian deadline – which is coming up in about 20 minutes.
Crystal Palace sign Blackburn's Adam Wharton
This one has been on the cards for some time, but it’s now confirmed with an announcement video built around a solid, if stereotypical gag.
Welcome to London, Adam 😉 pic.twitter.com/VNaBDIzrbP
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 1, 2024
The Armando Broja to Fulham deal has been described to me as being on a sliding scale. All sounds a little complicated. Rather than £4m straight up, it will be dependent on how many games the striker plays when he is fit and available.
Sources close to the deal have said Fulham won’t be paying a loan fee if Broja plays half of their games between now and the end of the season. Remember that Chelsea wanted a £5m loan fee at the start of the day. There was even talk of them wanting £50m for him to leave permanently earlier this month …
Eintracht Frankfurt sign Hugo Ekitike on loan
It’s a done deal. Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed the arrival of striker Hugo Ekitike from PSG. The deal is reportedly a loan until the end of the season with a €30m mandatory fee in the summer.
👨🍳👨🍳👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/5RqXELUnfb
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) February 1, 2024
“If West Ham need a replacement winger with all their outgoings, they can have Bryan Gil,” says Stephen Brown. “I would even suggest Spurs pay them to take him.” Only about 45 minutes’ drive between the two training grounds, too. Pop him in an Uber.
Thanks, Professor Brewin. Here’s another done deal to bring you – Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson has joined Copenhagen after leaving Arsenal. He could run into Manchester City again in the Champions League last 16.
🔵🇮🇸 Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson’s contract at Arsenal has been terminated — he joins Copenhagen, done deal. pic.twitter.com/2hgEEF9qwi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
And with that, I shall hand you back to Dr Niall McVeigh.
Fulham are indeed set to sign Chelsea’s Armando Broja on loan. It’s a loan fee of £750k but with his salary taken on board I’m told that the package will total £4m. Chelsea will be glad to be bringing in a little money, I suppose, but you wonder where it leaves them for the rest of the season. With Broja gone Nicolas Jackson is the only No 9 in the squad. Of course Christopher Nkunku is fit again but he’s more of a No 10.
Morgan Rogers, who has joined Aston Villa, has played for an inordinate number of clubs for a 21-year-old:
“Boro resisted Villa’s early overtures for a player who began his professional career at West Brom and had loans at Lincoln, Blackpool and Bournemouth during his time with City, but finally settled for a healthy return on a player who cost them about £1m. City stand to benefit from a sell-on clause.”
Then again, Harry Kane was well travelled before his Spurs breakthrough. Rogers returns to his Midlands roots.
Broja loan deal to Fulham 'agreed in principle'
Feels like that Broja deal may be going through. Dharmesh Sheth on Sky has just called it for Fulham. What might be the formula for the deal? This is a player valued at £50m, let us recall. The loan fee increases if he plays less football.
Broja going to Fulham for £750k loan fee - am told there are conditions on fee dependent on playing a certain number of games.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) February 1, 2024
Fulham agree deal in principle to sign Chelsea forward Armando Broja until the end of season. Paperwork still needs finalising. All parties hopeful deal will be done before the deadline. Loan fee could be worth up to £4m – depending on appearances and performance. #FFC #CFC
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) February 1, 2024
Updated
Hello, I shall take the reins for the next few. Email me if you need to.
Time to hand over to John Brewin for a short while …
Deadline day: the headlines so far
Aston Villa sign Morgan Rogers and Lino Sousa
Bournemouth close on Getafe striker Enes Unal
Fornals and Benrahma nearing West Ham exits
Palace waiting on loan deal for Maxwel Cornet
Frankfurt poised to sign Hugo Ekitike from PSG
Fulham and Wolves chasing Armando Broja loan
You again? Goalkeeper Jed Steer has found a new club after his Peterborough deal expired three days ago, signing for … Peterborough. “I was gutted to leave in the first place, but I am here now, and I can’t wait to get back out there at training,” cheered Steer.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Armando Broja will be made available for loan by Chelsea tonight, and it will be up to him whether he joins Fulham or Wolves.
Sheffield United are still working on signings, with Mason Holgate expected to arrive after interest in Leicester’s Harry Souttar came to nothing. Meanwhile, the pressure of the Premier League relegation battle appears to be getting to Chris Wilder …
Fulham remain in the hunt for Chelsea’s Armando Broja. There has been some progress in talks over a loan, but still a long way to go.
Isak Hansen-Aarøen has left Manchester United to join Werder Bremen on a permanent transfer. The Norwegian midfielder was out of contract this summer and was not expected to extend his deal . United have decided to move him on now, securing a fee, sell on clause, add-ons and future matching rights.
One minute you’re cocooned in the youth setup at Colney, the next you’ve pulled up outside Home Park in a balaclava to re-enact a weird viral video.
#Incoming...
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 1, 2024
🎵: @george_perrett | @PLYMRICOSNOW #pafc pic.twitter.com/rUrJ2QZRbo
Aston Villa sign Lino Sousa from Arsenal
A second deal today for Aston Villa: they’ve signed young Arsenal left-back Lino Sousa, and immediately sent him on loan to Plymouth – who have announced the deal. Stay tuned for a memorable unveiling video …
🖊️ Lino Sousa has signed for Aston Villa, from Arsenal, and has immediately joined Argyle on loan for the rest of the season.
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 1, 2024
Welcome, Lino. Read more about our new arrival, here.
This signing is powered by The Turmeric Co.#pafc #incoming
Has Neal Maupay launched a new era of Premier League needle? We can only hope.
It’s 5pm (GMT), which means the Bundesliga window is now closed. We’re still waiting on confirmation on Hugo Ekitike’s move to Eintracht Frankfurt, while Stuttgart winger Silas has opted to stay at Stuttgart amid interest from Fulham.
Pablo Fornals is poised to join Betis permanently, for an initial €6m fee. Will West Ham also let Saïd Benrahma and Maxwel Cornet leave today without bringing a new winger in? Surely not.
🚨🟢 Pablo Fornals to Real Betis, here we go! Verbal agreement reached now with West Ham.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Understand deal has been agreed for €6m fixed fee plus €4m add-ons.
Betis, ready to complete documents and then deal will be signed. pic.twitter.com/y4wX4E8u02
There’s been more transfer buzz around managers than players in the last week, so I’m throwing this one out there. Local press are reporting that Neil Warnock could replace Barry Robson at Aberdeen. It’s quite a commute from Cornwall, to be honest.
The transfer window story that refuses to die: Fulham and Wolves are still trying to get a loan move done for Chelsea striker Armando Broja. Wolves are hosting Manchester United tonight, while Marco Silva needs a new striker with Raúl Jiménez out for several weeks. The Fulham manager wasn’t in the best mood at his presser earlier. Asked by Sky if he was “excited” by deadline day, he said “what does it look like to you?”
Updated
Understand that Crystal Palace have agreed terms over a potential Maxwel Cornet loan, but the move still hinges on West Ham being able to sign a replacement before tonight’s deadline.
When does the window close around Europe?
The Bundesliga window will shut at 5pm (all times GMT), so in half an hour’s time. Serie A will follow at 7pm, before Ligue 1 at 10pm and the Premier League at 11pm. The Scottish Premiership window is open until 11.30pm, with La Liga shutting up shop at 12am.
Elsewhere, the Saudi window has already closed while Turkish clubs can bring in players for another eight days.
A little more on Enes Ünal, who is set to join Bournemouth today. He’s passed his medical on the south coast and will join on an initial loan from Getafe before a £14m permanent move this summer. That should also free up Kieffer Moore to join Ipswich on loan.
Real Betis have sold Luiz Henrique to Botafogo today for €16m, freeing up funds to sign Pablo Fornals from West Ham. What that means for Maxwel Cornet and Saïd Benrahma – who is set to join Botafogo’s partner club, Lyon – we’re not quite sure.
🚨🟢 Pablo Fornals, close to joining Real Betis as the negotiation with West Ham is at final stages.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Almost there ⏳🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/jXo2TAOfBz
Strasbourg keeper Matz Sels has got his best trainers on, and is hopping on a private jet to Nottingham …
🚨🌳 Exclusive picture of Matz Sels on his way to Nottingham in order to sign in as new #NFFC goalkeeper.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Deal done for €6/7m fee, as revealed. pic.twitter.com/aXrgOyIbDb
Some bits and bobs from the Football League: Forest winger Alex Mighten has joined Port Vale on loan, while Swansea have brought in Arsenal attacker Charles Sagoe Jr. Meanwhile, Stoke are after Vitesse winger Million Manhoef, and are willing to pay €3m, which seems three times too much.
Updated
Ryan Kent joined Fenerbahce from Rangers last summer, but has fallen out with the club after limited first-team chances. Now it seems he’ll be on the move today, joining Lazio. Maurizio Sarri is absolutely set on bringing in an English winger, having seen bids for Morgan Whittaker and Jack Clarke fail this week.
🚨🔵 Lazio are set to sign Ryan Kent on loan deal from Fenerbahçe. Agreement in place, including buy option clause.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Medical tests booked in order to sign contracts soon. pic.twitter.com/CYREyMeiha
Sean Dyche’s gravelly tones are drifting out of my TV, informing us all that any Everton arrivals today are “improbable”. Dyche expects Mason Holgate to join Sheffield United – “a good deal for this football club” – and is happy to hold on to the players he has.
Hull are also looking to bring in Burnley’s Anass Zaroury today, which would complete a lively transfer window as Liam Rosenior’s side set sights on a playoff place.
✍️ What a window for Hull City 👏
— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) February 1, 2024
- Fabio Carvalho ✅
- Billy Sharp ✅
- Ivor Pandur ✅
- Ryan Giles ✅
- Noah Ohio ✅
- Abdulkadir Omur ✅
- Anass Zaroury 🔜#hcafc pic.twitter.com/8oJzE3MGvZ
Newcastle have signed a player from Manchester City, but don’t get too excited – it’s 18-year-old midfielder Alfie Harrison, who will join up with the academy.
Brighton, meanwhile, are clearing a couple of spaces in their talent factory in the hope that Sunderland’s Josh Robertson will join today, in addition to Reading midfielder Caylan Vickers.
Another confirmed signing, this time at Hull City – or, as they’re now called on Twitter, Hüll City. The Tigers have signed midfielder Abdülkadir Ömür from Trabzonspor and rebranded to celebrate. Careful with that sort of thing now, admin.
✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing of Türkiye international Abdülkadir Ömür from Süper Lig side @Trabzonspor.
— Hüll City (@HullCity) February 1, 2024
🤝 Welcome to Hull City, Abdüş!#hcafc | Realtor Global
Updated
Bayern Munich sign Granada winger Bryan Zaragoza
Having previously agreed to join Bayern in the summer, the Granada winger has brought his move forward, initially on loan until the end of the season.
“I’m moving to Bayern to grow here at one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he told the club website. “I’m very grateful to Granada for the great time we’ve had together. I’ll never forget that. I also feel great support at Bayern now. I’m looking forward to what’s coming. We’re aiming high.”
Bryan Zaragoza has moved from Granada CF to FC Bayern with immediate effect – initially on loan until the end of the season ✍️🔴⚪#ServusBryan #MiaSanMia
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 1, 2024
Thanks, Michael. Let’s get this drive time shift up and running with a couple of done deals …
Going to hand over to Niall McVeigh, who will guide you through the next few hours of transfer wibble. Enjoy!
Ah, yes: Jonathan David. The Canadian has enjoyed almost Julian Draxler levels of transfer speculation in the last couple of years, regarding a move to England. Looks like we’ll have to wait for another window.
Understand that Jonathan David will not be leaving Lille today. The Canada forward has less than 18 months left on contract in France with PL teams expected to make a move in the summer. David has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) February 1, 2024
This just about sums it up, at the moment.
I'm not saying it's quiet but Paul Merson is currently on Sky Sports News discussing the Lewis Hamilton news. "Everyone wants a Ferrari, don't they?" 🙉
— James Whaling (@jjwhaling) February 1, 2024
Ivan Toney to stay at Brentford
This was expected, but still nice for Bees fans to hear out loud. Thomas Frank has been chatting into a microphone.
Ivan will stay. It is nice to know what you are working with so in that situation. I think with any player we have a contract in general so at the end of the day we decide if they leave or not. Of course money talks and we also know that we are a ‘selling’ club as you could call it - we know that is part of the strategy. We want to have young, talented players in, develop them and make them better. Be on a journey with us, improve and hopefully do some fantastic stuff in the league and maybe one day win something. But at the end of the day, after some years if they are good enough they will progress to the next level.
An email from Sam Dalling, who is occasionally of this parish.
Newcastle season ticket holder here. Absolutely stunned by Forest’s move for Sels. And I mean truly flabbergasted. If you’ve got a goalkeeping issue, this lad is not the answer. Comfortably amongst the worst I’ve seen between the sticks. Not even a Championship numero uno. Had a wobbly pre-season debut and got worse from there. All very strange. Why add to your gaggle of bang average keepers? They had Ethan Horvath, who got promoted with Luton last year, on the books who wasn’t even in the PL 25. That said, Sels will doubtless put in some sort of Banks-esque shift when we got to the City Ground next week.
Without knowing which winger West Ham are pushing for, it does seem a bit odd that they are simultaneously willing to sell Maxwell Cornet, who I’ve always rated, despite his recent injury record.
West Ham continuing talks over potential outgoings. Benrahma close to Lyon on loan, Real Betis pushing for Pablo Fornals, Maxwells Cornet to Palace not ruled out. West Ham trying to get a winger on loan #whufc
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) February 1, 2024
Eintracht Frankfurt agree €30m deal for PSG's Hugo Ekitike
A huge deal for the Bundesliga club, who sold striker Randal Kolo Muani to PSG in the summer of course.
🚨🚨EXCLUSIVE 🔴🔵
— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) February 1, 2024
❗️Agreement between Paris and Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike
🔹Loan + mandatory buy option + sell on clause around 30M€
🔹The player will be in Frankfurt in the next hours pic.twitter.com/rYa6KsW9JP
Burnley, the scamps, are closing in on another signing. Vincent Kompany has revealed Montpellier defender Maxime Estève is “in the building”. Here are some details, courtesy of PA. Estève is a 21-year-old centre back, and Montpellier will replace the Frenchman with Utrecht’s Modibo Sagnan for around €3m, according to L’Équipe.
Maxime Estève looks set to join on-loan Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana as a January arrival at Turf Moor. Footage on social media appeared to show Esteve in attendance at the 3-1 loss at Manchester City on Wednesday.
And when asked at a press conference before Saturday’s home clash with Fulham how close the Frenchman was to joining, Clarets boss Kompany said: “If he’s in Manchester, then pretty close. Walking up here, there’s still nothing official, so until then. But he’s in the building and hopefully we can announce it soon. I hope if it does happen that everybody will see what we saw in him, but until the ink is on the paper, I’m not going to say too much.”
After Reading’s dire financial situation was laid bare earlier this month by Ben Fisher, it appears the League One club is now having a fire sale of its best young talents.
Taylan Harris has joined Luton Town and now …
Reading youngster Caylan Vickers is set to join Brighton. Previously linked with Real Madrid
— Will Unwin (@Will_Unwin) February 1, 2024
It’s quiet out there. Too quiet.
@michaelbutler18 After Aaron Collins made himself unavailable last Saturday, his transfer to Bolton has gone through - undisclosed fee around 750 000. Clock now running on who the Gas will spend the money on - with August's Jonson Clarke-Harris fiasco still fresh in our minds.
— Richard #FBPE Woods (@gasheadforever) February 1, 2024
In other keeper news, Arsenal will release Alex Rúnarsson, with the 28-year-old due to sign for FC Copenhagen. The Icelandic stopper made only six appearances for the Gunners in three years, including a truly disastrous Carabao Cup display against Manchester City in 2020 in which Rúnarsson was culpable for at least two City goals.
He played just once more for Arsenal before a number of loan spells. He is technically at Cardiff City now, but is expected to be released from all contracts and head to Denmark.
Nottingham Forest agree deal with Strasbourg for Sels
🚨🌳 Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Matz Sels as new goalkeeper, here we go!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Strasbourg to receive fee around €6/7m as deal has been completed.
Sels, flying to Nottingham for medical. pic.twitter.com/u7oeHDbcQz
Here we go!
Not transfer news, but thought these Pochettino quotes were pretty damning re Chelsea’s performance at Anfield last night.
I haven’t watched too much of Chelsea recently, outside of a few highlights, but despite an upturn in results, there doesn’t seem to be too much optimism from the fans. Tim Rolls is a respected Blues fan of 50-ish years and was an Anfield last night to watch the 4-1 defeat. He’s normally fair and I take his opinion as a good barometer of how things are going at Chelsea. Which leads me to …
A mate described Fernandez and Caicedo as the worst double act since Hale and Pace.
— ⭐Tim Rolls⭐ (@tim_rolls) February 1, 2024
Which seems harsh.
On Hale and Pace.
Thanks Tom. Back to business we go.
How Sky Sports News pretend Deadline Day is going to go vs. How Deadline Day actually goes. pic.twitter.com/fOkTsjntYU
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) February 1, 2024
And with that, I’ll hand you back to Michael to see what gets firmed up this afternoon. Bye.
Marco Silva speaks, but offers little transfer-wise, while informing us that Raul Jimenez could be out for around six weeks, which has heightened a goal-shy side’s need for forwards. But he has nothing to say about Armando Broja: “I’m not going to make comments on players, rumours, it’s not necessary. I’m here to talk about our players.”
Time for something different. The latest Moving the Goalposts newsletter lands, charting the revival of Ghana’s women’s team.
Benrahma move to Lyon edges closer. That said, Sky can tell us that Lyon are expecting Saïd Benrahma to arrive at the club this afternoon for a medical after reaching agreement on terms with the West Ham winger, who has landed at Lyon. We’re talking loan with an option to buy worth around £15m.
🔴🔵 Saïd Benrahma, already in Lyon in order to complete his move to OL later today.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Updated
As Sky’s crews mill around outside Craven Cottage and Molineux hoping for some – increasingly unlikely it would seem – Armando Broja news, another email on the theme arrives, from Tim Gill. “I agree with you that this is the quiet window we need in terms of financial stability (can a salary cap be far away?) but Stephen Carr is also right: watching Sky eke this out for hours after a turgid month is comedy gold.”
“Afternoon Tom.” Afternoon Stephen Carr. “The turd polishing on Sky Sports News on this whisper quiet deadline day is a joy to behold.” You should have been doing this liveblog a couple of weeks ago – this is thrill-a-minute stuff compared to then. Though as I’ve argued before, a quiet January window at the top might be a healthy and necessary thing for the game.
And still more from the second tier. Birmingham have signed Alex Pritchard from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, reuniting the midfielder with his former boss at the Stadium of Light, Tony Mowbray. Could be a handy deal for the Blues, that one.
More top of the Championship/bottom of the Premier League tussling: Mason Holgate, who’s been on loan at Southampton this season, is set to join Sheffield United on loan, Sky reports, though rival interest from Leeds persists. Leeds are also finalising a loan deal for Burnley’s Connor Roberts. The right-back is due to have a medical at Elland Road this afternoon.
Updated
Spurs striker Alejo Véliz to join Sevilla on loan
Spurs are set to loan the striker Alejo Véliz to Sevilla. The 20-year-old Argentinian, who joined last summer for £12.9m from Rosario Central, has made eight appearances in the Premier League, all of them as a substitute, scoring one goal – in the 4-2 defeat at Brighton on 28 December. He has been out since picking up an injury against Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve, Ange Postecoglou initially saying it would sideline him for “a couple of months”. It appears the assessment was overly pessimistic, with Véliz now back in training. Postecoglou’s attacking options will be swelled when Son Heung-min returns from the Asian Cup. Manor Solomon is also close to a comeback from injury.
More gossip among the parachute payment clubs in the Championship. Leeds have enquired about Leicester’s defender Harry Souttar, but the second-tier leaders are thought to be unwilling to sell to a promotion-race rival. While West Brom have reached a loan deal with Celtic for the winger Mikey Johnston
Updated
To the WSL now and Aston Villa’s women have endured a difficult season. It’s just got harder, too, with news that Lucy Staniforth has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle problem, while her fellow midfielder Laura Blindkilde has joined Manchester City.
Here’s more from PA Media:
Aston Villa’s Lucy Staniforth is to miss the rest of the season due to an ankle issue, boss Carla Ward has said. Ward said the 31-year-old, who has 17 England caps, is set for surgery after suffering the “bizarre” injury in the warm-up prior to last week’s League Cup match against Sunderland.
Since then Villa have also lost Staniforth’s fellow midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown, with the youngster joining Manchester City on transfer deadline day. Ward told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Super League home clash with Bristol City: “Lucy Stan and Laura Brown have been ever-present in our midfield, so it’s a massive hole. Lucy has been excellent for us.
“It’s an injury that requires intervention and we’ll get that done on Wednesday and get her ready for pre-season.”
The England Under-23 international Blindkilde Brown, 20, made her move with Villa saying City had triggered a “substantial” buyout clause in her contract. It is reported City have paid £200,000.
Updated
Thanks Michael. Afternoon everyone. Well, football’s very much been told to hold Formula One’s beer when it comes to sensational transfer news today, but deals are being lined up left, right and centre. Here’s another one: Ipswich have sorted a deal to loan Kieffer Moore from Bournemouth to beef up their frontline as they push for a second straight promotion, Sky reports. Could be an interesting one, that.
Here’s a round-up of what’s happened in the morning session of transfer deadline day.
I’m off for a bite to eat. Tom Davies will see you through the next little bit. Cheers!
There have been contractual issues between West Ham and Saïd Benrahma to resolve but there is growing optimism that the winger will complete his loan move to Lyon. West Ham are currently not expecting any incomings.
More Burnley news: they have signed 19-year-old Joe Bevan from Albion Rovers, currently playing in the fifth tier in Scotland.
👏 It's a go for Joe... from the @OfficialSLFL to the @PremierLeague!
— Albion Rovers FC (@albionrovers) February 1, 2024
Joe Bevan seals a dream move to @BurnleyOfficial - and we couldn't be prouder. 🥲#ARFCOKAY 🇲🇰
Romaine Mundle has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at Sunderland, moving to Wearside from Belgian Pro League side Standard Liège for an undisclosed fee. The London-born winger started with Tottenham Hotspur and he spent 15 years in N17 before departing for Belgium in July 2023, so a quick return to England for Mundle.
Updated
Perhaps the Sensi deal will pave the way for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to join Brighton. Enzo Maresca was talking about a potential departure for the midfielder earlier. Let’s see.
More ridiculous behaviour from a Championship club. Sensi is 28, an Italy international and although out of favour this season, is in his prime. He played 30 times for Internazionale last season. Leicester are already 10 points clear at the top. Not sure how anyone apart from the other relegated teams with parachute payments – Southampton, Leeds – can compete with this?
🚨🔵 Understand Stefano Sensi will travel to England later today in order to complete his move to Leicester City!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Travel scheduled in the next hours, Sensi on his way to medical at #LCFC.
Inter and Leicester have verbally agreed on fee for permanent transfer. 🦊🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/RszDqw9PHq
Key event
Matt Turner’s days at Nottingham Forest are numbered, it seems, after the latest mistake against Arsenal, allowing Gabriel Jesus to sneak in the opening goal at the near post. Forest are still trying to do a deal with Crystal Palace for England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, according to Ed Aarons. They rejected a £10m bid earlier this week.
Forest are also bidding for 31-year-old Matz Sels of Strasbourg, with the offer around the €7m mark. That’s about the same money that Newcastle paid for a younger, less accomplished Sels way back in 2016, when the Magpies were in the Championship. Sels lost his place to Karl Darlow and the rest is history. Sels is much improved recently, though, and has been one of the most reliable in Ligue 1 for a few seasons now.
A deadline day special.
Aston Villa confirm signing of Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough
The fee is officially undisclosed, but thought to be £15m. Rogers joined Middlesbrough on a permanent deal last summer, and has been earmarked by Emery as a player who could instantly bolster Villa’s frontline. Manchester City, whom Boro paid about £1m for Rogers last summer, stand to benefit from a sell-on clause.
Back in the Midlands. 🤝
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 1, 2024
Morgan Rogers is a Villan! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/iUn0W4J3GS
Lyon closing on Mangala and Benrahma
It’s been a busy window for French club Lyon, who are hoping to seal a double Premier League swoop today by signing Orel Mangala from Nottingham Forest and West Ham’s Saïd Benrahma. Belgium midfielder Mangala will move to Ligue 1 on an initial loan deal worth €10m, with an option to make the deal permanent for another €15m in the summer.
Things are not quite as simple for Benrahma, however. It is understood that the Algeria winger has travelled to France to complete his £15m move but issues over agents’ fees are holding up the move, as it stands.
Fulham open talks with Lyon's Rayan Cherki
Understand that Fulham have opened talks with Lyon over Rayan Cherki, who are open to selling the France Under-21 forward. Talks ongoing over valuation but estimated to be around £35m with only 18 months left on contract. Other Premier League clubs interested, but only in the summer.
Cherki is represented by Kylian Mbappé’s mother, Fayza Lamari, and has been tracked by Chelsea in the past. Lyon need to balance books with Orel Mangala and Saïd Benrahma incoming.
Updated
Juventus F.C. signs a football player named Carlos Alcaraz and Carlitos comments:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 31, 2024
"I'll try my best! Thanks for the trust" 😂 pic.twitter.com/REpVjP3wdr
Whilst you are sitting around, doing NISH, Burnley are out making moves.
Lorenz Assignon was actually a target for Galatasaray but it seems that Burnley have beaten Gala – who we are contractually obliged to called ‘the Turkish giants’ – to the signing of the Stade Rennais right back.
Instead, looks like Serge Aurier will sign for Galatasaray from Nottingham Forest. The 31-year-old is currently captaining Ivory Coast at Afcon, where the hosts have reached the quarter-finals. It feels that Aurier’s move to the Turkish league is one that he was born to make.
🚨🟣 Lorenz Assignon, on the verge of joining Burnley as previously reported.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Loan deal with buy option clause agreed and time for medical. #DeadlineDay
🟡🔴 Galatasaray’s new right back will be Serge Aurier. pic.twitter.com/fxvUCo9m7P
Manchester City women have signed three exciting young players as they attempt to wrestle the WSL title away from leaders (and holders) Chelsea.
Poppy Pritchard moves from Durham. The 18-year-old striker grabbed a hat-trick for Durham’s Academy in a 3-2 victory over Manchester United’s Under-21s in November 2023. She also found the net inside 15 minutes of her England Under-19s debut in September of last year as the Young Lionesses beat Denmark 5-0.
Tara O’Hanlon moves from Irish side Peamount. The teenage defender is already a Republic of Ireland international. “After winning the league with Peamount, I felt I was ready to try and make the step up to the WSL,” said O’Hanlon. “I’m young, so hopefully I can come in and work hard over the next couple of months. I will do my best to try and earn a place in the team.”
Laura Blindkilde Brown is a big-money move, with City understood to have paid £200,000 for the 20-year-old from Aston Villa. Blindkilde Brown is seen as a replacement for City’s Jill Roord, who became the latest female superstar to suffer an ACL injury last week.
This research needs to be heeded.
This is nice from Graham Ruthven on whether Nottingham Forest can get Gio Reyna going again. At one time, the American looked like one of the brightest young players in Europe.
Key event
Enes Ünal, who has been ‘tipped’ to be the next big thing for about 10 years now, looks to be on the verge of joining Bournemouth. Fabrizio Romano has the story.
The Turkish striker was on fire for Getafe last season but suffered an ACL injury in March 2023, and only returned to action last month. Five appearances in January for Getafe, no goals. Apparently he has a €40m release clause, so €16.5m seems cheap but with his injury record it does feel like a risk. The Cherries obviously feel like it’s worth it, though. Imagine Ünal will be a back up to Dominic Solanke for the rest of the season, with a view to replacing the English striker if he moves on in the summer for big money.
🚨🍒 Enes Ünal to Bournemouth, here we go! Deal in place on initial loan with obligation to buy clause for €16.5m total package.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
Ünal has agreed to the move as revealed earlier this morning.
Time for medical and contracts to be prepared.
Exclusive story, confirmed. 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/ccjdw21zFS
The Guardian has closely followed Ünal’s career and was included in our 2014 Next Gen series.
In 2013, he became the youngest player to score in the Turkish top flight, netting in a match against Galatasaray for Bursaspor at the age of 16, got a £2m move to Manchester City in 2015 at 18, moved onto Villarreal for £12m in 2017, and onto Getafe in 2020. It’s been up and down since then.
Updated
Anyway, back to football transfers. Here is the Rumour Mill to save the day.
Before we get lost down a food-based rabbit hole, I know that Dyche and Woan are takeaway curry aficionados. They know their way around a menu, let’s put it like that.
Watching Sean Dyche talk about curry is quite possibly the greatest thing I’ve ever seen
— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) January 20, 2020
pic.twitter.com/5MOEwUuhqP
“I might be late to the party on this one but I’ve just spotted Sean Dyche and the tough tackling Vinny Samways breakfasting together in a trendy Liverpool cafe,” emails Darrien Bold. “Rumours of a cool £2m swoop doing the rounds in these parts”.
More news when we have it. I’m not entirely sure that the first part of the email isn’t a joke. Dyche eating a posh breakfast with Vinny Samways before training is exactly the sort of thing I imagine that Dyche does on a Thursday.
However, when I interviewed Ian Woan – now Dyche’s assistant at Everton of course – in 2021 when they were at Burnley, he painted a fairly bleak picture of Dyche’s eating habits. Woan and Dyche lived together in a flat in Whalley, Lancashire with no working kitchen.
Rather than commute from Nottingham, Woan lives with Dyche in a nearby flat in midweek, a base for heated discussions on team selection.
“I would never talk back to him in front of other staff. Ever. But in our flat, it’s open season. You’d laugh if you came. Premier League manager, incredibly successful and all it’s got is two couches, two beds and a big-screen TV. I don’t think the cooker works.”
It sounds eerily similar to the Nottingham home Woan, Dyche and [Steve] Stone shared in the early 1990s. “We had nothing in that first house. Stoney spent most of his time trying to get the 2ps out of the pay phone. Sean was always way more professional than us, but would always have MTV on. I was the landlord back then. The rules have changed these days, I know who’s boss.”
Updated
This is not disclosed, but looks like Forest’s deal for Ribeiro would be worth more than £10m and if the transfer becomes permanent.
Nottingham Forest sign Rodrigo Ribeiro from Sporting
Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Rodrigo Ribeiro from Sporting. The 18-year-old striker has joined the club on loan for the remainder of the season, in a deal which could become permanent beyond that. Per the club:
An exciting young forward, Ribeiro came through the ranks, making his professional debut for Sporting in the Champions League against Manchester City in March 2022. A Portugal Under-20 international, Ribeiro scored six goals in nine matches as Sporting reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Youth League last season, and has featured 10 times for the club’s academy side in the Portuguese third tier this term. Ribeiro will wear the No 37 shirt in Nottingham.
Updated
Mahmoud Dahoud joins VfB Stuttgart on loan
It hasn’t quite happened for Dahoud at Brighton. The emergence of Billy Gilmour in Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield has hampered the German, who returns to the Bundesliga, where he made his name with Dortmund. Stuttgart are going great guns of course, third in the table, and joins fellow Albion loanee Deniz Undav, who has scored 12 Bundesliga goals so far this season.
Brighton’s technical director David Weir said, “This is a good move for Mahmoud. It will give him an opportunity to play regularly for a side doing very well towards the top of the Bundesliga. We wish him well for the rest of the campaign.”
The latest, as I understand it is that the Wharton transfer came close to collapse last night. That had a knock on effect to potential incomings at Blackburn.
— Andy Bayes (@AndyBayes) February 1, 2024
The Wharton deal appears to be back on and close to completion & Blackburn can get on with recruitment.#rovers #cpfc https://t.co/6oi4yBDHO1
The above is from the BBC Lancashire sport editor. Blackburn were apparently pushing for Wharton to be loaned back to the club for the rest of the season, and it looks like Palace nearly pulled out of the deal. However, it seems that things have been resolved. Wharton should still be a Palace player by the end of the day.
That hiccup did disrupt Blackburn’s own transfer plans. American striker Duncan McGuire was reportedly flying over the pond last night from Orlando City to sign for Blackburn for £3.2m, but was told to turn back when the Wharton deal looked like collapsing. Sheffield Wednesday are another team keen on the USMNT forward. It is unclear whether McGuire made it to England.
Crystal Palace are one of the few Premier League clubs that remain very active. Colombia right-back Daniel Muñoz has already joined from Genk on a three-year deal (I can genuinely only think of three right backs that have played for Palace in last 10 years – Ward, AWB and Clyne), the £20m+ deal for Blackburn’s Adam Wharton is expected to be confirmed today and now Ed Aarons has a new lead: West Ham’s Maxwel Cornet, who is an excellent player when fit IMO.
Understand that Crystal Palace are interested in signing Maxwel Cornet on loan from West Ham. Talks continuing but told the Ivory Coast winger would like to move ...
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 31, 2024
Would those three deals represent a better deadline day than the one Palace had 10 years ago today?
𝟯𝟭.𝟬𝟭.𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟰 🗓️
— Team Called Palace (@TCPalacePod) January 31, 2024
Scott Dann ✍️
Wayne Hennessey ✍️
Tom Ince (Loan) ✍️
Joe Ledley ✍️
Jason Puncheon (Perm) ✍️
It was a time of basic unveilings, grainy camera phones and rather large replica shirts! 😂#CPFC pic.twitter.com/MEkn1cTHiX
Nope. Palace were in an awful state when these five arrived, but a run of five successive wins in March and April saw the club pull clear of the relegation zone and survive relegation in 2013-14. These signings were crucial to that run.
Chelsea want £5m loan fee for Armando Broja
Armando Broja’s future at Chelsea remains up in the air. After rejecting a loan bid from Wolves for the striker last week, they’re now ready to let him go out on a straight loan. No option or obligation necessary. But potential suitors are unsure about paying a £5m loan fee. Fulham are also interested and look the likeliest of anyone to do it.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are nearing a Championship capture of their own. We’re expecting this one to be rubber-stamped today after Rogers’ medical.
Speaking of Championship clubs with an embarrassment of riches, here’s league leaders Leicester City, who could be tempted to flog Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall if they receive a bid of around £30m. The midfielder is thought to be a January transfer target for Brighton. Here’s what Foxes manager Enzo Maresca had to say:
“I don’t want Kiernan to go - ask the club if we need to sell or not. The only way we can do something is to sell players. I don’t think that Kiernan’s future was about this game. Kiernan is a Leicester player, hopefully he can play in the next game.
“Here, he showed once again he is in love with the club, if something will happen now, I don’t know. He cares about the club and he has 10 goals this season, probably for the first time in his life, these kind of things, people don’t give the right importance to and it’s not a good thing.”
Southampton's Alcaraz joins Juventus on loan
Absolutely sensational that a benchwarmer at Southampton can sign for probably the biggest club in Italy, even if it is on loan. Carlos Alcaraz joins Juventus, and what a move that is for the Argentinian.
“Considering the midfield options we have available to us right now, and Charly’s lack of game time, we wanted to allow him this chance to gain some valuable experience in one of the top leagues in Europe,” said Southampton’s director of football Jason Wilcox. “Juventus are a huge club and we are convinced that this move will allow Charly the opportunity to flourish and then come back and be a success at Southampton.”
The strength is depth that Saints have is absolutely ridiculous. They signed David Brooks and Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth on loan a couple of days ago. Both are easily Premier League players, but it goes to show how parachute payments are distorting the Championship. Southampton are third, just one point behind second-placed Ipswich and one point ahead of fourth-placed Leeds.
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Preamble
Congratulations, everyone. You made it. January is over, unless you are in Hawaii or another remote Pacific island, in which case you’ve still got another couple of hours to go. The end of this month means three important things. Firstly, dry January is over. Secondly, it is nearly time to start worrying whether a card and a kiss will suffice for Valentine’s Day in a couple of weeks. And lastly, it is ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL’S JANUARY TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY.
This month has been a relatively underwhelming affair. There have been only 10 permanent transfers by Premier League clubs, a far cry from the record-breaking £843m spent in last season’s January window. Perhaps this is a good thing, as clubs worry about FFP and start to operate with a modicum of common sense. Still, there are a few clubs out there who have been biding their time, waiting until the last moment to low-ball their rivals with a cheeky bid for a striker they so desperately need. We will certainly see some action today, and this liveblog (and transfer interactives) will be here to bring you all the latest movers and shakers from the men’s and women’s game.
Onwards!
