Thanks for being with us for the transfer window thrill ride – the collected wheeling and dealing news is below. (Plus a reminder from Cristian Romero that Spurs fans, who may have actually enjoyed that bold fightback against Manchester City, are not allowed nice things for long.) Bye!
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… and Axel Disasi’s move from Chelsea to West Ham is belatedly confirmed. It’s a loan deal for the 27-year-old French centre-back, which was widely expected to go through today, and it has. The London Stadium fax machine (or modern equivalent) is in perfect working order.
Deadline-day roundup
So, the big news of the day? Jørgen Strand Larsen joined Crystal Palace – very much the main characters of this transfer window, for better or worse – for a club-record fee from Wolves.
Then there’s Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to Milan collapsing like like a pound-shop deckchair, so he’s still in south London.
Wolves got busy by signing Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong. Nottingham Forest have snared full-back Luca “back of the” Netz. Nilson Angulo is winging his way to Sunderland.
Jérémy Jacquet will be a Liverpool player in the summer. Everton have a loan deal in place for Chelsea’s teenager Tyrique George. But David Moyes still has 1x Dwight McNeil on his books, after Palace’s paperwork was apparently not filed in time. Plus lots more!
The Scottish window is now closed but we’re expecting news from Celtic (Joel Mvuka) and Rangers (Ryan Naderi) to emerge tonight or in the wee hours of Tuesday. Have either club bolstered their squads enough in this window to up their title challenge with Hearts top of the table? Time will tell.
Ryan Naderi is joining Rangers, with the club confident they can get a deal for the Hansa Rostock striker done before the Scottish window closes (at 11pm). The 22-year-old will be announced at some point tonight or tomorrow.
In bonus Rangers news: defender Clinton Nsiala has left to join Belgian club KVC Westerlo for the rest of the season.
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Arsenal have signed teenager Evan Mooney from St Mirren. We mentioned the talk around it earlier on today but, yes, Scotland Under-19 international Mooney – who turned 18 in December – has joined the Premier League leaders.
The winger/centre-forward has one senior goal in a handful of appearances and is being brought in as “one for the future” rather than instant competition for Viktor Gyökeres, you strongly suspect.
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Liverpool confirm Jacquet is required
Liverpool have confirmed Jérémy Jacquet’s signing with the highly rated 20-year-old defender joining the club, not yet – but this summer for the 2026-27 season. The transfer from Rennes, widely expected to go through today, is for an initial £55m, plus £5m in add-ons.
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Joel Mvuka on, off move to Celtic is back on – in loan form. The reported £3m transfer from Lorient was in doubt, apparently after the medical, but Celtic are still keen on the winger. Word is that it will be a loan with an option to make it permanent in the summer. The Scottish window closes at 11pm, so Celtic have half an hour to get it over the line.
Leicester sealed Joe Aribo’s loan signing from Southampton until the end of the season earlier – and moves for Jamaal Lascelles and Divine Mukasa are still expected to be confirmed. There is plenty of paperwork for the EFL to sift through, so those announcements could come on Tuesday.
Portsmouth have signed defender Madiodio Dia from Norwegian club FK Haugesund. The 22-year-old is “a tall and aggressive defender, who will add some real physicality to our backline”, according to the Pompey manager, John Mousinho.
The 24-year-old Paraguayan Gustavo Caballero has also joined Portsmouth today, on loan from Santos. “He’s a really fast winger who has that ability to get bums out of seats,” relished Mousinho.
Manchester United’s under-21 captain, Jacob Devaney, has joined St Mirren on loan. The versatile 18-year-old, who can play across the midfield and in defence, will be with the Scottish Premiership side until the summer.
Blackpool sign midfielder Leighton Clarkson from Aberdeen. The 24-year-old playmaker, a former Liverpool academy graduate, joins the League One club for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
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Bristol City have made a couple of deadline-day additions, with defender Noah Eile joining Tomi Horvat in signing for the Championship club. The 23-year-old defender Eile, an arrival from New York Red Bulls, has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months. Eile started his professional career in his native Sweden and has represented his country at under-21 level.
Horvat joined from Sturm Graz, for whom he has played in the Europa League this season. City sold Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner to league rivals Ipswich and Wrexham this window.
“The McNeil deal fell through because Palace didn’t submit the paperwork in time,” confirms Andy Hunter. Who’d be a CPFC admin. Question: is Dwight McNeil outside Selhurst Park in a car, right now, in true Peter Odemwingie style? (Answer: no. No, he isn’t.)
Done deal: Gomes joins Wolves on loan
Wolves have completed the signing of Angel Gomes, the midfielder joining on loan from Marseille until the end of the season. The 25-year-old had fallen out of favour at the Ligue 1 club under Roberto De Zerbi. Wolves have an option to sign Gomes, who began his career at Manchester United and was called into the England squad under Lee Carsley in 2024.
The Wolves head coach, Rob Edwards, worked with Gomes during his time coaching at the FA. “I’m delighted, really excited. I’ve got a really good relationship with Angel – we go back quite a long way now. At the FA we got on really, really well. I thought he was a brilliant, technical player, and he’s got a great brain.”
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Cyle Larin joins Southampton from Mallorca. The 30-year-old striker, who has 30 goals for Canada, will be at the Saints on loan until the end of the season – running right into the World Cup, of course.
“When I think of Southampton I think of the Premier League,” Larin told the Championship club’s website. “Southampton is a big club, I’ve always wanted to play in England and Southampton gives me that opportunity. I think I can bring a lot to Southampton. I know a lot of good strikers have played here before …
“It’s always been an itch. I just think the style of play, the way of football in England is something I’ve always wanted to live and breathe.”
Dwight McNeil will not be joining Crystal Palace – the paperwork was not submitted in time for a 9pm deadline, apparently. A £20m move was reportedly in place for the Everton winger but – as Andy Hunter tipped us off half an hour ago – the deal has fallen through. Breathe, Palace fans.
The news of Tyrique George to Everton is backed up by Jacob Steinberg, the Guardian’s hot-shot Blues reporter. George is a teenager at Chelsea, so of course he’s a winger.
Given Jack Grealish’s injury, it’s a welcome move from David Moyes’s perspective. The long-term intrigue is whether that option to buy is taken up by Everton in the summer, because it will be no light fee for an England Under-21 international.
“I’m really excited to be here and to enjoy this massive club,” George told Everton’s website. “I just can’t wait to get started. The fans here are exceptional. I know Evertonians are really passionate. They like hard work – and that’s what I’m going to show. I want to be exciting and I want to impress them.
“The gaffer, David Moyes, was another reason [I wanted to join]. He’s an amazing manager who has coached so many players, like Wayne Rooney, and players like that.”
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Done deal: Everton complete George loan
Everton have completed the loan signing of Chelsea forward Tyrique George with an option to buy the 19-year-old in the summer.
Junior Hoilett has joined Swindon Town. The mercurial Canada winger was at Hibernian, but the search for on-pitch minutes before the World Cup has taken him to the Robins and League Two.
“I’m really excited to be joining Swindon Town,” said the 35-year-old. “The club has a clear ambition, and I’m looking forward to contributing on and off the pitch. I can’t wait to get started, meet the lads, and play in front of the fans at the County Ground.”
Done deal: Armstrong joins Wolves in £9m deal
Adam Armstrong has joined Wolves from Southampton, the striker moving for an initial £7m, plus £2m in add-ons. It’s a three-and-a-half-year deal for the 28-year-old, who has 11 goals in 29 Championship games this season.
What a rollercoaster window Crystal Palace are having (if it was a rollercoaster which hurtled down a fair bit). They’ve bought and sold – but it’s two non-moves which are creating headlines, too. Obviously Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to Milan failed to go through earlier; now the Dwight McNeil transfer – which looked a cert – apparently falling through.
Dwight McNeil’s proposed loan to Crystal Palace would appear to be off.
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Finland international Leo Walta joins Swansea from Swedish side Sirius. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is on an initial loan, but with an obligation to buy in the summer.
Wes Harding goes from Millwall to Plymouth, the defender joining on loan.
Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be deadline day without a surprising late rumour/story: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Celtic, anyone? The 32-year-old, currently training with Arsenal, is a free agent so there’s no urgency – but apparently the Scottish champions are interested. We shall see.
West Ham are awaiting confirmation all the paperwork was submitted in time but it does seem Axel Disasi on loan is a done deal.
Bailey Cadamarteri has joined Wrexham from Sheffield Wednesday. The 20-year-old forward, son of Danny, arrives for a fee that’s apparently around £1m. Cash needed by Wednesday, of course, but will they have any players left? Tough times in South Yorkshire.
Done deal: Sunderland sign Angulo for £17.5m
Nilson Angulo joins Sunderland. The Black Cats – currently in action against Burnley – are busy on and off the pitch. The 22-year-old Ecuador winger arrives from Anderlecht in a deal worth £15m, plus £2.5m in add-ons.
It was in the works earlier today, but now it is signed and sealed for Sunderland. Angulo has seven goals and eight assists across 30 games in Belgium this season.
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The striker Ryan Hardie has joined Huddersfield on loan from fellow Championship side Wrexham until the end of the season. I guess there’s only room for one pin-up Ryan at Wrexham.
Peter Oh emails: “With consecutive updates involving internationals from Austria and Zimbabwe (see 19.51 and 19.47), this blog has taken the task of covering the transfer window from A-Z quite literally.”
If only we were that deliberate, Peter! Well, the always alphabetically high Aberdeen have signed German midfielder Dennis Geiger on loan from Hoffenheim today. Any updates involving, say, Zaglebie Lubin to balance that out? Anyone?
Andrew Moran has joined Preston from Brighton. The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who was on loan at LAFC last year, arrives for a reported fee of around £1m.
Watford have signed Saba Goglichidze, a 6ft 4in defender from – please contain your surprise – Udinese. The Georgia international joins the Hornets, currently without a head coach after Javi Gracia’s departure on Sunday.
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Sheffield United have signed Joe Rothwell from Rangers. The 31-year-old midfielder, who played in the Premier League for Bournemouth – before loan spells with Southampton and Leeds – joins Chris Wilder’s side for a nominal fee.
James Wilson has joined Spurs on loan from Hearts with an option to buy (for an undisclosed fee). The 18-year-old forward, a Scotland international, will join the academy squad for the rest of the season.
Wilson was actually linked to Arsenal earlier on today, but the Guardian’s David Hytner informed us that Tottenham had submitted a deal sheet this evening. So Wilson is doing a reverse Eze and going the other way in north London. Arguably a slightly lower-profile transfer, mind you.
Allan Saint-Maximin has joined Lens until the end of the season. The 28-year-old winger, a former Newcastle fan favourite, will arrive at a club chasing the title in Ligue 1, sitting second and two points behind leaders PSG.
The Scottish window remains open until 11pm and Celtic – who turned down that Forest £25m bid for Arne Engels earlier today – were looking to bring in Lorient’s Joel Mvuka. However word is that the £3m move for the Norwegian winger may fall through due to a complications with the medical.
Jonathan Panzo has joined Birmingham: the former England Under-21 defender, who’s played for Nottingham Forest and Coventry, joins from Rio Ave for the always mysterious nominal fee.
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Thanks John, and the news is that Sunderland’s Simon Adingra has completed his mooted move to Monaco – on loan with an option to buy in the summer.
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And with that, I shall hand over to Alex Reid to sweep up like Gaetano Scirea. Thanks for reading.
Done deal: Bristol City have signed Slovenian midfielder Tomi Horvat from Sturm Graz for an undisclosed fee.
Done deal: Forest sign Netz from Gladbach
Nottingham Forest have signed full-back Luca Netz from Borussia Monchengladbach, on a four and a half year deal. Some quotes for the German Under-21 player: “Nottingham Forest is a great club with a unique history. The chance to play for this club in the Premier League immediately excited me. I am ready for a new challenge and the next step in my career. I am extremely motivated to get started here and am incredibly excited about the first training sessions and matches at The City Ground in front of our fans.”
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Julian Mentz gets in touch: “For a deadline of 19:00, the deal sheet cannot be used before 17:00 and needs to arrive fully completed before the transfer window closes.
“For someone like myself, used to deadlines as I am, I just couldn’t be ’that’ poor person who needs to get everything just right. I melt and start to stutter when faced with real-life officiadom, and even crack under the pressure of filling out forms online.
“It must be an absolutely extraordinary amount of pressure, knowing that your ability to navigate basic bureauocracy might well define the destinies of lives and clubs.”
Austria international forward Junior Adamu has arrived on loan from Freiburg with Celtic having the option to buy. Adamu’s arrival allowed Johnny Kenny to join Bolton on loan.
Done deal: Sheffield Wednesday have signed Zimbabwean midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba, on a free transfer, a deal until the end of the season after he departed Luton Town.
Done deal: Rotherham are “delighted to confirm” the loan capture of Gabriele Biancheri from Manchester United until the end of the 25/26 season.
Done deal: Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo said to be unavailable for comment.
The Scottish window is open until 11pm, and Celtic are still in the market for Brentford defender Benjamin Arthur in a loan move until the end of the season. He’s 20, and yet to make a Premier League appearance.
Done deal: Sheffield United have signed Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City.
The Blades’ website is billing him as “the Yorkshire Pirlo”.
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What, in reality, is one of these fabled deal sheets? Information via the Premier League website:
Clubs sometimes conclude deals at the last minute and it is not always easy for them to get everything completed and sent over by the deadline. The deal sheet allows a club to confirm that a deal has been reached in order to allow for additional time to submit the remaining documentation.
For a deadline of 19:00, the deal sheet cannot be used before 17:00 and needs to arrive fully completed before the transfer window closes. Once the sheet arrives, clubs have got another two hours, or until 21:00, in which to submit the full paperwork.
Spurs have submitted a deal sheet to get the signing of the Hearts striker, James Wilson, over the line. The 18-year-old is set to join on loan with an option to buy in the summer. He will be a player for the under-21s squad; not the first-team. And that, ladies and gentleman, is that for Spurs in terms of incoming business.
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See the deals as they drop…here.
Sunderland have confirmed that Adil Aouchiche, who made 38 appearances for the club after joining in September 2023, has joined 2.Bundesliga side Schalke on a permanent deal.
Mamadou Sarr has returned to Chelsea from his loan spell at Strasbourg, while Aarón Anselmino, who had been on loan at Dortmund, will be part of Gary O’Neil’s squad at the French squad. The amount of Chelsea defenders is dizzying, to be frank.
The word is that Evan Mooney has been at Arsenal’s training ground so the teenager’s move from St Mirren appears to be happening.
Wrexham have signed striker Davis Keillor-Dunn from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year old has joined Wrexham on a three-and-a-half-year deal and makes a return to the club he once played for back in the 2019-20 season. Keillor-Dunn will replace Elliot Lee, who was sent out on loan to Doncaster earlier on deadline day.
Keillor-Dunn said: “If there’s one club that’s calling, it’s Wrexham you want to go to.”
Edward Ricketts gets in touch: “Not sure that Fekir’s career is really a “sad story” even if he didn’t play in the Premier League, is it?
“He has a World Cup Winners Cup medal [Is this like the old ECWC?], was one of the best players in France with Lyon for 3-4 years followed by another 3 or 4 strong seasons with Betis. OK he’s had numerous injuries, should have won more caps with France and moved into a golden Saudi sunset at 31, and has definitely underachieved given his huge talent. But still, he’s had a pretty good career overall, we’re not talking about a French Ravel Morrison here.”
Everton and deal sheets...another one gone in for the loan signing of Tyrique George from Chelsea. Option to buy in summer.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to be re-integrated into Crystal Palace’s squad after the France striker’s deadline day move to Milan collapsed but will face competition for his place from new signing Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norway striker’s move from Wolves has been confirmed for a club record £48m but Mateta’s failure to pass a medical with the Italian side means he will return to Selhurst Park. Palace are also hoping to wrap up a deal for Everton’s Dwight McNeil despite the deadline having already passed.
News from Sheffield Wednesday on signing Joel Ndala from Manchester City on a loan deal that runs until the end of the season. Ndala has made 19 Championship appearances for Hull City this season whilst on loan with the Tigers.
That Strand Larsen fee, by the way, is £48m.
A deal sheet has gone in for Crystal Palace to sign Dwight McNeil on loan from Everton, with an obligation to buy for £20m.
Wolves, for their part, had this to say, amid a statement: “This term has been more difficult for both club and player, with only one of Strand Larsen’s six goals coming in the Premier League – a penalty against Burnley in October….All at Wolves would like to thank Jorgen for his efforts while at the club and wish him good luck for the future.”
Done deal: Strand Larsen joins Crystal Palace
Club statement: “Crystal Palace are delighted to announce the signing of Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a club-record deal.
“The 25-year-old Norway international has signed a four-and-a-half year contract. He will wear the No. 22 shirt for the Eagles and becomes our third arrival of the January transfer window.”
Chairman Steve Parish said: “We’re delighted that Jørgen has chosen to continue his impressive journey with us and look forward to seeing him in action at Selhurst Park.
Strand Larsen said: “I’m really excited to come to Crystal Palace. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now. I’m here to bring energy and goals, and to try to do my best for the club.”
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In exciting news I hear West Ham have submitted a deal sheet for Axel Disasi. But there is still doubt over whether the loan happens.
The January transfer window SLAMS SHUT
So now, let’s see what deals have been completed.
The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell has this to say on the Harvey Elliott situation: “Villa sources say no progress or recent discussions on the removal of the 10-game obligation. Discussions can happen after the deadline to perhaps alter terms of the agreement.”
Deal sheet klaxon: We are awaiting the Axel Disasi to West Ham deal but the stall is believed to related to his personal demands. His Chelsea contract runs until…2029.
Deal sheet klaxon: David Ornstein reports Crystal Palace and Everton have agreed a deal for Dwight McNeil. In David’s words: “winger undergoing medical before proposed move. Race against time to complete + not guaranteed; may require deal sheet.”
Done deal: “Crystal Palace can confirm that Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has joined Stoke City on loan until the end of the season.”
We’re 15 minutes from the window slamming shut before we enter the netherworld of deal sheets.
Matt Collins gets in touch: “Do you think all the clubs who have decided they aren’t doing any business on deadline day watch Sky Sports with their feet up nursing beers from their official beer partners? Must be nice to just decide you don’t feel like working on your industry’s busiest day.”
Ademola Lookman, who has left Atalanta for Atletico Madrid, has released a social media statement: “To the Atalanta family , after nearly four years, the time has come for me to say goodbye. From the moment I arrived in Bergamo, you welcomed me like one of your own and pushed me to be the best version of myself. Together we made history. European champions, a night none of us will ever forget. Scoring a hat-trick in a European final and lifting a trophy with this club after a 61 year trophy drought will stay with me.
“Winning the Africa Player of the year award in 2024 as an Atalanta player will forever stay with me. Those moments, those emotions, those nights under the lights, they’re engraved in my heart. Thank you to my teammates, the staff, the club. To the fans, your passion, your belief, your energy meant everything. From day one, you stood by me and by this team through every moment. Your passion, your voices, your belief never faded and together we achieved. Every cheer, every banner, every away trip meant something. Thank you for making Bergamo feel like home and for giving me memories I’ll carry forever. Grazie di tutto, ciao.”
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Ed confirms the latter…
Arsenal are continuing to search for a Mikel Merino replacement and are understood to have enquired over a move for Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka, although it seems the Germany midfielder is unlikely to join Mikel Arteta’s side this month. Goretzka is out of contract with Bayern in the summer and has already confirmed he will leave but the German champions want to keep him until then.
Arsenal may have missed out on 18-year-old James Wilson to north London rivals Tottenham but look set to sign another highly-rated teenager: Jaden Dixon from Stoke for £3.2m. The England Under 19 defender will sign a four-year contract at the Emirates.
About that random Arsenal signing. Stoke City teenager Jaden Dixon is set to join Arsenal in a deal worth £3.2m plus add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The last Dixon the Gunners signed from Stoke turned out to be quite good, and so did Steve Bould. Let’s see.
Done deal: Matt O’Riley will return to Brighton, his season-long loan deal to Marseille having been terminated.
Fabian Hurzeler said: “We’re pleased to welcome Matt back to the club. We know all about his qualities, and I have no doubt he will settle back into the group very quickly. He has had a good spell with Marseille, playing regular domestic football and in the Champions League, and we believe he can positively impact the team in the second half of the season.”
European moves: Ademola Lookman has joined Atlético Madrid for €35m, signing a contract until June 2030.
Roma have signed Bryan Zaragoza on loan from Bayern Munich with a conditional purchase clause based on minutes played. The Italian club also paid compensation to his former loan club, Celta Vigo.
Alisson Santos, who scored the goal that took Sporting through to the Champions League last 16, has joined Napoli on loan with a €15m buy option – despite the player wanting to stay put in Portugal.
That random Arsenal signing appears to be Evan Mooney, of St Mirren, 18, who has made 14 Scottish Premiership appearances for the Love Street outfit. Young Scots run free…well, £265k is reported to be the fee. Let’s see if that one comes off.
Eric Peterson gets in touch: “So Jorgen Strand Larsen, who’s had the “I’m too big for my club” bug in his brain ever since Newcastle courted him in summer, gets his move out of Molineux. But he’s headed for circling-the-drain Palace? Playing for a manager who has one foot out the door? Sharing a dressing room with Jean-Philippe Mateta, the guy he was to replace in the squad but whose deeply-desired transfer out of town fell through at the eleventh hour? Yeah, that’ll work out well.”
More from Rennes boss Habib Beye on Jeremy Jacquet; he speaks very well: “We negotiated the transfer, obtained the amount the club looked for, we respected the player’s wish and we have him for the remainder of the season. The club he joins will offer him Champions League football.”
Kevin Wilson, presumably not the former Chelsea winger or the Australian comedy singer, gets in touch: “Memo for West Ham, Chelsea sell two types of player. The first is the talented home grown player who they ship out for financial sustainability reasons but may come back to bite them. The second is the bomb squad player that they stupidly bought with the proceeds of that first player and who was replaced within a year. Guess which type West Ham chase?”
Sunderland play Burnley later this evening, a reminder of the Wearsiders’ business, via PA Media: “Sunderland winger Simon Adingra is closing in on a loan move to French side Monaco. The 24-year-old former Brighton wideman is to spend the remainder of the season with the Ligue 1 side in a deal which could eventually become permanent.
“Ivory Coast international Adingra, who joined the Black Cats from the Seagulls in July last year, has made 15 appearances for the Premier League newcomers to date, five of them coming off the bench.
“Sunderland, who have also sold Patrick Roberts to Birmingham, are attempting to replace Adingra with Anderlecht’s 22-year-old Ecuador midfielder Nilson Angulo in a transfer which could ultimately cost the club around £17.5million.”
PS: Sunderland managed to hold on to Lutsharel Geertruida, who was linked with Liverpool over the weekend but the deal would be with RB Leipzig.
I am told by Ben Fisher that Che Adams to Wolves is unlikely, though Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong are both highly possible
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Crystal Palace are still working hard to get one or two new signings over the line before the deadline but there are major doubts over whether Jean-Philippe Mateta will now depart after his move to Milan collapsed because the France striker failed a medical. Juventus have also shown an interest in a loan but time is running out for the 28-year-old to find a new club, with some reports suggesting he may need surgery on a knee injury that was picked up in the medical and has been carefully managed by Palace over recent months.
As things stand, Jorgen Strand Larsen is still expected to join from Wolves for £48m even if Mateta stays at Selhurst Park having already completed his medical, while Palace have made an improved bid for Dwight McNeil that they hope will be accepted by Everton. Their search for a centre back to replace Marc Guehi has yet to come to fruition despite being linked to a number of names including Ruben Kluivert of Lyon, West Ham’s Max Kilman and Josh Acheampong of Chelsea.
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We’re under an hour to go, and we await the completion of that deal for Disasi, as well as Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace, Angel Gomes, Adam Armstrong and Che Adams to Wolves, whether Nottingham Forest can land Arne Engels.
There’s also James Wilson to Spurs rather than Arsenal, and that mystery Gunners move, which is now looking unlikely.
“Axel Disasi is having his West Ham medical but there’s concern over the conditions of the deal for the Chelsea defender repeatedly changing.”
Edan Tal gets in touch: “Didn’t Kanu fail a medical at Milan before having a *very* long career after that? Liverpool probably don’t regret missing out on Neil Fekir but there must be some good examples of players failing medicals then going to have brilliant and healthy careers anyway?”
Kanu’s failed medical was at Inter in 1996. He was still playing in 2012. Nabil Fekir is now with UAE Pro League club Al Jazira; a huge talent, sad story.
In Scotland, Rangers hope to finalise a deal for Hansa Rostock forward Ryan Naderi, who has reportedly arrived in the UK, but it remains to seen if the German 3.Liga club will sanction the sale this month or hold on to their top scorer until the summer.
Chris Wheeler, the Daily Mail’s Manchester United reporter, has heard from club sources that Tyrell Malacia has not been set to join any Turkish club and no travel arrangements for the player have been made. Patrick Dorgu’s hamstring injury altered the picture. Does this mean Mateta will play in the forward line?
Habib Beye, the Rennes coach and Newcastle legend, on the sale of Jérémy Jacquet to Liverpool) and Kader Meïté to Al-Hilal: ‘We have to see it as a privilege. Rennes could make €100m of profit on two players who were maybe worth €3m between them 6 months ago.”
He also had this to say on Jacquet: “I don’t want to comment on something that is not yet real. It’s supposition. We negotiated the transfer, obtained the amount that the club looked for, we respected the player’s wish and we have him for the remainder of the season.”
More from Signor Riso on Sky Italia: “Inter did not get Curtis Jones from Liverpool so Davide Frattesi will not join Nottingham Forest. Inter don’t want Frattesi to leave now”, told Sky.”
Monday’s Football Daily concentrates on a bit of transfer difficulty in Saudi Arabia.
This season only one PIF club (Al-Hilal) has spent more than Al-Nassr, who have signed some of Europe’s best players in Mohamed Simakan (from RB Leipzig, £30m), João Félix (from Chelsea, £26m) and Kingsley Coman (from Bayern Munich for £21.5m), all arriving to the tune of nearly £100m.
Further news from Sky Italia, who spoke to Sandro Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso: “We never had any conversation with Arsenal”. “Newcastle were never gonna let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it … We didn’t even talk about it.”
So where did that story come from?
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A couple of moves in Italy:
Bologna’s announcement: “Bologna FC 1909 announces that it has acquired the rights to the sporting performances of defender João Mário from Juventus FC on a loan basis until June 30, 2026.”
Via Sky Italia: “Emil Holm is a new Juventus player. The 2000-born defender arrives on loan from Bologna until June 30, 2026. The Bianconeri can also acquire the player outright with a buyout fee set at €15 million.”
Why always Palace? We await developments on Jean-Philippe Mateta after the collapse of that Milan deal. And also Dwight McNeil’s and Jorgen Strand Larsen’s moves.
Here’s a team who have done decent business.
The stripping of the club’s most prized assets had already begun earlier in the summer when Rayan Cherki left to join Manchester City. Georges Mikautadze and Lucas Perri would also depart, both bringing in considerable sums; Nemanja Matic, one of the highest-paid players on the wage bill, was released; and Alexandre Lacazette’s deal expired.
To this. Lyon were once a model club, and look like one again.
Lyon have become more expansive and, as the new signings have bedded in, optimism has crept in. Pre-season fears have turned into hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Morton has been excellent since moving from Liverpool and Pavel Sulc (27 games, 12 goals, five assists) has proven to be one of the signings of the season in Ligue 1. There are success stories across the pitch, from Afonso Moreira (26 games, five goals, eight assists) to Adam Karabec and now Endrick, who scored the first hat-trick of his career in a 5-2 win over Metz last week.
So, just two hours of this madness to go. Who knows what happens now?
Thanks for joining me for the past hour. John Brewin is here for the serious business.
Midfielder Tobias Brenan has joined Harrogate on loan from Wigan for the remainder of the season. I think the League Two side could add a goalkeeper before the final whistle blows at 7pm.
There must be hope of some excitement in the final couple of hours because it’s all been quite slow so far.
Forest were not too confident of getting Engels over the line and it looks like Celtic have rejected their latest bid worth £25m in total.
FC Dallas transferred veteran goalkeeper Maarten Paes to Dutch powerhouse Ajax on Monday.
The 27-year-old Netherlands native recorded 26 clean sheets in 128 appearances from 2022-25.
“Dallas meant so much to me,” Paes said. “I came to Dallas in 2022, and these past four years have changed me so much as a person in the right way. I want to thank the entire city of Dallas, FC Dallas and everyone I have worked with. These have been the most beautiful years of my life, and I enjoyed every single minute. Thank you for all your support. Dallas till I die.“
Paes earned MLS All-Star and MLS Save of the Year honors in 2024. Reuters
Manchester United are sending plenty of young lads out on loan today. Gabriele Biancheri is the latest set for a short-term move, with Rotherham expected to take him until the end of the season.
CHAMPIONSHIP TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester have confirmed the loan signing of Joe Aribo from Southampton.
Burnley are not expecting to do anything else today. I feel they really need a striker, so I am surprised they did not bring one in.
It’s quite difficult to take the thing seriously. The do or die attitude of those on SSN discussing transfers really is something to behold.
“Just think how many players Celtic can not buy with that money!” suggests Gerry Scott.
It seems like a deal worth up to £25m for Arne Engels seems like a lot of money for Nottingham Forest, especially as they started the bidding at around £10m less yesterday for the Celtic man.
It was all quite calm at Nottingham Forest earlier today but looks like they will have a busy end. A deal for Borussia Monchengladbach left-back Luca Netz is in the offing.
Hi! Let’s hope this is a glorious golden hour of transfer activity.
Righto, my watch is over. Here’s Will Unwin to guide you through the next hour, before John Brewin returns as the window gently eases closed.
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I guess that seems a little surprising, as who only knows what’s going on at Tottenham. Other hand, perhaps there’ll be more opportunities there – Chido Obi, for example, left Arsenal because he didn’t think he’d get to play enough.
Spurs will beat Arsenal to the loan signing of Hearts teenager James Wilson. Option to buy at end of season is part of the deal. As with Arsenal, expected to spend the coming months in Spurs’ U21 squad.
Having had an approach for Hayden Hackney refused by promotion-chasing Boro, Nottingham Forest have returned to Celtic with an improved offer Arne Engels, report Sky. From each according to their ability to each according to their need, and all that*.
*Yes, I know that’s Marx not Engels.
“One wonders how Rodri squares this view with the single yellow card he received for multiple yellow card-worthy fouls yesterday,” emails Andy Clarke.
Yes, you’re not the first to make this observation. He’s not quite Fernandinho, perhaps the greatest-ever at avoiding the most blatant yellows imaginable, but he is a talent.
So how do we rate West Ham’s chances of staying up? Had you asked me two weeks ago, I’d have said not a chance, but now they’re six points off Forest, who’re fourth-bottom, having shown much better form in the meantime. Burnley away, on Saturday, is a big game; must-win, probably, especially as Forest travel to Leeds, the two clubs level on points, so at least one will definitely drop.
Nothing quite as gripping as speculation over whether Axel Disasi joins West Ham on loan. The deal has been described as ‘complicated’ but West Ham are back to thinking the Chelsea defender is ready to join.
We talked about Rodri’s comments on Rob Jones earlier.
I can’t believe he’ll get away with them, because you can’t be suggesting refs aren’t neutral; we shall see.
Mateta returning to Palace sounds like fun. He’s made no secret of his desire to leave, hasn’t played well this season, but wants a place in France’s World Cup squad and his replacement mights still arrive. I’d not be surprised if another club decided he was worth tasking a risk on, at a knock-down price.
“Two things that may or may not be linked,” begins John Brennan.
I think where Man United need cover more than midfield is on the wings now. With Dorgu injured, Amad is the only recognised senior winger (Shea Lacey might get more game time now though). Mbuemo is more of a wide forward than a winger and Cunha can cover there but more likely will drift into the centre. They will definitely need to buy someone there in the summer along with two midfielders.
Can free agents signs for clubs after the deadline? Can Raheem Sterling join an English club after today?”
I guess it depends in part who the new manager is and ho he or she wants to play. If it’s Michael Carrick, I agree there’s a good chance he wants the balance of a left-footer on the left-hand side, but the nature of the signing might depend on how good they think Dorgu can get. Another way of solving the problem would to purchase a left-back able to get up and down the flank with end product in the final third.
it might be the case that Milan return to Palace, offering to take Mateta on loan with an option to buy; we shall see.
Updated
Confirmation that Mateta to Milan is off
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to Milan is off after the France striker failed a medical, which also puts Crystal Palace’s hopes of signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in major jeopardy. Mateta had been hoping to sign a three-and-a-half year contract at San Siro after the Italian side agreed a fee of around £30m with Palace. But having raised concerns over a knee injury that Mateta has been carrying for several weeks during the initial medical examinations, further tests on Monday could not convince Milan to proceed with the deal.
Juventus - who held talks with Palace over Mateta earlier in the window - have been linked with a late move, while Nottingham Forest also made a £35m offer for the 28-year-old but the south London club would prefer not to sell him to a Premier League rival.
Palace have agreed a £48m fee with Wolves for Strand Larsen, with the Norway striker having already completed his medical. But it remains to be seen whether that deal will proceed if Mateta does not depart. Palace have also seen a bid rejected by Everton for Dwight McNeil and are still in the market for a central defender having seen a loan approach for Josh Acheampong turned down by Chelsea.
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Wrexham look to be signing Bailey Cadamarteri from Sheffield United – the clubs are negotiating. More generally, though, Wrexham are a real lesson in how to run a football club: just get some Hollywood types pumping on money beyond the rest of the clubs in the division, and there’s your glorious, miraculous transformation.
I’m not sure Fàbregas would leave Como now, but if I was running a Premier League club that needed a manager, he’d be one of the first I’d look at.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are “actively looking” to replace Mikel Merino on deadline day after the Spain midfielder suffered a suspected broken foot. Merino is due to have surgery this week after picking up the injury against Manchester United last week and is not expected back for at least a couple of months.
Arteta admitted they are in the market for a replacement having allowed Ethan Nwaneri to join Marseille on loan earlier this month but insisted they must be ready to help his squad immediately.
Asked if Merino’s injury had changed Arsenal’s plans for deadline day, Arteta said: ‘The news of Mikel was very unexpected, especially for such a long time. So we are actively looking at options. We will continue through that. Of course. I mean, when you’ve got a big player like him in the squad, with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look.
‘We need to do everything we can to see if we have a player that is available. And if we don’t, we keep all we have.’
Arsenal have an interest in Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, although the 18-year-old signed a new contract in December and would cost in excess of £40m.
We talked about Kalvin Phillips earlier, so let’s remember his lovely relationship with his Granny Val.
Tyrell Malacia, bought by Erik ten Hag after doing a great job on Antony, playing for Feyenoord against Ajax, will not, it seems be leaving Manchester United today. He’s out of contract in the summer, so will presumably depart then.
It’s not, apparently, though that Mateta’s failed medical affects Strand Larsen’s move to Palace. And you know what? If the former doesn’t get his move, no defence will enjoy facing the two of them together.
Sky Italia are reporting that Davide Frattesi will stay with Inter, rather than join Nottingham Forest.
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I trust Kolo Muani’s nickname is DJ.
Jean-Philippe Mateta 'fails his medical' at Milan
Mateta to Milan seems to be off on doctor’s advice, say Sky Italia – he failed his medical – but Juventus might be interested, though they’re also interested in Randal Kolo Muani.
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I don’t know. On the one hand, I quite enjoy McNeil but, on the other, is a player deemed not good enough for Everton really where Glasner needs to sling £20m? Most particularly, his lack of pace isn’t what anyone really wants in a wide player, especially for a counter-attacking side like Palace. I’d be amazed if they couldn’t find something better for the money and, if we look at what enabled them to succeed, it was finding top young talent – Eze, Wharton, Munoz, Guéhi, Olise – for affordable prices. McNeil is not that, nor anything close.
Crystal Palace are interested in Everton winger Dwight McNeil, who is likely to find first team opportunities reduced even further should David Moyes’ side complete the loan signing of Tyrique George from Chelsea. Everton value McNeil, who is under contract until 2027, in the £20m region.
Kalvin Phillips is to be loaned to Sheffield United from Manchester City, a third temporary deal following those to West Ham and Ipswich Town in the past two seasons.
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Both these players have decent ability. If i was guessing, I’d say neither make it at United, but both might be of Premier League standard – and if Scanlon can deal with four months of Ian Holloway nipping at his head, that’ll be a feather in his cap.
Can confirm James Scanlon is being loaned to Swindon Town and his fellow Manchester United academy product James Devaney is joining St. Mirren, too, on a temporary basis.
Moving from Sunderland to Monaco sounds a wise call, he’ll barely notice the difference. He must like being by the sea.
Sunderland to sign Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht for £15m up front and potentially £2.5m more in add-ons
Given how well they’ve been scouting, I’m keen to see how this works out; the move allows Simon Adingra to join Monaco on loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
However, I can confirm that Redknapp wouldn’t be “adverse” to Jacquet staying a further six months at Rennes, past the summer, so.
The dream team of Tim Sherwood and Jamie Redknapp are in the SSN studio, talking about Jeremy Jacquet. It’s unclear whether either of them has ever seen him play, but knowledge is being affected.
Kalvin Phillips going to Sheffield United on loan, oof madone! His move from Leeds to Manchester City must go down as one of the worst, most ruinous ever made. Let’s hope he makes the most of it and gets what’s left of his career back on track. On the plus side, barely playing in so long should mean he can go on for longer.
Thanks John. Tell me how good does it feel, and so on.
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And with that, Daniel Harris is at the wheel.
A penitent Graham Moger gets back in touch: “Mmm…apologies John. Perhaps I should have checked the ubiquitous AI first. Apparently ‘up-capped’ is UK speak - mainly amongst publishers (and presumably journos …oops….journalists!)“
“There has been plenty of uncertainty over whether West Ham will be able to convince Axel Disasi to join on loan. I’m told this deal is now moving in the right direction, with the Chelsea defender expected to undergo a medical this afternoon.”
On Sky Sports News, the desperation levels are moving to the acceptance phase; not much happening. The reporter sent to Villa Park sighs that there will no incomings at Aston Villa. They’re also showing the make-up room at the Osterley HQ. One nugget, from Michael Bridge, their reporter – not the one-time Sunderland and Leeds tyro – is that Tottenham are after Hearts’ James Wilson, also on a Under-21 basis.
Graham Moger gets in touch: “Good afternoon John….….or should i say ‘Howde y’all”.
“Thanks for the entertaining live reports, as always. But ‘Up-capped’ nouns indeed! Surely ‘capitalised’ nouns is the correct adjective for a UK-based report. You’ll be using uptick instead of increase, and push back rather than resist.
“Heaven knows to what extent North American idioms will continue to flood the Guardian offices during and after the World Cup this summer - hundreds….thousands… you do the math.”
Hate to do the well, actually but well, actually, that’s a phrase used in sub-editing, one I learned in the last century.
On the subject of which, Loig gets in touch: “Apparently young Ruben Kluivert - who had started to impose himself and deliver - is already leaving l’Olympique Lyonnais to join Palace. Has a couple of assists (yesterday to name but one) and goals to his name.”
Crystal Palace are clearly the club who like to do their Christmas shopping, with attendant variable results. Via our friends at Get French Football News
“Olympique Lyonnais have refused to negotiate with Crystal Palace over signing Ruben Kluivert (23) on transfer deadline day, according to Foot Mercato. The Dutchman has been a regular feature for Les Gones in recent weeks, and they want to keep him at the club.”
Kev McCready gets in touch: “As a long-standing Liverpool fan, can I ask some LFC fans (I call them Tinfoil Toshacks) to give Arne a break and don’t blame Klopp for the collapse of the Geertruda transfer? This is Liverpool, not Grassy Knoll FC.”
I must have missed all this. Klopp being at Red Bull…back and to the left, back and to the left. All adds uo, right?
Reports that Kalvin Phillips, one of those forgotten players who has been in limbo – see Harvey Elliott and Raheem Sterling - will head to Sheffield United on loan. Yes, he’s still a Manchester City player. He was at Ipswich last season and it never quite happened for him.
Here’s Monday’s Football Weekly, which as far as I recall, includes very little transfer talk.
Done deal: West Brom have signed Aston Villa’s 19-year-old midfielder Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old rejoins his former club, whom he joined aged six but left aged 16 for Villa. Jimoh-Aloba scored his first Villa goal to cap their comeback Europa League win against RB Salzburg last week but now leaves for the Championship in search of regular game-time. “This was the No 1 place I wanted to come to because of the emotions and feelings I have towards the club,” he said. “This is a massive club that should be in a much better place and I want to come here and help and do the best I can. I’m determined to help lift the team.”
Updated
Sack race news: A statement from Blackburn, including unnecessary up-capped nouns.
“Valérien Ismaël has today left his position as Blackburn Rovers’ Head Coach by mutual consent.
“Ismaël joined the club in February 2025, however it has been mutually agreed that he will step away from his role with immediate effect, along with Assistant Head Coach Dean Whitehead. Blackburn Rovers would like to thank Valérien and Dean for their efforts during their time at the club and wish them both the very best for the future.
“The club will now begin the process of appointing a new Head Coach and will make no further comment until an appointment is confirmed.”
Dom Booth caught up with the misery at Rovers over the weekend.
Over on the Coventry Telegraph, they’re getting very excited about Frank Lampard’s Coventry signing Frank “The Tank” Onyeka.
Quite the intro here: “Similar to when white smoke rises from the chimney of Sistine Chapel, when Fabrizio Romano posts on social media you can pretty much be assured an agreement has been reached.
“And so, it seems, Frank ‘The Tank’ Onyeka is joining Coventry City today as the Sky Blues add a fourth new signing in the January transfer window, which closes at 7pm tonight.”
Onyeka is a decent player but hasn’t got the game time he’d like at Brentford.
Done deal: Defender Leo Hjelde has joined Championship club Sheffield United on loan from Sunderland for the remainder of the season.
The 22-year-old, who joined the Black Cats from Leeds in January 2024, played his part in the club’s return to the Premier League at the end of the last campaign, but is yet to make an appearance this term after undergoing Achilles surgery.
More Manchester United news, with reports suggesting “U21s captain Jacob Devaney is heading for St Mirren.” Seems some of the kids are being sent to test their credentials in senior football.
More EFL, more Wrexham news, via the Sheffield Star’s Alex Miller, on X: “Understand Bailey Cadamarteri is scheduled for a medical at Wrexham this afternoon. Deal agreed with Sheffield Wednesday.”
Andy Donald gets in touch: “Why is it always deadline day when everyone seems to try and buy Palace players? Is it that they say no repeatedly in the run up to deadline day until clubs make things more public out of frustration? This is two windows in a row in which Palace are scrambling around to find a replacement for an outgoing player but also the player might end up staying. It feels more like a Palace issue but that could be because they are the crisis club du jour.”
So does Bob O’Hara: “Unai Emery missed a trick if he wanted Liverpool to take Harvey Elliot back. Should have played him in defence on Saturday.”
Will Unwin jogs my elbow to remind of this magnum opus on the Scanlon clan. Any relation to Craig Scanlon? Or even Albert Scanlon?
James Carpenter gets in touch: “Going to assume that “ Chelsea need a strong centre-back, it’s a position they are short in” was sarcasm? Including loanees and bomb squadees, they have: Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Colwill, Chalobah, Fofana, Sarr, Anselmino and Disasi. You could throw in Hato and Acheampong in there as well.”
Well, yes, but do you see a John Terry among that bunch? Though perhaps JT would have been flogged off for “pure profit” by now by the BlueCo regime.
Not transfer news but relevant to a team who have spent big this window and ended up disappointed at Tottenham on Sunday.
A bit of EFL news: Wrexham are dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a deal to take Davis Keillor-Dunn back to the club. The striker is poised to follow Zak Vyner through the door, the defender joining in a £1.5m deal from Bristol City. Elsewhere, Portsmouth striker Callum Lang has submitted a formal transfer request after the club rejected three bids from Championship rivals Preston North End, the latest of which totalled a £1.75m package. Preston believe they have matched the player’s valuation but Pompey are digging their heels in over the player, who joined from Wigan in 2024.
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Manchester United youngster James Scanlon, 19, appears set to join Swindon on loan Scanlon, already a Gibraltar international, has outgrown academy football and his parent club want him to play EFL football.
Wiki fact: Scanlon’s mother Gabriella (née Falero) is a former athlete who jointly holds the Gibraltarian record for the women’s 4 × 100 m relay
Interesting that Liverpool are beating Chelsea to Jeremy Jacquet, with the Blues linked for far longer. Chelsea need a strong centre-back, it’s a position they are short in. Liverpool are looking for a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
A number of Championship clubs are interested in the Burnley centre-back Joe Worrall. Sheffield United, Southampton and Leicester are eager to bring in an experienced defender but the Premier League club are currently reluctant to let him leave. The 29-year-old has only made eight appearances for the Clarets this season but Scott Parker values his leadership inside the dressing room.
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What of Harvey Elliott, landlocked but back in the Aston Villa squad? Should he make 10 appearances in the Premier League then a deal will be triggered, when Unai Emery has made it all but clear the player is not what he envisages in his midfield. Emery said after Sunday’s defeat to Brentford: “We have this issue, tomorrow is the deadline. There was nothing changing before today.” Liverpool would have to pull the loan, and that seems unlikely at this late stage.
Another Arsenal transfer move being discussed is for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. The Italian is a player a few have predicted will depart in the summer. Newcastle have issued a terse response to speculation, their briefing to local reporters including words like “complete rubbish” and “stupid”. So that’s that.
Ivan Toney sees his future in Saudi Arabia where he sees his best chance of playing at the World Cup being realised. In an interview with the Mirror’s Darren Lewis, he said:
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, there are players in this league that could still play in the Premier League. The standard is high. I’ve played in the Premier League. I should know.
If Al-Ahli were in the Premier League, we’d finish quite high. That’s my personal opinion. People might kill it, no problem. But I know my teammates, and I know their qualities. You have to be on it every week, because if you’re not, you get pushed over. You have to be in the right mindset.
Some extra info on that surprise James Wilson Arsenal move via the Scottish Sun reporter Robert Grieve, on X: “James Wilson to Arsenal would be a loan to their U-21s. No option to buy. Effectively a trial for a youngster not getting much football at Hearts. Their approach has now sparked interest from other clubs…”
Anything can happen on deadline day…so let’s see what transpires.
That’ll do from me. I leave you in the safe hands of John Brewin.
Today’s headlines so far:
Jérémy Jacquet to Liverpool (£60m) – deal agreed, due for medical
Josh Acheampong to Crystal Palace (loan) – bid rejected
Jean-Philippe Mateta to Milan – deal in doubt
Joel Ordóñez to Crystal Palace (£30m) – bid rejected
Harry Wilson to Everton – enquiry rebuffed
Axel Disasi to West Ham (loan) – pending medical
Tyrique George to Everton (loan) – expected for medical
Brajan Gruda to RB Leizpig (loan) – done deal
James Wilson to Arsenal (loan) – talks ongoing
Updated
Moussa Sissoko has left Watford for a second time. The 36-year-old former Spurs midfielder has joined Panathinaikos in Greece on a permanent deal after an 18-month second spell at Vicarage Road – he made one short of 100 appearances for the club.
Nottingham Forest have had an approach for the Middlesbrough captain, Hayden Hackney, rejected. The 23-year-old – arguably the best player in the Championship – scored the only goal in Boro’s win against Norwich at the weekend, a peach from the edge of the box. Afterwards the midfielder, who is leading Boro’s promotion push and is under contract until the summer of 2027, suggested he is happy to stay put.
“This is what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a kid – play for Middlesbrough,” he said on Saturday. “And where we are in the league at the minute, as long as we just keep going, we feel confident. Winning promotion with Middlesbrough would mean everything to me.”
Chelsea reject Crystal Palace's Acheampong offer
Chelsea have rejected an offer from Crystal Palace to sign Josh Acheampong on loan. They are adamant the young defender is going nowhere. There has been plenty of interest in Acheampong – including from Bayern Munich and Manchester City – but Chelsea do not want to let him go.
There has been a lot of intrigue around the centre-back situation with the world champions this month. They have missed out on Rennes’ Jérémy Jacquet to Liverpool but aren’t panicking. Jacquet was a signing for the summer and Chelsea have options. They are bringing back Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg. Sarr played loads when Liam Rosenior was in charge of the French club. The decision to hold on to Acheampong is also viewed as evidence of a desire to keep elite players at the club.
It could be pointed out that the previous ownership at Chelsea didn’t stand in Marc Guéhi’s way when Palace came calling in 2021 – and look how that turned out.
A lot of moving parts, though. Sarr’s place at Strasbourg will be taken by Aarón Anselmino, who was recalled from his loan at Borussia Dortmund last week. And there is interest in the Nantes centre-back Tylel Tati – however the 18-year-old is seen as a player for Strasbourg in the first instance.
Ian Sargeant writes: “As a season ticket holder of long standing / sitting / groaning reading Jacob’s assurance that West Ham have other centre back options lined up doesn’t fill me with a great deal of enthusiasm.”
“My West Kent Sunday league Div 5 runners up medal from 1990 probably gets me on the list at some point......phones on just in case.”
To be fair, their No 1 target Axel Disasi hasn’t played since last year – maybe 1990 isn’t all that distant.
The Turkish Super Lig did seem very much like a halfway house for Jhon Durán and a return to one of Europe’s major leagues from Saudi Arabia feels inevitable – he’s only 22. If West Ham hadn’t already signed two strikers this window, they’d surely be sniffing around.
One to watch as the deadline nears is Jhon Durán, the Al-Nassr striker who is on loan at Fenerbahce. The 22-year-old left Aston Villa for the Saudi Pro League this time last year, pocketing Villa £71m; it was an offer Villa deemed simply too good to turn down. He then moved to Turkey last summer, but now Durán is being offered to various Premier League clubs, with the player seemingly keen on a return to England. Will any be tempted and make a late move?
Sverre Nypan has had his loan at Middlesbrough from Manchester City mutually terminated. The 19-year-old midfielder made just three starts in the Championship this season and joined City from Rosenborg last summer.
Arsenal in talks to sign Hearts teenager Wilson
Arsenal are in talks with Hearts over a surprise move for teenage forward James Wilson. Mikel Arteta’s side want the 18-year-old, who became the youngest player in Scotland’s history in March last year, on an initial loan with any deal likely to include an opportunity to make the move permanently in the summer. Wilson has scored eight goals in 21 starts for SPL leaders Hearts this season and it remains to be seen whether an agreement can be reached before this evening’s deadline.
Arsenal are also in the market for a midfielder after Mikel Merino’s foot injury but Newcastle have dismissed reports linking them to Sandro Tonali. Oleksandr Zinchenko completed his move from Arsenal to Ajax on Sunday after cutting short his loan at Nottingham Forest.
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Hello folks. Let’s take a look at the more interesting deals from across Europe in the last 24 hours or so.
Aged 35, former Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has signed for Paris FC on a free transfer from Bologna – that’s his 13th club of his career.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has left his loan at Nottingham Forest and his contract at Arsenal for Ajax, where he has signed just a six-month contract.
In two departures from Ligue 1, Jérémie Boga has joined Juventus on loan from Nice until the end of the season and Mohamed Kader Meïté has sealed a £26m move from Rennes to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Righto, my watch is over (for now). Here’s Billy Munday to chill with you through the next bit.
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“Honestly, some serious action needs to be taken against Rodri,” says Ben Monroe-Lake. “As is the style of the moment, conspiracy theories are becoming larger and more ominous parts of everyday conversations and football is very much susceptible to that.
You really don’t need to dig very far into football discourse to see people claiming all sorts of unsubstantiated nonsense about bias against their teams and a fellow professional should not be stoking those flames against refs. Football has long had an incredibly difficult situation with its officials but the league seem to be very resistant to stamp down on it.
For some reason, many people seem to think that millionaires should be able to scream in a colleagues face and we would lose something if that faded away. It doesn’t seem like it would be very hard to deal with. Start doling out some harsh punishments for even minor infractions, actually enforce the rule about only the captain speaking to the ref, make it consistent.”
I completely agree on Rodri. I used to think the need for players to defer to officials was a bit odd until, in a piece that’s linked lower down the page, I spoke to some grass-roots refs who were certain that the violence to which they’re sometimes subjected comes as a direct consequence of how Premier League players behave.
“Morning Daniel, morning everyone,” begins Darrien Bold. “I might be late to the party on this one but I’ve just spotted David Moyes and the tough-tackling Vinny Samways having a sandwich together in a trendy Lytham cafe. Rumours of a cool £2 million swoop doing the rounds in these parts...”
Vinny Sideways, “tough-tackling”? I’m calling nah.
“Rodri should have been sent off at least twice yesterday,” says Titan Tempura Ox, “so in my opinion he should shut his wonderfully talented pie hole, please and thank you.”
The desire to blame biased officiating for bussing a 2-0 lead against Spurs is bizarre.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Jacquet goes because he comes with such a high reputation. We’ll need to remind ourselves that progress is often not linear, and he’s not necessarily a signing for next season, but for those which comes after. At some point, though, he might well become one fo the best centre-backs around.
Liverpool’s £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet (£55m plus £5m in add-ons) is in keeping with long-held plans to rebuild their central defence with some of the most promising young talent in Europe. Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen – who Liverpool missed out on - and Giovanni Leoni, who did arrive at Anfield last summer but whose debut season has been ruined by an ACL injury, were also part of that strategy.
Several young defenders have been signed to the club’s academy in recent weeks too.
Jacquet, the 20-year-old Rennes defender, will undergo his Liverpool medical today and join the club in the summer, when both Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson could depart on free transfers.
Liverpool had also tried to sign Lutsharel Geertruida from Sunderland to cover more immediate concerns at right back but a loan deal for the Netherlands international, who played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, is off. Sunderland were unable to sign the replacement they needed to allow their loan signing from Leipzig to complete the move to Anfield that he wanted.
As things stand, Jacquet is expected to be the only incoming at Liverpool today so Slot will have to make do without an established, recognised right-back until Jeremie Frimpong returns from the groin injury he sustained against Qarabag. Frimpong is likely to be absent for a few weeks.
On SSN, Merse has just said that he doesn’t see Elliot Anderson running the midfield for Forest. I’ve not a clue how one might arrive at that conclusion – he’s in the top few for pretty much every relevant metric.
Everton had an enquiry for Harry Wilson knocked back by Fulham. The winger has been in stunning form and is out of contract at the end of the season. Fulham obviously don’t want to lose him today but there is plenty of interest. Aston Villa are said to be considering a move for Wilson this summer. Meanwhile Fulham appear to have failed with an attempt to sign PSV striker Ricardo Pepi.
In other Everton news, they are poised to sign Chelsea winger Tyrique George on loan.
“Totally get your point about Glasner,” returns Mark Beadle, “and I think it was a mixture of things, a lot of frustration and emotion and a lot of people didn’t appreciate just how important Guéhi was to the whole club, selling him just before a game was crazy.”
I guess the question remains, but: was he promised funds to strengthen that were then denied him?
Here’s this morning’s Rumour Mill.
Axel Disasi is heading to West Ham to undergo a medical before joining on loan from Chelsea.
Not directly related to the transfer window, but accusing the ref of not being neutral? I daresay PGMOL will be contacting the authorities, and rightly so.
‘It’s a CLEAR FOUL! They don’t want us to win.’ 😡
— Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) February 2, 2026
Rodri was left absolutely fuming after believing Spurs’ first goal should not have stood.
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“On Liverpool,” begins Alex Ecob, “not forgetting they also lost Darwin Nuñez, and sent Harvey Elliott (who would often sub in for Salah on the rare occasions prior to this season when he was rested) out on loan. They went from having an attacking set of Salah, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Nuñez, Chiesa and Elliot to one comprising just Salah, Gakpo and Chiesa (who I adore, but has made no real claim to suggest he should be a regular starter for a top-level team).
I agree the signing of Ekitike and Isaac is a little strange given they’re a similar profile of player in the way they play, and were both bought for big big money but, though nobody was expecting Salah’s drop-off to be quite so sudden, I don’t think you can really argue that the forward line wasn’t in need of massive reinforcement.
The defence clearly needs an overhaul, though we now know that Konate was playing with a lot of personal baggage this season (and had his best game of the season at the weekend), they brought in Kerkez, Frimpong, and Leoni as a young backup, and had Guehi in the welcome sweet before the plug was pulled by Palace
If anything the issue this season has been too much overhaul, rather than not enough.”
I actually think Salah’s drop-off began last season and reminded me a lot – I wrote it at the time, so not being wise after the event – of Robin van Persie in 2012-13. He did enough to secure the title August-January, but was at an age where that level of performance was obviously unsustainable.
Having watched Liverpool last season, the midfield and defence is where I’d have started strengthening, and though full-backs were purchased, they effectively replaced two who were good going forward and not great the other way with more of the same. That being the case made centre-back and midfield in even greater need of reinforcement, and failing to do so is why Liverpool have conceded 33 goals in the league, losing seven matches.
It transpires that Jérémy Jacquet is expected to have his Liverpool medical this morning. After that, he’ll return to Rennes, then join in the summer.
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This is an interesting development. Everton is a good place for George to develop, I think, because the vibes are nice and he’ll get a run of games. I’m keen to see how he gets on.
Chelsea forward Tyrique George is expected to undergo a medical at Everton today before a proposed loan move to Merseyside.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca last year and almost joined Fulham for £22m in September. That deal collapsed, however, and George has been limited to only 11 first team appearances this season. Everton have agreed a deal in principle to sign George on loan with an option to buy in the summer.
David Moyes has been looking to strengthen in attack and at right back this month but the Chelsea academy product is viewed as a potential replacement for Jack Grealish, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.
“I’m wondering why Arteta can’t just rummage in the back of the cupboard and find the Norgaard that he allegedly signed last summer,” emails Simon Cherry, “if he needs a filler for the Merino hole? Or is the existence of the forgotten player just a myth?”
Norgaard played nicely in Europe in midweek, I think, but i guess old Artetz wants a different, er, profile. And given where Arsenal now are, six points clear in the league and still in all three cups, chucking just a bit more at things might seem worth doing. Saka aside, he’s been bought two whole teams, pretty much, and if they do win one of the big pots, that depth will be a major reason why.
I’d be interested to see Angel Gomes back in England. I thought he was unfortunate not to get more opportunities at Manchester United because you could see he could play, and at 25 he’s in his prime. More or less, he’d be playing for move in the summer, and will want to prove that physically, he can hack it in the Prem.
Leicester City are looking for a new head coach, technical director, chief executive and commercial director. But that isn’t stopping them scouring for players too, with the Championship club keen to dip into the market before the deadline. Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle’s longstanding club captain, Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo and Manchester City teenager Divine Mukasa are all options being pursued. Leicester are 16th in the second tier and facing a points deduction for allegedly breaching profitability and sustainability rules.
The big deal at Wolves centres on Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is expected to join Crystal Palace in a deal worth up to £48m. For Wolves, that would be £25m profit on the £23m they paid to sign the striker seven months ago. In terms of incomings, Wolves hope to finalise a £9m permanent deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong and a loan move for Marseille midfielder Angel Gomes, who has fallen out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi. Wolves retain an interest in Che Adams, the former Southampton striker now of Torino, but the Serie A club are reluctant to sell.
And relatedly:
“The problem with suggesting that Palace should simply have bought more quality players last summer is that there was no way they could have done that and complied with Uefa’s financial rules,” writes Mark Beadle. “They were effectively penalised for winning a trophy as a mid-table club. Anyway, new financial year and a little more wriggle room, let’s see what happens…”
So why was Glasner so upset, alleging abandonment and broken promises?
“The Jacquet signing has something of the Leny Yoro about it,” reckons Kevin Wilson. “I’m not sure either side should be blowing that much money on guys who’ve played a full season of Ligue 1 football. Better to sign someone with a few more seasons under their belts.”
I don’t know about that. Both Yoro and Jacquet are considered elite-level talents and, for what it’s worth, Ligue 1 is probably the next-most physical after the Prem. If clubs don’t sign these players when they’re young, they’re entrusting their development to someone else, then paying loads more for them, if they’ve not already gone elsewhere.
Specifically on Yoro, he’s learning the position – centre-backs take longer to mature than players in other areas of the pitch – but the raw materials are all there.
West Ham are pushing to complete the loan signing of Chelsea defender Axel Disasi. Talks between the clubs are moving in the right direction but it remains to be seen if the player chooses to go to the London Stadium. West Ham have other centre-back options lined up.
What a player. I don’t think she’ll be short of suitors.
Indeed. Since this time last year, Pep Guardiola has signed an entire XI – with a sub keeper! – for a cost of roughly £500m. He’s earned himself plenty of credit, of course, but third last season, 13 points off the top, now second this, six points behind, makes it fair that questions be asked if neither big pot arrives at the Etihad in May.
From the blue zone of town there is a firmer word that Manchester City will have no major incomings today - as Antoine Semenyo (£62.5m) and Marc Guehi (£20m) have been signed in the window, this is no major surprise.
This is a slightly strange one as he’s a decent player, so why are Brighton sending him away? Perhaps the loan fee is deemed worth it, but the player may be trying to force his way into the Germany World Cup squad, and more game-time, in the Bundesliga, might help him in that regard.
Brajan Gruda joins Leipzig on loan from Brighton
“Is a Red Bull” – dearie me, dearie us.
Brajan Gruda is a Red Bull! 🔴⚪
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 2, 2026
RB Leipzig have signed the 21-year-old attacker on loan from @OfficialBHAFC until the end of the season 🤝 pic.twitter.com/6oBuEhLj6u
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Matt O’Riley looks set to return to the Amex after Marseille agreed to end his season-long loan early.
Bouaddi is meant to be very serious, though I’m not sure where he’d fit in Arsenal’s midfield nor if, given the options he’ll have, he’ll pick a team where he’ll not be behind Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
Otherwise, Neves is a good player but slow; he’d not offer the goals Merino somehow has, but he’s a better footballer, likewise Tonali, though I’d be shocked if he could be plucked from Newcastle.
A suspected broken foot suffered by Mikel Merino during their defeat to Manchester United last weekend could have major implications for Arsenal’s plans on deadline day. It was confirmed on Sunday evening that the Spain midfielder will have surgery in the coming days and is expected to miss a substantial part of the season, with Mikel Arteta keen to replace the player who has also filled in as a striker in recent months.
He may be regretting allowing Ethan Nwaneri to join Marseille on loan earlier this month but Arsenal have been linked with Ruben Neves - the former Wolves midfielder who is at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia – and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. They are also understood to have targeted Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, although any move for the 18-year-old is likely to cost in excess of £40m after he signed a new contract in December.
Acheampong would be a decent acquisition if Palace can get him, and I think Ordóñez is also decent, from the little I’ve seen. With Dougie Freedman gone, though, we can’t quite rely on their signings in the way we could previously.
Ah, more on Mateta and Palace from our man in the kna.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to Milan is in doubt after complications during his medical on Sunday. The France striker is due to have further assessment from Milan’s doctor this morning in Paris before they decide whether to proceed. It is understood that Palace have no concerns that it may fall through and are still planning to proceed with their £48m move for Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolves.
Oliver Glasner’s side are also in the market for a centre back to replace Marc Guehi and have seen an offer of £30m for Ecuador international Joel Ordóñez rejected by Club Bruges. They have an interest in Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong.
Updated
Email: “It’s not really that odd that Liverpool invested in forwards this summer,” reckons Edward Wheatley, “given that Salah was 32, Diaz went to Bayern (a move he agitated for) and Jota died.”
I don’t see they needed Ekitike and Isak, given the work that needed doing elsewhere – and we’ve seen the results of their summer decisions on the pitch, all season long.
No surprises there, then. Given Casemiro is off and Ugarte not good enough, they need at least two, perhaps three midfielders, and it seems strange that they can’t find one of requisite standard available now – especially with United now ion Champions League contention. If they make the top for or five, it’ll have a huge impact on what they can do in the summer, but by the sounds of things, Carrick will have to make do with what he has – which really, should be enough.
The word emanating from Manchester United is that it is unlikely Michael Carrick will be boosted by any new additions today. As always, never say never, of course, on transfer deadline day.
So what should Palace do with him? Well, he’s technically secure enough to play into and off – they can get the two 10s around him – and if they give him crosses, he can be a big player at the front post.
To replace Mateta, Palace appear to be signing Jørgen Strand Larsen and his one league goal so far this season. For what it’s worth, I think he’s a much better all-round player than Mateta and platformed correctly, might still develop into a really good player.
The centre-forward to whose leaving I refer is Jean-Philippe Mateta. You can’t argue with numbers, I don’t suppose, and he’s done a fairly good job in patches, I just can’t get on board with a striker so bad at finishing one-on-ones. If Milan are seriously prepared to give £30m for a 28-year-old, I’d say thank you very much.
In an effort to save themselves – an effort that ought, perhaps, to have been made in the summer, strengthening a team doing brilliantly to give it a chance of performing both domestically and in Europe – they’ve taken Evann Guessand on loan from Villa. I can’t say I like what I’ve seen so far, but perhaps Oliver Glasner’s system suits him more than Unai Emery’s.
Are Crystal Palace in trouble? They’re nine points above West Ham, who are third bottom, but they’re in woeful form, the captain has left, the centre-forward is likely to, and the manager is off in the summer. Meantime, below them, teams are improving.
Something to read:
And might they begin the process today? Er, probably not, but there may be an outside chance of a loan signing to take a bit of pressure off the wonderful Casemiro. When he came off yesterday, United struggled – yet again – and given he tends to be withdrawn after 60-70 minutes, they could do with a finisher who isn’t Manuel Ugarte.
Similar is so of Manchester United. They couldn’t get the midfielders they wanted – data systems, scouts and a DoF came up with Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, incredible knowhow – so sorted the front of the team. And guess what? It’s working. We’ve said this before, over more than a decade now, but surely this is the summer they finally fill the hole that’s been in the middle of the pitch since before Fergie left.
It’s strange, really, that Liverpool spent so much money on forwards last summer, the part of their team that was working, and ignored the midfield and defence, which were not. I guess the way they’ll see it now is that they’re sticked in attack for the next few years – if Isak can stay fit and Wirtz get used to the physicality of the league, and not everything going through him – and they’ve now started overhauling the rest of the squad.
For those wanting to know a little more about him, these lads’ breakdowns are excellent.
I’ve heard great things about Jacquet…
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Preamble
Morning all! It’s that day again on which, just for a little while, we get to forget all that peripheral stuff like football, goals, and support, to focus on what’s really important, and why we all fell in love with the game: transfers, money and contracts.
I say that but, at the same time, the window – and its final day in particular – bottles hope. Can ailing seasons be salvaged? Will decent seasons become great ones? How do we invest today to share glory tomorrow?
Let’s see…
