Key events
If, like me, you’re watching deadline day in glorious UHD, then Chelsea are taking much of the agenda. Carney Chukwuemeka, a player who was wanted by everyone, is now off to Dortmund on loan, and Joao Felix, a player whose high value when compared to his achievements reminds of that Stella Artois motif “reassuringly expensive”, is off to Milan. Deadline day is often where you get to meet great, lost talents.
John Brewin
Who knows where this magical adventure might end? Let’s see. There’s still time for a trolley-dash or two. Manchester United need a forward – among much else, sure – so let’s see if some silliness happens there.
Right … that brings an end to my stint running this blog. Do not worry, because the imperious John Brewin is taking over. Happy transferring.
Man City close on Gonzalez
Manchester City expect to seal a deal to sign Porto’s Nico Gonzalez, with the fee set to be the midfielder’s release clause of around £50m.
City had been reluctant to pay all of the clause, it is thought, but are considering doing so to add the former Barcelona player to the champions’ squad.
The 23-year-old would bolster Pep Guardiola’s options, as he can operate as a defensive, central or attacking player. Following Rodri’s season-ending knee injury, the manager is light in midfield.
Currently he can call on Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, the veterans Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, plus the utility player, Rico Lewis, who Guardiola has fielded in the position on occasion.
In the January window City have so far signed Omar Marmoush for €70m (£59.1m) plus €5m in add-ons from Eintracht Frankfurt, the defenders Vitor Reis, bought from Palmeiras for £29.6m, and Abdukodir Khusanov, signed for £33.8m from Lens, for a total spend of £122.5m.
Tel heading to Spurs
Ed Aarons
Mathys Tel looks set to join Tottenham on loan after the France Under-21 forward had a change of heart over a move to Ange Postecoglou’s side.
He has been pictured on Instagram with his agent on a private jet heading to London to complete a medical despite initially rejecting a permanent move to Spurs last week for £50m. Arsenal and Manchester United were both interested in Tel but couldn’t agree a deal with Bayern, who have now accepted a loan with no obligation to make the move permanent at the end of the season. Daniel Levy strikes again on deadline day …
West Ham confirm Ferguson signing
West Ham United have completed the loan signing of striker Evan Ferguson from Brighton until the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international links up with Graham Potter for a second time after working together at the Amex Stadium.
“It feels good to be here. Seeing the stadium and being here today, I’ve got a very good feeling,” Ferguson said. “I can see and know how big West Ham United is. It was a big opportunity for me to come here. I know the gaffer well and look forward to working under him again. I want to come in and do my best for the Club, score goals, and see where we get to.”
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Jacob Steinberg
Milan are still trying to work out a formula that would enable them to sign Joao Felix on loan from Chelsea. Felix, remember, only returned to Stamford Bridge last summer, joining as part of a deal that saw Conor Gallagher head in the opposite direction for Atletico Madrid. Was that the wisest choice from Chelsea? Hard to say. Felix, who has a seven-year deal, hasn’t played much for Enzo Maresca. His representatives are working hard to find him a new club. Aston Villa have looked but aren’t in the race any more.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have recalled left-back Caleb Wiley from his loan at Strasbourg – and loaned him straight to Watford. That frees up one of their international loan spots.
Andrew Lloyd emails: “I note UTD are playing Villa last match o’the season. Rashford: he couldn’t could he? Do a Denis Law, I mean.”
No, he couldn’t, because he will not be eligible to play.
Not much news is coming out of Leicester today, which will worry their fans. They certainly needed invested during the window to help with their relegation battle but have only acquired Woyo Coulibaly from Parma thus far.
Ben Fisher
Aston Villa are not likely to permit Leon Bailey’s departure amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham. Juan Foyth is not thought to be live option as a defensive reinforcement. Axel Disasi was always priority out of the pair but Chelsea want a prohibitive loan fee.
Can anyone guess which number Marcus Rashford will wear at Aston Villa?
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Stockport County have announced the departure of Jack Stretton.
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Check out all the deals in our transfer interactive!
Hello once again! Let’s hope for more fun and some frolics.
Will’s had his soup, and he’s back! Over to you Will.
Latest word is that Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku will not be on the move today.
Bayern Munich and Manchester United were keen, but aren’t willing to stretch beyond £40million.
You can also reflect on talking points from the weekend’s action in the Women’s Super League, right here:
Soothe your deadline-day anxiety with Andy Brassell’s latest Bundesliga blog:
“I might be late to the party on this one,” writes Darrien. “But I’ve just spotted David Moyes and the tough tackling Vinny Samways having a sandwich together in a trendy Lytham cafe.”
Vinny Samways, the player, was last spotted at Algeciras in 2005. So only 20 years late.
Anthony now chips in with an email entitled “Hot stories.”
“My wife and I went on our honeymoon taking a campervan around France in 2021. It was 40+ degrees at night. I wish we’d booked a hotel instead of being stuck in a mobile home. It was the hottest I’d ever been. Proper hot.”
That’s great, thank you Anthony.
“Thanks for the liveblog,” emails Euan Healey. “As ever there’s not enough West Brom content. Devastation and surprise abounds in the streets of the Black Country as Alex Palmer departs to link up with Dara O’Shea and Conor Townsend – two other of our academy products at Ipswich.
“Reports are now floating around on X about Tammer Bany (no me neither) coming from Randers in Denmark. Celtic were linked with him earlier in the window. Hoping we can sign a defender too with this lovely, if tear-stained, Alex Palmer cash.”
Napoli have reportedly agreed to take Noah Okafor on loan from Milan with an option to buy. Tottenham and West Ham have also been linked with the Switzerland international forward.
Do “>email me with any hot stories. Thanks.
Paul Merson is not convinced about Marcus Rashford’s move to Aston Villa, “because he has to take his head with him.”
Thanks Will and enjoy your soup.
I am off to eat some soup to energise myself for more HOT TRANSFER NEWS.
Luke McLaughlin will be here in my stead.
Ed Aarons
Arsenal and Bayern Munich appear to have reached an impasse over a potential move for Mathys Tel, with Mikel Arteta’s side preferring to do a loan deal that contains an option rather than an obligation to buy. Bayern had agreed a £50m fee for the France Under-21 forward with Tottenham but he rejected a move to Ange Postecoglou’s side last week before Manchester United had two offers turned down. As it stands, they have yet to return to the table, while Arsenal are believed to be considering other targets but need to get a move on if they are to bring someone in before tonight’s deadline.
Richard Woods emails about Bristol Rovers: “Things were going so well – relatively – for the Gas this window. We have secured three promising looking loans assuming Reindorf comes in, and things have been auguring well. We even had a victory yesterday. And now WBA sell their keeper. Cue the falling dominos. Josh Griffiths has earned us so many points this season so far, but his loan will have to be cut short. Presumably FGR will then be unhappy as we will have to recall Jed Ward, who has done well for them. The absolute textbook demonstration of “never fall in love with a loan player.” Grits teeth. Good luck, Josh.”
I always felt it seemed somewhat inevitable that Alvaro Morata would have a spell in Turkey. The Spain striker has joined Galatasaray on loan from Milan.
Ipswich are set for a dabble in the market after agreeing a deal to sign goalkeeper Alex Palmer from West Brom.
“In reply to the earlier question, can I suggest that the return of James Ward-Prowse from the loan to Forest has the same ‘new signing’ appeal as discovering a slice of stale old toast butter side down on a dog-haired carpet under the sofa. And I’d still prefer the toast to take any set pieces …”
Emailer Brian is not a fan of James Ward-Prowse.
Jamie Jackson
Marcus Rashford is extremely unlikely to play competitively for Manchester United again even if Ruben Amorim is no longer the head coach, with the relationship between the forward and his boyhood club near irreparable.
It is understood, too, that there is no call-back clause in the forward’s loan terms with Aston Villa should he start to score prolifically.
Ferguson’s West Ham move to set to be confirmed
Jacob Steinberg
An official announcement is due later but I am told that West Ham have finalised the loan signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. There are whispers that Graham Potter is also trying to bring in a centre-back …
David Hytner
Update on Tottenham’s interest in Marc Guehi: Basically, the Crystal Palace centre-half is going nowhere today. Spurs like him and they made an offer to Palace, but if anything happens, it will not be until the summer.
Jamie Jackson
Manchester City are pursuing Porto’s Nico Gonzalez but no deal agreed for the Porto midfielder. Translation from this humble hack: the champions don’t wish to meet the circa £50m release clause. Yet!!!
Jamie Jackson
However serious the injury Lisandro Martinez suffered in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, Manchester United are not expected to move sign cover today.
The information is that as Ruben Amorim has the centre-backs Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and now Ayden Heaven plus Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw who also operate in a can all play in a back three, there is cover enough.
Amorim expressed concern that Martinez’s injury is serious and there is to be no update from the club on Monday.
Regarding Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea and Christoper Nkunku going the other way to United, those in the know at Old Trafford believe this is unlikely.
Crystal Palace reject Spurs bid for Guehi
Jacob Steinberg has the latest!
“Why are you censoring the news from Craven Cottage?” asks Richard Hirst. “We must surely by now have signed cover at goalkeeper, right back and right wing, and a centre forward. Come on Mr Khan, we need to push on for Europe.”
Blame the MSM.
Rick Harris emails: “Fascinated as I am by the Stretfordenders soap opera whose daily episodes grip millions either in horror / pain / shame / delight / righteous vindication, the loans of Antony and Marcus Rashford do throw up the tantalising potential of massive egg on the face of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his beleaguered prematurely appointed Ten Hag replacement, if either or even both suddenly outscore the supposedly superior forwards left at the Club at the Crossroads Motel.”
Norwich sign Brighton’s McConville
Norwich have completed a permanent deal for Ruairi McConville from Brighton on a five-and-a-half year deal.
The young centre-back was on the bench for the Seagull’s thrashing at Forest on Saturday but has now been allowed to move on.
Chelsea to loan Chukwuemeka to Dortmund, O’Reilly bid rejected
Jacob Steinberg
Carney Chukwuemeka is in Germany ahead of a loan move to Borussia Dortmund, who will have an option to buy the Chelsea midfielder for roughly £40m. Other Chelsea outgoings are expected to include Ben Chilwell, who is heading to Crystal Palace on loan, but Aaron Anselmino’s loan to Marseille looks to be off. Axel Disasi, as previously reported, is wanted by Aston Villa and Joao Felix is a possibility for Milan, although their funds are limited after the arrival of Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord.
Chelsea have had an approach for 19-year-old midfielder Nico O’Reilly knocked back by Man City. Enzo Maresca would like a midfielder to sign but time is running out. Chelsea have also been looking for a left winger and a striker. Will they pull something out of the bag?
Jacob Steinberg
West Ham’s move for Lorient striker Eli Junior Kroupi looks dead in the water. They held talks over a £35m deal for the 18-year-old, who has impressed in Ligue 2, but he is unlikely to be going anywhere today. Lorient, who are pushing for promotion, are part owned by the Bournemouth owner Bill Foley. There is a strong possibility that Kroupi will join Andoni Iraola’s side in the summer.
Samuel Iling-Jr heads to Middlesbrough
As earlier reported, Samuel Iling-Jr has cut short his spell with Bologna in order to join Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the campaign from Aston Villa.
Carlisle sack Williamson
Mike Williamson has been sacked by Carlisle, leaving the Football League’s bottom club looking for a third manager of the season.
Williamson signed 11 new players in January but has been unable to arrest a desperate run of form that has seen the Cumbrians plummet to the foot of the League Two table.
A 5-1 defeat at home to Swindon on Saturday was the final straw, taking his side’s run to five losses in their last six games. Overall, the former Newcastle defender oversaw just four league wins since being appointed in September to replace Paul Simpson.
Williamson’s relationship with the club’s fans had already soured and there were chants calling for him to go at the end of the match.
Jacob Steinberg
Tottenham have been trying to pull off an audacious swoop for the Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. It is thought that Spurs made a bid not far off Palace’s valuation of £60m. A deal seems unlikely at the moment but it is not being definitively ruled out by sources. Spurs have cooled their interest in a loan for Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi, who has agreed terms with Aston Villa, who, er, have not agreed terms with Chelsea.
Ed Aarons
Brighton have had a busy deadline day already, having confirmed the signing of Stefanos Tzimas from Nuremburg and announced the departure of Benicio Baker-Boaitey to Millwall. It is understood that the fee for Tzimas – who will return to Germany on loan until the end of the season – could rise to €25m including add-ons.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have also seen two bids for Sunderland’s Tommy Watson rejected, with the latest understood to have been worth up to £12m for the 18-year-old. Crystal Palace are also interested in Watson but Sunderland – who are trying to bring in striker Jayden Danns on loan from Liverpool – do not want to sell him unless they can find a replacement.
Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell is set for his medical at Palace today ahead of his anticipated loan from Chelsea but appear unlikely to follow up interest Serbia defender in Strahinja Pavlovic of Milan.
Jamie Jackson
The word from Sir Matt Busby Way is that it is very VERY unlikely Manchester United can/will revive any deal for Mathys Tel. Any more and this dutiful correspondent will Kiss and Te l…
Louise Taylor
It seems Sunderland have won the race for Jayden Danns. The 19-year-old Liverpool striker has been booked in for a medical on Wearside ahead of a loan move from Anfield and is expected to watch his new team play at Middlesbrough tonight.
Sunderland’s manager Regis Le Bris has been pursuing a new striker for the past month and will be delighted to have won a race for Danns also involving, among other teams, Blackburn and Hull.
Meanwhile many Newcastle fans are asking why Eddie Howe is unable to strengthen this month. The answer is that the club’s Saudi Arabian owners are determined to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules and believe that selling now will enable them to buy in the summer.
