Key events
Andy Hunter
More potential bad news for Derby (sorry Tom), as their relegation rivals bring in a new striker on loan …
Liverpool forward Kaide Gordon has completed his loan move to Portsmouth. It is his second loan of the season, having made 10 appearances for Norwich before his recall.
With 30 minutes to go, we await official news on Mathys Tel to Tottenham, Nico González to Manchester City, Ben Chilwell to Palace and Axel Disasi to Villa. Willian is also expected to rejoin Fulham tonight on a free transfer.
Wolves’ hopes of bringing Conor Coady back appear to have fallen flat, but Vitor Pereira’s side are on course to sign Red Star Belgrade centre-back Nasser Djiga and Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi tonight, although the clock is ticking.
“Things are (again) looking pretty dire for Derby right now – Southampton getting three points on Saturday really twisted the knife,” writes Tom Hopkins. “It’s definitely too much to expect 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong to save us in the way that Leon Osman (also on loan from Everton) did back in the day, but it’s a nice comparison to look to for comfort.”
You can keep up with all the done deals as they’re announced with our interactive guide, which the transfer elves at Guardian Towers are relentlessly updating.
A few updates: Tyrell Malacia is expected to join PSV on loan, but Manchester United have an extra day to organise that one, as the Dutch transfer window closes tomorrow night. Willian to Fulham appears to be very much on, and Hayden Hackney looks likely to stay at Middlesbrough with Porto’s £10m offer turned down.
We’re into the final hour in England, Italy and Spain; the window has closed in Germany and France. We begin with news that Rob Holding, completely frozen out at Crystal Palace, has joined Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season.
Burnley sign Ajax forward Jaydon Banel
Will Unwin
Burnley have signed forward Jaydon Banel from Ajax for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old academy product of the Eredivisie side has signed a four-and-a-half-year permanent deal.
After joining the Clarets, Banel said: “It feels amazing to be here. It’s a historical club and I see a lot of options here for me to show my qualities. I immediately had a good feeling about coming here. It’s a new chapter in my football career and my life; I am now ready to get focussed and get started.”
Ipswich have signed West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer for an initial £2m fee – potentially rising to £4m with add-ons – and he is likely to compete for the No 1 spot at Portman Road with Aro Muric out of form and Christian Walton injured. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career at the Hawthorns and was loaned out seven times before becoming first-choice keeper.
“With the loan signing of Axel Disasi I am proclaiming the Villa’s transfer window to have been a success,” roars Dan King.
“Disasi will slot straight in at the back, allowing our best midfielder, Boubacar Kamara, to go back into his proper position. And Rogers, Watkins, Ramsey, Rashford and Asensio is a formidable set of front line options. I wish we could have held on to Durán but the last 24 hours has softened that blow.”
It’s been an excellent window, particularly if Villa can push on and secure a top-five finish this season. I would have said selling a temperamental player for such a big fee was a positive, too, but then I haven’t watched Jhon Durán all that much this season.
Just under two hours to go, and this is the point in the night where I realise that there are going to be deal sheets, giving clubs who have had one calendar month to sign players an extra two hours, or three hours, maybe five, whatever you need.
Some updates on the evening’s outstanding deals: Ben Chilwell is closing on a loan move to Crystal Palace with no option to buy, while Axel Disasi looks set to join Aston Villa on loan without a purchase option, but with a €5m loan fee.
João Félix, meanwhile, is heading to Milan for a similar loan fee, but no permanent deal agreed. And finally … Mathys Tel’s expected move to Tottenham will include a purchase option, according to Sky.
“Is it controversial to suggest Man Utd have had a decent window?” writes Sir Jim Kevin Wilson. “They signed a player in the one position they needed immediately (Patrick Dorgu). They moved on underperformers and trouble makers on big wages. They won’t get relegated and won’t get anywhere near Europe. Losing can’t be great for confidence, but all they can do is get used to the system and for the summer to overhaul the squad further. Panic buys are a terrible idea.”
I can see that point of view – most clubs making January moves are trying to fix problems in a market where it’s difficult to get the players you really need. There’s nobody out there who can single-handedly repair this United squad. On the other hand, if Rashford scores 15 goals for Villa and Dorgu does as well as some of their other young recruits, it’ll be a different story.
Armstrong signs Everton deal and joins Derby on loan
Andy Hunter
Harrison Armstrong, Everton’s talented 18-year-old midfielder, has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the club (with an option for a further 12 months) and joined Derby County on loan for the rest of the season.
Harrison was handed a first team debut by Sean Dyche at Tottenham in August and has made six first team appearances so far. He has moved to the Championship to gain more regular first team experience with Paul Warne’s side. “I’m really excited to sign this deal with a club that means everything to me,” said the Liverpool-born teenager.
“It shows the belief that Everton have in me and I just want to keep progressing and getting better. Getting the chance to play for the first team this season has been great and I just want to push on and reach more. I now have an opportunity at a really good club like Derby to learn and hopefully do well for them and I’m looking forward to it.”
A quick actual football update – West Ham lead 1-0 at Chelsea! After the hosts missed a number of half-chances, Jarrod Bowen showed them how it’s done with a fine finish on the break.
A couple of familiar names on the move in Europe: Michy Batshuayi is joining Eintracht Frankfurt from Galatasaray for about €3m, while left-back Juan Bernat – somehow still at PSG – is now no longer at PSG, having joined Getafe on a free.
Emmanuel Dennis, who tore up the Premier League for about two weeks in 2021, is heading to Blackburn on loan from Nottingham Forest, reports Will Unwin.
In other Forest news, the Champions League chasers have signed New Zealand international defender Tyler Bindon from Reading, but will loan him back to the Royals until the end of the season. Forest are also looking to recruit 16-year-old Aberdeen defender Lewis Carrol, in what could surely be called a fairytale move.
Lloyd Kelly joins Juventus on initial loan
In one of today’s more eyebrow-raising moves, Newcastle defender Lloyd Kelly has joined Juventus on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. In short, he won’t be coming back to Tyneside, and Juve will pay a reported £20m in the summer; handy for PSR purposes, no doubt.
An excellent email from Matthew Lysaght: “On Nkunku being on the bench tonight, I’d like to see a situation akin to the NHL, where a player can be traded literally at any stage of the day regardless of they are playing or not.
Recently, JT Miller was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to the NY Rangers 25 minutes after entering the Canucks dressing room for their away game against the Dallas Stars. Then there’s Matt Duchene, who was pulled from the line-up in the 2nd period of a Colarado Avalanche game as he’d been traded to the Ottawa Senators. He then had to fly to Sweden with his old team as they were playing his new team there!”
Arsenal to admit defeat in attacker search
Ed Aarons
Arsenal are set to admit defeat in their attempts to bring in attacking reinforcements as the deadline fast approaches. Mikel Arteta had made no secret of his desire to add to his squad following the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. But having seen their bid for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa and exploring a potential loan for Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, their search is expected to end without them making a signing. Arsenal supporters won’t be happy but Arteta will have to make do with what he’s got until the summer.
Fulham have a bit of history when it comes to deadline-day splurges, although they run a tighter ship these days. But according to the Telegraph, they could bring Willian back to the Cottage. The Brazilian is a free agent after leaving Olympiakos, so that doesn’t have to get over the line tonight.
Middlesbrough might not land Tyler Morton tonight, but they have signed Kelechi Iheanacho on loan, with the Nigeria striker being shown around the Riverside before their game with Sunderland. Iheanacho joined Sevilla on a free in summer but his only goals in Spain so far have come in the Copa del Rey.
Dortmund have announced that initial loan deal for Carney Chukwuemeka, which we mentioned about 50 minutes ago. Some more Chelsea news – Sky are reporting that Axel Disasi to Tottenham isn’t happening, clearing the way for Aston Villa to add another heavyweight loan signing before the deadline. It looks like Kevin Danso will be Spurs’ only defensive recruit this month, despite Radu Dragusin being ruled out long-term with an ACL injury.
Having said that, in the modern era I wonder if it might be possible to complete, say, a six-month loan move while on the substitutes’ bench? It must have happened somewhere.
Christopher Nkunku has been the subject of transfer speculation throughout January – but it looks like he’ll be staying put, as he’s on the bench for Chelsea’s home game against West Ham. Follow that with John Brewin, here:
It’s been a little quiet in the Championship so far today, but one club who are still busy are Swansea. Having lost Matt Grimes to Coventry this month, they’ve signed Lewis O’Brien on loan from Nottingham Forest. Get your masks ordered now, Swans fans.
Swansea are also trying to wrap up loan moves for Manchester City’s Jacob Wright and the former Liverpool midfielder Bobby Clark, who is currently at Red Bull Salzburg. They have also seen a six-figure bid for Ethan Galbraith knocked back by Leyton Orient earlier in the day.
Sky’s Melissa Reddy is at Old Trafford, where she confirms the lights are already out – Sir Jim Ratcliffe clearly keeping tabs on that energy bill. Their major January signing, wing-back Patrick Dorgu, has been on a stadium tour with his family this afternoon. I wonder if they had to pay for it.
Reading have signed Burton forward Billy Bodin on loan; he can slot in to my imagined old-school footballer names XI, along with left-back Harry Milne, who has joined Hearts from Partick Thistle. Who else might be included? Stanley Mills (son of Danny) went to Oxford from Everton, while Tommy Watson appears to be staying at Sunderland.
Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Nico González, with the Porto player reportedly undergoing his medical in Portugal. One move that looks like it might not happen, according to Andy Hunter:
“Middlesbrough’s bid for Tyler Morton – £10m plus add-ons – is way short of Liverpool’s valuation of the midfielder so that deal will not be happening as things stand.”
Aston Villa sign Marco Asensio from PSG on loan
Another big name lands at Villa Park! Spain’s Marco Asensio has completed his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season.
European football doyen Andy Brassell is on Sky, talking about the Asensio deal. He explains that he has struggled at PSG as he’s been plugging gaps rather than playing in his preferred playmaker/No 10 role. He adds that like Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen, he arrives with a big reputation but struggling for consistency in recent months.
Chuwuemeka seals Dortmund loan move
Jacob Steinberg
A departure at Chelsea is confirmed: Borussia Dortmund have completed the loan signing of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka until the end of the season, with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
On Feyenoord’s Santiago Giménez joining Milan today, Mitchell Porter writes: “Amazed that no Premier League team looking for a striker didn’t go after him for the £26.6m price.”
Agreed, and he would have been good value even with a little PL tax on top. I know all the top English clubs have vast scouting networks, so it’s weird when it feels like they’re copying each other – see the Mathys Tel saga this week, for instance.
‘Memba Andrea Belotti? The Italian striker was once the king of deadline-day rumours but never made it to Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham or any of the other dozen Premier League clubs he was linked with. Now 31, he’s shipping out from Cesc Fàbregas’ Como to join Benfica on loan.
One of the Premier League’s forgotten men, James Ward-Prowse, is heading back to West Ham after his Nottingham Forest loan was cut short. He made 10 appearances for Forest but has barely featured since the end of November. Can Graham Potter restore some of his old magic – or should he go back to Southampton and try to break David Beckham’s free kick record?
“I hope Roma’s transfer target at RB Salzburg has told them in no uncertain terms that ‘I’m Your Man’, causing the suitors in the Italian capital to break into song, clapping vigorously to the chorus, ‘If you’re Gourna-Douath, do it right, right, do it with me!’” offers Peter Oh in a quite exceptional piece of punnery.
Today’s headlines so far
Thanks, Will. There are around four hours and 30 minutes left before the window shuts, for Premier League clubs at least. And there will be deal sheets; there are always deal sheets. Here are the top stories so far today …
Right, that’s yer lot from me. Niall McVeigh is set to take my place on the transfer merry-go-round.
Schlupp looks to be Celtic-bound
Ed Aarons
Crystal Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp is set to have a medical with Celtic after the Scottish champions made a late swoop to sign the Ghana international on loan. Schlupp has rarely been used this season by Oliver Glasner, with the impending arrival of Ben Chilwell meaning he is surplus to requirements. That is likely to end Celtic’s attempts to bring in Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney this month, with the Scotland defender now set to return to his former club in the summer.
Manchester United have no plans for more signings
Jamie Jackson
No further incomings are expected at Manchester United. The understanding is that the football leadership at the club are happy with recruiting Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven and Diego León (pre-contract). The club were not prepared to recruit for the sake of it. Profit and sustainability rules were also a major factor. Tyrell Malacia may still go on loan to a club in a country where the window remains open.
In more fizzy drink franchise news, Red Bull Salzburg have signed the former Belgium youth international Yorbe Vertessen from Union Berlin. The forward has followed the well-trodden path from Bundesliga to (other) Bundesliga, signing a contract running to 2029.
Ribeiro joins Blackburn on short-term deal
Andy Hunter
Blackburn have signed the former Nottingham Forest left-back Yuri Ribeiro from Braga. The deal, which is subject to international clearance, is a permanent transfer until the end of this season.
In the Championship, relegation-threatened Luton have made their eighth signing of the winter window with the arrival of Lasse Nordås from Tromsø. The Norway Under-21 forward is “a really exciting signing for us”, according to Matt Bloomfield, the Luton manager. “He comes really highly regarded, but Lasse is someone who already has some good experience so he’s got good pedigree and knows where the back of the net is.” Nordås is a teammate of Thelo Aasgaard, another winter addition, at international level, so should have no trouble settling in at Kenilworth Road.
Liverpool weigh up Boro bid for Morton
Andy Hunter
Middlesbrough have made a £10m+ bid for the Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton. The 22-year-old wants more regular football than Arne Slot is able to give him and the deal, which could be worth more to Liverpool with add-ons, could develop in the coming hours.
We’ve got a helpful transfer roundup here, for anyone looking to catch up on deadline day’s comings and goings so far.
More from Gazzetta: the former Arsenal midfielder Ismaël Bennacer could be on his way from Milan to Marseille. Bennacer is reportedly keen but the Rossoneri need a replacement, with Monza’s Warren Bondo in their sights.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, Roma are close to signing the much sought-after midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath from Red Bull Salzburg. The France Under-21 international could be set for a loan including an option to buy.
We’ve got some correspondence. Eric Peterson writes: “Now that Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa loan is signed, sealed and delivered, I suppose that makes Rob Holding the Premier League player most likely to be found sitting in his parked car outside some club facility twiddling his thumbs. Any Guardian eyewitnesses keeping watch over Bramall Lane?” Not that I know of, Eric, but there ought to be.
According to Joost Blaauwhof of Voetbal International, the Dutch outlet, Tyrell Malacia could be on his way to PSV Eindhoven. The Manchester United left-back, who has only recently recovered from a serious knee injury, reportedly came close to joining Benfica only for the deal to fall through.
Everton may miss out on Fellows but Alcaraz close
Andy Hunter
Everton do not expect to sign Tom Fellows from West Bromwich Albion today, although they were one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in the 21-year-old. A fee of around £12m had been discussed but the England Under-21 international is likely to remain at the Hawthorns until the end of the season. Carlos Alcaraz, who underwent a medical yesterday ahead of a proposed loan move from Flamengo, could be the only incoming at Goodison Park.
What’s going on around Europe, then? Paris Saint-Germain have just announced the departure of Cher Ndour, the Italy Under-21 midfielder, to Fiorentina. There’s lots going on in Serie A, with Lazio signing the Morocco midfielder Reda Belahyane from Hellas Verona and the Denmark Under-21 centre-back Oliver Provstgaard from Vejle. Como have loaned their left-back Marco Sala to Lecce, while Bologna have brought in the former Barcelona forward Estanis Pedrola from Sampdoria. In Spain, Athletic Club have let Javier Martón go on loan to Albacete while Las Palmas have packed off their winger Pejiño to Elche on another loan deal.
Hello! How are we enjoying the last-minute swoops, raids, splurges, sprees, panic buys and supermarket sweeps? Has anyone issued a come-and-get-me plea yet? There’s still time. Let’s get to it.
OK, that completes my stint on the blog. Will Magee, the real Fen tiger, is taking over.
Watson staying at Sunderland despite Brighton efforts
Ed Aarons
Brighton’s hopes of signing Tommy Watson this month are over after they saw a third bid worth £13m for the 18-year-old rejected by Sunderland.
The Championship side – who have already wrapped up the signing of Jayden Danns from Liverpool on loan today – look set to hold onto the England Under-18 winger for now having also discussed a potential move the other way for the Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are also understood to be interested in Watson, who will only have 12 months left on his contract in the summer …
Everton news: there’s reports they have moved for West Brom winger Tom Fellows, and a fee has been agreed for £10m. Those reports are disputed. But there’s one to watch as the small hours approach.
Bournemouth news via the Irish Independent’s football writer, Dan McDonnell: “Gavin Bazunu is flying to Belgium with a view to completing loan move to Standard Liege for rest of season. Had options around Europe. Ajax amongst those to enquire but looks bound – connection with Liege sporting director Fergal Harkin (loan manager at Man City) a key factor.”
More from Jacob: “Fee for Amougou is £12m. Chelsea have also enquired about Sporting Lisbon youngster Dario Essugo, but that’s one to revisit in the summer.”
They always keep you guessing.
Disasi to Tottenham?
Jacob Steinberg
Tottenham are once again exploring a loan deal for Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi. There are doubts over the level of their interest but a move is possible. Spurs have run into a brick wall in their attempts to sign Marc Guehi.
According to Toni Juanmartí of Sport, the Catalan paper: “Nico González undergoing a medical with Manchester City. He will sign for the remainder of the season plus another five campaigns. Barça will receive around 20 million euros.”
Barcelona sold the Spaniard to Porto in the summer of 2023.