It’s transfer deadline day as Premier League clubs face a frantic few hours to complete last-minute deals before 11pm tonight.
Manchester United are on the hunt for a new forward after Marcus Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season. The Independent understands United face a “struggle” to sign Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel before the deadline despite the 19-year-old favouring a move to Old Trafford and telling the German club he wants to leave.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have not given up hope of signing Tel and may be tempted to put in one final bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins to bolster their Premier League title chances. Mikel Arteta wants to sign a striker but have been told that Watkins will not be leaving for less than £60m after an opening offer for the England international was rejected last week.
Elsewhere, Manchester City’s flaws were exposed by Arsenal in a 5-1 defeat yesterday and Pep Guardiola’s side could yet sign midfielder Douglas Luiz from Juventus. It promises to be a busy day at Chelsea, too, with Ben Chilwell, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku among the players who may depart.
Chelsea have been linked with Alejandro Garnacho throughout the window, but the 20-year-old Manchester United winger looks unlikely to follow Rashford out of the door. That could all change, however, as we ticks towards tonight’s 11pm deadline. Follow all the latest updates in our live blog below.
Emery on last day of transfer window
“We are working to try and get some players to join us on Monday because we have to replace Diego Carlos, we have to replace (Emi) Buendia, we have to replace Jhon Duran,” Unai Emery said after Villa’s defeat to Wolves on Saturday.
“It is not easy because we don’t want to replace with players that will not help us like I want. We are being very demanding in it, we have to be intelligent.
“To sign a striker is not easy. We have versatile players and usually Watkins has been consistent, playing matches. He is strong at recovering and playing matches in a row during a week, two or three matches.
“Today he was injured, hopefully it is small. The idea is if we can replace Jhon Duran with another striker. In case we can find a player to help us in the level we want, we will do, but we have versatile players.
“We have to compete and try to get the level we want with the players we have and I think tomorrow or Monday we will be adding two or three more players.”
Malacia deal breaks down
Benfica are no longer pursuing a deal for Tyrell Malacia after talks with Manchester United broke down.
United held firm on the terms of the deal they wanted in order to sanction the left-back’s departure and Benfica have not met the Old Trafford club’s valuations.
Manchester United announce signing of Patrick Dorgu
The Denmark international, who is their second signing of the weekend after bringing in teenage defender Ayden Heaven from Arsenal, has been bought as a wing-back to suit new head coach Ruben Amorim’s system.
James Ward-Prowse heads back to West Ham
Sky Sports News’ report that Nottingham Forest have agreed with West Ham to terminate James Ward-Prowse’s loan deal.
He has only made three late substitute appearances in the Premier League since Christmas.
There was no recall option, but the clubs have mutually agreed.
Borussia Dortmund make loan move for Carney Chukwuemeka
Borussia Dortmund have made a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, according to the BBC.
The 21-year-old midfielder isn’t wanted by Enzo Maresca and a loan deal to the Bundesliga side could include an option to buy.
Chukwuemeka joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022 and signed a six-year contract but has made just four appearances this season, none in the Premier League.
The Blues have also left open the option of sending Chukwuemeka on loan to their partner club Strasbourg, who are also owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
‘No first team ins and outs’
An update on Liverpool’s dealings from The Independent’s Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly.
He says that there are “no first team ins and outs anticipated at Liverpool today” but there could be movement for fringe striker Jayden Danns.
Jolly adds: “Liverpool striker Jayden Danns could go on loan to Sunderland for the rest of the season.”
One to keep an eye on for the remainder of deadline day.
Celtic reject West Ham bid for Cummings
Celtic have rejected West Ham’s opening bid for striker Daniel Cummings.
It’s understood the Premier League club made an offer in the region of £500,000 for the 18-year-old.
Cummings has agreed terms on a pre-contract but West Ham are pushing to sign him in this window.
He’s been a prolific scorer for the Celtic B team this season and he made his senior debut against Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.
January transfer window done deals
Here’s a quick view of the big deals completed over the weekend and on deadline day:
Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa – Rashford left Manchester United on Sunday 2 February to join the midlands club on loan until the end of the season after being exiled by Ruben Amorim
Kevin Danso to Tottenham – Spurs brought in a defensive reinforcement when Danso joined from Lens having hijacked Wolves’ move for the centre-back
Patrick Dorgu to Manchester United – Dorgu became the first proper signing under Amorim and will fill the left wingback role in his preferred 3-4-3 formation
Stefanos Tzimas – The first deadline day signing sees Brighton bring in the Greek forward from FC Nurnberg. He’ll remain at the club on loan and join up with the Seagulls in the summer
Postecoglou on Danso
Here’s Ange Postecoglou sepaking about Kevin Danso signing for Spurs.
The Tottenham boss said: “I think Kevin will be a great fit for us. Obviously we’re a bit short at the back and have been for a while.
“He’s experienced, a good one-on-one defender and new players give us energy.
“We’re looking forward to him being part of the group.”
Lloyd Kelly set to leave Newcastle for Juventus
Newcastle centre-back Lloyd Kelly has agreed a deal with Juventus and is set to depart for the Serie A giants.
A verbal agreement is in place for Kelly to join initially on loan with and obligation to buy.
The package is around £15m with add-ons and a sell-on clause, and a contract has been agreed with the player.
A medical is expected imminently for the ex-Bournemouth man
Source: independent.co.uk
