Key events
Luton Town: Oscar Zambrano, a central midfielder with LDU Quito in the Ecuadorian top flight, has been a Luton Town target since Rob Edwards’ side won promotion to the Premier League and the club remain interested in the 19-year-old. Zambrano has also been scouted by Brighton and Manchester United, while media reports last week suggested Bournemouth are ready to bid £4m for the teenager.
Anthony Martial: With his contract due to expire at the end of the season and Manchester United extremely unlikely to trigger their one-year option on an extension, Anthony Martial is believed to have no interest whatsoever in leaving the club during the current window despite reported interest from Marseille, Fenerbahce and the Saudi Arabian Premier League. And who can blame him, when he can choose to stay at old Trafford to fight for his place/sit out his deal and leave for a free in the summer?
Valentin Barco to Brighton a “done deal”
Brighton’s scouting department is second to very few and the latest gem they have unearthed is Boca Juniors whelp Valentin Barco. Speaking on Talksport, South American football expert Tim Vickery says the Argentinian press are reporting that the 19-year-old left-back’s move to Brighton is a done deal.
However, he won’t be moving to the south coast until he has played for Argentina’s U-21s in the Olympic qualifiers, which are due to be played Caracas, Valencia and Barquisimeto from 20 January to 11 February. Expect him to leave Brighton for Chelsea or Liverpool for £150m in 18 months time.
Leonardo Bonucci: Eager to get game time in a bid to book his spot in Italy’s Euro 2024 squad, the veteran Italian defender is currently en route to Istanbul, where he is expected to sign a short-term deal to play for Fenerbahce. Bonucci, 36, joined Union Berlin from Juventus in September but has made just 10 appearances for the German side.
Djed Spence: “While I definitely feel sorry for Spence in a footballing sense, particularly as a Spurs fan wanting to see him do well, I’d argue ending up on the Ligurian coast with the delights of Cinque Terre and Portofino within easy reach isn’t the worst fate a player could suffer,” writes Jeff. It’s a fair point, well made.
West Ham: David Moyes is believed to be in the market for a left-winger and has lined up Sunderland’s Jack Clarke in his corss-hairs. The 23-year-old has been a revelation since leaving Spurs for the Stadium of Light a year ago and his current employers have no desire to lose a player who has chipped in with 24 goals and 20 assists in 99 appearances. Brentford and Crystal Palace are also understood to be interested in Clarke but will have to pay top dollar if they are to secure his signature as he has two-and-a-half years left on his contract.
Victor Osimhen denies Saudi speculation
The Napoli striker has issued an angry response to suggestions he will leave the beleaguered Italian champions for Saudi Arabia.
Appearing on Georgian TV yesterday, Mamuka Jugeli, the agent of Osimhen’s teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, said that although Osimhen has signed a new contract with Napoli, the Nigeria international will move to Saudi Arabia at the end of the season.
Currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, has taken to social media to issue a rather robust response to Jugeli’s claims. “Dear Mamuka Jugeli, you are a piece of filth and a disgrace. I’m embarrassed at your sense of reasoning,” he said on Instagram. “Keep my name out of your mouth!!!”
Fulham: Ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool, Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha has sat down for an interview with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.
Pahinha came within a hair’s breadth of signing for Bayern Munich during the summer only to be left devastated when the deal collapsed at the last minute. However, he has got on with life at Craven Cottage but remains interested in a move to Bavaria. In good news for Fulham fans, it seems he won’t be going there in the current window as the German side are prioritising reinforcements in other areas of their squad and have no plans to go after him this January.
“I feel the love that the supporters have for me,” said Palhinha. “I know that some day I will leave Fulham but I want to give everything. I am always 100 per cent professional here and I will do my job every time I play for Fulham.”
Tottenham Hotspur: Radu Dragusin has made the journey from Stansted Airport to Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground, where he will undergo a medical before being announced as a Tottenham Hotspur player. The Romanian centre-back will join from Genoa, with Djed Spence almost certain to head the other way on loan.
Poor old Djed. That move from Middlesbrough to Tottenham could scarcely have been more disastrous. Since joining Spurs 19 months ago after an impressive season on loan at Nottingham Forest, he’s made just 21 appearances. Seven of those have been in a Leeds shirt, while nine were for Rennes.
Newcastle United: Isaac Hayden hasn’t played for the Mags in over two years and has been on loan at Belgian side Standard Liege since a move to Sheffield Wednesday collapsed on Deadline Day. The defensive midfielder has failed to impress sufficiently at Liege and is about to be recalled so Newcastle can ship him out on loan elsewhere.
Bramall Lane, rather than Hillsborough, has been mooted as a potential destination, with Sheffield United believed to be keen on getting him in the door to help them fight relegation. Plymouth Argyle, Blackburn Rovers and Preston are also believed to be interested in getting Hayden on board, while the prospect of resurrecting that move to Wednesday has also been mooted.
Philippe Coutinho: On loan at Qatari side Al-Duhail, where he has played just six times so far this season, the Brazilian playmaker is unwanted by Aston Villa and could be heading for the USA. Inter Miami are believed to be targeting the 31-year-old, who might fancy life in Florida playing alongside his old Barcelona muckers Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Coutinho has also been linked with a move to LA Galaxy.
Che Adams: Third in the Championship table, just three points behind Ipswich Town and unbeaten in 18 league games, Southampton will have their eye on a quick return to the Premier League following their relegation last season.
Their striker Che Adams looks likely to be back in the top flight even sooner, as Saints are believed to be open to offers for the 27-year-old, who has started just games this season and is out of contract in the summer. Everton and Wolves are both believed to be interested in securing the services of the Scotland international.
Liverpool: Hull have confirmed the loan signing of Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool until the end of the season. The 21-year-old had been on loan at RB Leipzig but was recalled because he wasn’t getting much game time.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Hull boss Liam Rosenior. “Everyone is aware of Fabio’s ability, his qualities as a young player. Fabio is excited to be coming here and I’m delighted to be working with him to the end of the season. Technically, he’s outstanding. He can assist, score and run in behind. He’s brave, quick, very balanced and takes the ball. Fabio’s got the ability to make a real impact on our season and get us to where we want to be.”
Hull currently sit seventh in the Championship table, just outside the playoff spots and at least one place beneath where they want to be.
Celtic: His name might not sound like that of your typical Glaswegian, but young Celtic midfielder Rocco Vata was born and reared in the Scottish city. The son of former Albania and Celtic defender Rudi Vata, the 18-year-old made four appearances for Celtic under Ange Postecoglou last season but was not included in the senior squad after Brendan Rodgers took over took over from the Australian.
Having been playing in the Lowland League for Celtic’s reserves this season, Vata could be off to the comapratively glamourous environs of Serie A now that his employers granted Bologna permission to speak to the young winger, whose contract expires at the end of June.
Right, Barry Glendenning is at the door so I’ll let him in to continue today’s hot coverage.
Lucas Paquetá’s calf injury could keep him out for a couple of months so West Ham are likely to be active in the transfer market. This is a blow for the Hammers and, indeed, for any football romantic who believes all Brazilian players should try and emulate the 1982 World Cup team. I’m talking the skills here rather than daydreaming in defence and being dumped out by a Paolo Rossi hat-trick.
Some news from Scotland and there are plenty of reports suggesting Rangers are leading the race to sign Michy Batshuayi on a short-term deal from Turkish side Fenerbahce. Everton have also been linked with the former Chelsea striker.
The 30-year has banged in an impressive 27 goals in 52 appearances for Belgium so it’s rather harsh we remember him best for this.
Hmmm. Interesting comments from the agent of Radu Dragusin as the Romanian defender boards a plane ahead of his medical at Tottenham.
⚪️🇷🇴 Radu Dragusin’s agent: “We can’t believe we turned down Bayern…”.
“Radu had given his word to Spurs and chose to respect this. We’re all still mindblown a bit!”, told GSP via @Emishor. pic.twitter.com/yZ5jMOcKux
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2024
Sky Sports Germany report that Bayern Munich came in too late, putting down an offer of €30m when Dragusin had already made his decision and paperwork had been exchanged.
How likely are some of the current rumours? A quick flick of the odds throws up these prices for where certain players will be at the end of the January window. A lot of staying put in there. Soz.
Kylian Mbappé: 1/20 PSG, 7/1 Real Madrid, 20/1 Liverpool
Kalvin Phillips: 4/6 Newcastle, 7/4 Juventus, 5/1 Man City
Jordan Henderson: 8/13 Al‑Ettifaq, 7/2 Ajax, 8/1 Chelsea
Lionel Messi: 1/100 Inter Miami, 11/4 Barcelona
Maybe the new Liverpool kit for 2024/25 will lure Kylian Mbappé to Anfield – presuming he’s a fan of Sammy Lee and that ‘84 look.
Thanks Tom. Some more details now from Fabrizio Romano on that Jadon Sancho move. He certainly looks happier in a Dortmund shirt.
🚨🟡⚫️ Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund, here we go! Deal in place between Man United and BVB on loan, NO buy option.
Understand Sancho can travel later today for medical.
BVB will cover part of the salary plus loan fee. €4m package.
Boarding completed ✈️ @TurkishAirlines pic.twitter.com/sExTKKBQwY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2024
Right, I’m off to fashion myself some food, and will hand the baton on to a fit and firing David Tindall for the next hour or so. See you’se.
And a reminder that you can keep up with all the moves involving Europe’s top five leagues with our snazzy transfer window interactives:
Done deal: Chelsea sign Nathalie Bjorn from Everton
The WSL leaders Chelsea, reeling from the injury-enforced loss of Sam Kerr in attack, have at least reinforced their defence with the signing of the Sweden defender Nathalie Bjorn from Everton on a deal running to the summer of 2027.
The 26-year-old centre-back makes the switch after two-and-a-half years at Everton during which she made 44 Women’s Super League appearances. Bjorn, holder of 61 Sweden caps, said in quotes on Chelsea’s official website: “To sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe feels like part of a dream that you have when you are young. I’m very excited to get this journey started.”
Some Manchester United bits and bobs: PSV Eindhoven have approached the new Old Trafford football hierarchy about a move for Facundo Pellistri while Anthony Martial has said he wants to stay put at United during this window.
Done deal: Liverpool’s Fábio Carvalho joins Hull on loan
Confirmation arrives of the 21-year-old Portuguese’s loan move to Hull, which should pep up the Championship side’s playoff tilt, the attacking midfielder having won promotion from the division with Fulham in 2022. He joins till the end of the season.
Away from the transfer market, the former Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has been banned from holding any position in football for a year for inappropriate behaviour towards women at the club.
West Ham have made some of the better signings from the Championship among Premier League clubs in recent times, and Sky reports that they’re chasing the Sunderland wideman Jack Clarke, who has impressed as the Black Cats have established themselves in the top half of the second tier in the past couple of seasons. Clarke is contracted to Sunderland until the summer of 2026 so the Hammers would have to shell out a sizeable amount for a player over whom Burnley saw a £7m offer rejected last summer.
In tangentially related, and less positive, news for West Ham comes confirmation that Lucas Paquetá is out injured for six-to-eight weeks.
A couple of other rumours. Paris Saint-Germain are sniffing around Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, according to Foot Mercato as they seek to strengthen their midfield. Meanwhile beleaguered Al Ettifaq gaffer Stevie Gerrard is apparently mulling moves for Liverpool’s Joel Matip and/or Joe Gomez.
And Radu Dragusin has arrived at an airport! Genoa’s, to hop on a plane to London.
A couple of Scottish transfer nuggets now: Yosuke Ideguchi has left Celtic to join J League side Vissel Kobe on a permanent deal. The midfielder, a rare example of a Japanese move to Parkhead not working out, spent most of the past year on loan at fellow Japanese club Avispa Fukuoka, after being unable to make an impact at Celtic. And St Johnstone have signed the Israeli defender David Keltjens until the end of the season subject to international clearance.
List time. Who doesn’t love a chart rundown? And Nos 41-70 have been added to our 100 Best Female Footballers in the World table, including rises for Melchie Dumornay, Chloe Kelly and Zecira Musovic and falls for Pernille Harder, Ella Toone and Alex Morgan.
Clément Lenglet is set to stay at Aston Villa despite a host of top European clubs chasing the defender, PA Media reports. The 28-year-old, on loan from Barcelona, had options to leave this window but is expected to remain at Villa Park until the end of the season. Milan, Napoli, Lyon, Monaco and several sides in Spain were all reportedly keen on the France defender but Villa have ruled out cutting short his loan.
Is signing star names enough? Here’s Joseph Lowry on the current state of Inter Miami:
Super teams – and Inter Miami are no exception here – do just about everything they can to keep the ball and avoid having to sit deep inside their own half. That way, their superstars have as many chances as possible to, well, be superstars. But even the best teams in the world relative to their competition don’t have possession for anything close to 100% of every game.
So what happens when they lose it?
This is where the biggest teams in Europe have a big advantage over their competition that Miami lack over theirs. Teams like PSG and Real Madrid, ones that play with a bunch of uber-talented attackers, also tend to have uber-talented defenders.
Victor Osimhen news: the Nigeria striker’s had a lively time of it, off the park, this season:
🚨🤯 Osimhen replies to Kvaratskhelia’s agent, who had stated that the Nigerian will head to Saudi Arabia in the summer.
“Dear Mamuka Jugeli, you are a piece of filth and a disgrace”.
“I’m embarrassed at your sense of reasoning”.
“Dumb f*ck! KEEP MY NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!”. pic.twitter.com/8VxLzQZhhq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2024
Below the Premier League, the January window is as much about strategic loans as permanent signings, and the smarter clubs tend to pick from well-run set-ups higher up. Brighton are one such, and League One Port Vale will be pleased to have secured a deal for the Seagulls’ midfielder Jensen Weir on a six-month loan. Meanwhile, League Two leaders Stockport have signed Salford’s attacking midfielder Odin Bailey on a permanent deal, having had him on loan.
Brighton themselves are closing in on a deal for the Boca Juniors teenager Valentín Barco in a very Brighton-esque move. Here’s our story if you missed it:
Another rumour drops. Arsenal fancy an “audacious” swoop for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, according to the Football Transfers website. The striker would set them back £63m but such is the Gunners’ need for someone, anyone, who knows where the goal is, a striker who has 19 goals in 37 games for Eddie Howe’s side would make sense. Hard to see Newcastle letting him go, unless their FFP needs are even more urgent than we thought.
“How is Joshua Kimmich only 28?” is the legitimate, probing question asked by my colleague Michael Butler, before reporting that all manner of suitors are interested in the Bayern Munich midfielder. Bayern are also at risk of losing Alphonso Davies to A22’s Real Madrid, it would appear. Read those rumours and many more in today’s Mill:
Done deal: Spurs confirm £25.8m Dragusin signing
We have confirmation: Tottenham have beaten off competition from Bayern Munich to make the central defender Radu Dragusin their second January signing in a €30m (£25.8m) deal.
Sancho edges closer to Dortmund move
Jadon Sancho’s loan move to Borussia Dortmund looks set to be finalised, with final details on his contract just being worked through. And a couple of interesting Championship moves for you: Luke Ayling is set to join Carabao Cup aspirants Middlesbrough on loan from Leeds for six months, while our man on the scene, every scene, Fabrizio Ramona reports that Fábio Carvalho has just signed his contract at Hull on a loan deal from Liverpool and he is set to play in the Tigers’ Friday night match at home to Norwich.
Preamble
Morning everyone. Let’s be honest – it’s been a pretty slow-burn transfer window so far. Sure, at any given moment, someone somewhere will be blethering about Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid, but that’s been the case for a good few consecutive windows now, so you know, whatever. Jordan Henderson could be heading back to Europe – Ajax his mooted destination – having solved Saudi Arabia’s human rights problems. And Spurs have been moving quickly, snapping up Timo Werner, a signing that seems to have been met by an “if Big Ange wants him, that’s good enough for us” reaction from the fanbase. What’s more, early talk this morning is of a deal for Genoa’s Radu Dragusin being close to finalisation to plug that Spurs defensive gap, while 2016’s Eric Dier is possibly heading to Bayern Munich.
We’ll have more on all this and plenty else besides through the day, so stick around.
