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Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal confirm three signings; late Chelsea deal; Jacquet joins Liverpool; Man Utd latest
Deadline Day updates as clubs push for late signings
Transfer drama: Jean-Philippe Mateta, Sandro Tonali and James Wilson
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George Flood
Transfer news LIVE!
Deadline Day produced perhaps more drama than expected as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham were all active as the January window closed. The day started with the Gunners exploring a stunning move for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, before Mikel Arteta set tongues wagging by confirming the club was “actively looking” for a new signing following Mikel Merino’s injury. In the end, two new faces did arrive at the academy, as Evan Mooney joined from St Mirren and Jaden Dixon arrived from Stoke. There was interest in Hearts striker James Wilson, but Spurs hijacked talks and lured the Scotland international to London.
Spurs fans would have wanted more than just an academy signing, but the day passed without the injury-ravaged squad being bolstered, and captain Cristian Romero posted on Instagram shortly after the deadline passed to vent his frustration at how the squad has been left. Across London, Chelsea recalled Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg, with both Aaron Anselmino and David Datro Fofana heading in the opposite direction, as Axel Disasi joined West Ham on loan and Tyrique George joined Everton on a loan-to-buy deal.
Manchester United were also focused mainly on loan outgoings, while Jorgen Strand Larsen’s switch from Wolves to Crystal Palace for a club-record £48million was the biggest deal of the day, but the Eagles ran out of time to complete the £20m signing of Dwight McNeil. Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s move to AC Milan collapsed after issues with his medical amid suggestions that he could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Latest Deadline Day headlines
Fulham loan Steven Benda to Feyenoord
A late exit from Fulham has also been confirmed tonight.
Goalkeeper Steven Benda has joined Eredivisie giants Feyenoord on loan until the summer.
The German had been expected to stay at Craven Cottage after returning early from a loan spell at Millwall in the Championship.
However, he will now spend the rest of the season at De Kuip.
Youssef En-Nesyri completes Al-Ittihad move
The other part of the Fenerbahce/Al-Ittihad transfer saga has also now been resolved.
The Saudi outfit have announced the signing of Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri.
The deal was done after talks with FIFA, per Fabrizio Romano, with Fenerbahce set to receive around €14m.
Fenerbahce confirm N'Golo Kante deal
Fenerbahce have now confirmed the signing of N’Golo Kante.
The French midfielder has penned a two-and-a-half year deal in Istanbul after leaving Saudi club Al-Ittihad.
“Some stories take time, but they don’t stay unfinished,” Fenerbahce wrote on social media.
They have a two-legged Europa League knockout play-off tie against Nottingham Forest coming up.
N’Golo Kante set for Fenerbahce move
It looks like N’Golo Kante will be getting his move to Fenerbahce after all.
Fabrizio Romano is reporting tonight that his contract at Saudi club Al-Ittihad has been cancelled with immediate effect.
Fenerbahce are now working with FIFA to get the signing of the former Chelsea and Leicester star approved.
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Fulham to step up Wilson talks
Fulham will resume contract negotiations with Harry Wilson after knocking back January interest in the in-form midfielder.
Wilson is out of contract at the end of the season and has been attracting interest from serval Premier League clubs.
The Cottagers rejected an approach by Everton last week and were adamant he would not leave mid-season, with Marco Silva stating last week that there was “zero chance” of him being sold.
Fulham are desperate to keep Wilson, who has been in superb form for club and country this season, and contract negotiations have been underway for several months.
Read more here!
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'Many doubts' over Merino in Arsenal injury worry
Mikel Merino’s father has revealed that there is “uncertainty” of the length of time that the Arsenal midfielder could be out injured.
The Spaniard was reported to need surgery on a broken bone in his foot last week, with Mikel Arteta confirming before the January transfer window closed that the Gunners were scouting out potential opportunities on the market to replace Merino temporarily.
Merino, 29, missed Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Leeds over the weekend, with Arsenal revealing that he would be out for an “extended period”.
Read the full story here!
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Spurs save Akliouche for summer
Tottenham could not pursue a deal for Maghnes Akliouche in the January transfer window, but may move for him in the summer, according to Teamtalk.
The Monaco man was seen as a transfer target for Spurs last year, before Xavi Simons arrived in north London.
The 23-year-old remains on the club’s radar, however, and a move could materialise at the end of the season.
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Sterling offered to Bundesliga club
Raheem Sterling was offered to Union Berlin, according to Sky Germany.
The former Chelsea forward had his contract at Stamford Bridge mutually terminated last month, and the England international is assessing his options as a free agent.
One of them could have been in Germany, although Union decided against offering him a deal, with Horst Heldt, a Union director, saing that the offer “didn’t seem serious”.
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Malacia fury as Man Utd force defender to stay
Out-of-favour defender Tyrell Malacia is furious at being told he must stay at Manchester United, the Daily Mirror claim.
The Dutchman was frozenn out by Ruben Amorim at the start of the campaign, but injuries meant that he was reintegrated into the squad earlier this season.
He has played just two minutes all season - coming on as late substitute in the 1-0 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Jason Wilcox, United’s sporting director, told the left-back he would not be able to leave - amid interest from Turkey - due to Patrick Dorgu’s injury, leaving Malacia and Luke Shaw as United’s only recognised left-backs.
Inquam Photos via REUTERS
Alonso on three-man shortlist as City draw up Guardiola replacements
Manchester City are bracing themselves for a potential departure of manager Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is on a three-strong shortlist of contenders to take over from the Spaniard at the Etihad Stadium.
But who are the other two names?
Find out here!
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