Key events
While other Premier League clubs are scrabbling around trying to sign players, Bournemouth are out here buying stakes in other teams.
The Black Knight group, led by Cherries owner Bill Foley, already own 30% of Ligue 1’s Lorient, are set to take a similar stake in Hibernian after the SFA granted permission for the investment to proceed today.
Foley plans to invest £6m into Hibs, who are largely owned by the American-based family of late chairman Ron Gordon. One key SFA condition was that the deal will not prevent the Edinburgh side from competing in Europe.
More Premier League names in non-league: “Kevin Phillips was managing South Shields before Julio Arca and is now at Hartlepool United,” notes Dip Ruparelia.
Speaking of City: Pep Guardiola has confirmed Erling Haaland is available again after recovering from a foot problem. Haaland hasn’t played since the 1-0 defeat at Villa Park in December, and could play alongside Kevin De Bruyne for the first time since … City’s 3-0 win at Burnley on the opening day. Oh Vinny!
It’s been a quiet month for Burnley – since loaning in David Datro Fofana on 13 January, one day after a 1-1 home draw with Luton, the Clarets haven’t played a match or signed anyone.
Vincent Kompany’s side face his former club, Manchester City, on Wednesday and the Burnley manager has confirmed he is interested in signing Montpellier defender Maxime Estève.
“All I can say is he’s not our player at the moment,” Kompany told reporters. “I think we’re past the point where I can deny there’s been interest, but he’s not our player and until then I can’t say much more.
The Belgian also declined to rule out January departures for Connor Roberts and Manuel Benson, and revealed that Nathan Redmond is out for the season after requiring surgery following a “freak incident in training”.
Owen Beck, recalled by Liverpool earlier this month as defensive cover, has gone back to Dundee on loan until the end of the season. He clocked up seven minutes against Bournemouth, but the return of Andy Robertson and impressive form of Conor Bradley mean he can head back to Dens Park. Beck has also been linked with a permanent move to Celtic or Rangers this month.
The Armando Broja brouhaha continues. The Chelsea forward has been linked with a move away all month, but Wolves’ approach for a straight loan deal has been knocked back. Just play him, Mauricio.
🚨🔵 Understand Chelsea have rejected formal approach from Wolves for Armando Broja.
Wolves have asked for Broja on loan but Chelsea have no intention to proceed at current conditions. pic.twitter.com/KLMu85SIZw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2024
On Premier League stalwarts now managing in non-league, Eliot Barrass writes: “Steve Watson (ex Newcastle United) has been appointed Darlington manager, and until recently Julio Arca was South Shields boss.”
Blackburn’s Wharton set for Crystal Palace medical
Ed Aarons
Crystal Palace are closing in on an agreement for Blackburn midfielder Adam Wharton, with the 19-year-old having travelled to London to complete his medical. It is understood that the fee will be in excess of £20m after Palace’s initial bid of £18.5m was rejected last week.
Wharton, who signed a new five-year contract at Ewood Park in December after an outstanding Championship campaign, is wanted by Roy Hodgson after Cheick Doucouré was ruled out for the season. Blackburn’s young player of the season has previously attracted interest from Newcastle and Wolves.
Palace, who face Sheffield United this evening in a crucial Premier League match, earlier confirmed the signing of Colombia right-back Daniel Muñoz from Genk on a three-year deal.
Having given up on a move for Miguel Almirón, Saudi side Al-Shabab have struck a deal for Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
“We have agreed a deal with Al-Shabab Club for the transfer of Ivan Rakitic, who will bring his second spell with us to a close,” Sevilla said in a statement.
The former Croatia international, who started the World Cup final in 2018, played for the La Liga club from 2011 to 2014, then returned in 2020 after six years at Barcelona.
Chimbonda at Skelmersdale, George Elokobi at Maidstone – are there more Premier League stalwarts out there managing in non-league? Let me know who I’ve missed.
A new signing of sorts: Pascal Chimbonda is coming out of retirement to play for the team he currently manages, Skelmersdale United. The former Wigan and Spurs man will make his debut against Charnock Richard tonight, stepping in after his side lost 10-1 (!) to Bury at the weekend.
More on Tottenham and West Ham’s transfer plans here:
Catch up with all the deals from January with our interactive guide:
One confirmed departure at Nottingham Forest: Jonathan Panzo has joined Belgian side Standard Liège on loan until the end of the season. The centre-back has only made one Forest appearance since joining in 2022, and has previously been loaned out to Coventry and Cardiff.
Bologna have announced the arrival of promising Argentinian striker Santiago Castro, who joins from Vélez Sarsfield for a reported €12m (£10.26m) fee. It’s a transfer with a ripple effect that leads back to Arsenal – Brentford were thought to have been tracking Castro and while Ivan Toney has long been linked with a move to the Emirates, Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee has also emerged as a target.
Andy Hunter
Cardiff City are close to completing the loan signing of Liverpool defender Nat Phillips. The centre-half was recalled from an unsuccessful loan spell at Celtic earlier this month and, despite interest from Blackburn, has travelled to the Welsh capital to seal another temporary move from Anfield.
Marco Asensio has been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain – possibly to Bayer Leverkusen – but Fabrizio Romano reports that the Spain international is staying put.
🔴🔵🇪🇸 Marco Asensio’s camp and Paris Saint-Germain are on the same page: no negotiations and no plans to leave the club in the final two days.
He’s staying, PSG want him to be part of the squad for the second half of the season. pic.twitter.com/4Jaef6eOqb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2024
Marcus Rashford is all over today’s headlines, but it seems there is little to no chance of the player leaving Old Trafford this week. Rashford reported ill for training on Friday after allegedly going out in Belfast on Thursday night.
Manchester United have said “an internal disciplinary matter” regarding Rashford “is now closed”, and he could feature against Wolves on Thursday.
West Ham working on loan move for winger Jota
Jacob Steinberg
West Ham are keen to sign a winger on loan and are working on a move for Jota. The Portuguese left Celtic for Al-Ittihad last summer but it hasn’t worked out for him in Saudi Arabia.
Jota turned down a loan move to Al-Ettifaq – he really wants to return to the UK and is very open to an 18-month loan at West Ham. The complicating factor is the tax liability that would come with leaving Saudi Arabia. The deal is a work in progress.
West Ham have also looked at Nordsjaelland’s Ibrahim Osman but have cooled their interest because of the asking price. The 19-year-old winger could be a target for Brighton this week.
In terms of outgoings, Lyon have made a bid of £15m plus add-ons for Saïd Benrahma. The Algerian winger is currently reluctant to leave West Ham, though. Pablo Fornals, meanwhile, could return to Spain with Real Betis.
Spurs eye Gallagher with Chelsea willing to sell
Jacob Steinberg
Tottenham are considering a move for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher this week. The midfielder is out of contract in 18 months and Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for him. Selling an academy product would help their FFP position, but wouldn’t be a popular move with Chelsea supporters.
Gallagher, who is from a family of Chelsea fans, has been an important player for Mauricio Pochettino this season and has captained the team on occasion. There is no doubt, however, that the club would sell him for the right price.
Chelsea were after at least £50m for him last summer, when Spurs were willing to pay £35m and West Ham had a bid of £37m plus add ons turned down. I’d still be surprised if this went through this week. Will Spurs offer enough? Will Gallagher accept the move?
I’ve previously reported that Gallagher wants to stay and play in the Carabao Cup final. But the complicating factor is that there’s been no movement towards the England international signing a new deal. Chelsea do not want players running down contracts.
News of potential ins and outs at Nottingham Forest …
Final few days of window for #NFFC: club in talks with Lyon over Orel Mangala. They want a winger, currently there is a list of three: Gio Reyna, Bryan Gil and Ismaila Sarr. A goalkeeper is still targeted, too. Joe Worrall could exit – Besiktas interested
— Will Unwin (@Will_Unwin) January 30, 2024
Mangala joined for £12.7m 18 months ago and the club could be swayed by the chance to double their money, particularly with those pesky PSR rules causing headaches at the City Ground.
In goal, neither Matt Turner nor Odysseas Vlachodimos have convinced, and Nuno Espírito Santo is open to finding an upgrade before Thursday’s deadline.
WSL: Arsenal sign keeper Sarah Bouhaddi
Another confirmed signing, this time for Arsenal Women. The Gunners have signed French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi on a short-term deal.
The hugely experienced Bouhaddi is available on a free, having spent the 2022-23 season at Paris Saint-Germain. She was a key part of the Lyon team that won 11 league titles, eight French Cups and eight Uefa Women’s Champions Leagues during her 13 years there.
Now 37, Bouhaddi has won 149 caps for France and will wear the No 86 jersey for the Gunners. “I’m delighted to be joining Arsenal and to become part of this great club,” said Sarah. “Arsenal has so much history across both the men’s and women’s teams and I’ve always admired the club.”
“We’re really pleased to bring Sarah to Arsenal to help us over the coming weeks,” said the Arsenal manager, Jonas Eidevall. There aren’t many goalkeepers with the breadth of experience and knowledge that Sarah has, so we’re delighted to bring her in to supplement our goalkeeping options.”
Some heavyweight names in the frame in Tuesday’s Rumour Mill.
Crystal Palace sign right-back Daniel Muñoz
Let’s kick off with a Premier League done deal: Crystal Palace have signed Daniel Muñoz from Genk until 2027, with an option for a further year. The fee is undisclosed but reportedly in the region of £8.5m.
The 27-year-old has scored seven goals and provided two assists in Belgium this season, having first moved to Genk from Atlético Nacional in 2020. Muñoz has 23 Colombia caps and will join up with compatriot Jefferson Lerma at Selhurst Park.
“We are delighted to welcome a player of Daniel’s quality and character to the club,” said the Palace chairman, Steve Parish. “His ability, athleticism and tenacity will be a huge boost to the squad.”
“It’s a pleasure for me to be here at such a historic club as Crystal Palace. I’m very excited, very happy, and I can’t wait to be on the pitch,” said Muñoz. “It’s a dream come true for me and I hope to be up to the task.”
Preamble
It’s not just Premier League clubs who are tightening their belts this month. Last summer’s Saudi spending spree saw £700m splashed out on signings, in an effort to propel the Pro League into the same stratosphere as Europe’s “big five” divisions.
Despite what Cristiano Ronaldo might claim, that hasn’t happened and with the Saudi transfer window closing today, the league’s January outlay so far amounts to £19.6m – all spent by Al-Hilal to sign Marseille’s Renan Lodi. Instead, this month has been more about keeping summer recruits on board.
Jordan Henderson has jumped ship to Ajax, while Karim Benzema’s wage demands have stalled a move back to Europe for now. Miguel Almirón was one of the few being linked with a move to the Gulf, but it seems Al-Shabab are unwilling to meet Newcastle’s £30m valuation.
Will the Saudi league flex its financial muscles once again today, or will more late departures shake the foundations? The answer to all that, and much more, is coming up in the next few hours.