Transfer deadline day LIVE: Fulham try to loan Armando Broja from Chelsea as window closes
Clubs in the Premier League and across Europe made last-ditch moves before the January transfer window slammed shut
Transfer deadline day came and went as the January window slammed shut and Premier League clubs raced to try and complete last-minute deals ahead of the 11pm deadline.
Armando Broja’s future was still yet to be decided as the window closed as Chelsea reportedly agreed a loan deal to send the striker to Fulham, who could do with some goals over the second half of the season, but no official confirmation had landed by the time the deadline passed. West Ham duo Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals’ exits to Lyon and Real Betis respectively were in a similar situation.
A relatively quiet transfer deadline day mirrored the January window as a whole, with financial restrictions stopping Premier League clubs splashing the cash too much. Crystal Palace swooped for midfielder Adam Wharton in a reported £22m switch from Blackburn to mark the biggest Premier League move of deadline day, as the talented 19-year-old cost an upfront fee of £18m with a potential £4m of add-ons.
Burnley completed loan deals for two defenders as Montpellier’s Maxime Esteve and Lorenz Assignon from Rennes signed until the end of the season, while Nottingham Forest signed goalkeeper Matz Sels from Strasbourg and striker Enes Unal joined Bournemouth on loan from Getafe, with an obligation to buy.
Follow the live blog for all the latest news, rumours and updates in the transfer market and find the latest football betting odds and tips here.
Done deal! Crystal Palace capture Adam Wharton from Blackburn
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Blackburn midfielder Adam Wharton for a fee of £22.5m, including £4m in potential add-ons.
The 19-year-old has signed a five and a half year contract with Palace, and leaves Blackburn after joining the club aged six.
The box-to-box midfielder has an all-action style with a good eye for a pass, and was one of Palace’s top targets in the January window.
ICYMI: Rodrigo Ribeiro becomes Nuno’s first
Nottingham Forest captured 18-year-old forward Ruben Ribeiro from Sporting Lisbon as Nuno Espirito Santo made his first signing as Forest boss.
The 18-year-old striker has joined the club on loan for the remainder of the season, in a deal which could be made permanent.
Ribeiro has turned out seven times for Sporting so far this campaign and has even played in the Champions League, making his debut against Manchester City in March 2022.
Nottingham Forest chase Ajax forward Chuba Akpom
Forest are going to be busy this evening, it seems. Here’s another late move, as they try to bring in Chuba Akpom from Ajax.
Akpom joined from Middlesbrough for £10m in the summer and has done well with nine goals from 20 appearances for the Dutch club this season.
New: Fulham meet Chelsea’s demands for Armando Broja loan
More details now as Fulham agree a loan fee with Chelsea for Armando Broja, The Independent understands, and will pay their West London rivals £750k.
The deal includes a penalty fee of up to £4m if Broja does not play a specified number of games, as Chelsea look to ensure their asset isn’t stuck on the bench, and these negotiations are proving one of the final hurdles to completing the deal before tonight’s deadline.
Chelsea had initially sought £50m for a permanent transfer but couldn’t not find a suitor.
Fulham persist with loan move for Chelsea’s Armando Broja
Fulham were concerned on the morning of transfer deadline day about the price of Armando Broja, amid reports that Chelsea want £5m as an up-front loan fee for the 22-year-old Albanian striker.
But The Independent understands talks have been ongoing between the clubs into the afternoon and evening, and there is still hope of a resolution before the 11pm transfer deadline.
Manchester United sell Norwegian midfielder to Werder Bremen
Manchester United have sold academy player Isak Hansen-Aaroen to Werder Bremen for an undisclosed fee.
The club were keen to keep the Norwegian 19-year-old, but his refusal to sign a new contract, with a deal that expires this summer, forced their hand. Hansen-Aaroen wants first-team opportunties and United had made it clear that would take time at Old Trafford.
The Independent understands United have included a sell-on clause in the transfer terms to ensure they get a slice of any future fee, should Bremen sell on Hansen-Aaroen for a big price.
EFL news: Doncaster succeed in appeal against transfer embargo
Doncaster’s three-transfer window fee restriction by the EFL has been reduced following an appeal.
League Two Rovers were issued with a £2,000 fine and the three-window fee restriction as a result of accumulating 30 days or more of late payments during the 12 months from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
It meant the club was prohibited from paying or committing to pay a transfer fee, compensation fee or loan fee for any player during either the current or next two transfer windows.
The club opted to appeal on the grounds that the restrictions imposed were disproportionate to the financial breaches, so the matter was referred to an independent disciplinary commission, which revised the sanctions.
A statement from the EFL said: “On review of the case, the commission has determined that the three-transfer window fee restriction is to stand, but with the second (August 2024) and third (January 2025) windows suspended and triggered upon a further breach. The club is still required to pay the £2,000 fine.”
West Ham set to sell Pablo Fornals to Real Betis for €8m
West Ham have been looking to raise some funds this window and it looks like they’ve finally managed to shift Pablo Fornals.
At only €8m, it’s something of a coup for Real Betis for a talented 27-year-old with plenty of Premier League experience under his belt.
Liverpool reject Forest’s £15m offer for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
Nottingham Forest have seen a £15m offer for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher rejected.
Kelleher has impressed mostly in cup competitions for Jurgen Klopp’s side, proving himself an able deputy to Alisson Becker, and Forest are looking to bring in a keeper on deadline day.
But The Independent understands Liverpool rejected the offer immediately, valuing the Irishman at at least £20m.
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