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.
Brighton midfielder joins Stuttgart on loan
Brighton midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud has joined Bundesliga team Stuttgart on loan until the end of the season.
Since joining the Seagulls in June 2023 from Borussia Dortmund, the German has made 14 appearances in all competitions.
Technical director David Weir said, “This is a good move for Mahmoud. It will give him an opportunity to play regularly for a side doing very well towards the top of the Bundesliga. We wish him well for the rest of the campaign.”
Getafe striker passes Bournemouth medical
Enes Unal has passed his Bournemouth medical, Sky Sports have reported.
The paperwork is now being finalised to complete what is believed to be a loan with the obligation to buy for £14m.
Burnley goalkeeper moves to Italy
Burnley goalkeeper Denis Franchi has moved to Ternana Calcio on a permanent transfer.
Franchi joined Burnley from Paris Saint-Germain in 2022, but has never played a senior game for the club.
Marco Silva has had his say
Fulham have been linked with a few potential moves on transfer deadline day, and the manager has had his say.
“It’s Deadline Day, for me what I am doing is a training session and am preparing for the Burnley game. Behind the scenes, the club is trying to do something. Let’s see what will happen,” Marso Silva said, reported by Sky Sports.
“It [wanting a new striker] is not just because Raul Jimenez is injured. Even with Raul in our squad, we sold a striker for a big amount of money last summer, we still haven’t replaced him.
“It was important last summer and it was important at the beginning of the window.
“I’m not going to make comments on players, rumours all that stuff. That is something I will not do.
“Ty Francois may be going to Denmark - let’s see if it can be official.”
Mason Holdgate latest
Mason Holdgate’s loan at Southampton is being cancelled, The Independent’s senior football correspondent Richard Jolly reports.
The contract is being cancelled to allow the player to join Sheffield United, subject to a medical, which will also be a loan deal.
The first hint of something from Arsenal
This transfer deadline day is still more a case of whispers than a flood of deals, and here is one from Arsenal - although not any that might have been expected.
Goalkeeper Alex Runarsson could be on the move, having been recalled from his loan at Cardiff and has been linked with Copenhagen.
The 28-year-old has six months on his contract, which could be mutually terminated to allow him to leave for free.
Newcastle should “hang on to everyone” - Callum Wilson
Eddie Howe might be bemoaning a lack of opportunities to sign players, but Callum Wilson wants Newcastle to hold on to the ones they’ve got.
He said, on the Footballer’s Football podcast: “I’m sure the manager and all the fans will be happy to see that door closed - keeping the squad together.
“There’s been a lot of rumours that we’ve not been able to add to it, which is common knowledge I think, but for us as a team, it’s important we hang on to everyone because we’re all going to be needed between now and the end of the season.”
WSL latest after Villa suffer injury blow
Aston Villa’s Lucy Staniforth is to miss the rest of the season due to an ankle issue, boss Carla Ward has said.
Ward said the 31-year-old, who has 17 England caps, is set for surgery after suffering the “bizarre” injury in the warm-up prior to last week’s League Cup match against Sunderland.
Since then Villa have also lost Staniforth’s fellow midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown, with the youngster joining Manchester City on transfer deadline day.
Ward told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Women’s Super League home clash with Bristol City: “Lucy Stan and Laura Brown have been ever-present in our midfield, so it’s a massive hole. Lucy has been excellent for us.
“It’s an injury that requires intervention and we’ll get that done on Wednesday and get her ready for pre-season.”
England Under-23 international Blindkilde Brown, 20, made her move with Villa saying City had triggered a “substantial” buyout clause in her contract. It is reported City have paid £200,000.
Ward said: “I think naturally we’re disappointed with the Browny situation. When the call came in, I think the first thought is ‘absolutely no chance’.
“City hit that clause and then we sat down with Laura, and I think the fact that City’s midfield is in the position they’re in (with Jill Roord injured) and Laura’s got an opportunity to go in there and play straight away, go for a title and try to finish in the Champions League spots, it’s something for her as an individual she simply couldn’t turn down.
“She’s a fantastic talent. I think City have got a bargain. Personally I’m absolutely gutted that she’s no longer here.”
Reporting from PA
Liverpool loanee to make early return
Rhys Williams, who was on loan at Port Vale, has returned to Liverpool because of injury.
Port Vale said: “Following the emergence of an underlying injury issue, Rhys Williams has returned to Liverpool to continue his rehabilitation for the remainder of the season.
“We would like to wish Rhys all the very best in his future career and thank Liverpool for their understanding throughout.”
Tottenham send Alejo Veliz out on loan
Tottenham are reportedly due to send Alejo Veliz on loan to Sevilla.
The Argentinian arrived at the club last summer for around £13m from Rosario Central.
However, the 20-year-old has only made eight appearances in the Premier League, and all of them as a substitute.
He was considered surplus to requirements, with Son Heung-min soon to return from the Asian Cup and Manor Solomon nearing a comeback from injury.
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