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.
Ok, that’s it from us this evening. We’ll likely hear overnight whether Armando Borja’s loan move from Chelsea to Fulham was completed ahead of the 11pm deadline, while the exits of West Ham attackers Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals to Lyon and Real Betis respectively are in the same boat.
Not a vintage transfer deadline day but we’ll see you in the summer to go again!
Luke Baker1 February 2024 23:24
Done deal! Nottingham Forest sign a new goalkeeper
Nottingham Forest have signed Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels from Strasbourg. The 31-year-old joins on a three-and-a-half year deal, running until the summer of 2027.
Sels, a Belgian international, has made 175 appearances for Strasbourg, captaining the club this season and Strasbourg president Marc Keller praised Sels on the announcement of his move
“I would like to thank Matz who has been a true soldier for us all these years,” says Keller. “He was an exemplary goalkeeper and captain. But after almost six seasons here, he wanted a new challenge and expressed the wish to try his luck again in England.
“Matz has always been impeccable with the club. We now wish him the best for the rest of his career. He will remain in the legend of Racing.”
Luke Baker1 February 2024 23:12
Done deal! Enes Unal joins Bournemouth on loan from Getafe
Bournemouth have signed Turkey forward Enes Unal on loan from Getafe for the rest of the season.
Unal joined Manchester City in 2015 from his hometown club Bursaspor before moving to Villarreal and then on to Getafe in 2020.
Bournemouth’s loan deal for the 26-year-old, who scored 34 goals in 104 games for Getafe, contains the obligation to make the move permanent if certain conditions are met.
“We are really pleased to welcome Enes to the club and believe he will add strength to our front line,” Bournemouth’s chief executive Neill Blake said on the club website.
“He’s proven that he can score goals in multiple different countries, and we believe he’s got the skillset to succeed in the Premier League.”
Luke Baker1 February 2024 23:10
Transfer window CLOSED!
We’ve passed 11pm so the transfer window has closed, although news of deals are still filtering in. As long as the paperwork was completed by 11pm, they can be announced afterwards.
Armando Broja’s loan to Fulham from Chelsea the main one we’re waiting on.
Luke Baker1 February 2024 23:08
Done deal! Alejo Veliz leaves Tottenham on loan
Tottenham forward Alejo Veliz has completed a loan move to Sevilla for the rest of the season.
Argentina Under-20 international Veliz only signed for Spurs in August but has played eight times for the Premier League club and scored once.
Veliz, 20, will now spend the second half of the campaign with the LaLiga club, but the deal is a straight loan with no option or obligation to make it permanent
Ex-Rosario striker Veliz is currently sidelined with a knee injury, although could return to full fitness later this month and will further his development in Spain alongside former Tottenham midfielder Erik Lamela.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker1 February 2024 23:07
Move over Marcus Rashford: Kobbie Mainoo is Manchester United’s new star
With the eyes of the world watching Marcus Rashford’s every move, it was another, better-behaved academy product from down the road who secured his anarchic side a truly remarkable victory that United did their utmost to undo.
Even though the tequila-swilling rogue arrowed a superb opener five minutes into a match he looked a long way from starting when called into a Carrington disciplinary meeting three days ago, star-in-the-making Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible winner, in the 97th minute, must not be forgotten amid all the Rashford furore.
Wolves 3-4 Manchester United: Mainoo snatched a dramatic late winner after a week where Rashford had been centre of attention for the wrong reasons
Luke Baker1 February 2024 22:56
David Moyes gives update on West Ham’s transfer business
West Ham were in Premier League action this evening and drew 1-1 with Bournemouth. After that match, manager David Moyes gave updates on the remaining transfer deals on deadline day.
Moyes told BBC Match of the Day:“I’m only just off the pitch, I’m not quite sure what’s been done. We know the talk from Betis [around Pablo Fornals] and I think Said Benrahma is in France doing a medical. I couldn’t tell you if that has been done tonight.
“I think a few things have been quite last minute. It’s a pretty awkward day to have to answer questions on the transfer deadline. We’re a country who like to do things late and there’s a lot of late deals that look like they’re happening today.”
David Moyes was unhappy to be deprived of his Africa Cup of Nations contingent due to TV scheduling (PA Wire)
Luke Baker1 February 2024 22:47
Done deal! Adam Idah joins Celtic from Norwich
We’ve seen one player, Mikey Johnston, go on loan from Celtic to the Championship and now someone is heading in the opposite direction.
Norwich striker and 22-cap Ireland international Adam Idah will join the Bhoys on loan for the rest of the campaign. The 22-year-old forward came through the ranks at the Canaries and has made 115 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals, including seven this season.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Idah said: “It’s such a huge club with such a big history behind it and I can’t even put into words what it’s like to be at Celtic.
“My family and my friends are all delighted that I’m here and I just can’t wait to get started. All of us back home support Celtic so it’s huge for me and I’m so excited to be here.
“I want to play games, I want to help this team and the aim for me is to win those two trophies and I want to score a lot of goals for this club.”
Luke Baker1 February 2024 22:40
Done deal! Orel Mangal exits Nottingham Forest
Belgium midfielder Orel Mangala has joined Olympique Lyonnais on loan from Nottingham Forest with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
Lyon paid Forest £10m for the loan transfer of the 25-year-old until June 30, the Ligue 1 side said. The deal includes a purchase option at an additional £15m plus a maximum £3m in add-ons.
Mangala, a youth product of Belgium’s Anderlecht, joined Forest from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart in 2022 and made 47 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals.
The 25-year-old made his Belgium debut in 2022 and has earned 12 international caps.
Luke Baker1 February 2024 22:35
Done deal! Aston Villa sign Adelaide United goalkeeper
Aston Villa have signed 23-year-old Australia goalkeeper Joe Gauci from A-League side Adelaide United.
He is currently at the Asian Cup with the Socceroos and will link up with Villa after the tournament is over. Gauci is expected to back up Villa’s No 1 Emiliano Martinez.
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