With only a few days left remaining until deadline day, the transfer window has been heating up with teams all over ready for reinforcements
There's now less than a week of the January sales remaining, meaning the last-gasp trolley dash is well under way.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are among those keen on bringing in new faces with others further down the table equally keen to get some reinforcements through the door.
We will have all the latest throughout Friday right here so open up a browser window and let us guide you through the day.
Key Events So Far
New Arsenal signings pictured
New Arsenal duo Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze have been pictured with Gunners legend Nwankwo Kanu.The teenage stars were also posing with manager Arsene Wenger and Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis.
Mirror Sport revealed earlier this month that Arsenal had beaten off competition from Manchester City and
Bayern Munich for the pair from the Diamond Football Academy in Umuahia, Nigeria.
Arsenal scouted them during last year’s Under-17s World Cup in Chile when Nwakali, 17, was the star of the tournament as he was captain and voted Player of the Tournament. Chukwueze, 16, scored three goals and three assists.
When asked whether he expects it to be done before Monday’s deadline, Wenger said: “Yes. The (talks) are progressing well.”
And now the duo appear to have signed after being snapped with the Frenchman.
Boro given permission to speak to Rhodes
Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough have moved a step closer to signing Jordan Rhodes after Blackburn reluctantly gave them permission to speak to the striker.Rhodes, who has netted 11 times in 26 appearances for Rovers this term, has been linked with a move away from Ewood Park this month, with Boro leading the race for the Scotland international.
And on Friday night both clubs agreed a fee for the 25-year-old, who will now travel to Boro for talks about a potential move.
A Rovers statement on their official website said: “Blackburn Rovers can confirm that they have reluctantly given Middlesbrough permission to speak to striker Jordan Rhodes.
“The player has expressed his desire to talk to the Teesside club and will travel to the North East for discussions.”
Rhodes has scored 85 goals in 169 matches for Blackburn since leaving Huddersfield, where he netted 87 times in 148 games, in a deal worth up to £8million in August 2012.
The acquisition of Rhodes would be a major statement of intent for Middlesbrough as they aim to secure promotion back to the Barclays Premier League.
Boro are currently second in the Sky Bet Championship, one point behind leaders Hull, but have lost their last two matches.
Debuchy in Villa talks
Mathieu Debuchy was tonight having talks with Aston Villa to discuss a loan move until the end of the season.Villa will have to pay around £1.5m in loan fee and take on his £60,000-a-week wages which has been a major stumbling block for other clubs.
But the Arsenal right back now seems likely to join Villa after interest from Roma, Monaco, Sunderland and Bayer Leverkusen fell away.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed the club will let Debuchy go out on loan to help the France international get regular games before Euro 2016.
Arsenal are unlikely to rush through a deal for Leicester’s highly-rated Ben Chilwellin time for Monday’s deadline and will go for the teenage left back again in the summer.
Serge Gnabry, 20, is also stuck in limbo as West Brom cut short his season-long loan move but have yet agreed a compromise with Arsenal who are holding out for their loan fee before allowing him to move elsewhere.
Villa deal for keeper breaks down
Aston Villa’s final appeal over goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic’s work permit has been rejected.The club had hoped to secure the Hajduk Split star after a plea to the Football Association but that has been dismissed, Press Association Sport understands.
Kalinic has not played the required amount of matches for Croatia to qualify for a permit and Villa must wait until the summer if they want to resurrect any deal.
Rules state the player’s required percentage of international matches over the previous 24 months is determined by the nation’s official FIFA ranking.
Kalinic has two caps for Croatia, who are 18th in the world, meaning the 25-year-old needed to play in 45 per cent of their matches in the last two years.
Boss Remi Garde had been chasing a new goalkeeper after Brad Guzan was dropped for Mark Bunn this month.
The rejection is a further blow to Garde who is yet to make a signing in the January transfer window ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Pellegrini: Roberts going to Celtic on loan
Pellegrini said: “Patrick will go on loan to Celtic - the arrangements were made before this (De Bruyne injury) and we don’t want to cut the option (for him) to play more games at Celtic. It will be a very important option for him.“I am sure that Patrick Roberts will be a very important player here in the future but to play more games at Celtic will be better than to stay here and play just some.”
Roberts has only appeared in a City matchday squad once since the end of October.
But Pellegrini said: “He was injured the last three weeks, that’s why he wasn’t in our squad list. He had a couple of chances before.
“It was very important for him to work with our squad for the first part of the season but I think the best thing for the player and the club is for him to go out and play more games.”
Pato on joining Chelsea
Pato on joining Chelsea
“I thank Chelsea for their support and hope I can repay this faith to the club and its fans.”
Key event
Chelsea sign Pato
Chelsea have confirmed the loan signing of Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato.The Corinthians man will remain at the club until the end of the season.
Key event
West Brom sign Sandro
West Brom have signed Sandro on loan until the end of the season.“I spoke to the manager and was impressed,” the former Tottenham man said.
“This is a big club and I feel happy to be here and very happy to be back in the Premier League.
“I believe I have a lot to offer.
“It was my first day today and I’m looking forward to being part of this family.
“As a player I play with my heart, I give all I can on the pitch - all the time I want to win the ball and play the ball.
“I hope the fans will see the best of me during my time.”
Key event
Swansea sign Paloschi
Swansea have confirmed the signing of Alberto Paloschi from Parma.The 26-year-old, who has signed a three-and-a-half year deal, will wear the No.9 shirt.
Adebayor will not start on Saturday
Emmanuel Adebayor has joined Crystal Palace, but fans may have to wait to see him in action.Manager Alan Pardew says he won’t be starting this weekend.
“Ade will not start on Saturday,” said Pardew. “This guy has not been around the action enough. Whether he will be involved or not we will have to wait and see.”
FIFA suspend Real Madrid transfer ban
Real Madrid have confirmed that the FIFA Appeal Committee has provisionally suspended the two-window transfer ban imposed on them for irregularities with regard to signing players under the age of 18.Los Blancos, along with city rivals Atletico, were hit with the sanction which was set to come into force over the summer, and prevent them from signing players until the end of next season.
However, the club confirmed they would appeal, and football’s governing body has now seemingly decided to reassess their stance.
The suspension means Real will be allowed to register new players for the 2016/17 campaign.
A statement on Real Madrid’s website read: “Real Madrid CF announce that the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to provisionally suspend the sanction imposed on the club.” Atletico’s ban has also been suspended.
Port Vale duo extend contracts
Sam Johnson and Ryan Lloyd have extended their contracts at League One Port Vale.Liverpool have made mistakes in the last two windows
Liverpool have made crucial mistakes in the last two transfer windows, club legend Phil Thompson has claimed.The three-time European Cup winner argued the club’s summer transfer strategy actually hindered their progress, while adding the Reds have missed clear opportunities to strengthen the squad this month.
Liverpool signed six players in the summer and nine the summer before that. And Thompson believes it’s time to accept such significant change does more harm than good.
Liverpool owners John W Henry and Tom Werner in the standsSpeaking to Mirror Sport, he said: “We spent a huge amount of money in the summer but buying so many players didn’t help us, it hindered us.
“I’d rather use the whole transfer budget on three top quality players. We need to add some star quality to this squad.”
Thompson also said the club’s failure to sign Charlie Austin this January should also be considered a mistake.
Leicester thrashing out deal for Chelsea's Remy
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri is closing in on a deal for Chelsea striker Loic Remy.Chelsea are holding out for £10m but Leicester are trying to thrash out a deal for the 29-year-old France forward.
When does the transfer window close?
Love it or hate it, transfer deadline day will have you transfixed to your TV screen.And the bi-annual Jim White love-in is back at the start of next week as clubs thrash out every last piece of transfer business they can dream to do.
Gareth Bale to Manchester United, Karim Benzema to Arsenal and Robert Lewandowski to Liverpool? Probably not, but we can dream.
HERE is all you need to know about the closing of the January sales.
Newcastle interested in Atletico's Siqueira
Spanish defender Guilherme Siqueira is close to becoming Newcastle’s fourth January signing.The Atletico Madrid left back is on the verge of bolstering Steve McClaren’s defence with a loan deal until the end of the season.
Newcastle have also been linked with a weekend swoop for Roma striker Seydou Doumbia.
QPR desperate to offload Green
QPR are desperately trying to offload former England keeper Rob Green before Monday’s deadline.They have agreed a deal with West Brom for Brazilian midfielder Sandro who will move to the Hawthorns to get him off the books.
West Brom hope to have the deal completed after Sandro underwent a medical today and has agreed personal terms.
Green, 36, could also go because he is out of contract this summer and a new 12 month extension will kick in if he plays more games.
That is something QPR - anxious to cut costs - are trying to avoid and they are hoping to strike a deal with several clubs keen.
Crystal Palace and West Ham have enquired for the keeper who has been left out recently to stop the deal kicking in.
Sunderland closing in on Bordeaux's Khazri
Sam Allardyce is paying £9million to get Bordeaux attacker Wahbi Khazri firing up his Sunderland attack.The Wearside chief will land the creative midfielder this weekend solving his most difficult piece of his transfer jigsaw.
Tunisian international Khazri, 24, is finalising a four and a half year deal after flying in from France on Friday.
He said: “It is a super challenge. I dreamt about England.”
Hull want Manchester United's Powell
Steve Bruce is keen on Manchester United outcast Nick Powell.Hull boss Bruce is aiming to take the one-time Crewe whiz-kid on loan for the rest of the season, and hopes to seal a deal before the transfer window closes on Monday.
”Nick is definitely someone who interests us. I rate him highly as a player, and I’ve liked him right from the first time I saw him as a kid at Crewe.
“You can never have enough attacking options, and I believe Nick can help us achieve our ambitions for the season.
“He’s a talented boy who’s versatile and can play in different roles. We’ll see if we can get something over the line and, hopefully, we’ll be able to.”
Blackburn sign Charlton's Watt
Blackburn have completed the signing of Charlton striker Tony Watt.The former Celtic forward, who famously scored the winning goal against Barcelona in the Champions League, joins on loan for the remainder of the season.
Watt becomes manager Paul Lambert’s fifth new arrival of the January transfer window.
Who are Arsenal's new Nigerian wonderkids?
Arsenal today confirmed Arsenal are set to push through a £3m deal for Nigerian wonder kids Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze.Mirror Sport revealed earlier this month that Arsenal had beaten off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich for the pair from the Diamond Football Academy in Umuahia, Nigeria.
Arsenal scouted them during last year’s Under-17s World Cup in Chile when Nwakali, 17, was the star of the tournament as he was captain and voted Player of the Tournament. Chukwueze, 16, scored three goals and three assists.
But who are they? We asked Nigerian journalist Colin Udoh for the lowdown
Bony on his Manchester City future
Despite a lack of first team action Wilfried Bony has no intention of leaving Manchester City.“I absolutely do not want to leave Manchester City,” he told Eurosport.
“I want to stay here. I am in the fifth biggest club in the world. Why should I look elsewhere?
“Of course, nobody is happy sitting on a bench. But I came to City to win trophies, I know I’m going to play close to 38 games this season.
“The price of my transfer does not put any pressure on me.”
Bradford sign Birmingham's Thomas
We have a done deal from down in League One.Striker Wes Thomas has signed on loan from Birmingham City and could now play against Fleetwood tomorrow.
Former agent opens up about deadline day mayhem
A former agent has lifted the lid on just what it’s like to be involved in the mayhem that is transfer deadline day.Jon Smith, who’s First Artist agency was among the biggest in football over the last 20 years until very recently, says TDD is as dramatic and busy as you may imagine.
“It’s manic. Picture it being nine o’clock, the last two hours of madness before the window closes, and the ball is rolling,” he told bwin.
“In order for a move to go through, you have to get the transfer documentation, a financial agreement, a player’s contract, a player’s registration form, a player’s bonus schedule, the agent’s documentation, a third party declaration form and the player’s IP rights agreement all signed.
“Considering there are usually four parties involved, the player, the agent, the buying club and the selling club, who individually might have a lot of parties involved, that’s a lot of paperwork on all sides – it’s all manic, unnecessarily manic.”
Crystal Palace name price for Gayle
Crystal Palace have named their price for Dwight Gayle as Swansea’s striker search turned to the 25-year-old.The Welsh club are desperate to reinforce their forward line as they push for Premier League survival after a disappointing campaign and enquired about Gayle, who is available and is seen as the sort of natural goalscorer they need.
Crystal Palace are looking for a deal that could reach £9million, with an initial fee of £6.5million set to be supplemented by variables that are mainly dependent on Swansea remaining in the Premier League for seasons to come.
Peterborough, with whom Palace maintain a good relationship, are due a percentage of any fee.
Klopp on his January transfer plans
Jurgen Klopp has opened up about the possibility of adding one or two new faces before Monday’s deadline.The Reds have been strongly linked with a big money move for Shakhtar’s Alex Teixeira but Klopp wouldn’t confirm or deny any interest in any specific targets.
“We are always busy and checking possibilities. If something happens we will see. There’s nothing to say,” he said at his weekly press conference.
And in League Two
Midfielder Lee Cox has signed a permanent deal at Stevenage.The 25-year old initially returned to Teddy Sheringham’s side on loan from Plymouth until the end of the season, having had another loan spell earlier in the season.
But now he joins on a permanent deal.
Miazga set to join Chelsea - and won't leave on loan
Chelsea boss Hiddink has also had his say on American defender Matt Miazga - revealing that he is indeed set to sign for the Blues (as Mirror Football told you days ago).The defender, just 20, is seen as one of the brightest young stars in MLS and has broken into Jurgen Klinsmann’s senior national side. He’s set to cost £3.5million plus add-ons.
Klinsmann was keen on him moving to Europe if he did NOT go straight out on loan. And Hiddink says he’ll be given chance to prove himself in the Blues squad.
“He is a promising player.
“We’re not rushing but he will be one of the squad members for the future.
“[He is a] young guy, stepping up to the national team.
“You can see what players are capable of in training.”
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