Mamadou Sarr, Jorgen Strand Larsen, James Wilson
Mamadou Sarr, Jorgen Strand Larsen, James Wilson
Deadline Day produced perhaps more drama than expected as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham were all active as the January window closed. The day started with the Gunners exploring a stunning move for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, before Mikel Arteta set tongues wagging by confirming the club was “actively looking” for a new signing following Mikel Merino’s injury. In the end, two new faces did arrive at the academy, as Evan Mooney joined from St Mirren and Jaden Dixon arrived from Stoke. There was interest in Hearts striker James Wilson, but Spurs hijacked talks and lured the Scotland international to London.
Spurs fans would have wanted more than just an academy signing, but the day passed without the injury-ravaged squad being bolstered, and captain Cristian Romero posted on Instagram shortly after the deadline passed to vent his frustration at how the squad has been left. Across London, Chelsea recalled Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg, with both Aaron Anselmino and David Datro Fofana heading in the opposite direction, as Axel Disasi joined West Ham on loan and let Tyrique George join Everton on a loan-to-buy deal.
Manchester United were also focused mainly on loan outgoings, while Jorgen Strand Larsen’s switch from Wolves to Crystal Palace for a club-record £48million deal was the biggest deal of the day, but ran out of time to complete a £20m deal for Dwight McNeil. Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s move to AC Milan collapsed after issues with his medical amid suggestions he could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Transfer window fallout latest news
Romero criticises Tottenham's 'disgraceful' squad shortage
Cristian Romero appears to have taken a dig at the Tottenham board following the lack of activity on transfer Deadline Day.
Spurs are in the midst of a crippling injury crisis, and were missing 11 first-team stars for Sunday’s 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City.
After the game, Spurs head coach Thomas Frank reiterated that the club “remain active” in the transfer market heading into Deadline Day, but the Monday deadline passed with no further first-team additions.
Romero took to Instagram soon after the deadline to congratulate his team-mates for their efforts against City, and make a pointed remark about the club’s injury woes.
“Great effort from all my team-mates yesterday,” Romero wrote.
“They were incredible. I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available - unbelievable but true and disgraceful,” he continued, accompanying the paragraph with a facepalm emoji.
“We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans.”
REUTERS
Alonso on three-man shortlist to replace Guardiola
Xabi Alonso and Enzo Maresca are both candidates to replace Pep Guardiola should the long-standing Manchester City boss leave his post this summer.
According to reports, it is increasingly likely that Guardiola departs City this summer after 10 years in charge and the club are starting to plan for life without him.
The Daily Telegraph suggests that the club have drawn up a three-man shortlist to replace him.
Chief among the candidates is Alonso, who was sacked by Real Madrid earlier this month after a doomed six-month tenure, during which he struggled to match Los Blancos’ lofty standards.
He has been widely rumoured to be a candidate to take over from Arne Slot at Liverpool, where he spent several seasons as a player, though the Reds do not presently seem interested in replacing the Dutchman.
Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent for Al Nassr's Saudi Pro League match on Monday amid reports he has fallen out with key figures over the club's transfer activity.
The 40-year-old Portugal forward had featured in every previous league game this season but was not named in Jorge Jesus' starting XI or on the bench for Monday's 1-0 triumph at Al Riyadh.
Reports have suggested Ronaldo is unhappy with the running of the club by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which also owns rivals Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, amid concerns that other teams have been given preferential treatment in the transfer market.
Al Nassr have signed only 21-year-old Iraq midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem and Saudi Arabia striker Abdullah AlHamdan in the winter window and it was announced later on Monday that Al Hilal had secured the signature of France great Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad on a free transfer, having also added defender Pablo Mari to their ranks last month.
Arsenal fail to sign Merino replacement
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal were "actively looking at options" to replace Mikel Merino in the closing hours of the window but were unable to bring in a replacement.
Merino is set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a fractured right foot which requires surgery and Arteta admitted he did not want to take any chances by leaving a hole in his already strong squad.
Arsenal will look to book their place in the Carabao Cup final with a win over Chelsea in tonight's second leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal already hold a 3-2 lead, but it remains to be seen who will play in the absence of Merino.
Ahead of the transfer deadline, Arteta said: "When you lose a big player like this with four months to go, and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything we possibly can to see if a player is available, and if not, we keep what we have."
Top deals
That rounds off a busy transfer Deadline Day.
Here is a reminder of some of the top deals.
Crystal Palace smash transfer record to Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves
Tottenham hijack north London rivals Arsenal to sign James Wilson Hearts
Liverpool agree £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet
Jean-Philippe Mateta's move to AC Milan collapses as does Dwight McNeil's loan switch to Crystal Palace
Axel Disasi joins West Ham as Chelsea recall Mamadou Sarr and send Aaron Anselmino to Strasbourg
Everton bring in Tyrique George from Chelsea
Arsenal snap up young Scottish winger as Sandro Tonali's agent discusses transfer links
West Ham sign Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea
West Ham confirmed the arrival of Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea for the remainder of the season.
The Blues were looking for a permanent exit for Disasi, who cost £38million in 2023 and has this season been frozen out of the first-team picture at Stamford Bridge.
Other clubs had shown an interest in the Frenchman throughout the January window, but a final decision on joining West Ham was believed to be down to the player.
Axel Disasi
Axel Disasi
DONE DEAL
Over four hours since the deadline, but it’s official...
Axel Disasi is a Hammer!
Sarr shirt number
Mamadou Sarr has retained his Chelsea shirt number after being recalled from a loan spell at Strasbourg.
Sarr was officially confirmed to have returned to Chelsea on transfer Deadline Day, with Aaron Anselmino heading in the opposite direction on loan for the remainder of the season.
The Senegal international will further bolster the Blues' defensive options which already includes Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato and Trevoh Chalobah.
Arsenal's plan for Mooney
Arsenal have completed a move for St Mirren winger Evan Mooney, writes Matt Verri.
Talks had advanced between the two clubs and there was always an expectation that a permanent deal would be wrapped up on transfer Deadline Day.
The 18-year-old will join up with Arsenal's academy, rather than being involved in any first-team plans.
More on Liverpool's agreement
Liverpool have announced the signing of highly-rated defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.
As part of the deal - worth £60million - Jacquet will spend the remainder of the season with Rennes, before officially arriving at Anfield in the summer to bolster Arne Slot’s defensive options for next season.
Standard Sport understands that Liverpool will pay a guaranteed £55m, with a further £5m in add-ons.
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