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Transfer deadline day live: Liverpool hijack Chelsea move, Zirkzee’s Man Utd exit, Palace to replace Mateta

All the latest news, gossip and rumours from the January transfer window

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The January transfer window closes at 7pm today and clubs across the Premier League and Europe have a final chance to strengthen their squads for the final push to the end of the season.

With injuries mounting, Liverpool have entered the market for a new defender hijacking Chelsea’s interest in Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The club have agreed £55m deal for the 20-year-old centre-back but it is not expected that he will move to Merseyside straightaway.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have parted ways with Raheem Sterling who is gaining interest from clubs such as Tottenham now that he is a free agent. Spurs are also understood to be keen on rivalling Inter Milan for the signature of former Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby.

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee could be one of the late movers having fallen down the pecking order under Michael Carrick. Zirkzee was rumoured to want to leave Old Trafford during Ruben Amorim’s previous reign and have been linked with both Roma and Napoli.

Elsewhere, Premier League leaders Arsenal are plotting a bid for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, while Crystal Palace could be busy on deadline day with Jean-Philippe Mateta set to leave the club and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen looking likely to be his replacement.

Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below

Transfer deadline day live

Liverpool agree deal for Jacquet after hijacking Chelsea move

Liverpool bid to sign Geertruida collapses

Alvarez 'unhappy' at Atletico as Arsenal learn price

Palace bid for Strand Larsen accepted with Mateta set for Milan move

Sterling leaves Chelsea by mutual consent

1 minute ago

Wolves accept Palace bid for Strand Larsen

Crystal Palace have had their latest offer for Jorgen Strand Larsen accepted by Wolves, The Independent understands.

The offer is £43m guaranteed plus £5m in add-ons, with it understood that the Norwegian’s medical has been booked in.

It coincides with the imminent exit of Jean-Philippe Mateta, with AC Milan agreeing a £30m deal with the Eagles for the Frenchman.

( PA Wire )

Mike Jones2 February 2026 07:42

5 minutes ago

Julian Alvarez 'unhappy' at Atletico as Arsenal learn price

Julian Alvarez continues to be of interest to Arsenal and Gary Lineker believes he would be a fantastic signing for the club.

Alvarez had scored 40 goals in 86 games for the Spanish side and would bring more firepower to the Gunners forward line.

ESPN reports the Spanish club would reportedly demand a fee in excess of €100m to sell the player.

Alongside Arsenal, both Barcelona and Chelsea are said to be tracking the Argentina international.

And Atletico could be more willing to sell Alvarez, should they get a deal for Ademola Lookman over the line.

“I saw they were linked with Julian Alvarez who I know is not entirely happy with life at Atletico,” Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast.

“Now that is the sort of player you know can handle the big occasion – he’s a World Cup winner for crying out loud.

“Someone like that at Arsenal would be game over. But they do need one or two of these current forwards to start scoring on a reasonably regular basis.”

Mike Jones2 February 2026 07:38

9 minutes ago

Liverpool agree £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet after hijacking Chelsea move

Liverpool have agreed a £55m deal with Rennes for centre-back Jeremy Jacquet.

The 20-year-old, who was a Chelsea target, will move to Anfield in the summer after Liverpool agreed a fee with the French club.

It could rise to £60m including add-ons and would make Jacquet the second most expensive defender in Liverpool’s history, after Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool agree £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet after hijacking Chelsea move

Liverpool will loan Jacquet back to Rennes for the rest of the season

Richard Jolly2 February 2026 07:34

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