Ali Humayun
January 31, 2022 at 5:19 AM EST
Hello and welcome to The Athletic’s coverage of Transfer Deadline Day.
Over the weekend, we’ve seen clubs scramble to complete their business, with Liverpool making their move for Porto winger Luis Diaz, Tottenham working on a deal for Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur and Newcastle completing the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon.
Everton, meanwhile, are close to appointing Frank Lampard as their new manager and are also frontrunners to take Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United.
In Europe, Juventus wrapped up the signing of Dusan Vlahovic on Friday, Barcelona brought in Wolves‘ Adama Traore on loan and Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele is in Lyon to finalise his loan move to Olympique Lyonnais.
Each of The Athletic’s dedicated Premier League club correspondents have detailed what their side is trying to do in the coming days. Find out more here.
Remember, we want to hear from you. Get involved by emailing [email protected] and share your thoughts.
When does the transfer window close?
The deadline for all European top leagues is today, but each league will be closing business at a different time.
The Premier League and EFL have their deadline at 11pm GMT (6pm ET, 3pm PT), with the Scottish Premiership deadline at midnight (7pm ET, 4pm ET).
In Germany’s Bundesliga, the deadline is at 5pm GMT, while it is 7pm in Italy’s Serie A and 11pm in both Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1.
Background reading:
January 31, 2022 at 5:19 AM EST
What can Liverpool expect from Luis Diaz?
Liverpool fans have been spoiled by the brilliance of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah on the wings over the last few years.
But what can they expect from new arrival Luis Diaz?
The Athletic‘s Caoimhe O’Neill has looked into what the Colombian winger will bring to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Get ready for a lot of nutmegs – what to expect from new Liverpool speedster Luis Diaz
January 31, 2022 at 5:09 AM EST
Newcastle agree deal to take Aston Villa’s Matt Targett on loan for rest of season
The Newcastle transfer train is in full motion.
The club have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to take Matt Targett on loan until the end of the season.
Eddie Howe, the Newcastle head coach, is keen to further bolster a defence that has conceded 43 goals, the second most in the Premier League.
Chris Waugh·
Newcastle United Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 5:04 AM EST
Brighton defender Odel Offiah extends contract to June 2024
Brighton defender Odel Offiah has signed a new contract until June 2024.
The 19-year-old under-23s centre-back made his first team debut at right-wingback in the FA Cup win at West Brom earlier this month.
He’s the nephew of former rugby star Martin Offiah.
Andy Naylor·
Brighton & Hove Albion Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:53 AM EST
Former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper set for Llorient transfer
Former Borussia Dortmund No 1 Roman Burki is set for a move from the top end of the German Bundesliga to the lower reaches of Ligue 1 in France.
Lorient are lining up a loan deal for the 31-year-old Swiss goalkeeper for the rest of the season.
Burki has made 175 league appearances for Dortmund since signing from Freiburg in 2015.
Andy Naylor·
Brighton & Hove Albion Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:51 AM EST
Get involved!
Happy with your club’s window? Disappointed? Can’t keep up on all deadline day activity?
Remember, we want to hear all your thoughts on the transfer window — email us on [email protected]
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
January 31, 2022 at 4:49 AM EST
Subscriber Grant Heath chips in with thoughts on transfer window
Hoping to see some moves made for us, long as we keep hold of our main asset in Ramsay happy!
Interested to see how many new players rock up at Newcastle!
Grant Heath, Aberdeen fan
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
January 31, 2022 at 4:46 AM EST
Non-league Gateshead hoping to sign Villa youngster Filip Marschall
National League North leaders Gateshead are hoping to sign young Aston Villa goalkeeper Filip Marschall on loan.
The 18-year-old England Youth international is highly rated at Villa and has attracted interest in this window.
Villa signed Swedish international Robin Olsen on loan from Roma to bolster the goalkeeper department earlier this month.
Olsen has now taken over from Jed Steer as the understudy to Emi Martinez.
If Marschall does leave as expected, Villa may look to keep 20-year-old Viljami Sinisalo around in the under-23 setup.
It will be his first loan from the club, having signed from Cambridge City in 2018.
Gregg Evans·
Aston Villa Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:42 AM EST
Newcastle agree framework of a deal for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike
Newcastle United have agreed the framework of a deal for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.
The highly-rated 19-year-old has been a target for Newcastle throughout the window, however they stepped back from negotiations a fortnight ago when Reims quoted a fee in excess of £30 million.
But, as the month has progressed, Reims’ stance has softened and The Athletic understands that a fee in excess of £20 million, with significant add-ons, has been accepted by the Ligue 1 club.
Negotiations are still ongoing for some of the potential add-ons in the deal but the fee has largely been agreed.
Chris Waugh·
Newcastle United Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:40 AM EST
Brighton aiming to make Longman move permanent
Brighton are in ongoing talks with Hull to turn Ryan Longman’s loan move into a permanent deal.
The 21-year-old academy product has been used as a wing-back by the Championship club this season.
He’s scored four goals in 19 appearances after nine goals in 52 games as a forward on loan to AFC Wimbledon in League One last season.
Longman signed a new two-year deal with Brighton in the summer.
Andy Naylor·
Brighton & Hove Albion Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:39 AM EST
Being a club secretary on transfer deadline day
As the end of another transfer window looms, with patience and resolve ready for their biannual test, spare a thought for those who are forever in the eye of the storm.
Not the players, the agents or the managers, but the men and women who get every last deal over the line.
The humble club secretary helps the football world function on its most chaotic days.
The Athletic‘s Phil Buckingham explores further.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
Pressure, paperwork and definitely no fax machines: Being a club secretary on transfer deadline day
January 31, 2022 at 4:32 AM EST
Eriksen’s Brentford deal to only last six months
Just to confirm, I now understand that the one-year option on Christian Eriksen’s deal was removed which means that it is just a six-month contract with Brentford.
Affords both parties some flexibility at the end of the season depending on how he performs.
Jay Harris·
Brentford Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:30 AM EST
Optimism over Aubameyang’s Barcelona move
There is increasing optimism that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s prospective move to Barcelona could be completed ahead of today’s deadline.
Progress has been made in talks between all three parties and although the deal may yet hit a stumbling block, it advanced well over the weekend.
The main issue left to resolve is the payment of Aubameyang’s roughly £350,000-a-week salary and who covers what proportion of that income.
David Ornstein·
Football Writer
January 31, 2022 at 4:25 AM EST
All quiet on the Celtic front
Morning folks, not expecting much from incomings today. What’s being briefed is that that side of business is done unless a big opportunity presents itself.
On outgoings, understand as per elsewhere that Urhoghide is off to Oostende on loan, and there will be similar attempts to loan out others including Barkas.
Ajeti to Basel is a possibility but no rush as Swiss deadline isn’t for a few weeks.
Kieran Devlin·
Celtic Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:17 AM EST
USG manager “only happy” about Deniz Undav’s Brighton move
Union Saint-Gilloise manager Felice Mazzu has spoken to newspaper Het Nieuwsblad about Deniz Undav’s approaching £6 million move to Brighton and loan-back to the Belgian top-flight leaders.
“If a player leaves for a competition where he can improve both sportingly and financially, I can only be happy.”
Andy Naylor·
Brighton & Hove Albion Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 4:11 AM EST
How Brexit affected academy recruitment
Ah, Brexit. Remember that?
The UK’s withdrawal from the EU brought new entry requirements for all overseas players and, just as importantly, called time on a long-running pursuit of the continent’s best under-18s.
So, how are Premier League clubs sourcing academy talent now?
Click below to find out more.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
‘They’re looking in places they weren’t before’ – How Brexit has affected academy recruitment
January 31, 2022 at 4:04 AM EST
Mateusz Zukowski in Glasgow to complete a move to Rangers
Lechia Gdansk right-back Mateusz Zukowski is in Glasgow to complete a move to Rangers.
The 20-year-old is a Polish under-21 international and will provide cover for James Tavernier.
Zukowski came through the youth teams at Lechia Gdansk and made his senior debut in 2017.
Jordan Campbell·
Rangers Correspondent
January 31, 2022 at 3:58 AM EST
How do you value a player?
As clubs chase deals ahead of today’s deadline, a range of head-spinning figures are likely to float around.
But how do clubs decide a player’s value? What is any player really worth?
The Athletic‘s Stuart James investigates.
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News
GO FURTHER
How do you value a player?
January 31, 2022 at 3:54 AM EST
Kalvin Phillips to stay at Leeds
Kalvin Phillips will remain at Leeds United after West Ham United failed with an approach for the England midfielder.
A senior figure at West Ham told The Athletic that the club bid for Phillips a fortnight ago, though sources at Leeds insist no formal offer was ever tabled for him.
David Ornstein·
Football Writer
January 31, 2022 at 3:51 AM EST
Will Liverpool pull off Fabio Carvalho deal?
After months of uncertainty, it’s possible Carvalho’s future could be resolved today.
Liverpool are trying to head off competition by securing his signature before deadline, with a loan back on the table. Talks are ongoing. More details in below ahead of a busy day.
Peter Rutzler·
Fulham Correspondent
GO FURTHER
Who is moving, who is staying – David Ornstein’s transfer deadline day lowdown
January 31, 2022 at 3:44 AM EST
We want to hear from you!
You can be like Mike, and get involved in our coverage of today’s transfer deadline.
All you have to do is email [email protected] and let us know your thoughts!
Ali Humayun·
Junior Editor, News