Transfer Deadline Day is finally over, so here’s my round-up of yesterday’s biggest stories in case you missed anything. Thanks for reading, and if you like this post please SUBSCRIBE to get this in your inbox five mornings a week!
AC Milan
AC Milan official statement following rumours of new deal talks collapsed with Rafael Leao: “Stories on negotiations collapsed with Leao are fake — also damaging image of both club and player. AC Milan keep negotiating with Leao in professional way.”
Arsenal
Arteta: “Jorginho is a midfield player with intelligence, deep leadership skills and a huge amount of Premier League and international experience.”
Jorginho: “All I can promise is that I’m going to give my all to represent this club.”
There were no further talks over signing Moises Caicedo on Deadline Day – Brighton never changed their stance, so a deal could not be done. There was no intention to let Caicedo go, with £60m and £70m offers rejected.
I think Arsenal will be back on the market for midfielders in the summer, now it’s too early to say who they’re going to try to sign. It won’t be decided now.
Jorginho is excellent deal for both clubs: Chelsea make money – my understanding is it’s around £12m – with a player nearly out of contract, and Arsenal sign an experienced midfielder really appreciated by Arteta.
Atletico Madrid
Matt Doherty has officially joined Atletico Madrid on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Tottenham. It initially looked like it would be a loan, but Spurs cancelled the player’s deal to allow him the move.
Caglar Soyuncu could not join Atletico Madrid this January due to Financial Fair Play issues, but is expected to join the club on a free transfer in July.
Barcelona
Decision on Julian Araujo transfer to Barcelona will be made on Wednesday morning. Depends on MLS after deal was signed a few seconds after the deadline.
Barcelona tried to find an opportunity for Sofyan Amrabat, but they couldn’t include obligation to buy clause into the deal with Fiorentina due to Financial Fair Play. Fiorentina would not accept a loan without obligation to buy. It was almost impossible deal. Barcelona wanted to try but it was never concrete or advanced after bid rejected. In the summer, it will be very open race for Amrabat.
Barcelona are keen on Benjamin Pavard for the summer and he also wants to join, but there were no talks with Bayern Munich yesterday over a January move. Expect talks to take place ahead of the summer transfer window.
Barcelona extend Alex Valle contract until June 2025 — he decided to stay despite many proposals from the big five European leagues. Xavi has been key to make this decision. Alex Valle joins Andorra on loan until the end of the season, here we go.
Bayern Munich
Ryan Gravenberch was approached by many clubs but for Bayern a departure was 100% impossible as they trust him.
Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez is finally a new Chelsea player! All documents are signed between the clubs with Benfica and player side on contract valid until June 2031. Chelsea did an incredible work to get Enzo Fernandez deal signed. It took 20 consecutive hours of negotiations, Enzo was a big ally of Chelsea into this deal and this is how they convinced Benfica to sell. The price is €121m paid in 6 instalments, contract until 2031 – a very big deal.
David Datro Fofana is staying at Chelsea. No loan move to Nice or anywhere else.
Crystal Palace
Done deal: Crystal Palace have signed Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season. Arsenal accepted the approach and his medical was done yesterday afternoon.
Espanyol
Espanyol are set to sign Fernando Pacheco, here we go! Documents are signed and registered with La Liga.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina are set to sign Moroccan talent Abdelhamid Sabiri valid from July 1, he joins on permanent deal from Sampdoria.
Barcelona tried to find an opportunity for Sofyan Amrabat, but they couldn’t include obligation to buy clause into the deal with Fiorentina due to Financial Fair Play. Fiorentina would not accept a loan without obligation to buy. It was almost impossible deal. Barcelona wanted to try but it was never concrete or advanced after bid rejected. In the summer, it will be very open race for Amrabat.
Fulham
Confirmed. Sasa Lukic, new Fulham player on a permanent deal from Torino for €10m fee add-ons included.
Official, confirmed. Fulham have signed Cedric Soares on a six-month loan deal from Arsenal, with no buy option.
Getafe
Sergi Altimira to Getafe, deal done and sealed for June 2023. Contract will be valid until 2027. Altimira, considered a top talent and wanted by director Ramon Planes — the one who signed Pedri, Ronald Araujo for Barcelona and more.
Leicester City
Done deal, official: Leicester City have signed Harry Souttar from Stoke City for £15m.
Manchester United
Confirmed – Manchester United reached an agreement to sign Marcel Sabitzer on a straight loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season, no buy option. Manchester United were not planning for any move before the Christian Eriksen injury. It changed on Deadline Day after medical check for Eriksen. Erik ten Hag has always appreciated Marcel Sabitzer, thinks he’s an underrated player. I think on loan it’s a very smart signing. Despite reports, Chelsea never opened talks for Sabitzer; they only wanted Enzo Fernandez.
Sabitzer: “I feel that I am at my peak as a player, and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad. I am excited to start with my new team-mates and manager.”
Understand Manchester United confirmed yesterday to Facundo Pellistri that he’s not leaving. Erik ten Hag wants to keep the youngster as part of his squad.
Harry Maguire will also not leave Manchester United. No chance, never been a concrete option in January, despite links with Inter. He will stay at United at least until end of the season.
Marseille
Vitinha to Olympique Marseille, here we go! Deal is in place for fee in excess of €30m — Vitinha was in Marseille yesterday afternoon to sign the contract.
Olympique Marseille never had any intention to let Matteo Guendouzi leave yesterday. There were no talks with Aston Villa for the former Arsenal midfielder.
Nottingham Forest
Official. Nottingham Forest have confirmed the arrival of Brazilian defender Felipe from Atletico Madrid, he joins on a deal until 2024.
Official, confirmed. Jonjo Shelvey has joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle, it’s a done deal, now completed.
Keylor Navas to Nottingham Forest, here we go! Agreement in place on a loan deal from PSG until the end of the season, no buy option. Keylor has accepted Forest days ago and it’s now sealed, documents finally signed.
PSG
Talks between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan over a January move for Milan Skriniar collapsed, but he is set to join PSG as a free agent in the summer. Inter wanted €20m to sell now but PSG never offered more than €10m. It was never close for this January, he’ll join in July.
Everything was in place for Hakim Ziyech to join PSG, but the contracts were not sent back to be registered in time. The deal is now off, confirmed today.
PSG reached full agreement to loan talent Ayman Kari to Lorient with buy option clause, and there would also be a possible buy-back clause for PSG in the future.
PSV
Official. Thorgan Hazard made the move to PSV on a loan deal from Borussia Dortmund — agreement signed and completed yesterday.
Real Betis
Official, confirmed. Ayoze Perez has joined Real Betis from Leicester City.
Real Valladolid
Ivan Fresneda stays at Real Valladolid until the end of the season. A loan bid received yesterday was rejected. No Arsenal or Borussia Dortmund, he’s staying and will get a big move in the summer.
Southampton
Kamaldeen Sulemana to Southampton, done and sealed! Contracts signed in time. He joins from Rennes for €25m.
Sporting Lisbon
Done deal, official: Hector Bellerin has joined Sporting Lisbon after completing his medical yesterday. It’s a permanent move rather than a loan.
Jose Marsa is set to leave Sporting to join Sporting Gijon on loan deal until June.
Tottenham
Pedro Porro signed his Spurs contract at around 8pm UK time yesterday. The long saga is finally over, he’s signed a contract with Tottenham until 2028.
Official, confirmed. Djed Spence made the move to Rennes on loan with no buy option from Tottenham.
Union Berlin
Union Berlin official statement: “We wanted to have Isco in Berlin, but we have our limits. These were exceeded today — contrary to the previous agreement. The transfer will not happen.”
Top three winners of the transfer window
Chelsea for sure won the transfer window! Mykhaylo Mudryk is one of the most exciting signings, and they did incredible work to finally get Enzo Fernandez over the line. They are also convinced Andrey Santos is a real gem, great business.
I also think Arsenal did an excellent job to add quality and experience in Leandro Trossard and Jorginho, while Jakub Kiwior is a fine young talent for the present and future. And Nottingham Forest again did very good job to improve their squad.