The January transfer window has closed with clubs across the Premier League and Europe finalising deals to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season.
With injuries mounting, Liverpool entered the market for a new defender by hijacking Chelsea’s interest in Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The club have signed the 20-year-old centre-back in a £60m deal, though the Frenchman will join in the summer rather than straight away.
Crystal Palace were the busiest club on deadline day, completing the club-record £48m signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves. The Norwegian was brought in to replace wantaway striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but a move to AC Milan collapsed after a problem was discovered with the Frenchman’s knee.
Chelsea, meanwhile, parted ways with Raheem Sterling earlier in the window, who is gaining interest from clubs such as Tottenham now that he is a free agent. Spurs were also understood to be keen on rivalling Inter Milan for the signature of former Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby and while a move did not materialise the deadline, they are under no time pressure to pursue Sterling.
Mikel Arteta hinted at a late move for Arsenal as he asserted the club were “actively looking” at finding a midfield cover for the injured Mikel Merino – and while no incomings transpired, the Spaniard did not rule out also looking to the free agent market. Former Liverpool and Gunners midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with the club and could be an option for Arteta.
Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below
Liam Rosenior says Estevao under no time pressure to return from Chelsea compassionate leave
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said Estevao will not be pressured to return to the club after flying to Brazil on Saturday.
The 18-year-old returned home after being given compassionate leave to deal with a personal matter and is unlikely to be available for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg away to Arsenal.
Asked about a possible return date, Rosenior said: “I don’t know yet. He’s a young kid who has come and been magnificent.
“He’s going through a really difficult time for personal reasons, he’s on compassionate leave. I won’t put any pressure on. It has to be right for him and he has to feel like he’s in the right place to perform.”
Could Arteta turn to Oxlade-Chamberlain?
Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently training with the club’s Under-21 squad, having been a free agent since leaving Besiktas.
When asked if the 32-year-old could be snapped up to provide injury cover for Mikel Merino, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta smiled and said: “We explore every option.”
Cristian Romero hits out at ‘disgraceful’ Tottenham squad depth in apparent dig at hierarchy
“Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were incredible,” Romero wrote on Instagram. “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.
“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.”
Southampton sign Larin
Southampton have signed Cyle Larin from Mallorca on loan for the rest of the season.
His arrival coincides with the exit of Adam Armstrong to Wolves.
Leicester awaiting confirmation on three more deals
Leicester City are still expecting to confirm three more deals for Divine Musaka, Jamaal Lascelles and Dujuan Richards tonight, with all three moving from Premier League clubs.
However, confirmation is not expected tonight, per Sky Sports.
St Mirren sign Man United U21 captain Devaney
St Mirren have signed Manchester United U21 captain Jacob Devaney on loan for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal sign St Mirren prospect
Arsenal have signed St Mirren striker Evan Mooney.
The 18-year-old, who has made 15 appearances for the Scottish side this season, will join Arsenal’s U21s set up.
Edwards lauds Wolves’ signing of Armstrong
“Adam’s really excited to be here. He’s a competitor and he’s got something about him that we need now. He was really keen to come and join Wolves, and wants to play for Wolves, so it’s a really good day for the club getting him in,” Rob Edwards said.
“He’s someone I’ve admired for a long, long time. He’s a really good footballer, a goal threat and a goal scorer. He’s someone who can play off the sides if we wanted him to, he’ll see himself as a nine and as a goal scorer, but he’s more than that.
“We were only going to bring people in if we felt they could really affect the group in a positive way, not just on the pitch, but around the whole place as well. Hopefully everyone really gets behind him and shows him that love really early on.”
Hoilett joins Swindon Town
A bit of a streets won’t forget signing, this!
Former QPR and Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett has signed for Swindon Town for the remainder of the season.
Premier League ins and outs
Nottingham Forest
Ins: Lorenzo Lucca (Napoli, loan), Stefan Ortega (Man City, undisclosed), Luca Netz (Borussia Monchengladbach, undisclosed)
Outs: Arnaud Kalimuendo (Eintracht Frankfurt, loan)
Sunderland
Ins: Melker Ellborg (Malmo, undisclosed), Nilson Angulo (Anderlecht, £17.5m)
Outs: Jay Matete (MK Dons, undisclosed), Joe Anderson (Barrow, undisclosed), Dan Neil (Ipswich, loan), Arthur Masuaku (Lens, loan), Aji Alese (Portsmouth, loan), Anthony Patterson (Millwall, loan), Leo Hjelde (Sheff Utd, loan), Patrick Roberts (Birmingham, undisclosed), Adil Aouchich (Schalke, undisclosed), Simon Adingra (Monaco, loan)
Ins: Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid, £34.7m), James Wilson (Hearts, loan)
Outs: Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace, £35m), Jamie Donley (Oxford, loan), George Abbott (Mansfield, loan), Alfie Dorrington (Salford, loan)
Ins: Pablo Felipe (Gil Vicente, undisclosed), Taty Castellanos (Lazio, undisclosed), Keiber Lamadrid (Deportivo La Guaira, loan), Adama Traore (Fulham, undisclosed), Axel Disasi (Chelsea, loan)
Outs: Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo, undisclosed), Niclas Fullkrug (AC Milan, loan), Callum Marshall (Bochum, loan), George Earthy (Bristol City, loan), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague, undisclosed), James Ward-Prowse (Burnley, loan)
Ins: Adam Armstrong (Southampton, £7m), Angel Gomes (Marseille, loan)
Outs: Ki-Jana Hoever (Sheffield United, loan), Marshall Munetsi (Paris FC, loan), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace, £48m)