Evening Standard
·1 February 2024
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·1 February 2024
The January transfer window has now shut! Transfer Deadline Day delivered all the usual drama but without the significant spending often seen by Premier League clubs. Chelsea striker Armando Broja signed for Fulham on loan as the Blues set up their summer plan to sign Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney or Evan Ferguson, while Arsenal were busy late on confirming four deals.
It was a big evening for Tottenham, who won the race to sign Lucas Bergvall after rival interest from Barcelona in the Swedish teenager. Alejo Veliz has joined Sevilla on loan but Bryan Gil is staying put at Spurs after rejecting a loan to Brighton. Over at West Ham, Pablo Fornals has now finally completed a late move to Real Betis and Said Benrahma's switch to Lyon has also been confirmed after FIFA intervention.
A quiet window means the stage is set for a huge summer market, when Liverpool will chase Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise will top Manchester United's wish list. There are, of course, a few moves still set to be announced after the deadline with the deal sheets in - so stay tuned to all the latest deadline day news, rumours and gossip in Standard Sport's live transfer centre!
7 hours ago
Carlos Vinicius has signed for Galatasaray on loan from Fulham, Dom Smith reports.
Galatasaray say Fulham will be paid €600k for the loan and the player will pocket €600k in wages.
Vinicius had become surplus to requirements under Marco Silva at Craven Cottage following the deadline day loan signing of Armando Broja from west London neighbours Chelsea.
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7 hours ago
West Ham have now confirmed the sale of Pablo Fornals to Real Betis after transfer deadline day.
The Spanish midfielder will reunite with ex-Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini in LaLiga, with a medical sorted in London on Thursday night.
The £6.8m deal initially looked to have been scuppered late on Thursday along with Said Benrahma's proposed £15m switch to Lyon, but Fornals has now officially joined Betis and West Ham team-mate Benrahma is also on track to move to France after late intervention from world governing body FIFA.
Getty Images
9 hours ago
Mauricio Pochettino has explained why Chelsea allowed striker Armando Broja to join Fulham on loan without signing a replacement.
Chelsea waved through the 22-year-old's loan move to Fulham on deadline day, leaving Nicolas Jackson as the only senior striker in the squad.
Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer can both line up as No9s, while teenager Deivid Washington is an alternative, but inexperienced, option.
Asked why Chelsea let Broja leave, Pochettino said: "It is a very good opportunity for him to play maybe more. It's a good move for him and he can take the opportunity to play more.
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Chelsea FC via Getty Images
9 hours ago
Ange Postecoglou hopes Tottenham can become the destination of choice for the best young players in the world after Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall opted to join them over Barcelona.
Bergvall is set to mark his 18th birthday on Friday by signing a five-year deal with Spurs and before linking up with Postecoglou's first team from the start of pre-season in July.
Spurs also landed Radu Dragusin, 21, over Bayern Munich in January, and in the past 18 months have signed Alejo Veliz (20), Pape Sarr and Destiny Udogie (both 21) and Micky van de Ven, 22.
Asked how Spurs were persuaded Europe's best youngsters to join the club, Postecoglou said: "I don't think it's so much what we're saying, it's more what people are seeing. That's the important thing.
AFP via Getty Images
10 hours ago
Said Benrahma’s hopes of quitting West Ham to join Lyon have been dealt a lifeline after the French club’s CEO claimed FIFA have given the transfer the green light.
Benrahma travelled to France on Thursday to complete a medical ahead of his expected move to the Ligue 1 side, but disaster struck late on deadline day when it appeared that the clubs had failed to complete the deal in time.
However, speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, Lyon director general Laurent Prudhom said the club’s appeal to Fifa to have the transfer belatedly ratified had been successful.
He told reporters on Friday: “We have a message telling us that FIFA has accepted the validation of the TMS match for the transfer of Benrahma.
"Our efforts are bearing fruit!"
PA
10 hours ago
David Moyes needn't worry as Lyon have confirmed Said Benrahma's move from West Ham has been validated by FIFA!
More to follow.