As the Mill goes to press there are fewer than 14 hours until the transfer window screeches shut. It remains unclear if the rolling news presenters have even been to sleep, given the Overwhelming Importance of the Next Few Hours.
The spectre of Everton’s 10-point penalty has deflated the Premier League transfer market to a large degree, but there is still a bit of time for some excitement. Newcastle are keen to offload players to free up funds and there is a suspicion that some action may originate from St James’ Park today. Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Miguel Almíron and Jamal Lascelles have all been linked with a move away, while Eddie Howe is said to be keen to sign Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa. Howe wants Ramsey on loan with an option to buy: the 22-year-old has also been linked with Tottenham. But then again, who hasn’t? A rumoured outgoing move – Wilson to Chelsea on loan – is off the menu after an injury to his fellow forward, Alexander Isak.
Title-chasing Arsenal are being linked with Ibrahim Osman of FC Nordsjælland – the 19-year-old forward was a recent target of West Ham, but those talks hit the buffers and Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to carry out a good, old-fashioned transfer hijack.
Crystal Palace are being linked with a last-minute swoop for Maxwell Cornet from West Ham – the former Lyon and Burnley man is keen to move, reports Ed Aarons. Saïd Benrahma, meanwhile, is said to be weighing up an offer from Lyon to join them for the remainder of this season, with an option to join permanently in the summer.
Nottingham Forest have sealed a loan move for the 18-year-old striker, Rodrigo Ribeiro, from Sporting for the rest of the season. The Portugal Under-20 international made his Champions League debut against Manchester City in 2022 and is said to be very highly rated by Nuno Espírito Santo.
Forest are very much the new Tottenham when it comes to sheer levels of transfer speculation and Fabrizo Romano reports they have bid around £5m for the 31-year-old Strasbourg goalkeeper, Matz Selz. That would presumably end any interest they had in Sam Johnstone of Crystal Palace. The Tricky Trees are also about to let Orel Mangala move to Lyon on loan with an option to buy, it is being reported.
🚨🌳 Nottingham Forest submit official proposal for Matz Sels — around €6/7m for experienced goalkeeper at Strasbourg.#NFFC keep working to find new GK on Deadline Day, next priority after Reyna and Ribeiro deals. pic.twitter.com/CC7MREbZ21
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2024
In perfect keeping with this underwhelming transfer window, the Mail reports Wolves’ proposed signing of Yuri Alberto, of Corinthians, has collapsed due to “financial differences”. Wolves are still keen to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea, however, and face competition from Fulham to that end. Jacob Steinberg reports that Chelsea want a £5m loan fee for the Albania international.
The Brighton midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud has joined Stuttgart on loan until the end of the season. The 28-year-old German made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Seagulls. The club’s technical director, David Weir, said: “This is a good move for Mahmoud. It will give him an opportunity to play regularly for a side doing very well towards the top of the Bundesliga.”
And one other confirmed move for transfer newshounds to cling to is Carlos Alcaraz signing for Italian giants Juventus from Southampton. You can find details of that – and all the day’s other moves – on our dedicated transfer window deadline day blog. Allez!
