That’s all for today. Thanks for tuning in to our transfer blog. We’ll be back tomorrow.
A roundup of the news from today.
Nottingham Forest and Everton could face points deduction after Premier League charges
Israeli footballer returns home after Turkish arrest over hostage message
Fan tried to hit Ghana coach Chris Hughton after shock Afcon defeat
The Rumour Mill: Leny Yoro to Liverpool, Madrid or Manchester United?
And remember, you can stay up to date with all the latest transfers around Europe in our transfer guide.
Some emails have come in.
Peter writes:
There is cruel irony in a club named Forest being charged with breaching sustainability rules. Some people aren’t able to see the Forest for the fees.
Mark adds:
As an Evertonian, the only thing that makes sense is that the Premier League want us to be relegated.
And Sandra asks:
Once again, where is Manchester City in all this. It makes no sense that they have seemed to come out of all this unscathed.
Sid Lowe’s La Liga blog on Las Palmas’ leader, Kirian Rodríguez, who never doubted he would play again and produced the perfect performance in 3-0 defeat of Villarreal.
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A really interesting quote from Everton’s statement regarding the new Premier League charges.
The club must now defend another Premier League complaint which includes the very same financial periods for which it has already been sanctioned, before that appeal has even been heard. The club takes the view that this results from a clear deficiency in the Premier League’s rules.
Watford’s Imrân Louza has joined the French side Lorient on loan.
The Moroccan will link up with the Ligue 1 club until the end of the season. Louza has played 17 times for the Hornets this season, scoring once.
The 24-year-old arrived at Watford from Nantes in 2021 and has played 60 times in total, finding the net six times.
Imrân Louza est prêté au @FCLorient jusqu'à la fin de saison 🐟✍️ pic.twitter.com/sVLPiGKtXJ
— FC LORIENT 🐟 (@FCLorient) January 15, 2024
Get in touch with any of your thoughts on any transfer news or on the latest story regarding Nottingham Forest and Everton.
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Nottingham Forest and Everton could face points deduction after Premier League charges
Nottingham Forest are facing a potential points deduction after being charged with breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), and Everton could lose more points after being charged with a further breach of the same rules.
More of this breaking story from Will Unwin and Andy Hunter here.
Onana has finally arrived in Yamoussoukro after weather disruptions meant the Cameroon goalkeeper was forced to land in the capital Abidjan over 200km away from where the Indomitable Lions’ opening Afcon match is set to kick off. He is understandably not in the squad.
Live updates with Daniel Harris of the match can be found here.
Liverpool may sell the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher for £20m this summer, according to the Mail and have identified Sunderland’s 23-year-old former England Under-21 international Anthony Patterson as a possible replacement.
Thanks Michael, a fantastic stint as always.
He may not be a January transfer but Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Manchester City is “like a new signing”.
The midfielder’s brilliance was on display in his first league match in five months, bringing spontaneity to Pep Guardiola’s mechanical side which swings the title race in City’s favour, says Jonathan Wilson.
I’m all day for the day, but my colleague Yara El-Shaboury will take over for the rest of the day. Cheers!
Some more details here, although all of this is unconfirmed.
André Onana is currently stranded 150 miles from Cameroon’s Afcon fixture against Guinea, which kicks off at 5pm GMT today. Onana’s private jet due to take him to the game was cancelled due to poor weather – he will now need to travel by car to have any chance of making the fixture.
🚨 | André Onana is currently stranded 150 miles from Cameroon's AFCON fixture against Guinea, which kicks off at 17:00 GMT today. [Sports Vibes] pic.twitter.com/Az3YqyAoL4
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 15, 2024
It was widely reported earlier this month that André Onana would not delay his call-up to Afcon, with Cameroon allowing the goalkeeper to play in Manchester United’s game against Spurs, which of course he did. Today, he has flown via private jet to meet up with his international teammates at Afcon, but reportedly won’t feature in Cameroon’s game later today against Guinea, as planned. I’d be fuming if I was a fan of the Indomitable Lions.
Just can’t understand how club comes before country, especially at a major tournament. The above only seemed feasible because Onana was going to be available for Cameroon’s opener.
An email from Michiel Pauw, with an answer regarding my question around footballers living in Amsterdam.
“I’m from Amsterdam, and unlike most Ajax players I do live around the corner of the Johan Cruyff Arena. The players of whom I know that live in Amsterdam, almost all live in the affluent Amsterdam Zuid (South) area. This is not near the stadium, which is located in the more remote southeast of Amsterdam.
“Unfortunately, perhaps as a result of that distance, most Ajax players travel to the stadium not by bike, but by sponsored automobile. Besides the commute, some (former) Ajax players are known to have cycled regularly, while others would take the car, even for the shortest distances (it’s actually the only disappointing thing I can think of regarding a very well-loved former captain Dusan Tadic)."
Before Brentford’s FA Cup replay at Wolves, manager Thomas Frank has had this to say on Ivan Toney’s future.
“I think it’s been very clear, I don’t want to let him go, I want to keep him as long as possible. I only have that in mind. My only focus is getting him ready for Nottingham Forest [20 January].”
There’s not a lot of room for sentimentality in football these days, but I wonder if Toney wants to pay Brentford back for the way they have treated him over these past eight months. He has been wholly supported since the gambling issues came to light, and it would feel a little cold if he left as soon as the ban finished. That said, it’s not as though he would be leaving for free. Brentford would get their transfer fee. And as long as he shows the same form as he did before the ban, I would expect Toney to leave in the summer. There are too many teams competing in Europe that need a proven striker.
To Scotland now, where Rangers manager Philippe Clement insists the club are working “day and night” to improve the squad. These quotes are via PA.
The Ibrox side have brought in Fábio Silva from Wolves and allowed Sam Lammers to join Utrecht in two loan deals so far in January.
“Everybody is working day and night, everybody is working really hard for that. It is not the easiest window if you don’t have the most money, so you need to be creative, you need to be fast, but everybody is working really hard.”
We need to talk about Kylian. No news I’m afraid – or at least not since last week’s announcement that there is no news – but Luke Entwistle has written this piece on why any exit from PSG in the summer could have wide-ranging effects on the French league.
Re the news of a possible move for Jordan Henderson to Ajax, I have a question for readers that live in (or know) Amsterdam well. Where do the footballers tend to live? Is it in the south, near the training ground and Johan Cruyff Arena? Or do any of them live centrally?
Also, with the city being so bike friendly, is it a regular occurrence to see them out and about on two wheels? I’d like to think so. I’m asking this because Fulham’s Dutch defender, Kenny Tete, was recently spotted getting a pay-as-you-go bike home after his side’s 1-0 derby defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. Tete was born in Amsterdam, and came through the youth ranks at Ajax.
Fulham's Kenny Tete started this weekend at Chelsea, then cycled home after. Dutch right-back turning West London into Amsterdam, one bikeshare at a time. 🙌🚲🤍 [Via @FulhamishPod]pic.twitter.com/A92rEKpKpo
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) January 14, 2024
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It’s VERY quiet on the transfer front, I have to say. The best I can do for you is Ivan Toney, who is something ‘like a new signing’ and available for Brentford’s game with Nottingham Forest.
Here’s Jonathan Wilson on Toney’s return from an eight-month ban, and the state of gambling in football.
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It is understood that Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães has a £98m release clause in his contract, which was only signed in October. The player has previously stated his love for the club, and is a fan favourite but with Newcastle recently reported losses of £73.4m, they are under pressure financially and the Brazilian is one of their most saleable assets.
With Newcastle out of Europe, 10th in the table and 11 points adrift of fifth-placed Spurs, it doesn’t appear that the Magpies will be playing Champions League football next season. A desire to play elite club football and Newcastle’s financial position could see a surprise sale, possibly in the summer. Only a handful of clubs could afford him, of course.
Here are more details, courtesy of Louise Taylor.
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Nicky Bandini’s Serie A blog is live. This week, she addresses Roma, Mourinho and managing expectations.
Anyone else feeling a bit peeved that they didn’t have Korean BBQ for lunch?
An email, from Wilson Beuys.
“Having missed all this fuss about Eric Dier supposedly adopting an accent in that signing video you stuck in the live blog, I watched it waiting for Steve McClaren-like blunderings. In fact, all I heard was his normal speaking voice - as can be heard on this (mouthwatering) promo video where Son Heung-min introduces his team mates to Korean barbecue at the training ground, in advance of their trip to Seoul.
“Anyone who’s listened to him before would know Dier’s always had a bit of an accent, presumably from his time in Portugal. Sometimes it’s stronger than others, as you can even hear in that video.
“As you said, he’s always seemed a decent, open-minded and intelligent bloke - it’s telling that he thanks the presenter’s wife in Korean in that video, for example. The way some Spurs fans have started dismissing him is a crappy way to treat a player who’s always done his utmost for the club and, during the Poch years in particular, he was a far better footballer than this revisionist nonsense suggests. I hope he does well in Munich. He deserves to.”
Thanks Stephen. I see Football Weekly is live. If you are planning a lunch break (at least here in the UK), why not stick this in your ears and head into the beautiful sunshine.
Re De Bruyne, I very much enjoyed this take from Andy Brassell (also of this parish) on the Football Ramble.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you pic.twitter.com/3npIxV5fBT
— Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) January 13, 2024
Michael is back to guide you through this afternoon’s developments. Cheers all!
Continuing the Eric Dier theme (see 11:19 and 11:23), guess who turned 30 today.
3️⃣0️⃣ today 🎂
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 15, 2024
Happy Birthday, @ericdier! 🎉#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/R2n61PfFez
And here’s this week’s Bundesliga column from Andy Brassell
Swindon Town, 15th in League Two, have parted ways with their manager Michael Flynn, who took charge at the end of last season.
To the City Ground where the 23-year-old defender Jonathan Panzo has returned from a loan spell at Cardiff City, where he made five appearances.
🔴🌳 Jonathan Panzo has returned to Nottingham Forest from his loan spell at Cardiff City. pic.twitter.com/LXpU0Czdzy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2024
Cheers, Michael. Let’s see what the afternoon brings …
Right, I’m going to head off for a bit of early lunch now. My colleague Stephen Flynn is kindly stepping in. I’ll leave you in his capable hands for a bit. Cheers!
This was mentioned in the Rumour Mill but Brentford are exploring a loan move for Sergio Reguilón. The Bees’ first-choice left back Rico Henry is out with a long-term knee injury and Reguilón is available, following his January return to Spurs from Manchester United. With Destiny Udogie the undisputed No 1 at Tottenham, I think that’s a deal that could easily happen.
We’ve spoken about Jordan Henderson moving back to Europe from Saudi Arabia, and there are also some whispers about Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian hasn’t scored for Al-Alhi in 18 matches in all competitions since netting a hat-trick on his debut, and is currently struggling for minutes, despite his bumper salary.
Chelsea are reportedly looking at Firmino, with the Blues struggling for striker options. Christopher Nkunku is injured again, Armando Broja has scored one league goal this season and Nicolas Jackson has been inconsistent (and currently away at Afcon), although I think the Senegalese has been unfairly judged.
Karim Benzema, now 36, is also making headlines. The Frenchman was not included in Al-Ittihad’s mid-season camp in Dubai, but Benzema’s camp insist that he is stuck in Mauritius, where he was on holiday, due to a tropical storm. Even if he is out of favour with manager Marcelo Gallardo, I’m not sure anyone else in Europe could match Benzema’s wages at Al-Ittihad, and comply with FFP.
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Dier was also asked about his living situation. Harry Kane lived in a hotel with his family until Christmas, remember.
A massive thank you to the hotel staff who have made me feel at home since moving to Munich. It’s been a huge part of being able to settle in so well. @esmuellert_ was worried my room was getting too small so time to check out and into a place of my own with my family. 🙌😂 pic.twitter.com/Sih7qMMQID
— Harry Kane (@HKane) December 23, 2023
Dier was asked if he was going to move into Harry Kane’s new Munich mansion.
I don’t know if he has any space there,” he replied. “I have not been there yet but he has invited me so I will go there for sure. But I don’t think I will stay there. He has a lot of kids so I know it is very busy. I don’t want to add to that work.
Eric Dier has taken a bit of stick over the weekend for what appears to be a German accent in his first Bayern interviews. Obviously other Englishman abroad have been guilty of this in the past – Joey Barton at Marseille, Steve McClaren at FC Twente.
But I think it’s actually quite an intelligent and sympathetic thing to do, to slow down the speech, make it easier to understand. I think of it as a subconscious kindness, even if most Europeans have at least a basic grasp of English.
It’s also worth noting that Dier is fluent in Portuguese, owing to his childhood in Lisbon. I would expect him to be speaking German very quickly, he seems like an intelligent bloke. Also, as per the above video, I didn’t know that Dier was born in Guildford. The internet seems to think he was born in Cheltenham, before his move to Portugal.
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Hannibal Mejbri has landed in Spain and will be unveiled as a Sevilla player very soon. He has shown glimpses of talent at Manchester United, and could definitely develop into a top midfielder at Sevilla. It’s a loan deal with a €20m buy option, although Fabrizio is reporting that after an initial verbal agreement, Manchester United requested for a potential buy-back clause on Sunday.
⚪️🔴🛬 Hannibal Mejbri, just landed in Sevilla as he joins the club on loan deal with €20m buy option from Man Utd. pic.twitter.com/jxbpafBEhQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2024
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We’re awaiting official confirmation of Valentín Barco’s move to Brighton, who have paid the £8m release clause to Boca Juniors. What a superb deal that is for a brilliant young left back. When Pervis Estupiñán was injured, James Milner filled in and did an OK job. Barco is a great second option for Roberto De Zerbi. PSG and Manchester City were interested, but Brighton have moved first.
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Monday means one thing at Guardian HQ: Premier League talking points.
A new striker at Old Trafford would cast serious doubts over the future of Anthony Martial. It feels like I have been typing that sentence for years. Martial is 28 now, and has just two goals in 19 appearances this season. Despite that, West Ham, Inter Milan and Fenerbahce are all keen on the Frenchman, who has reportedly rejected approaches from Saudi Arabia.
The really interesting thing about Guirassy is that he scores different types of goals. Left-foot, right foot, dinks, headers, tap-ins, when he’s through on goal and from long range. There’s obvious talent here. The below video, from earlier in the season (where started with 15 goals from nine league appearances) is good evidence of that.
Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy has a release clause of just €17.5m. Only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé have scored more goals than the Guinean striker in Europe’s top five leagues, so understandably there is interest from abroad. West Ham desperately need a striker, with Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio all sidelined with injury.
However, Manchester United are lurking and could compete for Guirassy. Rasmus Højlund has not lived up to expectations, Marcus Rashford is struggling, and once again the club are looking for a short-term fix up top. Where is Odion Ighalo when you need him?
It should be mentioned that Guirassy is 27 years of age. He’s been a streaky striker at best throughout his career, but has had a mammoth 2023-24, scoring 19 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions. He’s benefitted massively from a change in tactics at Stuttgart, who only narrowly avoided relegation last season. This year, they are third, just behind Bayern, with Guirassy the focal point of the attack, in front of three attacking midfielders. He’s not a wonderkid or an irrepressable young talent. He’s a vastly improving striker that fits very well into his current tactical system. The question is whether that form could continue in a different system, a different team, a different country. I think he would be an excellent buy for West Ham. For Manchester United, I’m not so sure.
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The Rumour Mill is live and doing god’s work.
Preamble
Monday morning in the UK and we hit the mid-way point of the January transfer window. There is a lot to discuss. West Ham’s need for a new striker. Tony Mowbray’s new-found enthusiasm for the Birmingham City buffet. West Ham’s need for a new striker. Brighton wonderkids. Oh, yes.
We’ll start with Jordan Henderson. He’s reportedly not happy in Saudi Arabia and itching for a move back to Europe – he’s had enough of “growing the game” after six months out there. His club, Al-Ettifaq, don’t want to lose the 33-year-old, and that’s fair enough, because they signed him to a three-year deal in July.
However, Ajax have been linked with Henderson and manager John van ‘t Schip spoke to ESPN last night, insisting there had been “serious talks” with the midfielder.
There is serious talk going on with Henderson. He still has some things to arrange in Saudi Arabia. It could be a nice match. It’s no secret that we could really use that type of player. Other guys can benefit from that.
Let’s see if there are any further developments today.
