That’s all for today, but you can keep up with all the latest deals on our interactive trackers:
A big signing in the NWSL, where Casey Phair has joined Angel City. The 16-year-old rising star, who featured for South Korea at the World Cup last year, had been with New Jersey’s Player Development Academy.
In the Women’s Championship, Lewes have signed Chelsea striker Aimee Claypole on loan. The 18-year-old, who has represented Finland and England at youth level, made her WSL debut last year against Brighton.
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Some big European updates, care of Fabrizio Romano:
Lyon have signed Gent forward Gift Orban for a €13m fee
Verona striker Cyril Ngonge has completed his Napoli medical
Corinthians president confirms Gabriel Moscardo is joining PSG
🚨🔴🔵 Official, confirmed. Gift Orban signs as new Olympique Lyon player on permanent deal from Gent.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 18, 2024
€13m fee, contract until June 2028 — here Orban after signing the contract with his agent Atta Aneke. pic.twitter.com/eDfEHkl83z
Fulham are one club being linked with Broja, and they have also targeted a move for Fluminense midfielder André this month. That would be quite the coup, and Ben Jacobs reports that a bid of £30m, plus £5m in add-ons, is in:
Exclusive: Fulham have made a £30m+£5m offer to
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 18, 2024
Fluminense for midfielder Andre.
Fulham CEO Alistair Mackintosh already agreed terms with Andre last year having travelled for the Copa Libertadores Final. pic.twitter.com/Kkek2AEDZS
Here’s Football Daily on Ivan Toney, a man of multitudes.
Nobody? It was a bit of a tough one. It’s … Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who has joined Ross County on loan this afternoon.
Quiz time: whose career path is this (loans in italics): Manchester United, Wolves, Leeds, Scunthorpe, Tranmere, Oldham, Burton, Slask Wroclaw, Ross County? I’ll give you five minutes to think about it.
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Amid all the transfer talk, a troubling story from non-league. Nuneaton Borough have withdrawn from the Southern League Premier Central after potential investors in the club pulled out. A club statement said the club are now considering liquidation “with a heavy heart.”
“To add to all the Bro-ja-ja, Armando has been played largely out of position this season,” says James Head. “Seen hugging a touchline while proven non-finisher Jackson trots about looking confused, or crosses arrive to a penalty area vacated by all Chelsea players over 5’5”. I’m not sure I trust the manager.”
Injured Martial will not leave United in January – agent
Anthony Martial’s agent has hit back at reports that the striker has been frozen out at Manchester United – revealing to Sky that Martial requires a hip operation. “Anthony will stay until his contract ends in June,” Philippe Lamboley added. Martial is expected to leave Old Trafford once his current deal ends.
On Chelsea’s striker dilemma, Justin Madson writes: “The board are trying to give Poch the tools for success. Right now, Chelsea’s biggest issue is finishing. Can’t say I’m thrilled that we are looking to sign another largely unproven player for lots of money.”
“Broja is younger at 22, and has never been given a truly fair shake. While his only goal this season was against Preston, I am not sure what is making Poch so hesitant to play a player wanted by multiple other PL clubs. Just one of those situations that you have to just trust the club and manager.”
That sums up my feelings, really. Will an expensive striker be enough to get Chelsea into the top four? I’m not convinced, so why not give someone like Broja the chance? It’s another consequence of FFP, though, that clubs are more eager to sell their homegrown players and bank the profits.
“While Coventry originally signed Gyökeres on loan from Brighton for the second half of the 2020-21 season, he signed for us permanently in the summer of 2021,” notes Matthew Hunt (and others – apologies, I’ve corrected).
“He is 100% Premier League quality, and had we come up last season through the play-offs, I don’t think anyone would be questioning if he was worth a (hefty) punt. He’s quick, dynamic, a powerful finisher, and laser-focused. Could be exactly what Chelsea need.”
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Join me for a late afternoon interlude, with some music and the most mediocre transfer line I could find. Here goes … keeper Craig MacGillivray has joined Stevenage on loan from MK Dons!
It’s not transfer-related but Emilio Nsue, once of Birmingham and Middlesbrough, has just scored the first men’s Afcon hat-trick since 2008, ending a run of seven treble-free tournaments. Equatorial Guinea lead Guinea-Bissau 4-1 in the derby of the Other Guineas.
Hendo: the streets of Dammam won’t forget.
Jordan Henderson, Saudi highlights - Prime Xavi needs to come outside pic.twitter.com/gly5LnmuqN
— Abdul (@AbdulAL97) January 18, 2024
Jordan Henderson arrives at Ajax
Jordan Henderson has arrived at Ajax’s training ground as he prepares to complete his move after leaving Al-Ettifaq. The former Liverpool captain is due to undertake his medical this afternoon before signing a reported 2.5 year contract.
Darlington, Middlesbrough, Doncaster, Portsmouth, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Shrewsbury, St Mirren, Bengaluru, Dundee. That’s right: it’s the career path of striker Curtis Main, who has returned from India to join Tony Docherty’s side on an 18-month deal.
Dundee might not be done there – they are also closing in on a move for Everton defender Ryan Astley, who is available on a free transfer.
Thanks, John. Now, Chelsea are in the market for a new striker this month, and have reportedly offered Sporting Lisbon €85m (£73m) for Viktor Gyökeres – but their manager, Ruben Amorim, has said they will not accept less than the Swedish forward’s €100m (£86m) release clause.
It’s strange to think that Gyökeres was banging them in at Coventry last season; Sporting were able to snap him up for just €20m (£17.1m) in the summer. Chelsea fans: are you happy to spend that kind of wedge this month, or would you rather give, say, Armando Broja a chance up front?
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Ok, the floor is handed back to Niall McVeigh.
The Newcastle Chronicle are suggesting that, to clear the decks for possible signings, that Javier Manquillo will rejoin Rafa Benitez at Celta Vigo and Jamaal Lascelles could be sold on to Besiktas. The former has barely played this season but the departure of the latter would leave Eddie Howe short on numbers in defence.
Ipswich are looking to boost their challenge for automatic challenge by signing wing-back Marvin Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday. The clubs are in talks over a fee for the winger, with negotiations expected to progress over the next couple of days.
Done deal: Millwall have announced the signing of Japhet Tanganga, star of the Amazon Prime documentary on loan until the end of the season.
He spent the first half of the season on loan with Bundesliga side Augsburg, but did not make an appearance for the club due to a knee problem.
JT6️⃣#Millwall pic.twitter.com/KJjQIDUjA4
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) January 18, 2024
News from the Asian Cup: the Socceroos are through.
Couple of lines from Sky Germany’s reporter:
Sheraldo Becker, new player of @RealSociedad!
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 18, 2024
Eligible to play in the Champions League against @PSG_inside.
Official and confirmed 🏁 pic.twitter.com/jtQ1q5vmdT
Chris Bedia was a name linked with Wolves.
❗️News #Bedia: DONE DEAL! The 27 y/o striker will join @fcunion!
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 18, 2024
➡️ Medical was completed this morning
➡️ Contract until 2027 as reported and signed
➡️ Announcement probably today …
Transfer fee all-in: Around €2m.
First call: @FabrizioRomano | @SkySportDE 🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/gYDEf0B2MH
Jordan Henderson latest: his plane has landed.
Per PA Media:
The 33-year-old former Liverpool captain was pictured arriving at Schiphol Airport and then being driven away by the club’s general manager Herman Pinkster. He is unlikely to be able to feature against RKC Waalwijk on Sunday as reports suggest, as a non-EU national, Henderson’s work permit is likely to take up to two weeks to be granted.
Lots of red tape around this deal, considering his tax issues with both the UK and Saudi Arabia. He should have just joined Sunderland last summer, shouldn’t he?
Fabrizio to the rescue. This might ease Everton’s cashflow a little. But not much.
🔴🔵 Olympique Lyon are pushing again to sign Arnaut Danjuma. Talks are ongoing and the player remains keen on move as could have guaranteed game time.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 18, 2024
Pressure now on Everton to make final decision as there’s no green light yet. pic.twitter.com/H225UAP5oF
Simon Kooger gets in touch: “Mentioned in my comment on previous PL matches comments: What are the chances of some of the summer transfers to Saudi rocking up in the PL. Everyone seems to mention the substandard level of that league, and I would not be surprised if Mitrovic, Neves, Mahrez, et al will be linked before long!
What do you think?”
Here’s one explanation from Jonathan Wilson’s earlier piece on Jordan Henderson.
That salary would have been tax free had Henderson stayed for two years. As it is, he will become subject to Saudi income tax at 20%. At the very least, he is losing £3m in tax by leaving now. But there’s also the fact that he will be tax resident in either the UK or the Netherlands for this tax year. In the UK, there’s effectively a 47% tax rate, including national insurance, on income at his level. In the Netherlands it’s 49.5%. And that means a substantial additional bill.
Here’s some Football Weekly fun for your delectation.
I’m off to secure a sandwich on a permanent deal. Time to hand over to the one and only John Brewin for the next couple of hours …
Sophie Downey takes a look at which WSL teams have strengthened as the league returns from a winter break.
“West Ham have been active so far, bringing in the experienced Katrina Gorry and Kristie Mewis, as well as Shelina Zadorsky on loan. Robert Vilahamn has also recruited at Spurs with the arrival of Shuang Wang from Racing Louisville, Australia’s Charlotte Grant and young Swedish star Matilda Vinberg.
“Sweden international Nathalie Björn has joined Chelsea leaving Everton in much need of defensive cover despite their recruitment of Rikke Madsen, and Kathrine Kühl on loan.”
“After being diagnosed with a gambling addiction, Ivan Toney should be fine returning to football as long as he can avoid reminders,” writes Walter F. “So long as he averts his eyes from the kits and the hoardings, I’m certain he’ll be OK. But leaving Brentford for Chelsea, that does seem to represent something of … oh, what’s the word?”
Advocaat and Curaçao? Well, I suppose a small glass wouldn’t hurt. Oh, hang on – it turns out Dick Advocaat is the new manager of Caribbean nation Curaçao! And he’s planning some new signings … sort of. Advocaat will try to convince Dutch players with familial links to the island – including Justin Kluivert, Tahith Chong and Jurgen Locadia – to switch allegiance and represent Curaçao instead.
An interesting transfer line making some noise on X/Twitter today – Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri claims that Burnley winger Manuel Benson, already on Southampton’s radar, is also wanted by promotion rivals Leeds.
That’s because, according to Tavolieri, West Ham are eager to sign Willy Gnonto from Leeds in January. With Lucas Paquetà, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen injured, and Mohammed Kudus away at Afcon, David Moyes could certainly use reinforcements.
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Reports in Italy claim that Nadia Nadim could return to Europe and join Milan from Racing Louisville. The Danish international, now 36 years old, has previously played for PSG and Manchester City.
In this week’s column, Karen Carney looks at the role of sporting directors in player recruitment and club identity.
Some bits and bobs from the continent: In Ligue 1, Nice have brought in right-back Valentin Rosier from Besiktas, while in Spain, Sheraldo Becker has completed his cut-price move to Real Sociedad from Union Berlin.
In Italy, Juventus midfielder Filippo Ranocchia has ended his loan at Empoli to join second-tier Palermo permanently, and Bologna are reportedly closing in on Partizan Belgrade defender Mihajlo Ilic.
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Jordan Henderson may have walked away from Al-Ettifaq, but it seems his former manager, Steven Gerrard, isn’t going anywhere. David Ornstein reports that the former Aston Villa and Rangers boss will sign a two-year contract extension with the Saudi side.
🚨 EXCL: Steven Gerrard agrees 2yr contract extension as Al Ettifaq head coach. Existing deal runs until 2025 - new terms to expire in 2027. Club hierarchy will continue commitment to provide funds for signing players + developing #AlEttifaq @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/TJAOlkRJEG
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 18, 2024
Leicester City are riding high in the Championship and want to strengthen in January with a move for Stefano Sensi. The Foxes will need to cut a player from their squad first to make room for the Inter midfielder. Centre-back Harry Souttar has barely featured this season and has hinted he may seek a move to ensure he keeps his place in the Australia side.
All the deals around Europe, as they happen:
From the archive: test your knowledge of World Cup heroes’ club careers. Milla! Letchkov! Just Fontaine and more!
Another youngster departing Old Trafford this morning – Mateo Mejía is joining Sevilla, who signed Hannibal Mejbri on loan last week. Mejía, who joined from hometown club Real Zaragoza in 2019, has represented Colombia at Under-20 level internationally.
ℹ️ #MUAcademy forward Mateo Mejia has completed a permanent transfer to Sevilla.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 18, 2024
Best of luck for the future, Mateo! 🇪🇸#MUFC
Here’s Jonathan Wilson on Jordan Henderson’s short-lived Saudi adventure, which could officially come to an end today.
Another player heading back to North London is Tottenham’s Japhet Tanganga, who has been recalled from a loan spell at Augsburg where he did not get any game time. Reports suggest Tanganga could be heading south next, for a new loan at Millwall.
Arsenal have recalled in-form striker Mika Biereth from his season-long spell at Motherwell and are expected to loan him out again, with Sheffield Wednesday reportedly interested.
The Danish U21 star has six goals and five assists in Scotland this season and the decision to end his loan hasn’t gone down too well at Fir Park. “It’s a major, major disappointment,” said the Motherwell manager, Stuart Kettlewell.
“This was a little bit unexpected. The conversation was that Mika would stay here until the end of the season unless something big came on the table for Arsenal that they couldn’t turn down.”
“They believe there’s an opportunity to send him to another club that takes him that step beyond where we are just now.”
Is Karim Benzema heading to London? Which players are on the radar at Chelsea and Newcastle? Find out in today’s Rumour Mill:
Henderson set for Ajax medical
Let’s start with an update on Jordan Henderson, who is heading to Amsterdam today to complete his move to Ajax.
The former Liverpool captain is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Dutch giants. Henderson is expected to have a medical and formalise the terms of his deal on Thursday. He will take a substantial wage cut from his reported £350,000-a-week package in Saudi Arabia.
Henderson has reportedly ended his contract with Al-Ettifaq after just six months and will join a team who are fifth in the Eredivisie table. The England midfielder could be involved against RKC Waalwijk on Sunday if the deal can be completed in time.
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Preamble
As David Coverdale once sang, here I go again. Ready for another day of hot gossip, signing-on fees, come-and-get-me pleas and all the rest of it. This January window remains a chilly affair, but are there signs that things are about to heat up?
Ivan Toney has certainly laid his cards out on the table, and the market is waking up in Saudi Arabia with Jordan Henderson (and others) pushing for the exit, and Al-Hilal casually dropping €23m on Renan Lodi. There have also been plenty of big moves in the women’s game, with Juventus and Everton among those making moves.
Among the men’s European elite, the list of official incomings remains slim. Is this the day that the big spenders make up their mind: they ain’t wasting no more time? We’ll find out. Join me!
