Deadline Day: Relive it. Re-love it

Matt Stead

That’s all, folks. Jesus, what a day. Take a look at all the completed deals, then go to sleep until January.


00:07: GO ON, HULL
Mike Phelan does not sleep; he signs.

23:59: CHELSEA LOAN SOMEONE OUT
You read that right. Matt Miazga moves to Espanyol on loan. That means Chelsea have loaned out 11 players on Deadline Day alone. It’s 38 for the summer.

 

23.44: SPURS CONFIRM SISSOKO
Official confirmation of the most frantic deal on a frantic deadline day.

 

23.28: WEST BROM SIGN WALES HERO
Hal Robson-Kanu has joined West Brom on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract. The 27-year-old follows in his fathers’ footsteps…

23:14: GUESS WHO’S BACK?

 

23.00: THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS SHUT – HERE COME THE CONFIRMATIONS OF THE LATE DEALS…

Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko has confirmed via Twitter he has joined Tottenham on a five-year deal after a dramatic final hour on deadline day.

The France international appeared set for Everton until Spurs decided to match the £30million offer at the 11th hour.

We are still awaiting confirmation that Chelsea have re-signed David Luiz from PSG, although Sky Sports are reporting the deal is down.

Rickie Lambert, meanwhile, has left West Brom and signed a two-year deal at Cardiff.

 

22.50 EVERTON SIGN VALENCIA
As Everton fans furiously insist they didn’t want to sign Moussa Sissoko anyway, the Toffees have at least completed the signing of Enner Valencia on a season-long loan from West Ham, with the view to making the deal permanent for £14.5million. He’s not Moussa Sissoko though, is he?

22.47: MBOKANI JOINS HULL
Dieumerci Mbokani, last season getting relegated with Norwich, fancies another (likely) relegation battle with Hull City, after moving to the KC Stadium on loan from Dynamo Kiev.

 

22.44: EMNES LEAVES SWANSEA
Swansea outcast Marvin Emnes has joined Championship struggles Blackburn Rovers until January in what should be described as a ‘brave’ move.

 

22.34: LOANS, LOANS, LOANS…
Only half an hour left of the transfer window and another two loan deals have been complete.

Christian Atsu has joined Newcastle for the rest of the season and Liverpool flop Lazar Markovic has moved to Sporting Lisbon on a similar deal.

 

22.27: SPURS SET TO SIGN SISSOKO
Talk about a twist in the tail. Everton have reportedly ended their pursuit of Moussa Sissoko, paving the way for the Newcastle midfielder to join Tottenham.

The France international’s representatives are understood to have told the Toffees their client has no interest in moving to Goodison Park, while Ronald Koeman cannot get hold of the player on the phone. Only on deadline day.

 

 

22.24: CHELSEA IN LOAN SHOCK
Lucas Piazon becomes the 327th Chelsea player to be loaned out this summer as the forward joins Fulham.

 

22.20: J-ROD TO STAY A SAINT
One player who won’t be on the move tonight is Jay Rodriguez, who is set to stay at Southampton, despite interest from West Brom, Hull, Sunderland and Watford.

 

22.07: A TWIST IN THE TAIL?

 

22.04: SUNDERLAND SIGN MAN CITY MAN
Into the final hour now and it looks set to be a busy one.

Sunderland have completed the signing of Manchester City defender Jason Denayer on loan until the end of the season.

 

21.52: SHEFFIELD UNITED PROSPECT JOINS EVERTON
As we continue to await news on Moussa Sissoko, there’s Everton have signed 19-year-old Sheffield United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a £1.5million deal.

21.42: TWO OUT AT THE TOFFEES
Not the news Everton fans are waiting on, but while the Toffees continue to work on a deal for Moussa Sissoko, two players have left the club on loan.

 

21.31: WILSHERE CONFIRMED
Only what we already knew, but confirmation that Jack Wilshere has completed his loan move to Bournemouth. What a coup for the Cherries. Over to you now, Jack.

 

21.17: CONFIRMED – LEICESTER SIGN SLIMANI
After already breaking their transfer record twice this summer, Leicester have smashed it yet again to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani in a deal understood to be in the region of £29million.

 

21.15: REACH OUT
Sheffield Wednesday have signed Middlesbrough winger Adam Reach in a £5million deal.

 

21.03: HULL SIGN MANCHESTER UNITED YOUNGSTER
Hull have confirmed the signing of Manchester United midfielder James Weir. Louis van Gaal handed Weir his debut last season and the 21-year-old has now moved to the KC Stadium on a three-year deal.

 

20.48: WEST HAM WELCOME WORLD CUP WINNER
After starting deadline day trying to sign Micah Richards from Aston Villa, West Ham have instead landed Alvaro Arbeloa on a free transfer.

Former Liverpool right-back Arbeloa was without a club after leaving Real Madrid this summer, and will help mentor Sam Byram. It should also put an end to Slaven Bilic playing Michail Antonio as a defender too.

 

20.33: BANTER ALERT

Arsenal aren’t that desperate, mate.

20.19: NYYYYOOOOMMMM
Don’t worry, that’s not the sound of the transfer window speeding right by, not just yet anyway. It’s the news that Watford right-back Allan Nyom has joined West Brom in a £4million deal.

And in a brilliantly awkward unveiling, here’s the Cameroon international posing for the upcoming Next catalogue.

 

20.12: SISSOKO EN ROUTE TO EVERTON
Jim White rocks up and everything starts happening all of a sudden. Coincidence? Probably.

Everton appear set to beat Tottenham to the signing of Moussa Sissoko, with the Newcastle midfielder currently travelling to Merseyside to undergo a medical ahead of what will be a club-record £30million deal for the Toffees.

Sissoko has wanted out of Newcastle all summer, but the Magpies will be delighted to have held out for such a huge fee for the France international. If the 27-year-old can replicate his Euro 2016 form at Goodison Park, Everton boss Ronald Koeman will think Sissoko is worth every penny.

 

20.04: DONE DEAL – WILSHERE JOINS BOURNEMOUTH
And there it is. England international Jack Wilshere has turned down offers from Roma and AC Milan (and Crystal Palace) to join Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal. The Premier League in 2016, people.

But what an impressive signing for the Cherries, and what a coup for Eddie Howe, whose charm has managed to convince Wilshere to move to the south coast club.

 

19.49: DONE DEAL – BALOTELLI JOINS NICE
Mario Balotelli has ended his Liverpool exile and completed a move to Nice. The Italy international was expected to join the French outfit on loan, but somewhat surprisingly has left Anfield on a free transfer. Is that the last we have seen of (not so) Super Mario in the Premier League?

 

19.39: SPURS TO ADD SISSOKO?
Everton were understood to be leading the race to sign Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko in a deal which would see the Toffees pay five instalments of £6million, but reports now suggest Tottenahm are once more favourites to land the France international.

 

19.34: TWO IN AT TOTTENHAM
Spurs have followed up the signing of Georges-Kevin Nkoudou by announcing the arrival of Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez on a season-long loan deal.

 

19.11: NAI, YOU’RE ALRIGHT
Steven Naismith’s potential move to Sunderland is now understood to be off, with the Norwich striker failing to agree personal terms with the Black Cats. Poor David Moyes.

 

18.52: EVERTON WANT VALENCIA
Ronald Koeman is desperate to sign a new striker before the end of the night. Although we didn’t realise he was quite desperate enough to turn to West Ham’s Enner Valencia, who has been rather woeful of late.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the Toffees have made a late move to land Valencia on loan, with a view to making the move permanent for £14.5million.

 

18.46: SANOGO, LITERALLY
Worrying news for both Arsenal and Leeds fans, as we can’t work out what either party is thinking….

 

18.37: CHELSEA AGREE LUIZ DEAL
Confirmation from the horse’s mouth…

 

18.27: WILSHERE ARRIVES AT BOURNEMOUTH
Jack Wilshere has arrived at Bournemouth and will now undergo a medical. This could take a while.

 

18.20 NKOUDOU-NE DEAL
Tottenham have finally confirmed the signing of Marseille winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou on a five-year deal, even poking fun at how long it has taken.

Clinton N’Jie has moved in the opposite direction on loan for the rest of the season.

 

18.17: LEICESTER SET TO SIGN THE REAL SLIMANI
Leicester are moving closer to completing the club-record deal for Islam Slimani, after the Sporting Lisbon striker passed a medical ahead of a potential £30million move.

 

18.08: A WISE MOVE?
Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom has joined Red Bull Salzburg on loan, his third temporary move in the last three seasons following spells at Norwich and Derby.

 

18.01: JUVE SIGN THEIR JUAN AND ONLY
Juventus have re-signed Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado, joining the Serie A outfit on a long-term loan until 2019.

Juve will pay €5million per season to take the Colombian on loan, but a permanent deal will total €25million if certain stipulations are met throughout his stay.

 

17.58: GOOD TWEET FOR A BIG MAN
Crouchy is hopping on the banter bus.

 

17.50: SHOCK – CHELSEA TO LOAN OUT PLAYERS
Not content with Manchester City threatening to take the ‘loan everybody out’ mantle on deadline day, two players are set to leave Stamford Bridge on a temporary basis.

Matt Miazga, one of a number of strange signings for the Blues over the last 12 months, is nearing a move to Espanyol, while Juan Cuadrado is set to rejoin Juventus, who will have the option of making the deal permanent next summer.

 

17.38: ANYA BELIEVE IT?

 

17.29: FOOTBALL LEAGUE UPDATE
Because it’s not just Premier League sides that can squander money on deadline day, is it? So here are a few moves from the Championship to catch up on: Leeds United are understood to have signed Bournemouth midfielder Eunan O’Kane (Jack Wilshere is probably better than him, to be fair)… Blackburn have signed Scotland international and former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew on a three-year deal… Crystal Palace youngster Sullay Kaikai has joined Brentford on loan for the season… QPR have landed Pawel Wszolek on loan from Hellas Verona… Chris Martin has left the Scotland camp to discuss a move from Derby to Fulham.

 

17.14: SUNDERLAND EYE CITY DEFENDER
What were we saying about City loaning out everyone and anyone? Defender Jason Denayer could be the next to leave the Etihad on a temporary basis, with David Moyes keen to sign the Belgian. Although David Moyes is keen to sign anyone at the moment.

 

17.05: MAN CITY THE NEW CHELSEA?
After already sending Joe Hart, Samir Nasri and Wilfried Bony out on loan today, Manchester City have now shipped out Eliaquim Mangala. The centre-back has joined Valencia on loan for the rest of the season. That was £42million well spent, then.

 

17.00: SISSOGO?
Forget Paul Pogba, Moussa Sissoko’s departure from Newcastle has been the will-he-won’t-he transfer saga of the summer. Maybe. And reports now suggest Everton have opened talks with the Magpies in an attempt to sign the midfielder, who could cost £30million.

 

16.54: HIT THE ROAD (TO BOURNEMOUTH), JACK
What a signing this is for Eddie Howe. Genuinely thought they would struggle this season but signing Jack Wilshere on loan is proper. Really proper.

 

16.48: FIRST £20M-PLUS SIGNING OF DAY
And it’s former Bolton and Sunderland left-back Marcos Alonso, joining Chelsea for a reported £23m. Eyes watering. And David Luiz is due to have a medical at 6pm ahead of the day’s first £30m-plus signing.

 

16.43: AND LOOK WHO HE IS REPLACING…

 

16.38: LOOK WHO IT IS…

 

16.34: EVERTON TO BREAK RECORD FOR BRAHIMI
Records are falling all over the place in this window and Everton are set to join the list tonight as Porto forward Yacine Brahimi is due at the club for a medical ahead of a £34m deal. If they end up paying £30m for Moussa Sissoko as well, it will be a £100m-plus summer for the Toffees. Wow.

 

16.31: ANOTHER RODGERS FLOP OUT
Mario Balotelli is still technically a Liverpool player and Tiago Llori is apparently staying, but one man is off.

 

16.29: STOKE STRIKE AGAIN
It’s another mystery that can be solved with three words: Bruno, Martins and Indi. He is signing on loan from Porto. It’s turned into a decent day for Stoke.

 

16: 26: SWAPSIES AT BORO/VILLA
No idea whether we have already told you this or not, but Adama Traore and Albert Adomah have swapped clubs. They should swap surnames too..

 

16.25: ENNER TAKERS?
We told you earlier that Enner Valencia was likely to join Swansea on loan from West Ham, but it now seems the Ecuador international has new suitors.

 

16.19: SO WHAT’S HAPPENED SO FAR?

Manchester City are clearing the decks and have sent Samir Nasri (Sevilla), Joe Hart (Torino) and Wilfried Bony (Stoke) out on loan. Eliaquim Mangala (Valencia) is expected to follow.

Sunderland have spent £13.6m on a player we have never heard of: Didier Ndong of Lorient.

Burnley have broken their club record transfer fee for Jeff Hendrick (£10.5m).

Mario Balotelli has had a medical at Nice.

First Tottenham, Chelsea and now Everton have made a move for Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko.

Jack Wilshere is expected to join Bournemouth on a season-long loan.

David Luiz is very close to a £32m move back to Chelsea from PSG.

 

16.15:  JACK IS OFF TO POP HIS CHERRY
This has flipped and flopped all day but it looks like Jack Wilshere will join Bournemouth on a season-long loan.

 

16.11: SISSOKO TO EVERTON NOW
This morning it was all about Tottenham moving for Moussa Sissoko and then it was Chelsea. And now it’s Everton. What a great move that would be for all parties.

 

16:04: YET ANOTHER CLUB-RECORD FEE IS BROKEN

Burnley have wrapped up the £10.5m signing of Jeff Hendrick from Derby on a three-year deal for a club-record fee.

It isn’t the first time a club-record has been broken this transfer window and it almost definitely won’t be the last, especially if Leicester can get Islam Slimani and Adrien Silva over the finishing line.

 

16:00: EURO 2016 STAR TO FINALLY FIND CLUB?

Sky Sports sources claim that Wales have given Hal Robson-Kanu permission to leave the squad to sort out his future. West Brom are the club linked with a move for the former Reading star.

 

15:54: JONIESTA JOINS IPSWICH TOWN

Crystal Palace midfielder Jonny Williams has completed a season-long loan deal to Ipswich Town.

The FOURTH time he has joined the Tractor Boys on a temporary basis in the last three years!

 

15:44: WHERE ON EARTH IS WILSHERE GOING?!

Bournemouth are once again favourites to land Jack Wilshere after reports in Italy indicate that a transfer to Roma is off. Crystal Palace seem to be hanging in there, while AC Milan have made a late offer for the England international, according to Sky Sports.

 

15:38: NDONG – THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY OF MY LIFE

Sunderland complete signing of Didier Ndong from Lorient for £13.6million.

On the move, Ndong said: “It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means.”

“I am excited to meet everyone at the club, to see the stadium and of course the fans…today is the most beautiful day of my life.”

 

15:30: WORLD CUP WINNER TO WEST HAM ALERT

The Insider at London Stadium reckons a deal for a World Cup-winning right-back could be on the cards for West Ham before the deadline. His sources have confirmed to him that it’s a Spanish defender that has played for “some of the biggest clubs in Europe.”

Alvaro Arbeloa has been linked with the Hammers…

We’ll go with that!

 

15:22: UNDER THE RADAR

This one has come out of nowhere over the last couple of days. David Luiz could be about to make a return to Chelsea and the Daily Mail is now reporting that the Blues are preparing to announce the signing of the Paris Saint-Germain defender.

The Brazilian only left Stamford Bridge two years ago for £50million but he is understood to have agreed personal terms on a quick return to London.

Looks like we are almost there with this one…

 

15:10: DEAL COLLAPSE?

West Brom’s move for Ignacio Camacho looks to have hit a roadblock, according to Marca.

The Baggies have been in talks with Malaga over a potential move for the Spaniard but the La Liga side are understood to want the full payment upfront whereas West Brom are only willing to pay in staged payments.

Standoff!

 

15:08: GOODBYE, SUPER MARIO!

Have Liverpool finally found a suitor for misfit Mario Balotelli? It seems so…

 

15:00: DONE DEAL

Serge Gnabry has completed a transfer to Werder Bremen from Arsenal. The German, who won silver at this year’s summer Olympics with his country, spent part of last season on loan at West Brom.

14:48: U-TURN ON LUIZ TO CHELSEA DEAL

The Daily Telegraph, and in particular Matt Law, now believe David Luiz could be returning to Stamford Bridge.

The journalist suspected last night that any deal for the Brazilian was off the table, but has now revealed Antonio Conte has given his blessing to the transfer.

Last night he tweeted this:

Then today this:

However, Law still thinks Chelsea’s potential move for Valencia defender Aymen Abdennour means that the Luiz deal may still not happen.

 

14:30: SAKHO SET TO ‘SEDUCE’ KLOPP

According to L’Equipe, Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is ready to snub any possible loan moves in favour of staying and fighting for his place at Anfield. In fact, the French publication are so convinced he will stay they reckon he will ‘seduce’ Jurgen Klopp in the process.

It’s understood Sakho has been told he won’t play again this season but he may now look to persuade his German boss he is ready to prove his worth.

 

14:16: NASRI FOLLOWS BONY AND HART OUT OF CITY

Samir Nasri has joined Sevilla on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City. That’s now Wilfried Bony, Joe Hart and Nasri all leaving the Etihad today.

 

14:10: HOT AND COLD

Almost as soon as the rumour appeared, it’s over! Morgan Schneiderlin will be staying at Old Trafford it seems, despite Jose Mourinho’s wealth of central midfield talent.

 

13:58: NASRI NEARS ETIHAD EXIT

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri looks like he could be set to play some serious football for the first time in two seasons. The Frenchman has only managed 31 Premier League appearances over the last two seasons – not including his time on the pitch this campaign.

Sevilla have revealed they are close to signing the 29-year-old, who signed a new five-year deal with City in 2014.

 

13:52: CAN THE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPS CLINCH DOUBLE DEAL?

Earlier reports suggested Leicester were confident of tying up deals for Sporting Lisbon duo Islam Slimani and Adrien Silva. Now confidence seems to have turned to hope, well, at least in terms of the Silva part of the transfer.

 

13:44: STRIKER IN AT THE KCOM STADIUM?

Following a summer of uncertainty, Hull may finally be able to get a squad of professionals together before the end of the window. David Marshall, Ryan Mason and Will Keane have all signed this week and they are on the lookout for another striker before the end of the day.

Who will it be, though? Dieumerci Mbokani, who was on loan at Norwich City last season from Dynamo Kiev, is understood to be interesting Mike Phelan.

 

13:36: ADEBAYOR TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

No deadline day would be complete without former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace in the summer and the Evening Standard understand that Fulham are confident they will sign him.

It would be an ambitious move for a player that commanded a wage of £100,000-per-week last campaign.

 

13:33: THE DOCTOR SPEAKS

No announcement from Aston Villa or Middlesbrough, but that hasn’t stopped the Championship side’s owner Dr. Tony Xia from tweeting that a deal for Albert Adomah is done.

 

13.27: LUIZ DEAL COULD STILL HAPPEN
We haven’t had an update on this for a while but the Mail’s transfer guru man Simon Jones believes that Chelsea will seal the return of David Luiz before the day is out.

He writes: ‘Antonio Conte’s side had a £30million bid rejected but will go back with another offer before the window shuts on Wednesday night.’

Apparently £32m would do the trick, which still makes him massively cheaper than almost anybody else targeted by Antonio Conte this summer.

 

13.19: HIT THE ROAD JACK…
But which road? All the latest talk is that Jack Wilshere will choose to test himself in Italy with Roma rather than join either Crystal Palace or Bournemouth.

 

13.11: NDEADLINE NDAY NDONG
David Moyes could yet sign somebody for Sunderland who he has never managed before. That man is Didier Ndong and French media outlet RMC say Lorient ‘almost fainted’ when they were faxed a £17m offer. That’s not a good sign.

 

13.02: OH! IT’S BONY! WELL I NEVER

Frankly, that is just about as perfect as any signing can get. He fits the style, they desperately need a front-line striker, he needs football.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes says: “Bringing Wilfried in was a no-brainer for us to be perfectly honest, because he knows the Premier League and has scored plenty of goals at this level.

“He has power, speed and very good physical attributes which will undoubtedly help us, and his technical and finishing skills are outstanding too.

“Eighteen months ago he was being bought for a hugely significant amount of money, so we know that we are bringing in a top quality striker.”

 

12.59: MY NYOM IS…
Joining West Brom apparently. According to Sky Sports, West Brom have agreed a fee in the region of £4m for Watford defender Allan Nyom. Wow, Tony Pulis is signing an actual full-back, we thought. And then we looked him up and found that he is 6’2″. As you were.

 

12.56: IT’S A MYSTERY FROM STOKE

Who could this possibly be? There are absolutely no clues whatsoever…

 

12.51: SOUND THE DONE DEAL KLAXON

 

12.41: CESCY TIME OVER
Well, there’s only so many midfielders Antonio Conte needs. According to at least one journalist, AC Milan could be Cesc Fabregas’s latest club.

 

12.35:  SISSOKO TO CHELSEA NOW?
Well, well, According to L’Equipe, Chelsea have now entered the race to sign Moussa Sissoko. The latest we had heard was that Tottenham had failed with an initial £16m bid for the Euro 2016 finalist, and that was way, way below Newcastle’s £30m asking price. According to L’Equipe, Chelsea are rather more inclined to pay up. Sissoko left the French training camp this morning to fly back to England and discuss a move away from St James’ Park.

 

12.32: ANY CHANCE OF ENNER?
Every chance of Enner Valencia, if you are Swansea City, it seems. The Ecuador international – who joined for over £10m under Sam Allardyce – could be set for a loan spell with the Swans, according to widespread reports.

 

12.29: NO-GO ON SCHNEIDI
“He’s staying in Manchester,” says the spoilsport agent of Morgan Schneiderlin after the Daily Mail got all excited this morning and predicted a swoop from Tottenham. They may have simply been trying to force Spurs’ hand on Moussa Sissoko.

 

12:01: DONE DEAL
Torino confirm the signing of Manchester City and England keeper Joe Hart on a season-long loan move.

 

11:51: DIDDLY DING DIDDLY DONG
Sporting Lisbon duo Islam Slimani and Adrien Silva are set to boost Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester squad for their Champions League journey.

Reports suggest both deals are likely to exceed the £16million fee paid for Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow, with the Slimani deal believed to be worth around £34million.

The pair are keen on a move to the King Power Stadium and the Premier League champions are understood to be confident of landing them before the window shuts.

 

11.40: THAT NAISMITH WAS DECENT FOR ME AT EVERTON, WHY NOT?!
Another day for David Moyes at Sunderland and another raid for one of his former players.

Steven Naismith is poised to be reunited with David Moyes at the Stadium of Light, so says Daily Mirror reporter David Anderson.

Naismith was relegated from the Premier League with Norwich last season after the club bought him from Everton in January this year.

If Naismith completes a move then he would join Donald Love, Paddy McNair, Adnan Januzaj and Steven Pienaar as former Moyes players signed this window.

 

11:30: JOSTLING FOR POSITION

Jack Wilshere close to Bournemouth deal? Maybe not as close as we thought.

Earlier it was reported that the Cherries were Wilshere’s preferred choice, but now David Ornstein at the BBC has thrown another name into the ring.

Serie A side Roma are now thought to be pushing just as hard to get a deal over the line for the injury-prone midfielder.

This could rumble on for quite some time…

 

11:10: SWITCHING TARGETS?

With the latest reports suggesting Tottenham may have cooled their interest in Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko due to the high asking price, could Mauricio Pochettino be looking at other targets?

Ian Ladyman at the Daily Mail certainly thinks so. Ladyman claims that Pochettino wants Morgan Schneiderlin to boost his midfield options ahead of the transfer deadline. Having only played five minutes of Premier League football so far this season, Schneiderlin could well be available. The France international is behind the likes Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba and Michael Carrick in the pecking order at Old Trafford.

 

10:49: UNWANTED JUNK TO BILIC’S TREASURE

There’s been plenty of loan rumours today and we have another one for you.

Frozen out so far this season at Aston Villa, Micah Richards could be upgrading to the Premier League, with reports he could be joining Slaven Bilic at West Ham in a season-long loan deal.

His only appearance for Villa this season was in their 3-1 EFL Cup loss to League Two Luton Town and a move elsewhere will help Roberto di Matteo to reduce the wage bill.

 

10:40: ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST?

Sky Sports resident Spanish football expert Guillem Balague reckons Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala is near to a loan move to Valencia.

Mangala is surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium after the arrival of John Stones and with Pep Guaridola happy to play Aleksandar Kolarov at centre-back if needed.

As well as the Mangala news, Balague has ruled out any interest from the Spanish side in Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo.

 

10.26: BIGGEST COUP OF THE DAY?

It now appears Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is leaning towards a loan move to Bournemouth in favour of Crystal Palace, according to widespread reports.

The England international is understood to have met Cherries boss Eddie Howe yesterday and was pleased with what he heard and saw.

A source told The Sun: “Jack really likes Eddie Howe. He was very impressed with him and has been making lots of phone calls to people
about Bournemouth.”

This could be a great deal for Bournemouth…if they can keep him fit.

 

10:23: DONE DEAL

Turkish giants Besiktas have completed the signing of Leicester City midfielder Gokhan Inler on a three-year deal. Good move for the Premier League champion…

 

10:08: WENGER HAVING THE DAY OFF?

Shkodran Mustafi looks happy after completing his move to Arsenal in a deal that cost the Londoners £35million – but will Arsene Wenger be doing any more business today?

Well, according to today’s newspapers, Wenger won’t be bringing anyone else in today…not many Gunners fans will be too shocked by that news.

However, Jack Wilshere and Serge Gnabry are reportedly set to leave, with Mathieu Debuchy and Chuba Akpom ready to stay and fight, according to Sky Sports.

 

10:00: TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Tottenham are reportedly reluctant to pay over £20million for Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko but it seems the Geordies are sticking to their guns on this one.

Lee Ryder at The Chronicle says that the Magpies’ hierarchy are ready to accept staged payments, however they won’t budge on their £30million valuation of the player.

Earlier, France allowed the player to leave their training camp to complete a move away from St James’ Park.

 

9:56: Thanks, Jim.

Former Bolton left-back Marcos Alonso is close to joining Chelsea in a deal worth around £23million, according to reports.

Since then, Jim White – AKA King of Deadline Day – has revealed that Alonso is having his medical right now ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge.

Looks like Antonio Conte could be a busy man today.

 

9:39: BAGGING A STRIKER?

West Brom have had a bid rejected of €18m for Lazio attacker Keita Balde, according to reports in Italy.

Corriere dello Sport claims that the club’s president Claudio Lotito rejected the offer from the Baggies as it did not meet their asking price.

However, the player is understood to be available at the right price.

 

9.33: BALANCING THE BOOKS

After a number of big-money arrivals – in Championship terms – Newcastle United have let one of their strikers leave on loan.

Emmanuel Riviere has moved to Osasuna for the season after scoring one goal in 23 Premier League appearances.

You could say it hasn’t quite worked out for the Frenchman…

 

9:21: NOW WE KNOW

After his cryptic tweet earlier, Wilfried Bony looks set to join Stoke City on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The Ivorian, who has also been linked with West Ham, has been pushed down the pecking order since Pep Guardiola’s arrival at Manchester City and Sky Sports report that Bony is at Stoke’s training ground.

While the Daily Telegraph’s John Percy says the deal is almost over the line.

 

9:12: FIRST THING’S FIRST

This could be today’s transfer that continues to rumble until the final minutes of deadline day.

The French national team has tweeted that it has allowed Moussa Sissoko to leave their camp to complete a transfer.

Newcastle reportedly want £35million, Tottenham are understood to have bid £16million…this might take all day!

 

8:54: HINTY MCHINTERSON
Oh Wilfried, you’re so cryptic.

The Manchester City forward has made an early bid for ‘Best Twitter post by wantaway striker on deadline day’. West Ham want him, we know that. The Daily Telegraph also claim that Stoke have launched a late bid to sign him. Both make sense. Fight it out, lads.

 

8:52: FOOTBALL365 READERS HAVE NO IDEA
Or do you all know something everyone else doesn’t?

[of_poll name=’Where will Jack Wilshere end up this season?’ id=’168260′]

So of the two clubs Jack Wilshere is supposedly choosing from, only 13% of you think he’ll join Crystal Palace, and an even lower 11% reckon he’s ending up at Bournemouth. Come on, guys.

 

8:47: THE BIGGEST DEAL OF THE DAY GOES THROUGH
This is a big one, folks. Oh, it’s huge. What we were all waiting for. Get your Babelcopters and your purple dildos at the ready. We can probably just end transfer deadline day now, as it gets no better.

Oh yes.

 

8:42: SPURS BID FOR SISSOKO
It is August 31, and we are counting the hours until the #windowslamsshut. Moussa Sissoko did not envisage his summer panning out like this, did he?

The France midfielder enjoyed a stellar Euro 2016, and quickly made it clear that he did not wish to waste his time with the mere mortals in the Championship with Newcastle. No, he would secure a move away. As always, he discussed Arsenal as the ‘dream’ move. Pipedream, more like. Buddy.

Sky Sports do bring us an update on his future however, and a north London club have lodged a bid for him. It is Tottenham, and the offer is £16million. That isn’t quite the £35m Newcastle want. Good luck.

 

8:36: THAT’S THE SOUND OF THE PULIS
If anyone deserves a good deadline day, it’s that man Tony Pulis. He’ll bloody need it, as West Brom have only signed three players this summer. Tottenham are the sole club to have purchased fewer, with two.

Anyway, who is headed to The Hawthorns? According to the Daily Mirror, Odion Ighalo and William Carvalho are their latest targets.

Watford striker Ighalo will cost £32million – this all still feels ridiculous – while perennial Arsenal target Carvalho is available for £21million from Sporting Lisbon. How will the Baggies fund an outlay of over £50m? Well, the sale of Saido Berahino will go towards covering the fees. The forward has enjoyed more high-profile deadline days, but it really doesn’t seem as though his move to Stoke will materialise. That could be a problem.

 

8:32: CHELSEA DEALS
Back to Stamford Bridge now, where Chelsea are clearly panicking a little. Their fans were on Tuesday. They really, really, really need at least one more centre-half.

Captain Transfers himself, Gianluca Di Marzio, brings good tidings. The Italian journalist tells us that Antonio Conte wants Angelo Ogbonna. Yes, he of West Ham fame. The Hammers will almost certainly not sell, not least considering they would have scant time to source a replacement.

The Blues also want Marcelo Brozovic apparently, but he is a midfielder. Concentrate on what you need, Antonio.

 

8:19: HELLO, JEFF
Sky sources are claiming Derby midfielder Jeff Hendrick has arrived at Burnley for his medical ahead of a club record £10million move. Hull were previously in the race, but alas, no longer.

 

8:11: ISCO, ISCO, ISCO, ISCO
News from Spanish daily AS now, who grant us an update on the future of Real Madrid midfielder Isco. Over the weekend, it was revealed that he is likely to leave the Bernabeu this season, at the very least on loan. But where is he off? Blimey, he’s like the Spanish Jack Wilshere. Only better. And less susceptible to injuries. And his choice is between Tottenham and Malaga, not Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

And because this is 2016, another crucial update is provided via social media. The 24-year-old has ‘liked’ a tweet imploring him to return to Malaga. That’s that, then.

 

07:56: WELCOME BACK, DAVE
It wouldn’t be deadline day without a bizarre transfer rumour which comes out of nowhere though, would it? This summer, it comes courtesy of the panic over central defenders at Stamford Bridge.

Basically, Antonio Conte needs another centre-half. Desperately. He really bloody does. And who better than a man who knows the area, knows the Premier League, and plays like he is controlled by a 10-year-old on a PlayStation?

Oh yes. David Luiz is the subject of a ‘surprise’ £32m offer from the Blues, according to pretty much everyone. It’s a bloody shock alright. Just imagine the Brazilian under Conte’s stewardship.

But there’s bad news for fans of reunions…

 

07:44: JACKIE’S CHOICE
Right then. This is going to be fun. Right? Right? Guys?

We have had a few boring deadline days in recent memory, but not this summer. Jack Wilshere is on a one-man mission to ensure Jim White has something to get excited about this evening.

The Arsenal midfielder will be sent out on loan this summer, but where? Juventus were the early favourites, and West Ham were among those linked. However, according to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old has a choice between two clubs.

That choice? Alan Pardew or Eddie Howe. Christian Benteke or Callum Wilson. Sexy Pards or Handsome Howe. Either Crystal Palace or Bournemouth will draw the lucky ticket and enjoy Wilshere’s services for a whole season. Lovely.