West Ham's late capture of Hull forward Jarrod Bowen for an initial £18m is the only big-money move of the lowest-spending deadline day since 2010.
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Friday, January 31, 2020
Odion Ighalo: Manchester United land deadline-day striker after last-gasp search
How lifelong supporter Odion Ighalo became the answer to Manchester United's striker woes in a deadline day twist.
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'Dream move', self-funded transfer & the Mengabus - Scotland's transfer deadline day
A "dream move" to an arch rival, a player apparently paying his own transfer fee, and a binned season ticket - deadline day in Scotland delivers yet again.
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Transfer deadline day best moments: Rose on chippies & Mourinho interviewing himself
BBC Sport looks at some of the funniest, weirdest and most shocking moments of transfer deadline day January 2020.
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Frank Lampard: Chelsea boss says Blues are 'underdogs' for top-four finish due to lack of signings
Chelsea are 'probably the underdogs' for a top-four finish after the Blues' lack of activity in the January transfer window, according to boss Frank Lampard.
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Tony Adams: Former Arsenal captain calls for football to cut ties with gambling companies
Former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams says football needs to cut its ties with gambling companies.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why Manchester United decided to sign Odion Ighalo
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is delighted to have landed Odion Ighalo on a short-term loan deal from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua and believes he will bring a different threat to Manchester United.
The Red Devils boss had been eager to bring in a new striker after Marcus Rashford was ruled out with a double stress fracture in his back, with United short on attacking options having let Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez leave last summer.
After links with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Krzysztof Piatek, United made a last-minute swoop for Ighalo and landed him just before Friday’s 11pm deadline.
Ighalo – who supported United as a child – is currently in China and will fly to Manchester in the coming days, with United paying around £4m for the loan which does not have an option to buy.
Solskjaer had made no secret of his desire to bring in another forward before the transfer window deadline and says Ighalo has the tools to make a big impact.
‘Odion is an experienced player. He will come in and give us an option of a different type of centre-forward for the short spell he’s staying with us,’ explained the United boss.
‘A great lad and very professional, he will make the most of his time here.’
Ighalo enjoyed his time in the Premier League with Watford, scoring 33 goals in 82 appearances before leaving for China.
He had offers from other clubs, with Inter Milan and Tottenham both making contact over a January loan, but he has family in Manchester and has supported the club since he was a kid.
✍ #MUFC can confirm that Odion Ighalo will join us on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.
Welcome, Odion! 🔴
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2020
He revealed in 2016: ‘They were my team growing up.
‘I loved watching Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke on TV. They were my idols and playing at Old Trafford has always been a dream.’
MORE: ‘Portuguese taking over!’ – Bruno Fernandes impresses in first Manchester United training session
MORE: Nani urges Manchester United fans to be ‘patient’ with new signing Bruno Fernandes
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Manchester United officially confirm shock loan signing of Odion Ighalo on six-month deal
Manchester United have managed to secure a last-minute loan deal for Shanghai Shenhua striker Odion Ighalo, with the forward joining on a six-month loan deal from the Chinese club.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made it clear he was keen to bring in a striker to provide cover in the absence of injured frontman Marcus Rashford, who suffered a double stress fracture in his back.
United’s hopes were looking slim, but just before the deadline passed they sealed a loan deal for Ighalo that will reportedly see them pay £4million to Shanghai Shenhua.
Personal terms were easy to agree, with Ighalo eager to leave China and return to the Premier League, though the deal does not include an option to buy him.
The 30-year-old forward is still in China right now and will fly to Manchester in the coming days, with the club determining that he is fit to play and will not need a medical.
Ighalo became a man in-demand this month as a host of Europe’s biggest clubs looked at the Nigerian, with Inter Milan enquiring after their deal for Olivier Giroud fell through and Tottenham also speaking to his camp.
✍ #MUFC can confirm that Odion Ighalo will join us on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.
Welcome, Odion! 🔴
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2020
But he opted for United, having supported the Red Devils as a child, and will be targeting the club’s next away match, against Chelsea, as an opportunity to make his debut having not joined in time to be registered to face Wolves.
Ighalo left Watford for the Chinese Super League in 2017m first playing for Changchun Yatai and then joining Shanghai Shenhua where he scored 10 goals in 17 league appearances.
Outlining the type of striker he wanted United to sign, Solskjaer had explained earlier in the week: ‘We need more goalscorers, we need more goals, that’s a definite. We need someone who will break their nose to score a goal, or their toe.
‘It doesn’t have to be the nice ones. We know that. We’re challenging them, I need to challenge them more, because we can’t just score nice goals.’
MORE: Nani urges Manchester United fans to be ‘patient’ with new signing Bruno Fernandes
MORE: Nathan Bishop joins Manchester United on transfer deadline day
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‘Portuguese taking over!’ – Bruno Fernandes impresses in first Manchester United training session
Manchester United’s January recruit Bruno Fernandes hasn’t taken long to settle into life at his new club, with the midfielder impressing in his very first training session.
Fernandes completed a move from Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford on Thursday in a deal that could eventually rise to £67.7million if various bonuses are activated – one of which requires the playmaker to finish in the Ballon d’Or top three.
He took part in his first training session with the club on Friday and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he could be involved against Wolves on Saturday.
Fernandes was put through his paces at Carrington and quickly got a taste of how fierce the competition is in the Premier League, with the squad enjoying a series of mini games.
The 25-year-old linked up with compatriot Diogo Dalot – who actually drove Fernandes into training in the morning – as well as the side’s Portuguese-speaking Brazilians Fred and Andreas Pereira.
And the quartet came out on top as they battled the rest of the squad in a relay challenge that involved dribbling around cones before kicking the ball into a bucket.
Fernandes looked like he was enjoying himself enormously during the exercise, and Dalot later uploaded a picture to Instagram of their team celebrating their win with the caption: ‘Portuguese taking over training!’
Speaking about Fernandes’ chances of making his debut against Wolves on Saturday evening, Solskjaer told reporters at his pre-match press conference: ‘He’s fit enough to play and he’ll be involved definitely.
‘He’ll be in the squad. Let’s get the training out of the way today.
‘He’s had of course a few hectic days now and even with his little daughter’s three-year birthday yesterday, so I don’t know how much he will be involved, but he’s in the squad.’
MORE: Nani urges Manchester United fans to be ‘patient’ with new signing Bruno Fernandes
MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer promised Josh King he would get Manchester United transfer
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Unai Emery sounds warning over ‘unpredictable’ Mesut Ozil and explains why he did not play him
Axed Arsenal boss Unai Emery has taken a little swipe at former charge Mesut Ozil and warned Mikel Arteta that the playmaker is too ‘unpredictable’ to be a cornerstone of the team.
The German made just one Premier League appearance in the first 10 games of the season, having been frozen out by Emery, though poor results forced him to bring Ozil back into the side.
However, performances did not improve and Emery was sacked soon after, with Freddie Ljungberg taking over on an interim basis before Arteta was handed the job full-time.
Ozil has since become a key part of Arteta’s plans, starting their last six Premier League matches, though Emery has defended freezing out the 31-year-old and insists he is not consistent enough to rely upon.
Asked for his thoughts on Ozil, Emery told Spanish newspaper Marca: ‘He’s a very good player, that’s clear. But the physical demands in the Premier League are high.
‘His performances are unpredictable. He’s a bit below the top players at the moment.
‘Sometimes Arsenal play better with him but other times he doesn’t make such a difference.’
Arsenal have recovered after their poor start to the season under Emery and are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, with the former Sevilla boss feeling there is more to come from Arteta and his side.
Speaking about his successor, Emery added: ‘Mikel has a lot of experience as a footballer and has worked alongside Pep [Guardiola], who is a top coach.
‘He is playing a 4-2-3-1 like ours. Ozil is No 10, and is slowly looking for his identity.
‘But with my departure, the hostile atmosphere was relaxed. The results are not being the best but you have to give it time to do so.’
MORE: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta delivers transfer update on deadline day
MORE: Unai Emery slams Arsenal fans and rates Mikel Arteta’s start as manager
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Frank Lampard says Chelsea are now ‘underdogs’ in top-four race after disappointing transfer window
Frank Lampard could not hide his disappointment at Chelsea’s transfer window and says the club are no longer favourites to finish in the top four despite being six points clear.
The west London club had been expected to have a busy January window, having been unable to make any signings in the summer, with Lampard eager to bring in a new striker as a priority.
However, deals for the likes of Edinson Cavani and Dries Mertens never materialised, while very promising youngster Tariq Lamptey left for Brighton.
Chelsea may not have been active in the window, but their top-four rivals were, with Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes and Tottenham bringing in Steven Bergwijn.
Although Chelsea currently have a six-point gap to the rest of the challengers hunting down the final Champions League berth, he believes they have handed the initiative to their opponents and face a fight to cling onto fourth spot.
‘I think at the start of the season nobody had us in their top four. But the reality is that now … it’s going to be a real big fight,’ said Lampard ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Leicester.
‘Let’s not forget it’s a difficult window. The fact we missed the last window made it a bit more crucial for us. Now we have missed two windows.’
He continued: ‘Look at Manchester United signing a big, big player, a world class player in my opinion.
‘And the teams around us, Sheffield United making fantastic signings, Chris Wilder’s job is incredible because he’s had years to work that group and now they’re adding where he sees fit.
‘Tottenham have signed a few, and they’re not far behind us. And not only have they signed a few, but a couple of players have left where they were towards the end of their contracts and maybe weren’t happy being at the club. Sometimes that’s as important as bringing players in.
‘This is not to talk ourselves down, because we’re six points clear in fourth, [but] now we probably become the underdogs … because the teams around us have strengthened.’
MORE: Tariq Lamptey explains decision to leave Chelsea and join Brighton instead
MORE: Chelsea manager Frank Lampard confirms Olivier Giroud and Dries Mertens deals are dead
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Arsenal sign defender Cedric Soares from Southampton on loan
Arsenal sign Portuguese defender Cedric Soares on loan from Southampton until the end of the season.
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Arsenal confirm loan signing of Cedric Soares from Southampton
Arsenal have confirmed the loan signing of Cedric Soares from Southampton.
The Portugal international becomes the second new arrival this week after Pablo Mari’s transfer from Flamengo was announced on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta has been keen to bolster his depleted defence in January and the experienced Cedirc, who has made 117 Premier League appearances for the Saints, will provide cover for Hector Bellerin.
The Spaniard is still easing his way back to full fitness after a serious knee injury which was followed by a hamstring strain which ruled him out for six weeks.
Ainsley Maitlaind-Niles has deputised at full-back but he is desperate to prove his credentials in his favourite midfield position, while Cedric’s ability to play at left-back also represents a welcome boost for Arteta who has had to rely on Bukayo Saka, nominally a winger, in the absences of Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney.
In his first interview as an Arsenal player, meanwhile, Cedric revealed he cannot wait to get started at his new club having been close to joining the Gunners when Arsene Wenger was still in charge.
He’s our Cedric! ✅
Welcome to London. Welcome to Arsenal.
👋 @OficialCedric pic.twitter.com/U6SSYKDSJU
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 31, 2020
‘It has been a while, to be fair,’ he told Arsenal Player. ‘We were close a few years ago, so it’s not the first time. It didn’t happen that time but now thank God it came true. I’m super happy.
‘Obviously it was important for me in my career to come here. Southampton gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League but obviously it’s amazing this step, to come here and play for Arsenal.
‘To be able to reach this point is unbelievable. I will give all my best every day and every game.
‘I try to be a guy with energy, a player that goes up and down. I like to consider myself a team player and yes, what can I say? It’s difficult when you need to talk about yourself! But again, I will give my 100 per cent for the team and for the fans.’
MORE: Arsenal and Tottenham submit transfer offers to sign Emre Can
MORE: Man City move to beat Arsenal and Barcelona to Brazilian defender Yan Couto
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Transfer news: Done deals in January 2020
Check out all the signings during the January transfer window in England, Scotland and around Europe.
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West Ham try to sign Jarrod Bowen in £20m-plus deal from Hull City
West Ham are trying to conclude a £20m-plus deal to sign forward Jarrod Bowen from Championship club Hull City.
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Kieran Trippier: Diego Costa calls me 'Rooney' at Atletico Madrid and it's stuck
Football Focus visits Kieran Trippier in Madrid to find out how the defender is settling in at Atletico, and hears how team-mate Diego Costa has given him an English nickname.
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Chelsea agree to sell Olivier Giroud to Tottenham but only if they can sign a striker before transfer deadline
Chelsea have agreed a deal with Tottenham for Olivier Giroud, but the transfer will only go through if the Blues can complete a move for Napoli’s Dries Mertens.
Giroud is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes due to a lack of playing time this season, but a move has proved difficult to secure, despite numerous clubs showing an interest.
Spurs are keen to sign the 33-year-old with Harry Kane out injured until at least April, but Chelsea were not convinced about selling the striker to a Premier League rival.
The Blues have relented on that position and an agreement has been reached with Tottenham, but will not let the move go through until they bring in another forward.
Frank Lampard wants to sign Napoli’s Dries Mertens on transfer deadline day, with the Belgian out of contract at the end of the season and the Italian side tempted to cash in on him now.
However, the Sun reports that a deal for the 32-year-old is unlikely to get over the line before the 11pm deadline on Friday.
The Blues have seen an initial bid of £6m rejected for Mertens and do not want to pay much more for a player who turns 33 in May.
Giroud is hoping that will not scupper his exit from Stamford Bridge as he searches for first team football in order to make the France squad for Euro 2020.
Inter Milan have also made a fresh bid for the striker after agreeing a deal for him and then pulling out earlier in the week.
Chelsea were thought to be furious with Inter for messing them about, but now they are back in the market for Giroud and a deal could be resurrected.
Lazio are also interested in signing the veteran striker, but his preference is to stay in London and move to Spurs.
MORE: Chelsea target Edinson Cavani’s transfer to Atletico Madrid off
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will include Bruno Fernandes in Man Utd squad for Wolves clash
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Bruno Fernandes is in contention to make his Manchester United debut against Wolves on Saturday.
The 25-year-old completed his eagerly anticipated move to Old Trafford on Friday and will go straight into the squad ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League fixture.
‘He’s fit enough to play and he will be involved definitely he’ll be in the squad,’ said the United manager at his pre-match press conference.
‘Let’s get training out of the way today. He has had of course few hectic days now, and even his daughter’s third birthday yesterday.
‘I don’t know how much he’ll be involved, but he’ll be in the squad.’
More to follow…
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Bruno Fernandes reveals the role Cristiano Ronaldo played in his Man Utd transfer
Bruno Fernandes has revealed he spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo before finalising his decision to sign for Manchester United.
The 25-year-old, after months of protracted negotiations, finally completed his eagerly anticipated move to Old Trafford on Thursday with United agreeing to pay £46.5million up front.
Fernandes follows the same career path as Ronaldo, who joined the Premier League giants from Sporting back in 2003 when he was still a raw teenager.
The pair are currently international teammates with Portugal and Fernandes confirmed Ronaldo only had good words to say about his former club, despite their current struggles.
Fernandes said: ‘I talked about Manchester United with Cristiano.
‘He just said good things about United. He said he started living his dream here and he started being a really good player here.
‘I think he is happy with my transfer and I also talked with Ole and he said he asked Cristiano about me and he said good things about me which is good.
‘Cristiano plays with me in the national team and he knows me, and for me he’s a good person. I want to follow his steps.
‘Now I want to write my history, different to Cristiano because he is the best player in the world.
‘He has played 15 years at the top and it’s difficult to do this, but I want to give my best to write my name in the history of Manchester United.’
MORE: Bruno Fernandes to wear No.18 for Manchester United after completing transfer
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