It’s been a busy January for Premier League clubs but Chelsea have dominated the agenda so far, splashing almost £200m on new talent which includes Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix & Benoit Badashile.
But whilst the Blues have made most of the headlines, other clubs in the top flight have also been active including Arsenal, Liverpool, Wolves & Leeds and we’re expecting many more to follow suit as we creep closer to 31st January.
There’s now just under a week to go until transfer deadline day and we’re joined by football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. He’s provided the current state of play on a number of big deals that we could expect to see go through before deadline day including clubs in England, Scotland, Italy and Spain.
Here we go.
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Hakim Ziyech - Roma & Everton
The transfer market is now into the final days and Chelsea will be probably the busiest team in the last of the transfer window with many possible moves for the Blues. Hakim Ziyech is on the list of many clubs as last minute opportunity, as Everton and AS Roma have asked for the Moroccan star but it’s too expensive for the Italian club at the moment; the race is open, Chelsea will decide on Ziyech and Conor Gallagher future later this week while Newcastle are more focused on Anthony Gordon from Everton than Ziyech as top target for that position, as things stand.
Moises Caicedo - Chelsea, Liverpool & Arsenal
Moises Caicedo is one of the players who’re high on Chelsea list. Graham Potter is big fan, the director Paul Winstanley was at Brighton before joining Chelsea so they know him very well; the problem is… Brighton, because the club doesn’t want to sell Caicedo unless they receive a crazy bid. Not easy at all for Chelsea, despite talks with his new agents; also Liverpool and Arsenal had conversations with player’s agents but it’s really difficult to convince Brighton.
Pedro Porro - Spurs
Tottenham are fully focused on Pedro Porro deal after hijacking Danjuma from Everton. Negotiations will take place in the next hours to get the deal done: Sporting want €45m release clause to be paid while Tottenham have offered €37m plus add-ons, not enough to convince the Portuguese club. Pedro Porro is keen on the move, he’d like to join Tottenham and Conte is pushing to have him as new right back. The two clubs will keep negotiating in order to find an agreement, Tottenham are optimistic and further contacts will be crucial to understand if Porro will become new Spurs player.
Nicolò Zaniolo - AC Milan & Spurs
On the other hand, it’s not easy at all to sign Nicolò Zaniolo. First of all, it’s important to clarify that AS Roma are open to sell Zaniolo and he wants to leave the club; but Roma want €35/40m guaranteed fee while Tottenham have only offered a loan with buy option clause, not enough as of now. Keep an eye on AC Milan, as talks are ongoing with Zaniolo’s agent and the player would be keen on the move. It’s crucial to understand if Milan will offer more than €22m as initial fee because Roma are not gonna accept that money.
Malo Gusto - Chelsea
On the incoming, Chelsea are looking for new right back and Malo Gusto is their favourite option; talks are ongoing with Olympique Lyon as new bid is expected soon after €20m opening proposal turned down. It’s important to add that Malo Gusto has accepted Chelsea’s proposal on long-term contract, personal terms are agreed so it’s about Chelsea and OL as the French club would like to keep the player until June.
Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea
In the midfield, Enzo Fernandez has always been the dream for Chelsea but Benfica have been very clear in a top secret contact between the parties last week: no way for negotiation, it’s €120m as full value of the release clause… or Enzo will stay at Benfica. It’s not an issue on player side, it’s about Benfica position.
Matheus França - Newcastle
Remember to follow Newcastle moves in the final days of the window: they had a €16m proposal rejected from Flamengo for Matheus França, top Brazilian talent who remains on Newcastle list.
Anthony Gordon - Newcastle
Meanwhile, Newcastle are in talks with Everton for Anthony Gordon: negotiations are ongoing after the opening bid made on Tuesday, they are prepared to invest more than £35m on this talent who was on Chelsea list in the summer but then didn’t join the Blues due to Everton’s decision to keep the player at all costs. Newcastle will push again for sure as they want to give Eddie Howe one or two new signings to complete the squad.
Weston McKennie - Leeds, Aston Villa & Bournemouth
Keep an eye on Weston McKennie – his agents also had conversations with Aston Villa and Bournemouth in the last 3 weeks but Leeds United are now pushing to sign him. Leeds have two options: one is Azzedine Ounahi from Angers, the other is Weston McKennie as the American midfielder has already said yes to Leeds project and agreed personal terms, so Juventus’ conditions to let him go are the final step to get it done.
Gerrard Deulofeu - Aston Villa
Premier League return for Gerard Deulofeu is something possible but not easy at all. Udinese want to keep their star until the end of the season, he’s considered a key player; Aston Villa are strongly interested as Deulofeu is really appreciated by Unai Emery, but Udinese and Pozzo family will do their best to keep the player.
Matteo Guendouzi - Aston Villa
One to watch in the final days of the window, while Olympique Marseille will do the same with Mattéo Guendouzi who’s highly rated by Unai Emery but still waiting for an official bid.
Ivan Fresneda - Arsenal & Borussia Dortmund
In the next 2/3 days, Spanish fullback Ivan Fresneda will decide his future as Borussia Dortmund want him and they are pushing; Valladolid hope for Fresneda to stay on loan until June, Arsenal like Ivan but deal depends on Cedric Soares to leave the club, for sure an interesting domino.
Morgan Whittaker - Rangers
Finally, Rangers are expected to try again for Morgan Whittaker: Swansea turned down 1.5M proposal last week for the talented winger who wants Rangers move, it’s up to the clubs but after Cantwell deal, Rangers can try again for Whittaker who would be keen on the move.
The 2023 winter transfer window slams shut on Tuesday 31st January at 11pm GMT, with many clubs expected to be active in the window.
Check out the latest transfer odds & football betting markets throughout the remainder of the window, and the season, with BetVictor.
