Deadline day LIVE! Transfer news and rumours: Fulham complete Broja signing, Veliz leaves Spurs
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the latest transfer news and rumours from around the world of football on January transfer deadline day!
Stick with us below to keep up to date with all of today's transfer rumours and done deals.
Today's key events
The 10 most expensive defenders of all time
As domestic seasons draw to a close all across Europe, managers and sporting directors are now working down their list of candidates for transfers, both those arriving and leaving.
While transactions of on-field playing personnel often dominate the talk of the summer window, the managerial merry-go-round has been making multiple headlines this summer, and big-money fees are being shelled out to sever highly-rated head coaches from their contracts.
However, many top defenders could be on the move too - Chelsea have already signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer - but what about the rearguard members who cost a pretty penny or more?
Here, Sports Mole counts down the most expensive defenders to ever grace the game.
Tottenham could raise £131.6m by selling 10 unwanted players this summer
Tottenham Hotspur could boost their coffers by a staggering £131.6m should Ange Postecoglou do away with as many as 10 unwanted players in the summer transfer window.
The Lilywhites made a record-breaking start to life under the Celtic treble winner, who collected an unprecedented 26 points from his first 10 Premier League matches in charge of the North London giants.
However, Spurs' short-lived title charge quickly petered out, and come the end of the season, their hopes of returning to the Champions League after a one-season absence were also dead in the water.
Nevertheless, Postecoglou - who repeatedly affirmed that finishing fourth was not his ultimate goal - led Spurs back onto the continent with a fifth-placed Premier League ranking, good enough for a path into the Europa League.
Mac Allister addresses Liverpool future amid Real Madrid speculation
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has suggested that he has no plans to leave Anfield amid claims that Real Madrid are keen to secure his signature.
The Argentina international made the move to the Reds from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, and he proved to be a key player for the club during the 2023-24 campaign, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and registering seven assists in the process.
Mac Allister has a contract with Liverpool until June 2028, but there has recently been speculation surrounding the existence of a release clause in his deal.
It is alleged that there is a buy-out fee of €70m (£60m) in the agreement, which is said to have alerted the attention of Real Madrid.
Man Utd 'handed major De Ligt, Kimmich transfer boost'
Bayern Munich have reportedly signalled that Manchester United-linked duo Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Kimmich will be allowed to leave the club this summer for a suitable price.
The Red Devils are planning to move for a centre-back and a central midfielder this summer, and it has been claimed that De Ligt and Kimmich are viewed as targets by the 20-time English champions.
According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern 'urgently' need to make sales this summer in order to boost their squad for the 2024-25 campaign.
As a result, the Munich giants have allegedly placed six players on the transfer list, with De Ligt and Kimmich both available this summer alongside Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and Noussair Mazraoui.
Man United 'delaying' midfielder decision due to Ten Hag uncertainty
Manchester United will reportedly not make a final decision on midfielder Sofyan Amrabat until head coach Erik ten Hag's future has been resolved.
The Red Devils are currently conducting an end-of-season review, but it is understood that the process is close to completion, with a call on Ten Hag's future potentially coming next week.
The 20-time English champions also have a big decision to make when it comes to Amrabat's future, as his loan switch from Fiorentina will officially come to an end on June 30.
Man United have a purchase option worth €20m (£17m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons, and Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade has said that Amrabat is determined to stay in the Premier League.
Arsenal 'planning move for Real Madrid attacker'
Arsenal are reportedly preparing a move for Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz during this summer's transfer window.
After three seasons on loan at AC Milan, Brahim returned to Bernabeu last summer, and he proved to be an important squad player for Los Blancos during the 2023-24 campaign.
The 24-year-old scored 12 goals and registered nine assists in 44 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions, including eight goals and seven assists in 31 La Liga outings.
The Morocco international also managed two goals and one assist in the Champions League, as Carlo Ancelotti's side lifted the cup once again earlier this month.
Man Utd 'identify number one replacement for Casemiro'
Manchester United reportedly view Joao Neves as their number one replacement for Casemiro this summer, with the latter widely expected to leave Old Trafford in the upcoming market.
Casemiro moved to Old Trafford from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, and he impressed during his first season with the Red Devils, but his performances were criticised last term.
The Brazilian still has another two years left to run on his contract, with the option of a further 12 months, but he was left out of the starting XI for the FA Cup final and is wanted by clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are said to lead the race for the 32-year-old, who is Man United's biggest earner, collecting in the region of £350,000 a week at Old Trafford.
Chelsea 'consider reunion' with former goalkeeper as second Maresca signing
Chelsea have reportedly identified one of their former goalkeepers as a potential summer transfer target.
With Enzo Maresca now at the helm, the Blues' recruitment team are focused on acquiring fresh faces ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo had been signed on a free transfer, Chelsea now likely to sell one of their current crop to help boost their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Regardless of how that effort materialises, the suggestion has been that Maresca remains open to adding a new goalkeeper to his ranks.
European giants 'meet with Greenwood' to discuss summer switch
Benfica sporting director Rui Pedro Braz has reportedly met with Mason Greenwood and his father to discuss a switch to the Portuguese giants during this summer's transfer window.
Greenwood is widely expected to leave Manchester United on a permanent basis in the upcoming market, and a number of clubs have been credited with an interest in his services.
Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are among the clubs said to be keen on a player who scored 10 times and registered six assists while on loan at Spanish outfit Getafe during the 2023-24 campaign.
According to Record, Benfica are also firmly in the race, with the Portuguese giants making their interest known ahead of the opening of the summer market.
Arsenal 'open' to letting 26-year-old leave on loan
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is set to be sent on loan this summer if the club is unable to find a suitable buyer, according to a report.
The Gunners are believed to be keen to part ways with the 26-year-old shot-stopper, who has fallen in the pecking order since the arrival of David Raya at the Emirates Stadium.
Ramsdale made just six Premier League appearances throughout the 2023-24 campaign after featuring in every league match for the side in the previous season.
Newcastle United have been heavily linked with a move for the England international, but Eddie Howe's team are unwilling to meet the Gunners' valuation for the 26-year-old.
Manchester United 'open to discussing new contract' with 29-year-old star
Manchester United are reportedly set to open to negotiations regarding a new contract for their captain Bruno Fernandes amid uncertainties surrounding his future at Old Trafford.
After gaining attention in the Primeira Liga, the Portuguese midfielder was signed by the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon for £47m plus add-ons back in 2020.
After a slow start to the 2023-24 campaign, Fernandes made a strong comeback in the latter half and completed the season with an impressive tally of 15 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.
The 29-year-old's season ended with a magnificent no-look assist for Kobbie Mainoo, who tucked away United's second goal of the FA Cup final against Manchester City at the end of last month.
Transfer rumours: De Jong latest, Osimhen to Chelsea, Murillo to Tottenham
New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick supposedly has no plans to let Manchester United-linked midfielder Frenkie de Jong leave the club this summer.
The Dutchman stood firm and refused to entertain the idea of joining the Red Devils in 2022, even when his current club opened the door to an exit and accepted a bid from Man United.
Erik ten Hag - who managed De Jong at Ajax - has never lost sight of his former protege, and there have been suggestions that Barca's volatile financial situation could see Man United reignite their interest.
Xavi's departure as head coach and the appointment of Flick has also thrown some players' futures into uncertainty, but president Joan Laporta has insisted that the Blaugrana are under no major pressure to sell their big-name stars.
Manchester United handed Morten Hjulmand transfer boost
Manchester United have reportedly received a major boost in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand after he confirmed his desire to play in the Premier League.
Hjulmand is widely considered one of the best holding midfield players in Portugal and was a crucial member of the Sporting squad that won the Primeira Liga title last season.
The 24-year-old made 30 league appearances for the Green and Whites during the 2023-24 campaign, contributing three goals and two assists.
He has been named in his national team's Euro 2024 squad and is expected to play a key role in the engine room in Denmark's opening group game on June 16 against Slovenia.
Man City goalkeeper saga takes fresh twist as 31-year-old signs new contract
Manchester City have announced that goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2026.
The 31-year-old joined the Citizens on a free transfer in July 2022 and has since made 34 appearances across all competitions, winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one Champions League.
Ortega has had to play second fiddle behind first-choice shot-stopper Ederson and the majority of his appearances for Man City have taken place in cup competitions.
Nevertheless, the German has impressed when called upon by manager Pep Guardiola and made a crucial contribution to City's Premier League title success at the backend of the 2023-24 campaign.
Arsenal 'make approach' to sign £25.5m La Liga attacker
Arsenal have reportedly made an approach to sign an affordable La Liga attacker but must fend off competition from AC Milan to win the race for his services.
Ukrainian winger Viktor Tsygankov was central to Girona's astonishing 2023-24 season, having a direct hand in 15 goals in 30 matches as Michel's side finished third in the table to qualify for the Champions League.
The 26-year-old registered eight goals of his own in addition to providing seven assists in the top flight, taking his total for the club to 11 goals and 13 assists in 53 games in all tournaments.
Tsygankov rose to prominence with Dynamo Kiev before leaving midway through the 2022-23 season to join Girona, who forked out just €5m (£4.3m) to prise him away from his boyhood club.
Man City midfielder tells Joao Neves to snub Man United move
Benfica starlet Joao Neves has been told to snub a move to Manchester United and join Manchester City by one of his Portugal teammates.
At just 19 years of age, Neves is already a mainstay in the Benfica XI and amassed three goals and two assists in 55 matches during an eye-catching 2023-24 season.
As well as starting 27 matches in the Primeira Liga, Neves played every minute of Benfica's short-lived Champions League campaign and also helped the Eagles win the Portuguese top flight in 2022-23.
On account of his rapid rise to stardom, Neves has been selected to represent Portugal at Euro 2024 and has already won six caps for his nation, earning his first start in Tuesday's 4-2 friendly win over Iceland.
Transfer rumours: Palhinha to Bayern, O'Brien to Everton, Marcondes to Norwich
Bayern Munich have reportedly reignited their interest in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.
The Bundesliga giants came close to signing the Portugal international during last summer's transfer window, only for the proposed switch to Allianz Arena to fall through at the final moment.
Palhinha was again a vital player for Fulham during the 2023-24 campaign, making 39 appearances in all competitions, and he is now with the Portugal squad preparing for Euro 2024.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern have reignited their interest, with the Munich giants confident of securing his signature this summer.
