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
A lifeline for Cancelo? Man City 'agree' £7.6m defender transfer
Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal to sell out-of-favour left-back Sergio Gomez to Real Sociedad after an unsuccessful two years at the Etihad.
The 23-year-old was a €15m (£12.7m) arrival from Anderlecht two years ago but has failed to make the grade in Manchester, setting up just two goals in 38 matches for the Premier League champions.
Gomez is arguably the only recognised left-back in Pep Guardiola's ranks, but Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol have both been preferred in that area of the pitch in recent months.
During the 2023-24 campaign, Gomez played just 449 minutes in 15 appearances and did not start a single Premier League game, although he featured from the off twice in the Champions League.
Key Lopetegui target 'to undergo West Ham medical' ahead of £40m transfer
West Ham United have reportedly reached an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign defender Max Kilman.
The 27-year-old has spent the last six seasons at Molineux and has developed into as an integral first-team player in recent years, making 151 appearances for the club across all tournaments.
Kilman, a fans' favourite at Molineux, was appointed Wolves captain last summer shortly before signing a new five-year contract and he was a mainstay in Gary O'Neil's side last season.
The 6ft 4in centre-back played the full 90 minutes in all 38 Premier League matches as Wolves secured a 14th-placed finish, ending the campaign five places and six points behind West Ham in ninth.
Man United sent club-record transfer message as £59.3m bid 'rejected'
Manchester United have reportedly seen a second offer for Benfica midfielder Joao Neves rejected by the Portuguese giants.
The 19-year-old is believed to be at the top of Man United's shortlist for an engine room addition in the summer window, having enjoyed a rapid rise to fame in his homeland over the past couple of years.
Neves has already made 75 appearances for Benfica, scoring four goals and setting up three more, while winning one Primeira Liga crown and one Portuguese Super Cup before turning 20.
Thanks to scoring three times and providing two assists in 55 matches for the Eagles in 2023-24, Neves was called up to Portugal's Euro 2024 squad and has already played twice at the tournament, starting their 2-0 loss to Georgia in the group phase.
Barcelona expiring contracts: Who is free to leave next summer and in 2026?
Barcelona have entered a new era under the management of Hansi Flick, with Xavi incredibly being sacked by the Catalan giants at the end of May.
The La Liga outfit will be bidding to challenge on all fronts next season, and it is set to be a fascinating transfer window for the club, with a number of players on course to both arrive and depart.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the Barcelona players whose contracts either expire next year, or in the summer of 2026.
Arsenal's worst-kept secret: Gunners confirm £27m transfer
Arsenal have confirmed their first permanent arrival of the summer transfer window, taking up their option to sign David Raya from Brentford for £27m.
The Spain international - who is currently away with La Roja at Euro 2024 - joined Mikel Arteta's side on loan for the 2023-24 campaign and ousted Aaron Ramsdale from the first XI after just a few weeks.
Raya initially struggled to justify Arteta's bold selection call, leading to criticism of both him and his manager, but he managed to cut out his early errors to become a pivotal part of the Arsenal XI last season.
The 28-year-old won the Premier League Golden Glove with 16 clean sheets and also helped the Gunners reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, saving two penalties in the last-16 shootout win over Porto.
Chelsea join West Ham in race for 'lazy' Brazilian wonderkid
Chelsea and West Ham United are reportedly one of many clubs who are interested in signing a Corinthians prospect.
The Blues and Hammers are no strangers to targeting players from Brazil, some of their respective pursuits proving more successful than others.
In Chelsea's case, they already have Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington on their books, with Estevao Willian due to arrive in 2025.
Meanwhile, West Ham won the race to sign Palmeiras starlet Luis Guilherme earlier in the summer transfer window, the winger expected to immediately challenge for a first-team role.
Defender could leave Chelsea after Maresca arrival?
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is reportedly fighting for his future at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues reportedly paid Leicester City a fee of £45m when signing the left-back in 2020, the hope being that he would eventually become a mainstay in the team.
During 2020-21, Chilwell hinted that could be the case, contributing three goals and five assists from 27 Premier League outings and making 10 appearances during the club's successful Champions League campaign.
However, three years on and the England international has racked up just 106 matches in a Chelsea shirt, providing nine goals and 12 assists.
Fresh start? Real Madrid defender 'on brink' of Napoli transfer
Real Madrid defender Rafa Marin is reportedly on the brink of signing for Napoli.
On the back of a La Liga and Champions League double, there is considerable change occurring at the Bernabeu right now as Carlo Ancelotti attempts to finalise his squad for next season.
While Endrick and Kylian Mbappe are each arriving at Los Blancos, veteran duo Nacho and Joselu have each completed transfers to the Middle East.
With Nacho ending his long-term association with Real, Ancelotti is currently a centre-back short ahead of 2024-25, creating a scenario where an academy graduate could have been promoted into the senior ranks.
High-profile exit? Man United's McTominay 'wanted' by Premier League quartet
Manchester United's Scott McTominay has reportedly attracted interest from four Premier League clubs ahead of the new season.
The 27-year-old was a shining light at points during the Red Devils' troubling top-flight campaign of 2023-24, in which Erik ten Hag's troops finished eighth.
McTominay bagged 10 goals across all competitions last season - seven of those arriving in the Premier League - with only £72m signing Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes netting on more occasions than the academy graduate.
The midfielder has shown a different side to his game on the international stage over the past year for Scotland, scoring seven goals in eight Euro 2024 qualifying matches as the Tartan Army secured a spot at the major tournament in Germany.
Man City suffer transfer blow? Midfield target 'in favour' of shock move
Manchester City's plans to reignite their pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta this summer appear to have suffered a blow.
The 26-year-old joined the Hammers from Lyon for a then club-record £51m in the summer of 2022 and has since established himself as a first-team star at the London Stadium.
Paqueta helped West Ham win the Europa Conference League in his first season at the club and then contributed with eight goals and seven assists in 43 games across all competitions in 2023-24.
The Brazil international was strongly linked with a big-money move to Man City last summer at a time when the Citizens were allegedly prepared to pay around £80m to sign the playmaker.
"It will happen" - Mikel Arteta talks Arsenal transfers and new contract
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is optimistic that the Gunners' transfer activity will "pick up" in the coming weeks as the North London giants await their first incoming of the summer window.
Arteta and co were condemned to another agonising second-placed Premier League finish behind Manchester City last season, despite taking the fight for the title right up to the final day.
Arsenal's 2023 summer window saw the Gunners make three marquee additions to their squad, bringing in Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber in an outlay that cost north of £200m, and the former two became integral players in their debut campaigns.
Twelve months later, and Arsenal have not made a single addition to their squad ahead of the 2024-25 season, even though reinforcements are reportedly being targeted up front, out wide, in midfield and potentially in goal, although David Raya's loan deal from Brentford should be made permanent imminently.
Will he return? Barcelona 'make' major call on Felix future
Barcelona are reportedly not prioritising a move for Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix this summer, with the forward instead giving serious consideration to returning to former club Benfica.
Felix spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Camp Nou, scoring 10 times and registering six assists in 44 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions.
The 24-year-old's loan deal has now officially expired, meaning that, as it stands, he will be back with Atletico for the start of pre-season training towards the end of the month.
Felix has a contract at Wanda Metropolitano until June 2029, but he is unlikely to represent the club again due to his strained relationship with Atletico head coach Diego Simeone.
Camp Nou return? Dani Olmo delivers update on RB Leipzig future
In-demand RB Leipzig forward Dani Olmo has indicated that a decision on his future at club level is unlikely to be made until after Euro 2024.
Barcelona are believed to be interested in re-signing the Spain international this summer, with a €60m (£51m) release clause present in his current contract at Leipzig.
There is also thought to be Premier League interest in the 26-year-old, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City allegedly among his admirers.
Olmo had his injury problems during the 2023-24 campaign, but he still managed to contribute eight goals and five assists in 25 appearances at club level.
Transfer news and rumours: Arthur to Wolves, Ipswich double deal, Cedric future
Juventus outcast Arthur Melo is reportedly attracting attention from a number of Premier League teams ahead of an expected exit from Turin.
The former Barcelona man has already experienced one taste of English football during a loan spell with Liverpool in the 2022-23 season, but he played just once for the Reds due to injury.
Arthur reignited his career with Fiorentina in the 2023-24 campaign, registering two goals and four assists in 33 Serie A games and also helping La Viola reach the Europa Conference League final.
Now in the last two years of his Juventus contract, Tuttosport claims that all of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Newcastle United are interested in bringing Arthur back to the Premier League.
Future England centre- back? Edwards completes move to Southampton
![Peterborough United's Ronnie Edwards with the EFL Trophy on April 7, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/ronnie-edwards.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Peterborough United's Ronnie Edwards with the EFL Trophy on April 7, 2024 [IMAGO]")
Southampton have confirmed the signing of defender Ronnie Edwards from League One side Peterborough United.
The 21-year-old has penned a four-year deal at the newly-promoted Saints, committing him to the project at St Mary's until the summer of 2028.
Edwards was nearly an ever-present for Peterborough in the third tier last season, starting 45 of his team's League One fixtures, scoring once and providing one assist.
Although Darren Ferguson's troops missed out on their ultimate goal of returning to the Championship, the centre-back was part of a Posh side who lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley in April, beating Wycombe Wanderers in the final.
'Genuine interest' - Man United 'keen' on deal for young full-back
Manchester United reportedly have a "genuine" interest in signing Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez during this summer's transfer window to ease their left-back concerns.
Luke Shaw was restricted to just 15 appearances in all competitions last season due to various muscular problems, while Tyrell Malacia did not play at all in 2023-24 due to a knee injury which required two separate operations.
Last month, Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag admitted that Shaw "will never be able to play 60 games in a year" due to the severe leg injury which he suffered back in 2015.
Man United are said to be concerned about the left-back spot heading towards next season, with Victor Lindelof, Sofyan Amrabat, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot all operating in that area of the field last term.
Transfer news and rumours: Braithwaite to Everton, Aarons to Southampton, Oscar to MLS,
Everton are reportedly one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing experienced forward Martin Braithwaite from Espanyol during the summer transfer window.
The 33-year-old was in impressive form for Espanyol during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 22 goals and registering three assists in 45 appearances, helping his side to secure a return to La Liga through the Segunda Division playoffs.
Braithwaite has another year left to run on his contract, but according to AS, there is a release clause of just €600,000 (£508,000) in his deal, which has attracted the attention of teams from the Premier League.
The report claims that Everton are keen on his signature, while Leicester City and Southampton are also keeping a close eye on the forward, who has scored 10 times in 69 appearances for Denmark.
Huge call made? Man United 'send message' over Rashford's future
Manchester United are reportedly willing to drop their asking price for Marcus Rashford, with the attacker potentially leaving Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window.
Rashford could meet with Man United's new sporting director Dan Ashworth next week to discuss his future amid claims that Paris Saint-Germain are lining up a summer offer.
Having missed out on a spot in the England squad for Euro 2024, the 26-year-old is due to return to Man United's Carrington training complex on Monday for the start of pre-season.
However, there is huge uncertainty surrounding his future, with the forward struggling for form during the 2023-24 campaign, managing only eight goals and five assists in 43 appearances.
Shock deal? Barcelona 'eyeing' surprise move for Man United defender
Barcelona will reportedly consider moving for Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer if they are unable to secure another deal for Manchester City's Joao Cancelo.
The Catalan outfit are said to be determined to keep Cancelo at Camp Nou next season, but their well-documented financial issues could mean that only another loan deal is possible.
According to CaughtOffside, Barcelona have an agreement with Cancelo over a return to the club, but a deal is still some way off, with Man City aware of lucrative interest from Saudi Arabia.
The report claims that the Catalan side are putting plans in place if they miss out on Cancelo, and Wan-Bissaka is viewed by the club as a possible signing during the current market.
The most expensive 18-year-olds in football history
In this day and age of gargantuan transfer fees, teenage players switching from club to club for eight-figure sums are commonplace, as was the case with Archie Gray's recent transfer to Tottenham Hotspur from Leeds United.
Only a toddler when Spurs last won a trophy in the 2007-08 EFL Cup, the England youth international was the subject of an accepted £34.9m offer from the North London giants, who left Leeds "heartbroken" by poaching him from the Elland Road ranks.
The Lilywhites - who successfully hijacked Brentford's move for Gray - sent Joe Rodon in the other direction to soften the blow somewhat, and Gray can now proudly claim to have commanded the highest transfer fee for an 18-year-old in British football.
However, the 2006-born phenom is pipped to the all-time post by a handful of Selecao starlets, and here, Sports Mole looks at the most expensive 18-year-olds in football history, using data from Transfermarkt.
Priority signing: Barcelona 'determined' to sign Man City star this summer
Barcelona reportedly view Joao Cancelo as a priority signing this summer, but the Catalan giants are unlikely to be able to acquire the Manchester City defender on a permanent basis.
Cancelo, 30, spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Barcelona, representing the club on 42 occasions in all competitions, contributing four goals and five assists in the process.
The Portugal international was brought to the Catalan side as a right-back, but he played a lot of football at left-back last term due to Alejandro Balde's season-ending injury.
As it stands, Cancelo will be back in pre-season training with Man City later this month, but the defender is not believed to be in the long-term plans of head coach Pep Guardiola.
'Monster' Liverpool bid for Euro 2024 hero 'rejected' during 2021 crisis
Liverpool reportedly tried and failed to poach a Euro 2024 hero during the winter of 2021, despite submitting a 'monster' offer to his current club at the time.
Turkey's Merih Demiral lit up the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig during Turkey's last-16 victory over Austria, where he became the first male defender to score a brace in a major tournament game for 26 years.
The Al-Ahli man scored the quickest goal ever seen in a men's major tournament knockout match, notching with just 57 seconds on the clock - also the second-quickest goal in Euros history - as Austria failed to deal with an Arda Guler corner.
The same combination worked a treat in the second period, where Demiral emulated France's Lilian Thuram at the 1998 World Cup by scoring twice in one match, and he also made an astounding 17 clearances to help keep Austria at bay.
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
