All the latest news, gossip and rumours from the January transfer window

 

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The January transfer window has closed with clubs across the Premier League and Europe finalising deals to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season.

 

With injuries mounting, Liverpool entered the market for a new defender by hijacking Chelsea’s interest in Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. The club have signed the 20-year-old centre-back in a £60m deal, though the Frenchman will join in the summer rather than straight away.

 

Crystal Palace were the busiest club on deadline day, completing the club-record £48m signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves. The Norwegian was brought in to replace wantaway striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but a move to AC Milan collapsed after a problem was discovered with the Frenchman’s knee.

 

Chelsea, meanwhile, parted ways with Raheem Sterling earlier in the window, who is gaining interest from clubs such as Tottenham now that he is a free agent. Spurs were also understood to be keen on rivalling Inter Milan for the signature of former Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby and while a move did not materialise the deadline, they are under no time pressure to pursue Sterling.

 

Mikel Arteta hinted at a late move for Arsenal as he asserted the club were “actively looking” at finding a midfield cover for the injured Mikel Merino – and while no incomings transpired, the Spaniard did not rule out also looking to the free agent market. Former Liverpool and Gunners midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with the club and could be an option for Arteta.

 

Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below

 

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Watch live: Transfer Deadline Day with The Independent’s Adam Cleary and Miguel Delaney

 

1 hour ago

 

Why has Cristiano Ronaldo gone ‘on strike’ at Al-Nassr?

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has apparently gone on strike at Al-Nassr amid an extraordinary row over the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s operation of the club.

 

Ronaldo was absent from the club’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh on Monday despite not being injured or suspended, abandoning his teammates in the midst of a tense title race at the top of the table.

 

His reasoning for this latest tantrum relates to Al-Nassr’s transfer activity in the winter window, with the Portugal captain taking issue with supposed preferential treatment towards his club’s PIF-owned rivals.

 



 

Why has Cristiano Ronaldo gone ‘on strike’ at Al-Nassr?

 

Ronaldo, who is paid around £500,000 per day, was absent for Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Riyadh after taking issue with the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s running of the club

 

Will Castle3 February 2026 07:30

 

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2 hours ago

 

Jorgen Strand Larsen completes Crystal Palace switch

 

Crystal Palace have completed the club-record signing of Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves.

 

Strand Larsen has agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract and moves to Selhurst Park in a package worth £48m.

 

Palace made a move for Strand Larsen after they granted Jean-Philippe Mateta’s wish to leave the club in this winter transfer window.

 

Mateta’s proposed deadline-day switch to Serie A giants AC Milan has since fallen through, but it failed to stop Palace’s pursuit of Strand Larsen and they will pay an initial £43m with a further £5m included in the deal in add-ons.

 

Strand Larsen scored 14 goals for Wolves in the 2024-25 campaign to help steer them clear of relegation concerns and will aim to do the same at Palace, who are without a win in 12 matches in all competitions.

Mateta stays at Selhurst Park after deadline day nightmare

 

Jean-Philippe Mateta was hoping for a new challenge this month. His next challenge will be to reintegrate into the Crystal Palace squad.

 

The Frenchman will remain a Palace player for the remainder of the season after his AC Milan move fell through.

 

Juventus asked about signing Mateta on loan with an option to buy but Palace were not willing to sanction that deal.

 

 

Everton sign Chelsea winger Tyrique George on loan to replace as Dwight McNeil move falls through

 

Everton have signed winger Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season.

 

The Merseyside club will have the option to buy the 19-year-old in the summer but in the short term, George gives Everton a replacement for Jack Grealish, who is out for the remainder of the campaign with a foot injury.

 

In addition, Dwight McNeil is staying at Everton after a proposed loan move to Crystal Palace broke down because the necessary paperwork was not submitted in time.

Everton sign Chelsea winger Tyrique George on loan to replace injured Jack Grealish

 

George’s arrival at Everton comes as Dwight McNeil’s proposed move to Crystal Palace falls through

Forgotten Man City man Kalvin Phillips makes loan switch to Sheffield United

 

Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United on loan in his latest bid to revive his career after becoming Manchester City’s forgotten man.

 

The England international has left City to return to the Championship for the first time since helping Leeds get promoted in 2020.

 

United, who are 17th in the second tier, have agreed a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy Phillips in the summer.

Forgotten Man City man Kalvin Phillips makes loan switch to Sheffield United

 

Phillips has made only one appearance for City this season and has not featured in the Premier League for the club in over two years

 

Liam Rosenior says Estevao under no time pressure to return from Chelsea compassionate leave

 

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said Estevao will not be pressured to return to the club after flying to Brazil on Saturday.

 

The 18-year-old returned home after being given compassionate leave to deal with a personal matter and is unlikely to be available for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg away to Arsenal.

 

Asked about a possible return date, Rosenior said: “I don’t know yet. He’s a young kid who has come and been magnificent.

 

“He’s going through a really difficult time for personal reasons, he’s on compassionate leave. I won’t put any pressure on. It has to be right for him and he has to feel like he’s in the right place to perform.”

 

Chelsea put no pressure on Estevao to return from compassionate leave

 

The 18-year-old returned home after being given compassionate leave to deal with a personal matter

Could Arteta turn to Oxlade-Chamberlain?

 

Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently training with the club’s Under-21 squad, having been a free agent since leaving Besiktas.

 

When asked if the 32-year-old could be snapped up to provide injury cover for Mikel Merino, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta smiled and said: “We explore every option.”

 

Cristian Romero hits out at ‘disgraceful’ Tottenham squad depth in apparent dig at hierarchy

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has said it was “disgraceful” that the club only had “11 players available” for this weekend’s visit of Manchester City in an apparent dig at the Spurs hierarchy.

 

“Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were incredible,” Romero wrote on Instagram. “I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available — unbelievable but true and disgraceful.

 

“We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans.

 

Romero hits out at ‘disgraceful’ Spurs squad depth in apparent dig at hierarchy

 

Romero says he played through illness against Manchester City due to the fact Spurs only had 11 players available

Southampton have signed Cyle Larin from Mallorca on loan for the rest of the season.

 

His arrival coincides with the exit of Adam Armstrong to Wolves.

Leicester awaiting confirmation on three more deals

 

Leicester City are still expecting to confirm three more deals for Divine Musaka, Jamaal Lascelles and Dujuan Richards tonight, with all three moving from Premier League clubs.

 

However, confirmation is not expected tonight, per Sky Sports.

 

 

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