Deadline day: Kallstrom to Arsenal, Fabio, Zaha exit Man U
Clear out at Man United as Gunners draw a blank with Draxler, but Swedish midfielder spotted in London
IT'S FRIDAY and the last day of the transfer window, which means only one thing – more rumours flying around than Hugh Grant has love children. So far this month there haven't been many deals to shout about but that's likely to change in the next 12 hours as Arsene Wenger realises Nicklas Bentdner isn't the man to spearhead Arsenal's title challenge, and David Moyes searches for a player who knows how to take a penalty. As ever you can rely on Transfer Talk to keep you updated on the movers, the shakers and the panic purchases.
• First up comes the news from the Daily Mail that Arsenal "are in talks with Kim Kallstrom" over a shock deadline day move, with lunchtime reports that he had been seen at Arsenal's Colny training ground. Having seemingly drawn a blank with Schalke striker Julian Draxler, Arsenal are now pursing 31-year-old Spartak Moscow man. With Aaron Ramsey out for six weeks, the Gunners need some bolstering in the middle of the park and the Mail claims that the experienced Kallstrom – capped 108 times by Sweden – fits the bill. In addition he would only "cost the club a small fee". Arsene Wenger confirmed, "we are trying to bring one body in because of Ramsey's setback," and the BBC reports that he will join on loan for the rest of the season.
• Goal.com confirms that Cardiff City have signed Manchester United pair Fabio and Wilfried Zaha, the former on a permanent deal and the latter on loan. Brazilian defender Fabio failed to cut the mustard at Old Trafford and spent last season on loan at QPR, while England winger Zaha – an Alex Ferguson purchase last year – has never impressed new United manager David Moyes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
• According to Sky Sports Chelsea are "close" to completing the signing of Kurt Zouma from St Etienne. The 19-year-old defender is expected to sign for the Stamford Bridge outfit today before being loaned back to the French club for the remainder of the season. Sky reports that the teenager will pen a five-year deal with the Blues paying out £12.5m to the French club. which would make the Blues the biggest spenders in the transfer window so far. Zouma, linked to a number of clubs in recent weeks, is a France youth international who was a member of their Under-20 World Cup-winning squad last year.
• The BBC reports that Sunderland have wrapped up the signing of Scotland international Liam Bridcutt from Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old midfielder has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Black Cats
• If the Daily Mirror is to be believed Liverpool are set to announce the capture of Yevhen Konoplyanka. Quoting sources in the Ukraine, the Mirror claims that the signing of Dnipro winger is "ready to be completed". Apparently Liverpool MD Ian Ayre is in the Ukraine hammering out a deal, said to be in the region of £16m that will see Konoplyanka earn £60,000-a-week over four-and-a-half years.
• Over at the Daily Star there's the surprising claim that Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois is "set for a stunning move to Real Madrid". Earlier in the week the Belgian shotstopper said he would only return to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid, where is has been on loan for three seasons, if he was guaranteed regular game time. The Star says that alerted Real and they are now poised to take him to the Bernabeu, though it will cost them £20m.
• The Guardian claims that West Ham are "trying to hijack" Fulham's bid to sign Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglu. Apparently the Cottagers were closing in on a £12m deal but that was before Big Sam Allardyce stuck in his oar. The Hammers head honcho has already dipped into the transfer market this month but sees the 25-year-old international as a valuable addition to his squad. A Hammers press conference is scheduled later this morning
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Marty Makary: the medical contrarian who will lead the FDA
In the Spotlight What Johns Hopkins surgeon and commentator Marty Makary will bring to the FDA
By David Faris Published
-
4 tips for navigating holiday season stress
The Week Recommends Balancing pressure and enjoying the holidays can indeed coexist
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published