IT’S THE MOST wonderful time of the year — if you work for Sky Sports News that is. For everyone else, January’s transfer deadline is just a hodge-podge of misheard rumours and late-night faxes before we can get back to talking about real football again.
Still it’s only right that we keep an eye on the most important comings, goings, and overheard-on-the-red-line-Luas gossip so stay here for regular updates on the bits that matter (and let’s be honest, probably some bits that don’t).
Christopher Samba has joined QPR from Anzhi Makhachkala for a club record fee of £12.5m, in addition to moves for Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend.
Sunderland have signed Swansea striker Danny Graham on a three-and-a-half-year deal
Norwich announce that Luciano Becchio has arrived from Leeds United
Peter Odemwingie’s move to QPR falls through, despite the striker arriving at their training ground.
Arsenal sign left-back Nacho Monreal from Malaga.
David Beckham is confirmed as a Paris Saint-Germain player. His salary will be paid to a local charity.
Mario Balotelli has completed his move to AC Milan from Manchester City
Stoke City agree a deal to sign Jack Butland
Moves for Kevin Doyle, Aiden McGeady and Stephen Ward all fall through
Ireland’s Rory Delap joins Barnsley on loan until the end of the season.
31 Jan 2013
12:18PM
Warm up the fax machine and calibrate the totaliser — it’s transfer deadline day, your bi-annual festival of hype-driven twaddle.
And nobody does hype-driven twaddle quite like us so if you’ve any interest in Becks to Paris, Becchio to Norwich or Sexton to Racing Metro (wait, we’ve got that one covered), stay right here between now and 11pm.
Do you hear that definitive slam? No? Well, you will when the transfer window shuts.
Let’s get the important business out of the way first, shall we? Here’s Harry Redknapp giving Sky Sports News an interview while leaning out of his car window.
Do you reckon ‘Arry has those windows specially fitted? I mean, I don’t think the windows on my old Punto could handle that much rolling up and down.
31 Jan 2013
12:26PM
How about some actual news? In bullet point form:
David Beckham is signing for Paris Saint-Germain. A press conference has been called for 4pm Irish time this evening.
Norwich have pulled off an old-fashioned switcheroo to bring in Luciano Becchio from Leeds. Steve Morison heads to Elland Road as part of that deal.
Mario Balotelli is expected to be officially presented as an AC Milan player tomorrow (Friday).
31 Jan 2013
12:30PM
ACTUAL NEWS: We don’t want to peak too soon but this might be the biggest transfer we see today. Harry Redknapp’s QPR have signed defender Christopher Samba from Russian giants Anzhi Mahahahahahahahahathanksforthemoneylads.
Only a matter of time before ‘Arry’s leaning out the car window again rhapsodising about a top, top, top lad (Samba’s a three “top” kind of player. Triffic signing).
Actual comments from Harry. You couldn’t make it up:
31 Jan 2013
12:48PM
If you’re waiting for the arrival of TheScore.ie’s very own Jim White, Paul “Fenno” Fennessy, don’t worry — he will be here later to bring you all of the most important news right up until 11pm.
That is, provided we can find him. If you see him out and about, tweet us using the hashtag #wheresfenno. The future of deadline day depends on him.
It looks like it’s only a matter of time before Sunderland announce that they have signed Danny Graham from Swansea.
Wonder if James McClean will celebrate like this with him…
31 Jan 2013
1:06PM
“Mad Mario” Balotelli has been saying his goodbyes at Manchester City as he packs the bags for Milan. Here’s a little bit of his farewell statement:
I think to win the Premier League was a very special moment, and I am proud to have been a part of that.
And the 6-1 win at Old Trafford was also a big moment in my life. I know what that meant to the supporters, the joy it gave them. To have scored in that game and been part of that history will always live with me.
FENNO WATCH: This picture has just landed in TheScore.ie HQ. It may be fresh news on the whereabouts of that international man of transfer mystery, Fenno. Then again, it may be fake. We’re in the process of verifying.
In the meantime, this is our last confirmed sighting. No doubt it was a breakfast of champions.
31 Jan 2013
1:20PM
Here’s some news that will probably only be of interest to you if you support any of the clubs involved:
AC Milan’s Urby Emanuelson has joined Fulham on loan until the end of the season.
Wigan have signed Paul Scharner on loan.
Alejandro Faurlin is off to Palermo from QPR on loan.
Liverpool striker Dani Pacheco is going to SD Heusca of the Spanish second division on loan.
Yacouba Sylla is expected to agree a transfer from Clermont Foot to Aston Villa. “Sylla at the Villa” it is…
Is Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes off to Hoffenheim? Maybe. Just maybe.
31 Jan 2013
1:32PM
TEE TIME: Kieron Dyer’s off to Middlesbrough on a short-term deal, the BBC report.
Hey, Ben Blake with you for the next while. Sky Sports have just informed us that, thanks to their Totaliser, they can reveal that the transfer window has “smashed” the £100 million mark:
News from Norwich City. The Canaries have had yet another bid rejected by Celtic for striker Gary Hooper. They have sealed Luciano Becchio’s signature as the Argentine becomes the latest ex-Leeds player to join Chris Hughton’s side.
All quiet at Tottenham at the moment, we’re told. Not to worry, we’re expecting them to start making moves with about three hours of the window remaining.
Just under eight hours until the window closes now and look who’s en route to the office… #wheresfenno
31 Jan 2013
3:16PM
A man touted as the future England No.1, Jack Butland, has been the subject of much interest this month with Chelsea and Manchester City hoping to sign him from Birmingham City. However, it looks as though Stoke City have won the race to bring in the 19-year-old. Sky Sports are reporting that he will join the Potters but remain on loan at Birmingham for the remainder of the season.
Asmir Begovic to leave for one of the top four in the summer?
31 Jan 2013
3:36PM
A couple of Liverpool-related updates. No arrivals today but two players have left the club. Brazilian goalkeeper Doni has been released while Dani Pacheco joins Spanish second division side SD Huesca until the end of the season.
BREAKING NEWS! Paul Fennessy aka Fenno has entered the building, ladies and gentleman.
31 Jan 2013
3:47PM
News on David Beckham’s move to PSG is imminent. Reportedly, he’s passed a medical ahead of a 4pm press conference where he is expected to be unveiled. Adding Paris to Manchester, Madrid, Milan and LA… not too shabby.
31 Jan 2013
3:58PM
DONE DEAL: Former Ireland international Rory Delap has left Stoke for Barnsley so expect to see his trademark long throw-in at Oakwell in the near future.
Aston Villa confirm they have completed the signing of French defensive midfielder Yacouba Sylla from Clermont Foot.
31 Jan 2013
4:20PM
Paul Fennessy here taking over for the next while.
First piece of news I’ve heard unsurprisingly comes from those infamous Sky sources. Apparently Willian is set to move from Shakhtar Donetsk to Anzhi Makhachkala for £30m.
31 Jan 2013
4:27PM
Norwich City have issued a cold “NO COMMENT” to Sky Sports News, when asked if they had made a £2m bid for Birmingham’s Curtis Davies.
They clearly have something to hide, judging by that response.
31 Jan 2013
4:30PM
A Sky Sports News reporter has just referred to the prospect of “Aiden McGreedy” signing for Wigan.
What will be Jim White’s first cliché be? Here’s Paddy Power’s betting odds:
Jim White’s first cliché on Sky Sports News:
9/4 The Clock is ticking
7/2 Before the window slams shut
5/1 A Sky Sports exclusive
5/1 We can now reveal
5/1 You’ll hear it here first
13/2 Last minute business
8/1 This just in
10/1 Put pen to paper
12/1 Sensational breaking news
12/1 Hold on to your hats
14/1 Spotted at the training ground
14/1 Sky Sources have informed me
16/1 Gary Cotterill outside spurs lodge
20/1 Dismissed reports linking him with a move
20/1 Twitter is in meltdown
25/1 Harry Redknapp’s War Chest
25/1 Sorry Natalie
33/1 Come and get me plea
33/1 Have swooped to sign
33/1 The eleventh hour
33/1 Two phones
33/1 Weighing up his options
33/1 Angling for a move
33/1 Spotted at the airport
33/1 I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve
33/1 Right out of Leftfield
33/1 Are football clubs the only people who use fax machines?
33/1 The two clubs are working tooth and nail to get the deal done
33/1 Actions speak louder than words
50/1 Joey Barton has just tweeted
50/1 Confirmation of last minute Fax
50/1 Turn over a new leaf
50/1 We are now live from Harry’s Car window
100/1 Paddy Power make me paranoid about my clichés
31 Jan 2013
4:47PM
The David Beckham press conference is underway.
The club describe the move as “very special,” saying they’ve been trying to sign Beckham for a long time.
He says he “hasn’t spoken French since he was at school”. He is “excited” about the move and says that his wife and children will be staying in London, because the kids go to school there.
He says he thinks he has had more offers of late than ever before in his career. He says he joined the club because it is “growing”.
31 Jan 2013
4:50PM
Beckham says he “would never want to play for another Premier League club” because of his “history” with Manchester United.
He adds: “I’ve not lost much pace, because to be honest, I never really had any pace.”
It’s been officially confirmed that Heurelho Gomes has left Tottenham to join Hoffenheim.
Meanwhile, Jack Butland has interestingly snubbed Chelsea and joined Stoke City. He will be loaned back to Birmingham until the end of the season.
31 Jan 2013
5:20PM
Here’s David Ginola’s thoughts on that Beckham move, as told to BBC Radio Five Live:
“It is a very nice feeling we have in France at the moment because so many French players are leaving the country to play elsewhere it is good to see David Beckham come to play France.”
BREAKING: It’s been confirmed that Mario Balotelli has already scored his first goal for Milan – in a training game against a local side.
31 Jan 2013
5:46PM
For the umpteenth time, Sky Sports News are showing a Harry Redknapp interview in which he says Chris Samba is “right up there” with the best centre-backs.
QPR have also been strongly linked with Peter Odemwingie and Jermaine Jenas.
31 Jan 2013
5:48PM
According to Sky Sports News, the Aiden McGeady-to-Wigan move has fallen through.
So apparently, Tottenham aren’t working on any more bids for strikers, which means they’ll have to be content with Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor for the rest of the season.
And in other Tottenham news, one of their youngsters, Simon Dawkins, has gone on loan to Villa.
Sky Sports News expert Simon Jordan says he never wanted to sign Ade Akinbiyi, and yet still did, when he was chairman there.
31 Jan 2013
10:33PM
Jermaine Jenas has officially signed for QPR. He says Harry Redknapp was “a big factor” in the signing, despite the fact that the veteran coach almost never him played him at Tottenham.
In other news, Xisco has had his contract with Newcastle terminated.
Perhaps Tottenham were a tad hasty in getting rid of the Brazilian after all…
31 Jan 2013
10:54PM
Harry Redknapp confirms that QPR have signed a second Tottenham player – Andros Townsend – on loan.
He also claims there is no chance of the club signing the hapless Odemwingie. It’s not going to be a pleasant journey back to West Brom for the disillusioned striker, presumably.
As it happened: Premier League transfer deadline day
IT’S THE MOST wonderful time of the year — if you work for Sky Sports News that is. For everyone else, January’s transfer deadline is just a hodge-podge of misheard rumours and late-night faxes before we can get back to talking about real football again.
Still it’s only right that we keep an eye on the most important comings, goings, and overheard-on-the-red-line-Luas gossip so stay here for regular updates on the bits that matter (and let’s be honest, probably some bits that don’t).
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the match. E-mail sport@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
Warm up the fax machine and calibrate the totaliser — it’s transfer deadline day, your bi-annual festival of hype-driven twaddle.
And nobody does hype-driven twaddle quite like us so if you’ve any interest in Becks to Paris, Becchio to Norwich or Sexton to Racing Metro (wait, we’ve got that one covered), stay right here between now and 11pm.
Do you hear that definitive slam? No? Well, you will when the transfer window shuts.
I’m Niall Kelly and I am your friend.
Let’s get the important business out of the way first, shall we? Here’s Harry Redknapp giving Sky Sports News an interview while leaning out of his car window.
Do you reckon ‘Arry has those windows specially fitted? I mean, I don’t think the windows on my old Punto could handle that much rolling up and down.
How about some actual news? In bullet point form:
ACTUAL NEWS: We don’t want to peak too soon but this might be the biggest transfer we see today. Harry Redknapp’s QPR have signed defender Christopher Samba from Russian giants Anzhi Mahahahahahahahahathanksforthemoneylads.
Only a matter of time before ‘Arry’s leaning out the car window again rhapsodising about a top, top, top lad (Samba’s a three “top” kind of player. Triffic signing).
Actual comments from Harry. You couldn’t make it up:
If you’re waiting for the arrival of TheScore.ie’s very own Jim White, Paul “Fenno” Fennessy, don’t worry — he will be here later to bring you all of the most important news right up until 11pm.
That is, provided we can find him. If you see him out and about, tweet us using the hashtag #wheresfenno. The future of deadline day depends on him.
It looks like it’s only a matter of time before Sunderland announce that they have signed Danny Graham from Swansea.
Wonder if James McClean will celebrate like this with him…
“Mad Mario” Balotelli has been saying his goodbyes at Manchester City as he packs the bags for Milan. Here’s a little bit of his farewell statement:
FENNO WATCH: This picture has just landed in TheScore.ie HQ. It may be fresh news on the whereabouts of that international man of transfer mystery, Fenno. Then again, it may be fake. We’re in the process of verifying.
In the meantime, this is our last confirmed sighting. No doubt it was a breakfast of champions.
Here’s some news that will probably only be of interest to you if you support any of the clubs involved:
TEE TIME: Kieron Dyer’s off to Middlesbrough on a short-term deal, the BBC report.
Hey, Ben Blake with you for the next while. Sky Sports have just informed us that, thanks to their Totaliser, they can reveal that the transfer window has “smashed” the £100 million mark:
It’s official. Danny Graham is a Sunderland player.
News from Norwich City. The Canaries have had yet another bid rejected by Celtic for striker Gary Hooper. They have sealed Luciano Becchio’s signature as the Argentine becomes the latest ex-Leeds player to join Chris Hughton’s side.
All quiet at Tottenham at the moment, we’re told. Not to worry, we’re expecting them to start making moves with about three hours of the window remaining.
Elsewhere in North London, here’s ‘Wenger Watch’ thanks to @BeardedGenuius.
Don’t worry Shamrock Rovers fans, he’s not going anywhere…
Just under eight hours until the window closes now and look who’s en route to the office… #wheresfenno
A man touted as the future England No.1, Jack Butland, has been the subject of much interest this month with Chelsea and Manchester City hoping to sign him from Birmingham City. However, it looks as though Stoke City have won the race to bring in the 19-year-old. Sky Sports are reporting that he will join the Potters but remain on loan at Birmingham for the remainder of the season.
Asmir Begovic to leave for one of the top four in the summer?
A couple of Liverpool-related updates. No arrivals today but two players have left the club. Brazilian goalkeeper Doni has been released while Dani Pacheco joins Spanish second division side SD Huesca until the end of the season.
BREAKING NEWS! Paul Fennessy aka Fenno has entered the building, ladies and gentleman.
News on David Beckham’s move to PSG is imminent. Reportedly, he’s passed a medical ahead of a 4pm press conference where he is expected to be unveiled. Adding Paris to Manchester, Madrid, Milan and LA… not too shabby.
DONE DEAL: Former Ireland international Rory Delap has left Stoke for Barnsley so expect to see his trademark long throw-in at Oakwell in the near future.
We’ve just received a tip-off from one of our reliable sources regarding Tom Ince:
Aston Villa confirm they have completed the signing of French defensive midfielder Yacouba Sylla from Clermont Foot.
Paul Fennessy here taking over for the next while.
First piece of news I’ve heard unsurprisingly comes from those infamous Sky sources. Apparently Willian is set to move from Shakhtar Donetsk to Anzhi Makhachkala for £30m.
Norwich City have issued a cold “NO COMMENT” to Sky Sports News, when asked if they had made a £2m bid for Birmingham’s Curtis Davies.
They clearly have something to hide, judging by that response.
A Sky Sports News reporter has just referred to the prospect of “Aiden McGreedy” signing for Wigan.
Freudian slip?
What will be Jim White’s first cliché be? Here’s Paddy Power’s betting odds:
Jim White’s first cliché on Sky Sports News:
The David Beckham press conference is underway.
Beckham says he “would never want to play for another Premier League club” because of his “history” with Manchester United.
He adds: “I’ve not lost much pace, because to be honest, I never really had any pace.”
Becks is ready for his close-up…
(h/t @ClementArzuman)
Forget Beckham! Jim White is on the rooftop of the Sky building.
He feels like he is “on top of the world” and adds that there’s “so much happening on this special day”.
He also tells us to “expect the unexpected”. This really is riveting TV.
All the money David Beckham earns at PSG will go to a children’s charity.
What a nice man!
Sad news for English football fans.
It’s been officially confirmed that Heurelho Gomes has left Tottenham to join Hoffenheim.
Meanwhile, Jack Butland has interestingly snubbed Chelsea and joined Stoke City. He will be loaned back to Birmingham until the end of the season.
Here’s David Ginola’s thoughts on that Beckham move, as told to BBC Radio Five Live:
A move to Tottenham for Leandro Damiao is set to happen, according to The Daily Mail.
SSN, on the other hand, say the move is “unlikely”.
The club could also be set to finally offload David Bentley and Jermain Jenas, in addition to sending Andros Townsend out on loan.
Here’s a video of the Brazilian striker to whet Spurs’ fans’ appetite, in case he does sign.
YouTube credit: MatheusDiasHD
BREAKING: It’s been confirmed that Mario Balotelli has already scored his first goal for Milan – in a training game against a local side.
For the umpteenth time, Sky Sports News are showing a Harry Redknapp interview in which he says Chris Samba is “right up there” with the best centre-backs.
QPR have also been strongly linked with Peter Odemwingie and Jermaine Jenas.
Arsenal appear to have completed what is surely the cheapest non-free-transfer of this transfer window (h/t Gingers4Limpar).
Ray Wilkins’ verdict on Aston Villa’s latest signing, Yacouba Sylla:
Those fine folks at at The Daily Edge have come up with 7 things David Beckham should do in France. Read it here.
Norwich really want to sign Gary Hooper.
Is Luka Modric on his way back to the Premier League? (h/t @MarioBaloltelli)
Reports are circulating that Malaga’s Nacho Monreal – a left-back – is flying to London to negotiate a deal with Arsenal.
It’s surely no coincidence that Kieron Gibbs – the club’s regular left-back – has just suffered a bad injury.
“I’m very happy,” is all Luciano Becchio can tell Sky Sports News about moving to Norwich.
Not the most talkative footballer out there, clearly.
Deary me.
If you just can’t handle Sky Sports News on Deadline Day, then this lot are a decent alternative.
(h/t @mrdanwalker)
Apparently, the Peter Odemwingie move to QPR has fallen through, and the striker is not happy about it.
West Brom wanted Junior Hoilett on loan as part of the deal.
So here’s every transfer that’s been completed so far today:
So this has been confirmed:
Kevin Doyle is on the bench for Wolves tonight, which suggests he’s going nowhere, despite rumours to the contrary.
Just under four hours of Deadline Day remain now.
Given that nothing’s happening at the moment, here’s a quick poll for you, asking:
What’s been the best January Transfer Window deal so far?
Poll Results:
As I mentioned earlier, Mario Balotelli has already scored his first goal for AC Milan.
Check it out here.
It didn’t take them long…
Jermaine Jenas is at QPR. He calls them “a top club” and says he’s looking forward to working with “all the players”.
He’s “confident” they can stay up.
Don’t you just love Deadline Day interviews?
Amy Lawrence is leaving The Guardian, but denies she is set to sign for QPR or any other club.
BREAKING: Jim White is set to begin his shift in the Sky Sports News studio. *plays trumpet*
Let the drinking games begin…
h/t @DavidJEWood
Talks over a £17m Tottenham move for Leandro Damiao are “ongoing” apparently.
Peter Odemwingie has turned up at QPR, despite West Brom saying he hasn’t been granted permission to speak to the club.
A bit cheeky, no?
Most cringeworthy moment of the day so far has probably been Jermaine Jenas being unable to get through a locked door in front of the cameras.
Less than three hours of transfer activity remain now.
We’ve just received this info from one of our sources:
An unnamed Premier League club have apparently triggered a release clause in Mohamed Diamé’s contract.
Meanwhile, Norwich have put in an incredible fifth bid of £9.2m for Gary Hooper. Surely that’s some sort of record.
Celtic have now told Sky Sports News that the Gary Hooper move to Norwich “will not happen”.
They also suggest that both Kevin Doyle and Swedish goalkeeper Viktor Noring could join the Glasgow club.
BREAKING: Lionel Messi has joined West Ham.*
*Not really
h/t @HammersBIH
A lot of effort has gone into Transfer Deadline Day at TheScore.ie, as this piece illustrates.
Liverpool (£20.5m) and QPR (£20.5m) are the two clubs that have spent the most money in the January Transfer Window so far.
Meanwhile, Man City have made the biggest profit (£22m).
Neil Lennon has also confirmed that Gary Hooper is “NOT” leaving the club.
Just over two hours of prospective transfer activity remain now.
There’s been no bid for Mohamed Diame, according to David Sullivan’s son on Twitter.
However, another midfielder, Alou Diarra, has left West Ham to join Rennes until the end of the season.
It was a good old-fashioned unfounded rumour, it seems.
No matter how often Sky describe that Peter Odemwingie story as “extraordinary,” it just doesn’t feel anything more than mildly interesting.
The barrel is being well and truly scraped in that case, I’m afraid.
More words of wisdom from one of our readers:
Just over an hour until the transfer window closes.
Already, the familiar sense of anti-climax has set in.
The Internacional chairman has confirmed that Tottenham’s offer for Leandro Damiao was rejected.
Meanwhile, some fans at Norwich make some very rude gestures in the background during a live report. Tut-tut!
A defiant statement has just been released by Celtic…
(h/t @paddyb_ireland)
So apparently, Tottenham aren’t working on any more bids for strikers, which means they’ll have to be content with Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor for the rest of the season.
And in other Tottenham news, one of their youngsters, Simon Dawkins, has gone on loan to Villa.
Here’s the aforementioned moment those dirty-minded Norwich fans decided to sabotage Sky’s report with their somewhat immature antics.
YouTube credit: 1001greatgoals
(h/t @BuzzFeedSports)
Not much happening in the last few minutes.
Sky Sports News expert Simon Jordan says he never wanted to sign Ade Akinbiyi, and yet still did, when he was chairman there.
Jermaine Jenas has officially signed for QPR. He says Harry Redknapp was “a big factor” in the signing, despite the fact that the veteran coach almost never him played him at Tottenham.
In other news, Xisco has had his contract with Newcastle terminated.
BREAKING: Wolves confirm they have turned down Celtic’s loan bid for Kevin Doyle.
Meanwhile, Jack Butland has officially joined Stoke City.
Less than half an hour to go now before the window closes.
Stoke’s new signing, Brek Shea, seems like a bit of a character.
YouTube credit: mls
Perhaps Tottenham were a tad hasty in getting rid of the Brazilian after all…
Harry Redknapp confirms that QPR have signed a second Tottenham player – Andros Townsend – on loan.
He also claims there is no chance of the club signing the hapless Odemwingie. It’s not going to be a pleasant journey back to West Brom for the disillusioned striker, presumably.
BREAKING: Nacho Monreal has joined Arsenal from Malaga, just ahead of the window’s closure.
According to Sky Sports News, just over £116million has so far been spent in the January transfer window.
The figures is obviously lower than the crazy days, when teams played £35million for Andy Carroll etc.
While everyone else was getting worked up over Transfer Deadline Day, James McCarthy was blissfully unaware of proceedings.
Here’s how Nacho might fit into the Arsenal team (h/t @jonathanliew).
Right, that’s all from me for tonight.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I’m off for a sleep.
Sorry, before I go to bed, here’s one last photo of the increasingly desperate measures Peter Odemwingie is taking to join QPR (h/t @DannyRush81).
VIDEO: Some Norwich fans being immature live on Sky Sports News>
Mario Balotelli has already scored his first goal for AC Milan>
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