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      When does the 2024 January transfer window close? All info as Premier League teams scramble before deadline day

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      TIME is running out for clubs to get their business done in the January transfer window – and there could be some blockbuster deals in the pipeline.Jadon Sancho was frozen out of the Manchester United first team by Erik ten Hag before returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan.
      Jadon Sancho went on loan back to Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
      Timo Werner completed a shock loan move to TottenhamCredit: Rex
      Ex-Chelsea star Timo Werner made a shock switch from RB Leipzig to join up with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.
      And all eyes are on Brentford’s talisman Ivan Toney as teams circle in an attempt to land his signature this winter.
      But when exactly does the January transfer window slam shut?
      When does the January transfer window close?
      The January transfer window will officially close for Premier League sides THIS Thursday, February 1 at 11pm GMT.
      Read more on January transfers
      However, leagues across Europe have agreed to the same deadline to make sure that deals cannot be completed outside of the window in England.
      This means clubs in La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga also have to wrap up their deals by Thursday, February 1 at 11pm.
      It is the same time for the Championship clubs and the rest of the EFL.
      What notable deals have been completed in the January transfer window?
      Jadon Sancho returning back to Borussia Dortmund from Manchester United has been arguably the biggest deal of the window.
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      However, another huge deal this January is out-of-favour Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips making the loan switch to West Ham.
      Kalvin Phillips made the switch from Man City to West HamCredit: Getty
      Tottenham have also been busy as they recruited Timo Werner on loan as well as beating Bayern Munich to former Genoa star Radu Dragusin for £25million.
      In terms of outgoings, Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen joined Borussia Dortmund during the same week as Sancho.
      And Sergio Reguilon ended his loan spell with the Red Devils before joining Brentford in another loan deal. More

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      Mauricio Pochettino sneaks up on Sky Sports News reporter while live on air during Chelsea training

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO was keen to keep track of what reporters were saying about him today.Sky Sports presenter Paul Gilmour posted a picture on X (formerly known as Twitter) of Pochettino standing close to him and listening in to what the reporter was saying to camera.

      He captioned the post: “When you’re live on @SkySportsNews from Chelsea training and the gaffer sneaks up to listen in.
      “Thankfully I was saying nice things.”
      The likelihood of reporters saying nice things about Chelsea has increased after a more positive run of results for the club.
      Chelsea returned from their winter break with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Fulham.
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      They followed that up with a 6-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
      They then drew 0-0 with Aston Villa on the weekend to earn an FA Cup replay.
      Sky Sports presenter Dharmesh Sheth responded to the post with: “hahaha brilliant!!”
      A Chelsea fan also responded with a laughing emoji.
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      A third said: “Did you interview him after this?” Alongside three laughing emojis.
      Chelsea have the chance to continue a recent upturn in form when they travel to Liverpool on Wednesday.
      Their reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge ended in a 1-1 draw, which will give Blues fans hope against the league leaders.
      Chelsea’s form in the league generally this season has been less than stellar.
      The club currently sit in ninth place – although they are just one point off a Europa Conference League spot. More

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      Virgil van Dijk throws Liverpool future in doubt as he drops huge quit hint after Jurgen Klopp announces summer exit

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      VIRGIL VAN DIJK has thrown his Liverpool future into doubt following Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he will step down as manager.The centre-back has just 18 months remaining on his contract and he refused to commit his long-term future to the club.
      Virgil van Dijk refused to commit his long-term future to LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      The centre-back has impressed in the Premier League this season
      Van Dijk, 32, was asked if he will be part of the next era at Anfield after Klopp leaves at the end of the season.
      He replied saying: “That’s a big question. I don’t know.
      “The club will have a big job on their hands. To replace not only the manager but the whole staff, there are so many things that will change.
      “I’m very curious which direction that will go in but when that will be announced we will see our situation. I can’t say much about it.
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      “Obviously it will be the end of Jurgen Klopp’s era. I am very glad that I am still part of it. That is why I don’t like to speak about it. I am still part of it.
      “That is my main focus and we will see at the end of the season. Hopefully, we have the success that we all dream of and fight for each day and, by then, there will probably be more clarification for what the club wants for the future and then we will see.”
      Several key figures are set to leave the club including sporting director Jorg Schmadtke and coaches Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz and Vitor Matos.
      It appears Van Dijk is waiting to see who arrives as their replacements before deciding his future.
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      But he was adamant the squad’s mentality is still the same following Klopp’s decision to step down.
      He added: “Nothing has really changed. Obviously things will change at the end of the season and in the new season but at the moment it doesn’t and we have to keep doing the same things.
      “It’s easier said than done but I sense the rest of the boys think like that as well and it is the job for me to ensure we keep it that way. Today [Norwich match] was a good day. The manager said it in his press conference: ask everything there and then we go back to focusing on what we want to achieve.

      “That’s how I see it as well. We can speak about the situation about what will happen next year every week but it doesn’t change. It’s noise we don’t need and that’s why we focus on getting the job done and that’s why I feel nothing has changed.
      “It is still the same but at the end of the season there will be different things happening of course but that is for the club to sort out.”
      Former Red Xabi Alonso is the favourite to take over at Anfield following his success with Bayer Leverkusen, guiding the German club to the Bundesliga summit.
      While Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou are also understood to be on Liverpool’s radar.
      Jurgen Klopp has won five major honours with LiverpoolVan Dijk’s illustrious Anfield careerBy Tony Robertson

      VIRGIL VAN DIJK has been one of the best defenders in world football since joining Liverpool in January 2018.
      The Dutchman, 32, became the club captain this season following the exit of Jordan Henderson, though he has always been a central figure of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
      He helped the Reds end their 30-year English league title drought and has also helped to deliver the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.
      Individual awards have also been no stranger to the imperious defender.
      He has been named in the PFA Player of the Year three times, the Uefa Team of the Year three times, Fifa FIFPRO World XI three times and been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season. He also finished runner up in the Ballon d’Or in 2019.
      His Liverpool record, with 246 appearances and 21 goals, has seen him named the Reds Players’ Player of the Season and Fans’ Player of the Season. More

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      West Ham re-open transfer talks to sign Jota and end former Celtic star’s Saudi Arabian hell

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      WEST HAM have re-opened talks to sign ex-Celtic forward Jota from Al-Ittihad.The Portuguese winger, 24, joined the Saudi Pro League champions for £25million in July but has endured a nightmare stint in the Middle East.
      Jota could end his Saudi Arabian nightmare before the end of the windowCredit: Getty
      Al-Ittihad failed to register him to play in the league as the division’s rules state each club is only allowed eight foreign players in their squad.
      It means he has not featured in the Saudi Pro League since the start of September.
      He has played just six times over the last four and a half months, with those appearances coming in the AFC Champions League and Club World Cup.
      SunSport exclusively revealed back in November that his old Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou was weighing up a move for him in the January window as he looks to bolster his Tottenham side.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But now it appears West Ham are eyeing a deal for the attacker.
      The switch would be a loan move if David Moyes’ men are able to get it over the line – after they ended their interest in Nordsjaelland teenager Ibrahim Osman.
      But it is also understood there is a tax issue involved in the deal for Jota which could prove difficult to resolve.
      This is because Jota would have to pay a huge amount of tax to HMRC should he return to Britain having earned a tax-free salary in the Middle East.
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      Jota’s Saudi Arabian nightmareJota moved for £25million from Celtic to Al-Ittihad in the summer – with the Saudi Pro League champions also signing Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.
      Yet his time in the Middle East has been a nightmare as Al-Ittihad decided not to register him for their squad to compete in the Saudi Pro League.
      That was due to the division’s rules that clubs are only allowed eight foreign players in their contingent.
      It means he has played 11 times since leaving Celtic and just six times since September.
      And he now appears to have joined the likes of Jordan Henderson, Aymeric Laporte and Karim Benzema in wanting out of Saudi Arabia.

      Foot Mercato are reporting positive talks have taken place between the clubs and that all parties believe an agreement can be reached.
      Jota, who has scored two goals for Al-Ittihad, is waiting to be given the green light to travel to the UK to undergo his West Ham medical.
      He is just the latest in a line of ex-European-based stars to be disgruntled by life in Saudi Arabia.
      Jordan Henderson left Liverpool for Al-Ettifaq in the summer, only to terminate his own contract and sign for Ajax earlier this month.
      Jota’s team-mate and Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema is being heavily linked with a move away from Al-Ittihad.
      And former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte recently slammed the Riyadh traffic in a scathing assessment of the country’s transport network. More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea on transfer red alert with Barcelona ‘enormously concerned’ about Jules Kounde and ‘ready to sell’

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      BARCELONA are open to selling defender Jules Kounde as they look to fall in line with FFP regulations.The defender has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea in the past, and both could be on alert with the defender on the market in January.
      Kounde is free to leave BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      United have struggled at centre-back this season, with Raphael Varane’s form seeing him drop to fifth choice at times despite being first pick last year.
      Harry Maguire has undergone a career renaissance this season after looking certain to leave last summer – but his future is also unclear.
      Lisandro Martinez has also missed most of the season with injury.
      The extent of United’s injury issues is dominated by the fact that Jonny Evans, 36, has featured 17 times for the club this season.
      READ MORE ON TRANSFERS
      Kounde, 25, joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and played an integral part of their title victory last season.
      But he has struggled to replicate that form this season, and was responsible for two of the goals Barca shipped in their 4-2 defeat to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey.
      United were tentatively linked with the defender last summer amid rumours he was unsettled at the Camp Nou.
      Chelsea were also close to signing Kounde last season, reportedly agreeing a deal to sign the defender last year.
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      Kounde is seen as expendable by BarcelonaCredit: The Sun
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      Ultimately, the player chose Barca, but Chelsea could now make a move for Kounde again.
      According to Spanish outlet Sport, there are “enormous concerns” surrounding Kounde’s form.
      The report also states that the club would be willing to listen to offers for former Chelsea star Andreas Christensen.
      A fee has not been reported but Barcelona signed Kounde for £42.5million and would be looking to recoup as much of that as possible. More

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      Ex-Premier League star Rico says football saved his life after he fell into coma following horror horse-riding accident

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      FORMER Premier League star Sergio Rico has revealed how only his professional fitness saved him after cheating death in a horse-riding accident.The Spanish keeper spent the 2018-19 season on loan to Fulham from hometown club Sevilla.
      PSG’s goalkeeper Sergio Rico spent a month in a coma after an horrific horse-riding accidentCredit: AP
      The 30-year-old said football saved him after cheating deathCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Rico revealed he lost three stone in weight while he hopes to return to PSGCredit: Instagram @sergioricogonzalez1
      One-cap international Rico joined Paris Saint-Germain later that year and is under contract with the French champions until June.
      But the 30-year-old spent 26 days in a coma after suffering neck injuries in Spain last May.
      He was in hospital for 12 weeks, lost over three stone in weight, and has yet to return to PSG’s team.
      Rico previously made 32 Fulham appearances, but could not prevent the West Londoners’ relegation in 2019.
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      He said: “The truth is that I owe everything to football. It is my entire life.
      “A doctor told me that my arteries were more resistant than those of a normal person who didn’t play as much sport as me.
      “I feel very lucky to be alive, because it was a very serious accident and my life was at stake.
      “When I awoke from my coma I asked the doctor if I would be able to play football once again.
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      “He was very surprised, and started saying how I had suffered a serious accident.
      “But he said yes, I could, and I was so relieved I almost jumped out of my hospital bed.
      “Life is very important. Nobody wants to die, but had I been forced to retire from football, I ask myself would it have been worthwhile?
      “While in hospital I had a dream in which I saw my father on the other side of a street to myself.
      “I called him but he didn’t hear me and walked on. It was very emotional, and a clear signal to me that my time was not up. I was in tears.
      “I have since regained my weight. The doctors warned there might be a risk to my balance, but it is perfect.
      “It’s a virtual miracle I am as well as I am.
      “I must not exceed 130 heartbeats a minute. But I will do anything I can do that doesn’t exceed this limit.” More

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      Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal preview: Gunners look to break City Ground curse and close gap on Liverpool – stream, teams

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      ARSENAL face a daunting trip to Nottingham Forest as they look to keep pace with Premier League leaders Liverpool.The Gunners head to the City Ground for a match under the lights on Tuesday night.
      Nottingham Forest ended Arsenal’s title dreams last seasonCredit: AFP
      Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace in their most recent outingCredit: Rex
      And for all of the hosts’ troubles this season – including financial fair play and the sacking of Steve Cooper – they’ll be confident as the they have beaten Arsenal THREE consecutive times at home.
      Nuno Espirito Santo is unbeaten in five of the seven matches he has been in charge for and Man Utd were defeated 2-1 in the last Premier League game at the City Ground.
      As for Arsenal, they have had a ten-day rest since they thrashed London rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Emirates.
      The Gunners sit five points behind top of the table Liverpool and cannot afford more slip ups.
      Read more on Arsenal
      Before the Palace victory, they failed to win in four games.
      What is the team news?
      Nuno will be forced to continue without Ola Ana, Cheikhou Kouyate, Willy Boly, Serge Aurier, Ibrahim Sangare and Moussa Niakhate as they are all involved in the knockout stages of Afcon.
      Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) and Anthony Elanga (thigh) will need to be assessed after missing the 0-0 FA Cup draw against Bristol City, while Divock Origi has been granted permission to join up with Los Angeles FC.
      Nuno Tavares cannot face his parent club, however, star man Morgan Gibbs-White is in line for a recall after being restricted to the bench at Ashton Gate.
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      Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta will be without Mohamed Elneny despite Egypt being knocked out of Afcon, and Takehiro Tomiyasu who is hoping to win the Asian Cup with Japan.
      Jurrien Timber (ACL) and Fabio Vieria (groin) continue their recovery process, while Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice need to be assessed following knocks during the Crystal Palace win.
      However, Thomas Partey is back in full training and could feature for the first time since last year.
      Star Players
      Chris Wood has been in great form of late – but Gibbs-White is the star of the show.
      He pulls the strings in midfield and is Forest’s most creative player, while also impressing with his defensive work.

      With the goals not flowing for Arsenal, it has been their defence which has drawn the most praise.
      William Saliba has been a rock at the back all season and has an eye for a goal against a Forest side that has conceded plenty from set pieces.

      What have the managers said?
      Nuno was happy with a goalless draw with Bristol City in the FA Cup at the weekend due to his team finally keeping their first clean sheet under his leadership.
      He said: “Conceding goals is something that has caused too many problems for us. Every game we score two or three goals, but we are conceding too much.
      “I told the boys this is our first objective in the game, defend well and keep clean sheets because we have quality and talent to solve the game.
      “As a team we must always look to defend well, be compact and not allow chances.”
      Shock reports in Spain suggested that Arteta wants to quit Arsenal and take the Barcelona job.
      The manager shut down those claims in a press conference, telling SunSport: “That’s totally fake news what you read yesterday.
      “I don’t know where it’s coming from and it’s totally untrue. I’m really upset about it.”
      SunSport prediction
      Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
      When is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?

      Arsenal’s huge trip to Nottingham Forest will take place TOMORROW – Tuesday, January 29.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 7:30pm GMT.
      The City Ground is the allocated arena for this match and it can host approximately 30,445 roaring fans.
      Goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka fired Arsenal to a 2-1 win when these sides met on the opening day of the season.

      What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

      Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal will be broadcast LIVE on TNT Sports 2.
      Coverage is expected to commence from at around 7pm – 30 minutes before kick-off
      Fans can also stream the action through discovery+.
      Alternatively, follow SunSport’s live blog as it will have minute-by-minute coverage of the entire match.

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      What are the odds?

      Forest to win 7/1
      Draw 18/5
      Arsenal to win 2/5

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication More

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      Barcelona release Arsenal transfer target after 14 YEARS as he becomes first casualty following Xavi’s exit

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      SERGI ROBERTO is set to become the first “victim” of Xavi’s Barcelona exit, according to reports in Spain.The news comes amid rumours that Arsenal have been tracking the player.
      Sergi Roberto has been at Barcelona for 14 years but could leave this yearCredit: Getty
      Roberto’s Barca contract runs out on June 30 and he was set to see it extended under Xavi’s leadership.
      But with Xavi confirming he will leave at the end of the season, Barcelona’s hierarchy have decided the player is surplus to requirements, according to AS.
      Xavi was an advocate of Roberto, even making him captain at the start of this season, but announced he will be stepping down due to the pressures of being Barcelona coach.
      Announcing his decision, Xavi said: “I’ve thought about the club and above all the players.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      “I have the feeling that I am doing the right thing, that I am acting with common sense.
      “I think the club needs a change of dynamics, the dynamic is very negative.”
      Last summer, the Barcelona youth product agreed to take a hefty pay cut in order to help the club with their financial issues.
      The salary decrease left him as one of the lowest-paid players in the squad despite being at Barcelona for 14 years.
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      Sergi Roberto has not featured much this seasonCredit: The Sun
      Injuries have led to Roberto playing a bit-part role for Barcelona this season, making just six appearances in LaLiga.
      The midfielder is currently missing with a muscular issue, and expected to be out until mid-February.
      Roberto’s favoured position is as a midfielder, but he can also operate at full-back.
      That versatility has seen Arsenal maintain an interest in a potential free transfer for Roberto, given they are looking for a cover in their defence.
      Arsenal have also been left consistently short in the midfield this season following a string of injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. More