The January transfer window is set for an epic climax as the deadline approaches with clubs across the continent scrambling to land big money.
Many fans will be watching closely what Chelsea do after reportedly forking out a whopping $184 million for the Benfica star as their wild spending spree continues.
A number of Australians are also on the move – if they haven’t already – with Harry Souttar one of the bigger names earmarked for the new club.
Follow all the transfer deadline day action on our LIVE BLOG below!
CLOSED BIDS: Magpies’ $78m catch confirmed; Chelsea have signed a SEVEN star and the wild spree continues
RUMOR MILL: City ace ruled out after practice; Chelsea’s tempting bid of $184 million has been revealed
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BAYERN MUNICH SIGNED LOAN CANCEL FROM MAN CITY
Bayern Munich have signed Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City, the German club confirmed on Tuesday.
Bayern have an option to buy the Portuguese defender for a reported €70 million (AU$109 million) at the end of the season.
Cancelo, who has scored seven times in 41 games for Portugal, arrived in Munich on Monday and underwent a medical on Tuesday morning ahead of a move that could spell the end of France international Benjamin Pavard’s spell at Bayern.
The 28-year-old Portuguese defender joined City from Juventus for 65 million euros ($70 million) in 2019 and has a contract with the English champions until 2027.
“FC Bayern is a great club, one of the best in the world, and it is a huge motivation for me to play now alongside these extraordinary players in the team,” Cancelo said in a statement released by the club on Tuesday.
“I know that this club, this team lives for titles and wins titles every year. I’m also hungry for success.”
Cancelo won several titles during his career, including league titles with Benfica, Juventus and Man City.
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said the club “thought about (Cancelo) for a while” before making their move, adding: “He fits our system optimally with his attacking style of play and dynamism, as well as his mentality and experience. in our team very well.
“I am confident that Joao will help us in the coming weeks and months as we look to win titles.”
Bayern secured the deadline day signing after Cancelo, who has been named in the Premier League team of the year for the past two seasons, has fallen out of Man City’s first team in recent weeks.
Manager Pep Guardiola has left Cancelo out of the starting line-up in each of the team’s last three matches, with academy graduate Rico Lewis, along with Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker and John Stones, preferred to Cancelo.
Cancelo could make his Bayern debut in Wednesday’s German Cup game against Mainz or Sunday’s away Bundesliga game against Wolfsburg.
— AFP
SOUTTAR’S PL DREAM MOVE COMES CLOSER AS SCOTTISH CLUB SET FOR $5 MILLION FROM AUSSIE’S MOVE
Harry Souttar will become the latest Australian to join the Premier League, signing a $26 million deal with champions Leicester City, who reportedly tabled a $26 million bid for the big defender. The Telegraph.
The Foxes have been consistently linked with the Socceroos throughout, but have stepped up their interest as boss Brendan Rodgers looks to continue to strengthen his squad.
talkSPORT reported and the BBC on Tuesday evening that Leicester and Stoke had “agreed” a fee of $26 million for the defending Australian World Cup champions. Several outlets have reported that Souttar will undergo a medical at Leicester City ahead of his proposed move.
The latest update on Souttar is a major turn of events given Potters boss Alex Neil expected the Aussie to stay at Stoke for the rest of the season.
Although those at Stoke City may be sad to see him move, those at Dundee United, the club where Souttar began his career, will have their champagne on ice.
Daily record claim that if Souttar’s deal with Leicester goes ahead, the Tangerines will receive $5m due to the 20% sell-on clause that was inserted into the deal that brought the Aussie to Stoke in 2016.
‘TENSIONAL CALLS’ FOR PL’S MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYER
A “tense night of negotiations” took place between Chelsea and Benfica but no official deal for Enzo Fernandez has been struck as the Premier League giants’ mammoth bid for the superstar continues.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Benfica president Rui Costa has still not approved Chelsea’s bid for Fernandez, who could become the Premier League’s most expensive player if the British club sign the midfielder.
Chelsea reportedly offered Fernandez a deal worth $183 million.
The 21-year-old, who was part of Argentina’s successful World Cup-winning squad in Qatar, joined Benfica in July but has been heavily linked with Chelsea in recent weeks.
Romano said on Twitter: “Chelsea wanted a breakthrough on the night but nothing so far. Negotiations will continue in the morning. #DeadlineDay madness.”
BACCUS BOUND FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP?
Keanu Baccus’ stunning rise could continue as the Australian midfielder has been linked with a move to England.
According to Sunday Mirror’s Darren Witcoop, new Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney is “interested in doing a deal” for the Socceroos.
Since moving from Western Sydney Wanderers to Scottish side St Mirren, Baccus has impressed several and won a place in Graham Arnold’s 26-man World Cup squad.
He then made his first international start in Australia’s round of 16 against eventual winners Argentina, with the 24-year-old tasked with keeping Lionel Messi calm.
If Baccus were to move to Wigan, he would be thrown straight into the relegation battle as the Latics are bottom of the Championship and four points from safety.
SOCCEROO BECOME THIRD AUSSIES IN MLS
Australia’s MLS contingent has grown from two to three defenders Alex Gersbach sealed a move to the Colorado Rapids from Grenoble Foot 38 in a $461,000 deal Transfer market.
Gersbach now joins fellow Socceroos Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew) and Brad Smith (Houston Dynamo) in the States, with the former Sydney FC product signing a three-year deal with a club option for another year.
Rapids GM Padraig Smith was “delighted” to secure Gersbach.
“Alex is a technical full-back who brings a high level of energy and the ability to consistently get up and down the flank,” Smith said.
“We look forward to welcoming him to Colorado and adding him to our group.”
The 25-year-old has made five appearances for the national team, most recently against Kuwait in 2017.
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