Transfer deadline day deals: Chelsea land Enzo Fernandez, Arsenal get Jorginho, PSG's Ziyech loan in limbo

The latest updates from the final day of the winter transfer window

By Francesco Porzio

, Jonathan Johnson

& James Benge

Feb 1, 2023 • 1 min read

The transfer deadline has passed, and we're here to let you know everything that went down during a hectic Tuesday across world soccer. And just because the window is closed that doesn't mean all the action is over, with several potential deals hanging in limbo as we wait to see whether the proper paperwork was filed in time. Tuesday saw Enzo Fernandez complete a record setting deal to move to Chelsea that is expected to be worth around $130 million and Manchester United respond to an injury to Christian Eriksen with a swoop for Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer. The final hours also saw a major surprise with Joao Cancelo leaving Manchester City for Bayern Munich while Arsenal have landed Jorginho from Chelsea.

Failed deals

These are transfers that could be done or may be falling apart before our eyes

Hakim Zyiech to PSG

This has been quite a roller coaster with Zyiech set to join PSG from Chelsea getting into a paperwork mixup. Both teams signed their respective documents but due to them not being exchanged in time, Ziyech's PSG contract may not be valid which would see him stay with Chelsea. There are conflicting reports as to what exactly happened with RMC suggesting that Chelsea sent the wrong documents multiple times causing the deal to not be completed on time. PSG tried to appeal the decision but ultimately the deal was not allowed to go through, leaving Ziyech as a Chelsea player.

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Barcelona may not have enough time to add Julian Araujo
This is a weird one since Barcelona were in on the LA Galaxy right back during the summer window but opted to wait. It seemed like things were set with a loan and an option to buy but that switched to a straight sale for four million dollars. Now, we're unsure if the paperwork was even filed to get the transfer across the line. With Hector Bellerin on the move to Sporting CP, Araujo was slated to provide cover for the first team while also playing for Barcelona B under head coach Rafa Marquez.

Done deals

Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea

It's a deal that took a while but the Blues have agreed to a deal that will be worth around $130 million. Chelsea will pay that deal in six installments with the first being £40 million up front. In keeping with the new trend of Chelsea to avoid financial fair play concerns, Fernandez will sign aa deal that will run through 2031. The Blues have remade the team for Grahm Potter, now it's time to see if he can deliver.

Jorginho to Arsenal
A surprise one this. The Gunners have landed Chelsea's Jorginho having seen Brighton dig their heels in regarding Moises Caicedo. The 31-year-old Italy international is expected to cost around $12.5 million and signs a contract till 2024. Mikel Arteta has tried to sign the player in the past and Jorginho could cover the potential absences of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.

Joao Cancelo joins Bayern Munich
One of the most surprising transfers of the winter transfer window: Portuguese winger Joao Cancelo leaves Manchester City for Bayern Munich. The German club have decided to sign him as Noussair Mazraoui is injured and Benjamin Pavard could leave in the summer as Barcelona are keen on signing him. It will be a loan until the end of the season with a likely option to buy included in the deal. It's not clear yet if Manchester City will now decide to sign another left back before the end of the transfer window.

Weston McKennie officially joins Leeds
It is official. American midfielder Weston McKennie has joined the very American Leeds United on loan until the end of the season. He'll be coached by American Jesse Marsch and will play with two U.S. men's national teammates in Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson. Similar to when he joined Juventus from Schalke, don't expect this to be a short move for McKennie. The plan is for him to stay at the club after this season, with this type of negotiation being the easiest way to make it happen.

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Live updates

Lokonga close to Palace loan

Sambi Lokonga's loan move from Arsenal to Crystal Palace should be finalized very soon. I'm told that there will be no option in the deal, which will see the Belgian head to Selhurst Park for the remainder of the season.

Djed Spence to Rennes on loan is complete

It's a good situation or right place, right time. Rennes has suffered injuries to their top right backs while Spence has found playing time at Spurs hard to come by and Pedro Porro is coming to take the starting role. Now, he'll be able to play weekly in France while developing his skills to contribute to Spurs next season. If Matt Doherty also completes a move to Atletico Madrid, Porro and Emerson Royal would be the options at right back for Antonio Conte to complete the season.

Manchester United are close to adding Marcel Sabitzer

Dealt a massive blow in learning that Christian Eriksen will miss a few months with an ankle injury, Erik ten Hag was looking at short term options in the transfer market and the team will be set to get a solid addition in Sabitzer. Personal term shave already been agreed to as United will look to complete a loan with an option to buy. While Sabitzer didn't play much at Bayern, Sabitzer is a midfielder who was regularly involved in 10 or more goals each season at RB Leipzig. Able to step in from deeper lying positions, deliver set plays, and play as a right back, Sabitzer is a solid addition to the squad during a tough time for the club.

There's still hope for Keylor Navas to move

With Dean Henderson injured, Nottingham Forest needs help in the keeper department while Keylor Navas needs playing time somewhere. The Tricky Trees would like to seal a loan deal but there are negotiations over the salary share that are in PSG's hands. Time hasn't run out for a deal to be completed but it's getting there.

Benfica appear prepared for Enzo's departure

The Athletic is reporting that Benfica have given the green light for Enzo Fernandez to undergo a medical in Portugal today ahead of the transfer window closing. The report also says there is new optimism that an agreement can be struck ahead of the window closing in just over six hours. Getting the medical done now is certainly to work ahead and not leave anything late in case they come to terms. Interesting moments ahead...

One destination for Moises Caicedo has closed

After adding Jorginho, Arsenal are out for the Brighton midfielder. There is still time for something to happen with Chelsea but doors are closing for a January move. While Brighton are fine moving on with the remainder of the season without the Ecuadorian midfielder, their outlook for a European place looks better with him in the fold.

Moves coming for Barca?

It's been a super slow winter transfer window in Spain, but we may see some movement with Barcelona before it closes. Hector Bellerin has arrived in Lisbon ahead of signing with Sporting, per Fabrizio Romano. Barca have now turned their attention to LA Galaxy's Julian Araujo, though a deal doesn't appear imminent on that front despite the player pushing to join. One to keep an eye on in the final hours.

A big loss for LAFC

Chicho Arango will be heading to Pachuca after not getting a new contract at LAFC. With the reigning MLS champions struggling to spend within the league salary cap, this is a move that gives them flexibility but at the cost of their most dangerous goalscorer. In 51 appearances for the club, Arango had 30 goals and 7 assists and has also been getting fringe callups to the Colombia national team now.

An announcement is in sight

The medical is done, the pictures have been taken and even Jorginho's agent has posted a picture of his client in Arsenal gear. It looks like the Italian will wear the No.20 after signing a contract through to the end of next season.

Instagram

Sofyan Amrabat wants a Barcelona move but time is running out

Fiorentina has been steady in not wanting to sell Amrabat but he has posted on Instagram "Go for it now. The future is promised to no one." seemingly pointing to his want to leave the club. It's interesting that Barcelona are even in for a midfielder since they'd struggle to register him but deadline day sees things circling around. It feels like this is going nowhere but file under something to watch.

Villa in for Aouar?

Houssem Aouar is out of contract this summer and has been linked with a number of European clubs. However, he has not left Lyon yet and Aston Villa are now said to be interested in striking a deal with OL to get the 24-year-old now. This is one to watch in the next few hours.

Speaking of Enzo Fernandez...

This is a deal that could go to the final seconds of the window. Benfica has all the leverage as this is about how payments can be broken down but Chelsea are still seeing if this can get across the line. The deal would be quite a get for the Blues even with the fee being a record breaking one.

Conor Gallagher is set to stay at Chelsea

With the only credible bid coming from Everton, the English midfielder will stay for now. According to the Athletic, the club doesn't want to loan him out and other permanent offers have been below their valuation as well. With Jorginho exiting, Gallagher could earn more playing time although that's hard to judge with the Blues pushing for Enzo Fernandez and in the mix for Moises Caicedo as well.

Hull City are close to finally adding an American

Linked to Haji Wright during the summer, the team is now set to add Konrad De La Fuente on loan with an option to buy from Marseille. It's a change for De La Fuente to get his career back on track and it's important to remember that the talented winger is only 21 years old. Stuck in midtable in the Championship, Hull needs and attacking jolt into the side as things are close enough that they can make a late push for promotion if things break their way down the stretch. This move will see his loan spell at Olympiacos terminated early and the permanent option is a quite affordable €1.7 million.

Make that Isco is a no-go

It would've been quite an addition for Union Berlin chasing Bayern Munich but the club has confirmed that the deal is off. Could another suiter come in for Isco at this late stage now?

Looks like Nicolo Zaniolo will take the cake for the wildest transfer day

The want away Roma midfielder was linked to AC Milan and Leeds United although neither club wanted to meet Roma's financial demands. The one team who was willing was Bournemouth in the Premier League but with the team being in the relegation race, Zaniolo didn't want to go there. Now, according to DiMarzo, Zaniolo has accepted the proposal to join but the Cherries can no longer afford the deal after their other winter business.

Adding Dango Ouattara, Darren Randolph, Antoine Semenyo, and Matias Vina with others maybe on the way, the team has gotten stronger this window but it's hard to get someone like Zaniolo across the line with only hours left to get deals done. If Zaniolo stays at Roma, he could also be frozen out ahead of a Summer move too.

Navas no-go?

Nottingham Forest target Keylor Navas has been named in the PSG squad to face Montpellier on Wednesday night. Is this an indication that he hopes of a move away from Parc des Princes have been dashed? There had been suggestions that Sergio Rico could interest Forest instead, but the Spaniard is also in the Parisiens traveling party. Unless one drops out, both could be staying on in the French capital for the remainder of this campaign.

Uh oh, could the Isco deal be on the verge of collapsing?

After what seemed to be a simple free transfer to Union Berlin, something has come up in Isco's medical that could jeopardize the deal. Something to keep an eye on as the day goes on.

Harry Souttar is on the move

A World Cup hero from Australia, Souttar will have the tough job of helping to steady the Leicester City defense moving from Stoke City. Likely to start over Daniel Amartey, this is a move that will continue a solid window for the Foxes. Already with Tete in the fold, Brenden Rodgers is building a team talented enough to avoid the drop in the Premier League but there will be a lot of competition.

A quiet day at Goodison Park so far

Don't expect it to last through until 11 p.m. GMT but right now there's not a huge amount of smoke coming out of Everton, who have that £45 million of cash from Newcastle burning a hole in their back pocket. They would doubtless be keen to spend it to strengthen new manager Sean Dyche's squad, one that seems like it will struggle to avoid relegation from the Championship.

If only someone would take their cash. Conor Gallagher has indicated he does not want to move there whilst Hakim Ziyech, another Chelsea player who had been in Everton's sights, seems to have taken the understandable view that Paris Saint-Germain would be a shrewder move.

Manchester United could be in on Marcel Sabitzer

With Christian Eriksen sidelined for at least a few months, the Red Devils need midfield depth and Sabitzer could be available. After moving from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich, Sabitzer has only gotten sparing playing time but can play central midfield, on the wing, and slot in at right back when needed. As far as short term replacements go, this isn't a bad one if United can get it over the line.

No sign of a Fernandez breakthrough

We're into the last few hours of the transfer window and right now the biggest deal of the window is in the balance with Chelsea yet to find a breakthrough in talks with Benfica over Enzo Fernandez, who has a €120 million release clause. The Blues are understood to be ready to pay more than that if they can stagger the payments over several years but the Portuguese giants are insistent that they want the clause paid in one lump sum. Any collapse of the Fernandez deal is not expected to disrupt the Jorginho deal but could lead to Conor Gallagher staying put.

Elneny sidelined

If you were wondering why Arsenal have been so desperately chasing a new midfielder this announcement from the Gunners offers a little more insight. They confirm that Mohamed Elneny has undergone surgery after suffering a "significant injury" to his right knee.

"Mo has had successful surgery in London and will be ruled out for an extended period of time," they said. "A more detailed timescale will be established once the early stages of rehabilitation have been completed." Arsenal's actions do suggest that they do not expect to see Elneny back much before the end of the season, when the Egyptian's contract expires unless the club take up a 12 month option in his deal.

Sabitzer to the Premier League?

Sky Germany reporting that both Chelsea and Manchester United are exploring the possibility to sign Marcel Sabitzer today. Bayern Munich are currently speaking with the two sides to understand if a deal can happen or not.

PSG resigned to Skriniar in the summer

It appears more and kore likely that Milan Skriniar will stay with Inter Milan until the end of this season when his contract ends and he joins PSG as a free agent. Both clubs are unwilling to compromise to find a deal now and the Italians do not have many options to replace him either. For the moment, this one will only happen come summer.

More details on the Eriksen injury

As Francesco notes below, United won't be ripping up their transfer strategy just in response to one injury, but it is an almighty headache to be without one of their most important players for the remainder of the season, particularly when there is no one in the squad to replace him.

Getty Images

Could Bruno Fernandes do a job in deep midfield? What about Fred, Scott McTominay and Kobbie Mainoo? Or is it time to test the loan market?

Here's our breakdown on the injury that could derail United's season

Will Eriksen injury impact United strategy?

The injury of Christian Eriksen, who will be out until April/May as announced by Manchester United, won't change the transfer strategy of the club. Coach Erik ten Hag spoke to the media ahead of the match against Nottingham Forrest: "It's difficult. You can't make policy on such bad injuries. We have a strategy. We are in a good direction but it has to match our financial frames. We must keep to the strategy".

Saints close on Sulemana

Rennes' Kamaldeen Sulemana is set to join Southampton for around $27 million with the player expected to undergo a medical in France before signing a 4.5-year contract with the Saints. Bottom of the Premier League still, Nathan Jones have been busy this window with the 20-year-old Ghana international their latest arrival.

From Syracuse to Seagrave

An interesting transfer that slipped under the radar overnight as Leicester City raided the NCAA to sign Nathan Opoku out of college. The Ghanaian striker is expected to spend time on loan at Belgian side OH Leuven, who share ownership with the Foxes, before he is ready to move to England.

Done deal: Joao Cancelo joins Bayern Munich

There it is, confirmation of perhaps the shock move of the window. Joao Cancelo has joined Bayern Munich on loan with a €70m buy option.

"FC Bayern is a great club, one of the best in the world, and it's enormous motivation for me to now play alongside these extraordinary players in a team," said Cancelo, who will wear the No.22 shirt. "I know that this club, this team lives for titles and wins titles every year. I'm also driven by the hunger for success. I'll give my best for FC Bayern."

Manchester City, by the way, announced Cancelo's departure with a 51 word statement on the club website, one that did not even reference the numerous trophies he has won and successes he has had at the Etihad Stadium. That falling out with Pep Guardiola must have been a profound one.

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