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Football

02nd Feb 2021

Transfer Deadline Day: The deals you might have missed

Simon Lloyd

Dry those eyes…

The January transfer window is further away now than it ever will be.

None of us may have known what an Ozan Kabak was a matter of hours ago, but the news that he – a promising 20-year-old Turkish defender, by the way – has joined Liverpool from Schalke was undoubtedly the main headline grabber on deadline day.

But never mind that deal. We’re not here for that. We’re here for the other, much-less-talked-about transfers that might just have escaped your attention as the precious seconds slip away on Sky Sports News’ big, fancy countdown clock.

Without further ado, here are some of the deadline day transfers you might have missed:

Joshua King to Everton

King had been linked with a move to Manchester United this time last year, only for his former club to scoff at the asking price Bournemouth were commanding. With just 12 months left on his Cherries contract, he turned down Fulham to join Everton on a short-term deal.

Josh Maja to Fulham

The subject of limited but hilarious on-screen time during Netflix’s documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die, Maja left the Wearsiders for Bordeaux in January 2019. The 22-year-old never really got going in Ligue 1, scoring just twice in 17 appearances so far this season. He has now joined Scott Parker’s side on a loan deal with an option to buy.

Joe Willock to Newcastle

Arsenal saw a number of departures throughout the transfer window, with a number of them ridding the club of deadwood. Willock’s move to St. James’ Park, however, should benefit all parties involved. A talented midfielder, Willock has been unable to break into Mikel Arteta’s in-form team. This move to Newcastle should give him ample playing time, and add a degree of attacking quality to Steve Bruce’s side.

Shane Long to Bournemouth

With Joshua King leaving for Everton, Bournemouth required some cover for their forwards. In Shane Long, they have an experienced striker, though one who has struggled for goals over the past three or four seasons. Still, he should expect to score when given the opportunity in the Championship.

Takumi Minamino to Southampton

Minamino has struggled at Anfield since moving from Red Bull Salzburg, and a loan move to a progressive and attacking Premier League club should be exactly what he needs. A smart move for everyone.

Patrick Roberts to Derby

One of many promising players to move to Derby around deadline day, the still relatively young Roberts has yet to fulfil the potential he showed earlier in his career, but is likely to benefit from the tutelage of Wayne Rooney.

Jese to Las Palmas

After playing for some of the most glamorous clubs on the continent in Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Stoke City, Jese has returned to his hometown club of Las Palmas. The 27-year-old left PSG last month.

Teden Mengi to Derby

Missed this one earlier but it’s been confirmed that Wayne Rooney has used his relationship with Manchester United to take extremely highly rated young defender Teden Mengi on loan.

Cenk Tosun to Besiktas

Another signing involving a Turkish player sees Cenk Tosun return to his homeland with Besiktas from Everton on loan for the rest of the season.

Sami Khedira to Hertha Berlin

A big one by today’s standards, World Cup winner Sami Khedira has returned to his homeland with Hertha Berlin, bringing to an end his time at Juventus.

DeAndre Yedlin to Galatasaray

Galatasaray have confirmed another signing from English football, with US international DeAndre Yedlin signing for the Turkish club from Newcastle on a permanent deal. No ambulance plane involved this time, as far as we’re aware.

Moises Caicedo to Brighton

Highly rated Ecuadorian youngster Moises Caicedo was linked with a move to Manchester United but has now completed his move from Independiente del Valle. We look forward to reports of United trying to sign him for 20 times whatever the fee is in about 18 months’ time.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Blackburn

Yep. We’re still here. We now bring you the news that Taylor Harwood-Bellis, a highly rated Manchester City youngster, will look for first team minutes with Blackburn, who he has joined on loan for the remainder of the season.

Gedson Fernandes to Galatasaray

Remember Gedson Fernandes? The one some people mistook for Bruno Fernandes when it first emerged Spurs were trying to get him? Yeah, him. Things haven’t quite worked out since arriving in north London a year ago, and so he’s now off to Turkey, to join Galatasaray on loan. Things have been complicated by a positive Covid test, which, according to reports in Turkey, say he travelled by ambulance plane to get the deal done.

Troy Parrott to Ipswich 

In search of first-team minutes, Troy Parrott has left Spurs for a rest-of-the-season loan to Ipswich and clearly looks delighted about it.

Mitchel Bergkamp to Watford

Yes, he is related. Mitchel Bergkamp, son of Arsenal’s legendary non-flying Dutchman, Dennis, has signed for Watford subject to international clearance. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder had inked a six-month deal which could be extended and will join the U23 squad.

Winston Reid to Brentford

Just about the only central defender not linked with Liverpool in the last week, Winston Reid has left West Ham on a loan deal with Brentford for the rest of the season.

Glenn Murray to Nottingham Forest

Glenn Murray’s time at Brighton is up. The 37-year-old is reunited with Chris Hughton at Nottingham Forest after allegedly spending the first half of the season on loan at Watford.

Joshua Zirkzee to Parma

Okay, okay. Not technically a done deal but it’s early and we’re excited. Joshua Zirkzee is nearing the completion of his move from Bayern Munich to Parma, report Sky Italy. The Dutch forward has touched down in Milan ahead of a medical and signing his contract. Do any of you know who Joshua Zirkzee is or even care about this news? Quite possibly not.