Transfer news LIVE: Zubimendi close to Arsenal move, Almiron ‘to leave’ Newcastle and Phillips’ future

Adrian Mazilu has completed his transfer to Brighton, and has subsequently joined Vitesse Arnhem on loan for the rest of the season.

The Romania U21 international had previously agreed to join the Seagulls in this window from FCV Farul last summer though he continued to play in Romania for the first half of the season.

Technical director David Weir said, “We have been monitoring Adrian and he has done well in Romania. He now has a new challenge with Vitesse in a new league and environment, and we will continue to track his progress closely.”

There is a clamour for Kalvin Phillips’ services as a host of clubs try to sign the Manchester City midfielder this month.

Phillips has widely been identified as the best central player available on the market right now, and Newcastle are thought to be at the front of the queue among Premier League clubs interested, who include Wolves, West Ham and Fulham.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also monitoring the situation and have registered their interest with City, according to the Telegraph.

His future will come down to who can afford to pay the highest proportion of his sizeable wages until the end of the season.

The recommendation comes from INEOS, and has been backed by the board, who have been looking to fill the role since Richard Arnold left last year.

Although there had been expectation that Jean-Claude Blanc would step in as CEO, his preference is to stay with the wider sporting group owned by Ratcliffe. That led United to Berrada, and it is understood he has been earmarked for months.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has not ruled out the possible sale of striker Armando Broja this January. The Blues are understood to be demanding a fee of £50m for the 22-year-old, who is attracting interest from Wolves and Fulham.

“At the moment, there is no news,” Pochettino said, “We cannot update in any way.

“It’s all so quiet and I think it’s a good thing because we are working really well and there are no surprises. There is no news about players who can leave or come in.”

Chelsea could let Armando Broja go on a permanent deal, reports The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

There are plenty of mid-table clubs interested in taking the striker, who Mauricio Pochettino views as surplus to requirements with Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in his ranks.

Chelsea are not ruling out a move for Paulo Dybala who has long been rumoured with a move to the Premier League.

According to Calcio Mercato, the Blues are monitoring the Roma striker’s situation especially following the sacking of Jose Mourinho as manager.

There are fear over the striker’s fitness but he is understood to be available for a cut-price fee this month and Chelsea need to bring in forward options.

Sheffield United’s loan swoop for Mason Holgate has collapsed after Everton’s last-minute demand for a bigger fee.

The Toffees wanted the Blades to pay £250,000 after it was agreed the defender’s loan at Southampton would be cancelled and he would move to Bramall Lane, the PA news agency understands.

United had also agreed to cover a portion of the 27-year-old’s wages but fourth-bottom Everton wanted a late payment as the Blades are Premier League relegation rivals.

The ex-Real Madrid striker could be making a move back to Europea amid issues with current club Al-Ittihad just six months after his switch to Saudi Arabia.

Chelsea are said to be interested in the forward and Arsenal had been rumoured as potential suitors though the club are not currently thought to be in talks over a move.

Dimitar Berbatov thinks a move to the Emirates pay be the best outcome for both sides.

“Benzema would like playing for Arsenal because of their style of play,” the ex-Manchester United legend told The Sun: “He has an interesting choice to make but right now he’d probably choose to move to a London club.”

Mauricio Pochettino says Cesare Casadei and Diego Moreira will be included in his injury-hit first-team squad having been recalled from loan spells at Leicester and Lyon respectively.

Midfielder Casadei made 22 appearances during his spell with Championship-topping Leicester, while winger Moreira featured seven times for French outfit Lyon.

“We need to assess them both now,” said Pochettino. “They have both come back from loan. They have good potential.

“They are going to be part of our squad and then the decision is going to be every week whether they are part of the team. I think it’s good news because we were suffering too many injuries, so to recover players from loan was possible for us.”

Jurgen Klopp has been vindicated in many a way this season but one of his comments has not aged well. “There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially,” he said in October 2022.

No names were proffered but the sense, including at the Etihad Stadium, was that he meant Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United.

On Tyneside, they must rather wish that was true. Newcastle have deep pockets and vaunting ambition. They also have constraints that mean they are unable to access most of their wealth.

Their transfer window has brought no expenditure thus far, not through a lack of willingness but a lack of leeway within financial parameters. For clubs such as Klopp’s Liverpool and Tottenham, who have long looked to break even and for sustainable models, it may prove that Financial Fair Play is financially working.

Others may see it as the established order’s glass ceiling holding firm, preventing Newcastle from vaulting upwards.