Last updated: 22:25 2/1/13
Transfers
Former Chelsea forward
Daniel Sturridge has
finally completed his much-mooted move to Liverpool on a "long-term contract". The 23-year-old's move - at a
reported cost of £12m - paves the way for Demba Ba to join Chelsea, after the Blues triggered his release clause earlier today. Today's early business sees striker
Angelo Henriquezmove from Manchester United to Wigan on loan until the end of the season. The 18-year-old Chilean international has so far been unable to break into Fergie's first team since joining from Apertura in the summer. Also leaving Manchester United is young striker
Joshua King, who is
off to Blackburn Rovers after a successful loan spell. He made two competitive appearances for United, including coming on as a substitute against Galatasary in the Champions League. The 20-year-old is contracted to 2015, with the option of an extra year. Sunderland striker
Ji Dong-Won has
gone on loan to Bundesliga side FC Augsburg. The South Korean has struggled to get regular playing time at the Black Cats this season.
Official News
Newcastle United have just
confirmed on their Twitter feed that they have given Chelsea permission to speak to
Demba Ba. The Blues have triggered his £7.5m release clause. Consequently, the Frenchman will not line up for the Magpies against Everton tonight. Harry Redknapp has
told the BBC that he intends to bring
Tal Ben-Haim to QPR. The former Chelsea and Pompey defender has been training with the club for some time. For the most up-to-date official news, check out
this Twitter list we've compiled, with all the Football League's feeds.
The Rumour Mill
After yesterday's business, which largely involved rubber-stamping deals which had been discussed the month before, the papers have been speculating about the new deals we'll see in the next few days. Today's
Mirror are reporting that Liverpool are finally closing in on
Daniel Sturridge's signature, for a fee of around £12m. This move seems to be a done deal - a number of media outlets have made similar claims over the last few weeks, and it's no secret that Sturridge is unhappy with the first-team opportunities that he gets at Chelsea.
Sky Sports claims that Sturridge will be at Anfield tonight for Liverpool's game against Sunderland. The Mirror also reports that claims that
Thomas Ince - who was ousted by Kenny Dalglish in his time at Anfield - is on his way back to Liverpool after 18 months at Blackpool, setting the Reds back £4m.
Other reports, however, suggest that no new bids have been submitted for the attacking midfielder. Alan Pardew wants to bring
Peter Odemwingie to St James' Park, according to
the Sun. With Demba Ba looking to be on his way out of the club, Pardew wants to bring the West Brom striker in to replace him for £3m. On the subject of
Demba Ba,
reports suggest that his move to Chelsea is back on, having stalled earlier over wage demands. Newcastle plan on strengthening their squad with Lille right-back
Mathieu Debuchy, according to
journalist Lee Ryder. He claims that the 27-year-old will have a medical tomorrow, and be officially confirmed on Friday. Southampton are apparently fighting a battle to keep their best players at St Mary's. According to the
Mirror, West Ham have had an £8m bid for
Rickie Lambert rejected; meanwhile, ESPN says that they are determined to keep 17-year-old left back
Luke Shaw, who has apparently attracted interest from Arsenal. One player the Gunners won't be signing, however, is fan favourite
Thierry Henry, who
Arsene Wenger has ruled out taking on loan. Harry Redknapp is at it again, according to the
Metro. This time, the
wheeler-dealer is after 31-year-old
Joe Cole, and says that he'll bring him to Loftus Road if "the deal was right for the club". Also after the midfielder is Sam Allardyce, according to
Tony Barret at the Times. After Chelsea's shock loss to QPR this evening,
Redknapp told the BBC that he did in fact try to sign Cole today; however, he says that the midfielder is
off to his "home" club, West Ham, instead. Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed his interest in Brazillians
Leandro Domaio and
Willian, according to
Goal.com. It is understood that AVB was interested in bringing 24-year-old Willian to the club in the summer, but couldn't afford him.
The Sun says that Reading are negotiating with A-League side Central Coast Mariners over a deal for midfielder
Tomas Rogic. The report says that he nearly moved to the Royals in 2011, but was denied a work permit. The
same paper suggests that
Wesley Sneijder won't be heading to England any time soon, as both Chelsea and Arsenal are put off by his wage demands. According to
talkSPORT, another player not heading to the Emirates is Wilfried Zaha, as
Theo Walcott is apparently close to signing a long-awaited new deal.