It was another frantic transfer deadline day on Thursday as clubs across Europe made a number of last-minute moves for new players.
The most eye-catching deal of the final 24 hours came in the French capital with David Beckham joining Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season.
Mario Balotelli completed his £17m switch from Manchester City to AC Milan, while Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland penned a deal at Stoke City.
Arsenal prised open the club wallet to spend £8.5m on Malaga defender Nacho Monreal and Queens Park Rangers brought in Christopher Samba, Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend before Peter Odemwingie was denied a move from West Bromwich Albion, despite his best efforts.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the transfer madness went down on deadline day.
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Good evening everyone. Tonight promises to be an exciting end to this month's transfer window, with plenty more deals to come before the 11pm deadline.
Of course, there have been some big deals today already. David Beckham has completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain on a five-month deal.
As well as that, everyone's favourite Italian striker, Mario Balotelli has returned home to play for his boyhood club AC Milan. I for one feel the Premier League will miss him.
Could Arsene Wenger be about to splash out? The Arsenal boss admitted earlier today that he was in the market and has reportedly had a bid accepted for Malaga's Nacho Monreal.
I reckon Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur could still make the headlines tonight. Tony Pulis loves a deadline-day deal, and Spurs are apparently still looking at bringing in Leandro Damiao.
Almost forgot about Queens Park Rangers for a second! Sky Sports News have suggested that their move for Peter Odemwingie broke down because West Bromwich Albion wanted Junior Hoilett on loan as part of the deal.
I doubt that one is dead. Odemwingie may have burned too many bridges to remain at The Hawthorns.
Sky Sports News also reporting that QPR's move for Peter Crouch is a non-starter. Again, I would stay tuned on that one.
Gary Hooper may yet be a big mover this evening. Norwich City have already had four bids rejected. Could a fifth be in the offing?
DONE DEAL: In the last few minutes Fulham have confirmed the signing of Stanislav Manolev from PSV Eindhoven. The Bulgarian full-back will be on loan for the rest of the season.
Could Everton steal the show on deadline day? A move for Leroy Fer fell through but the Toffees have shown that they've got money to spend.
A few other deals that you may have missed today...
Stephen Warnock has joined Leeds United on a permanent deal.
Jonathan Forte has re-joined former club Sheffield United from Southampton.
And former Liverpool midfielder Mohammed Sissoko joins Fiorentina on loan for the rest of the season.
7.29pmJonathan Forte has re-joined former club Sheffield United from Southampton.
BREAKING: Peter Odewingie tells Sky Sports News: "I have no problem with West Brom, but this is a new chapter in my career. I believe there are a lot of good players here [at QPR] and we can stay up. It's not 100% just yet."
As we reported earlier, Stoke have agreed a fee for Jack Butland. The Birmingham City goalkeeper, who rejected moves to other Premier League clubs, will remain on loan in the Championship for the rest of the season if the deal goes through.
American winger Brek Shea has been granted a work permit though, and will join Stoke after completing a medical yesterday.
One player who won't be moving to the Premier League today is Rolando. The Porto midfielder had been in talks with QPR, but has now signed for Napoli.
Everton are not far away from completing a deal for Barnsley defender John Stones. Sky Sports News says that the fee will be around £3m.
Fulham have already done quite a bit of business today. Pajtim Kasami left Craven Cottage for Pescara earlier, while Urby Emanuelson has joined on loan from AC Milan.
DONE DEAL: One-time Premier League target Michel Bastos has left Lyon to join Schalke 04 on an 18-month loan deal.
BREAKING: Sky Sports News say that Arsenal have now been giving permission to discuss personal terms with Nacho Monreal.
BREAKING: Jermaine Jenas is hopeful of a move to QPR. The Spurs midfielder told Sky Sports News: "It's about playing football and hopefully staying up. I know Harry [Redknapp] well and look forward to working with him again."
Jim White is in the Sky Sports News hotseat from here on in. Deadline day is surely about to go up a notch now. Under three hours left...
BREAKING According to Birmingham Mail reporter Chris Lepkowski on Twitter, West Brom say Odemwingie has no permission to speak to QPR and are getting lawyers involved...
After missing out on John Stones, Wigan Athletic were linked with Liverpool's Suso. The midfielder has said he is going nowhere though.
So, Odemwingie has driven down to QPR of his own accord in an attempt to force through a move?! Quite extraordinary, stay tuned for more news on this one...
Alvaro Negredo starts for Sevilla in their Copa del Rey match tonight. Seems a move to Everton will not go through this time.
Back to Odemwingie, this is what he said prior to the news that West Brom are not happy with him: "I'm very optimistic that I will join QPR."
And here's what West Brom said: "Albion would also like to make clear that Peter has not been given permission to speak to QPR."
BREAKING: Sky Sports News are reporting that Mohammed Diame's release clause has been triggered by a Premier League club!
A host of clubs could be in for Diame. Everton? Spurs? Arsenal? Maybe this news will force other suitors to make bids too.
Back to Gary Hooper for a second, Sky Sports News say that a fifth Norwich bid has gone in, at £9.2m.
Damiao to Spurs is still not dead. Apparently personal terms are agreed but the fee is a stumbling block.
After earlier accepting a bid for Willian, Shakthar Donestk's manager Mircea Lucescu has confirmed the transfer has gone through, according to CNN's Tancredi Palmeri on Twitter.
Deadline day is really starting to hot up now. Diame, Hooper, Odemwingie, Damiao and lots of others could still make big-money moves.
Huerelho Gomes left Spurs earlier today, in case you missed it. The Brazilian has joined Hoffenheim on loan.
After the news that West Brom wanted Junior Hoilett on loan as part of any Odemwingie deal, QPR owner Tony Fernandes as said that the winger is going nowhere.
That Willian deal is not yet official, but was confirmed by Shakhtar's manager. Lucescu said that the midfielder is choosing money over his dream of playing in England. A medical is expected tomorrow after a €35m fee was agreed with Anzhi.
Looks like there will be no signings at Manchester City. Balotelli left today but no replacement is being sought by Roberto Mancini. They do have Tevez, Ageuro and Dzeko.
BREAKING: Neil Lennon has just tweeted: "Contrary to reports there have been no fresh bids for Gary and even if there are they will be rejected..he is NOT for sale". That's that then...
Sky Sports News reporting that Magaye Gueye will leave Everton on loan for the rest of the season.
Seems like another deal is dead in the water. Internacional director Marcelo Medeiros has claimed that Leandro Damiao will not be joining Spurs.
I doubt it will be long before Arsenal confirm Monreal. They could probably do with one more, but will Arsene open his cheque book?
This Odemwingie story is quite sensational. Sky Sports reporting that he turned up at Loftus Road unbeknown to the QPR staff! I still think that a deal will go through before 11pm.
Still nothing from Reading today. They have been linked with a few players in the past few days but nothing on deadline day.
BREAKING: West Ham midfielder Alou Diarra has moved to Rennes on loan for the rest of the season.
It seems that Odemwingie did not in fact enter Loftus Road. QPR knew they did not have permission to speak to him so sent him away. Has the player ruined a deal for himself with this crazy behaviour?
Spanish journalist Graham Hunter has revealed that Liverpool almost signed Isaac Cuenca on loan from Barcelona. The winger is seemingly on his way to Ajax instead.
Nothing on Thomas Ince today interestingly. Was linked with Liverpool, and more recently Reading, throughout the month but all has gone quiet.
No update on Odemwingie as of yet. Rumours that he is in the club shop buying a QPR kit are almost certainly untrue.
Still no confirmation on Butland to Stoke yet. Are the Potters leaving it too late, under an hour and a half left of the transfer window?
I wouldn't bet against a late deal at QPR, perhaps Odewingie. Also reckon a move South of the border could still be in the pipeline for Gary Hooper. Just a hunch.
Well that's what I get for airing my hunch. Sky Sports News now saying that Hooper will definitely be going nowhere. Will Norwich spend their reported £9m elsewhere?
Chris Houghton is still working at Norwich's training ground. It is no secret that he is looking for a striker but I'm not sure who is available, especially with just over an hour left.
Some news from a little earlier. Bolton Wanderers have signed young Leicester City defender Cian Bolger.
Still no update on Odemwingie but it looks like DJ Campbell will be joining Blackburn Rovers.
Not much news coming through at the moment. Perhaps everyone is gearing up for a big last-minute move. What's next for Odemwingie if a deal to QPR doesn't go through. Surely no way back at West Brom after this.
Doesn't seem that Spurs will be looking at any alternatives to Leandro Damiao. Andre Villas-Boas is happy with just the two strikers. It will be interesting if one were to get injured.
Matt Law of the Sunday Mirror has just tweeted that Reading have not given up on Thomas Ince yet. Could that be the inevitable late deal?
Right, that's your lot from me. Jack Prescott is here to take you through to the 11pm deadline and beyond...
Hello there! Are you still with us? It's been a fairly bizarre night so far thanks to the (ahem) antics of Peter Odemwingie down at Loftus Road. There's now just one hour to go until the window shuts so hold on to your hats!
There's been more movement at Villa Park as midfielder Simon Dawkins joins the Premier League strugglers on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. That deal will run until the end of the season.
Dawkins is Aston Villa's second signing today following the capture of Yacouba Sylla from Clermont Foot. Meanwhile, Stephen Warnock has left the Midlands club to join Leeds United on a permanent deal.
Sky Sports News are claiming that Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas has signed a permanent deal with Queens Park Rangers. It's believed that the former England international has penned an 18-month contract. Andros Townsend is also thought to be nearing a move to Loftus Road. As expected, Harry Redknapp has been a busy boy today.
It's all been a bit quiet at White Hart Lane today, hasn't it? Spurs have been synonymous with sensational last-minute deals in recent seasons but it would appear that they will not be boosting their squad tonight.
As far as we're aware, Peter Odemwingie is still mooching around outside Loftus Road desperately trying to fix himself a move to QPR.
Believe it or not, there has actually been a football match played tonight at the King Power Stadium as Leicester City beat Wolves 2-1 in the Championship. That result has moved Nigel Pearson's side seven points behind league leaders Cardiff City. However, Wolves are now winless in their last eight matches in all competitions.
Speaking of Wolves, it's understood that Kevin Doyle will not be leaving the club tonight. The striker had been linked with a move to Celtic if the SPL champions sold Gary Hooper to Norwich City.
BREAKING! Everton have completed the signing of Barnsley defender John Stones for an undisclosed fee.
Stones has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Goodison Park. The full-back was close to moving to Wigan Athletic, but Everton have swooped for Stones.
Some interesting words from Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony now. The Posh were expected to sell George Boyd to Nottingham Forest today, but Forest have since pulled out of the deal. MacAnthony ain't happy...
MacAnthony has tweeted: "What is with NFFC messing around with my club.1st my manager,now after putting Boyd through a medical since 10am this morning, their owner has cxxx the deal at last minute when their manager wants him. Farcical & ridiculous. Apparently after playing 300 games in 6 and half years, his vision isn't 20/20 so no deal. Total disgrace the whole thing."
Word from Stoke City now as Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones are all but certain to stay with the club. Crouch had been linked with a move to QPR, while Jones was thought to be on Aston Villa's radar.
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan tells Sky Sports News: "No [Diame] bid today from any club, let alone one which invokes his release clause."
Any potential move from Norwich for Celtic striker Gary Hooper looks to be off as Canaries chief executive David McNally tweets: "Not expecting to do any further business today".
BREAKING! Jermaine Jenas completes his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Queens Park Rangers.
Jenas tells Sky Sports News: "There's no time to waste. We need to hit the ground running."
As mentioned earlier, Jenas has signed an 18-month deal with the Premier League strugglers.
BREAKING! West Ham midfielder Alou Diarra joins French club Rennes on loan until the end of the season.
BREAKING! Jack Butland signs for Stoke City from Birmingham City.
You have to say that's a great move for Stoke. Butland will be returning to Birmingham until the end of the season, but the Potters have got themselves a real gem there.
More movement at Stoke as they let Matthew Upson join Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season. That could be a canny bit of business from Gus Poyet down on the coast. Upson has bags of experience.
Poyet: "We wanted a player in that position. We had the chance to bring a player of his quality and went for it."
One of the great Premier League flops of recent times, Xisco, has had his contract at Newcastle United terminated by mutual consent. You can almost hear the sobs in the North-East...
It's friends reunited at Crystal Palace as Kevin Phillips links up with former manager Ian Holloway. The veteran striker will stay with the Championship club on loan until the end of the season.
Something of a development in the Kevin Doyle to Celtic story. Wolves have since revealed that they rejected an approach from the SPL champions to sign the striker on a six-month loan deal.
We have 15 minutes until the transfer window shuts! What is going to happen in that time?!
Arsenal have yet to complete the signing of Malaga defender Nacho Monreal, but it is understood that they are trying to get the relevant paperwork completed in the next few minutes. Let's hope there's plenty of ink in the printer...
BREAKING! There's another arrival at Fulham as Ajax defender Eyong Enoh joins on loan until the end of the season. The Cottagers have the option to sign him permanently in the summer.
If you hear a loud bang at 11pm, that will be Jim White's head exploding.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp on Sky Sports News: "It's been frustrating, some of it. I think [Odemwingie] felt a deal was agreed between the clubs but it hadn't. I feel sorry for the lad how it's turned out. I think the wires got crossed somehow."
Redknapp has also claimed that it is too late for a deal to be done with regards to Odemwingie.
Xisco doesn't waste any time does he? The midfielder has joined Spanish second division side Cordoba minutes after his contract at Newcastle was cancelled.
Jack Butland on Sky Sports News: "Anything can happen in football. I'm glad something has happened now. I'm lucky to have come to a great club. [Stoke] ticked all the boxes for me. The fanbase is incredible, the manager, the coaching staff - it's all very professional."
There's some movement at Everton now, but it's a departure as Magaye Gueye joins French club Brest on loan for the rest of the season.
THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS SHUT!
There it is! The January transfer window is closed! However, if you think that's the end of any deals then you're wrong. There will be clubs up and down the country frantically sorting out any paperwork to push through their late deals.
To recap on the day's transfer action: David Beckham added some stardust to deadline day as he completed a move to French club Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season. There's been an added twist to that deal with Becks revealing that his wages will be going to a local children's charity.
Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli has said goodbye to Manchester City with a £17m switch to AC Milan. Oh, how we will miss his antics.
BREAKING! Arsenal complete the signing of Malaga defender Nacho Monreal on a long-term deal. It is believed that the Gunners have paid out £8.5m for the full-back's services.
Danny Graham has left Swansea City for Sunderland in a £5m deal, while Christopher Samba has joined QPR from Anzhi Makhachkala for around £12m.
Samba wasn't the only arrival at Loftus Road today as the Premier League's bottom-placed club also signed Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
However, all of those moves at QPR were eclipsed by a bizarre situation involving Peter Odemwingie. The West Brom striker, without permission from his club, drove to Loftus Road in an apparent attempt to force a transfer through. At one point he tried to gain access into the corridors of power at the stadium but was denied entry. He's now been left in a deadline day limbo of sorts. Goodness knows what punishment, if any, he could receive from West Brom. All in all, a very weird story indeed.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "Monreal will add quality to our squad and we are delighted he's joined us."
Fulham have been busy bunnies today, bringing in three players on loan. Urby Emanuelson has joined from AC Milan, Stanislav Manolev has arrived from PSV Eindhoven and Eyong Enoh has moved from Ajax.
More from Arsene Wenger on new signing Nacho Monreal: "We are delighted that Nacho Monreal has agreed to join us. We have been monitoring him for some time now and are really pleased that we've been able to agree this move today. Monreal is a strong left-sided defender with good experience at both club and international level. He is a technically gifted player, a good crosser in the final third and strong in the air. Monreal will add quality to our squad and of course, to our defensive unit. We all look forward to him playing for us."
BBC Sport are now reporting that DJ Campbell's move from Queens Park Rangers to Blackburn Rovers has fallen through due to a problem with the paperwork. We'll be keeping an eye on that one.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony is now on Sky Sports News explaining the collapsed deal for George Boyd. The midfielder had been at Nottingham Forest all day before a failed eye test botched any potential move: "It's the most ridiculous thing that's ever happened in my life. It's a shambles."
MacAnthony has told Sky Sports News that he will welcome Boyd back to Peterborough until the end of the season.
It must be said that the Boyd situation is a peculiar one. The whole thing reflects fairly badly on Nottingham Forest, too.
Anyway, back to a recap of today's transfer activity: There wasn't a great deal going on at Liverpool today, but they did confirm the departure of goalkeeper Alexander Doni. Across Stanley Park and Everton have brought in young Barnsley defender John Stones. The full-back had been expected to join Wigan Athletic before the Toffees got their noses in there.
BREAKING! Late transfer dealings at Crystal Palace as they sign Brighton striker Stephen Dobbie on loan. A bold move to join your parent club's fierce rivals...
One of the biggest moves came towards the end of the window as Stoke City signed Birmingham City goalkeeper Jack Butland. The 19-year-old England international has been loaned back to the Blues, but he will link up with his new teammates permanently in the summer.
It was an unusually quiet night at Tottenham Hotspur, though it was revealed by Internacional that they failed with a bid to sign striker Leandro Damiao. Spurs had been linked with the Brazilian international for a number of months, but their £13m offer fell short. Internacional are thought to want £20m for the 23-year-old.
Norwich have certainly played their part today with their continued pursuit of Celtic striker Gary Hooper. The Canaries made a fourth bid for the striker earlier today, but the SPL champions held firm. However, Norwich did manage to bring in Luciano Becchio from Leeds United with Steve Morison moving the other way.
BBC Sport are now reporting that Blackburn Rovers are not giving up on a move for QPR striker DJ Campbell and are holding talks with the Premier League and the Football League.
Of course, Jack Butland wasn't the only arrival at Stoke City as the Potters also secured the services of FC Dallas winger Brek Shea. The American international passed a medical earlier on Thursday before he was granted a work permit to play in England.
Onto Aston Villa now and the Premier League strugglers welcomed midfielder Yacouba Sylla from Clermont Foot. Simon Dawkins has also joined the club on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, Stephen Warnock has left for Leeds United in a permanent switch.
You will have noticed that it was all very quiet in Manchester today, with both City and United keeping their wallets shut firmly. United rarely do their business in the New Year, while City failed to spend for the first time in a January transfer window since Sheikh Mansour took over in 2008.
One interesting move that has been completed fairly late is the loan signing of Barcelona youngster Isaac Cuenca by Ajax. The 21-year-old will join the Dutch club on a six-month deal.
Needless to say, Peter Odemwingie has received plenty of stick on Twitter following his antics earlier tonight. Here's some of it...
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cheekily asked: "Does Odemwingie need a place to stay tonight?"
Sky Sports News presenter Hayley McQueen said: "I live 10mins from loftus rd, just had a knock at the door, Odemwingie perhaps? I didn't answer either, didn't want him seeing me in my pj's"
Dietmar Hamann: "Odemwingie just turned up at my door...i didn't let him in either"
Robbie Fowler: "Hope odemwingie's not late for training in the morning....."
Meanwhile, @TopTopPundit gave some travel advice to Odemwingie: "To get home tonight it's M25, M1, M6, over the burnt bridge, then perform a humiliating U turn."
There are plenty of Spurs fans out there on Twitter who are annoyed with their club's lack of activity tonight. Many of them were hoping for a striker to arrive at White Hart Lane, but nothing happened.
In a surprising turn of events, Arsenal spent some money. Around £8.5m in fact on Malaga defender Nacho Monreal. It was certainly an area that the Gunners needed to strengthen following the recent news that Kieran Gibbs would be sidelined for three weeks through injury. With Andre Santos as their only other option at left-back it seems to be a fairly decent bit of business from Arsene Wenger.
A bit of interesting news from the Championship now as The Telegraph reports that Nottingham Forest manager Alex McLeish is considering his future at the club following the fiasco surrounding George Boyd's failed medical. The striker's move from Peterborough to Forest fell through after he failed to pass an eye test.
Some strong words coming out of West Brom from chairman Jeremy Peace over the Peter Odemwingie saga: "This evening's developments have brought a conclusion to what has been an unsavoury affair. Peter has acted wholly unprofessionally. He must now accept the fact he remains under contract for a further 18 months."
Odemwingie looks to be very much in the doghouse at The Hawthorns, but it really shouldn't come as a surprise. The Nigerian international was at the centre of one of the most bizarre episodes in transfer window history.
Where does this all leave him though? Jeremy Peace's statement is suggesting that he will remain a West Brom player for the next 18 months, but surely he will be shipped off in the summer? It will be unlikely that the fans will accept him back at the club, while his teammates are sure to feel humiliated and betrayed by his actions. It's sure to be a fascinating story and one that's not over by a long shot yet.
Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Star tweets: "A few goals/good performances can solve most things but Odemwingie is going to need a bit more than that to get out of his hole at #wbafc"
Anyway, that's all from us for today/tonight. It's been a typically-barmy transfer deadline day and we hope that you've enjoyed our coverage of it. There sure to be plenty of fallout and reaction the moves that have taken place and you can keep up to date with all of it with Sports Mole. Thanks again for joining us and we hope to see you soon.
Written by
Daniel Cross
Daniel Cross
