Transfer News Live @DeadlineDayLive 17m17 minutes ago DEAL DONE: Norwich have signed right-back Ivo Pinto from Dinamo Zagreb. Undisclosed fee. (Source: @NorwichCityFC)
Transfer News Live @DeadlineDayLive 24m24 minutes ago Manchester United have played down talk of signing Everton striker Romelu Lukaku this January. (Source: Daily Mirror)
WENGER ‘POSITIVE’ ELNENY DEAL IS CLOSE Arsene Wenger says he’s optimistic a deal for Mohamed Elneny will be completed this week but admits he’s cautious until all the i’s have been dotted and the t’s crossed. Arsenal are understood to have agreed terms with both the player and his club, FC Basle, and are now finalising the Egyptian’s work permit; a process that is taking slightly longer than expected. Speaking on Monday morning about the situation, Wenger told press: “I expect movement [this week], yes. I think this week it can happen, we are positive. “The situation should be sorted out. There’s a lot of work permit problems and special paperwork to do and the visa. We hope to finalise it this week.” He added: “As long as it’s not definitely signed you have to be cautious, but I’m optimistic.” The slight delay means Elneny will not play any part of Arsenal’s game with Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday and with each passing hour it seems increasingly unlikely he’ll make the squad for Stoke on Sunday.
Manchester United are refusing to loan out Marouane Fellaini as they’re hoping to recoup most of the £27.5 million they paid Everton for him back in the summer of 2013, according to a transfer story by the Mirror.
According to L’Equipe, Bundesliga side Stuttgart are willing to offer defender Papy Djilobodji a way out of his Chelsea nightmare, by making a move to sign the Senegalese international, five months after the player joined the West London side. The 26-year-old centre back only made the move to Stamford Bridge from French side Nantes during the summer transfer window but it looks like the defender’s time in the Premier League is coming to an abrupt end.
Afobe has been on fire since arriving at Wolves from Arsenal last year, scoring 23 goals in 48 games for the Championship outfit. Wolves had previously turned down bids from Norwich for Afobe. It’s the second significant piece of transfer business conducted by Bournemouth in January with the club already recruiting Juan Iturbe, another attacker, from AS Roma in a loan deal that has the option of a permanent transfer. Currently 16th in the Premier League, they have been praised for their attacking, open style of play but have still only scored 22 goals, two less than shot-shy Manchester United, in 20 games. Now they’re better equipped.
