Transfer deadline day as it happened

Not the frantic closure of the transfer window we had hoped for, then. Stoke left it a bit late in confirming the biggest move of the window, but it seems that was never in any real danger of not being done. Saido Berahino trained with West Brom this morning, went home and tweeted for a bit. That's about as exciting as it got. Still, we had fun. Right?

Before we go, here's a rundown of the biggest deals we've seen confirmed today.

Giannelli Imbula – FC Porto to Stoke City - £18.3m
Oumar Niasse – Lokomotiv Moscow to Everton - £13.5m
Jordan Rhodes – Blackburn Rovers to Middlesbroigu - £9m
Leroy Fer – Queens Park Rangers to Swansea City – Loan
Mathieu Debuchy – Arsenal to Bordeaux – Loan
Steven Fletcher – Sunderland to Marseille – Loan
Marco van Ginkel – Chelsea to PSV Eindhoven – Loan

Hang on a minute, looks like there is a late confirmation of another move. Norwich City have confirmed they have completed the signing of Coventry City's highly rated midfielder James Maddison.

The 18-year-old has been heavily linked with Liverpool today, albeit with a view for a summer move, but Norwich have nipped into secure a deal for the starlet, who has been loaned back to the League One club for the rest of the season.

In a change of pace, there doesn't appear to be any lingering deals that go on into the early hours of Tuesday morning. The deals that haven't been done yet are dead in the water, namely the one involving Saido Berahino who remains at West Brom.

Remi Garde has been frustrated in his attempts to make a single signing with Loic Remy remaining at Chelsea. The Frenchman is understandably unhappy with the situation, and has appeared to suggest the club's quiet window could see him leave the club. [via the Guardian]

Maybe it was not as clear when I signed, but it's something that I don't want to discuss too much.

"I understand that you cannot carry on doing the same things when you have not been as successful as you have wanted. I cannot say the club hasn't done everything they could. It wouldn't be fair. I'm not happy about this situation. I am not stupid and saying we need nobody.

"Some people have to be brave enough to say what have we done wrong in the past and what we should be doing now to stop that and to be better, maybe not in the next months but the next season or in two or three years.

That's it! The January transfer window is now closed.

More on Marco van Ginkel's move to PSV Eindhoven.

Marco van Ginkel has today joined PSV Eindhoven on loan until the end of the season.

"The Dutch midfielder returns to the Netherlands having spent the first part of the campaign on loan at Stoke City, where he made 21 appearances.

"The 23-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Vitesse Arnhem in the summer of 2013 and made his debut in a 2-0 win over Hull City. He spent last season on loan at AC Milan.

CONFIRMED: With Imbula's arrival at Stoke City, Marco van Ginkel's loan at the club has come to an end. The Chelsea midfielder has instead joined PSV Eindhoven until the end of the season.

Just 10 minutes left now, are we all done? Imbula's arrival at Stoke City was the last big deal we were waiting for. We have heard nothing regarding Loic Remy's loan move away from Chelsea in a while, we will assume that particular move is dead in the water.

The Belgium-born midfielder has signed a five-and-a-half year contract with Stoke. A huge statement of intent from the club.

What a huge signing for Stoke City. They have shattered their club record fee for the second time in six months to bring Imbula to the Britannia Stadium. Here's what Potters chief executive has had to say,

Giannelli is a player we have been trailing for some time and we are delighted to have concluded a deal to sign him.

"At one stage it looked unlikely that we would be able to get the deal over the line but things accelerated quickly earlier today and Giannelli is really excited about the prospect of playing in the Premier League with us.

CONFIRMED: Stoke City have completed the signing of Giannelli Imbula for a club record fee of £18.3m.

Just over half an hour remains on the clock.

Looks like West Ham are closing up for the evening.

Another piece of business from the north east, Sunderland have confirmed Jordi Gomez has joined Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.

CONFIRMED: A late deal for Swansea City, the club have completed the signing of Leroy Fer on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

Saido Berahino is the other big move we have been focusing on all day. At this point, I'm not sure why that is; nothing has actually happened since Newcastle United saw their £21m bid rejected.

But wait! Something has happened! He's tweeted!

That's that, then.

Just an hour of the January transfer window remains. Most of the day's late moves have been confirmed but we are still waiting to hear whether Stoke City have completed the club record signing of Giannelli Imbula.

Transfer deadline day and tabloid headline regular Rod Fanni has completed his move to Charlton on loan until the end of the season.

Louis van Gaal's super-sub Nick Powell has joined Hull until the end of the season, have we seen the last of him in a Manchester United shirt? The 22-year-old is out of contract at Old Trafford in July.

CONFIRMED: Manchester United's Nick Powell has completed his loan move to Hull City until the end of the season.

Charlton have done the sensible thing and posted a video of Yaya Sanogo smashing four past Benfica for Arsenal at the Emirates Cup last summer. Great times for him.

Just a shame this happened since then.

Marseille's statement on the arrival of Steven Fletcher may be the best thing we have read all day.

CONFIRMED. Steven Fletcher has joined Marseille on loan until the end of the season. Chris Waddle, Tony Cascarino. Tyrone Mears. Joey Barton. It's a mixed bag of players to have swapped English football for the French giants. He's the latest.

Yaya Sanogo, remember him? The Frenchman who started in the Champions League against Bayern Munich last season has returned to London from his loan spell at Ajax. He's south of the river now, however, having joined Charlton on loan until the end of the season.

In the last hour or so we have seen Mathieu Debuchy to Bordeaux, Jordan Rhodes to Middlesbrough and Oumar Niasse to Everton all confirmed. Two hours left now before the Transfer Window Slams Shut™, will Saido Berahino be moving anywhere? Probably not, but stick with us anyway.

FINALLY. Middlesbrough have finally got their man, Jordan Rhodes has completed his move to Teeside, joining the club on a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Everton meanwhile have wrapped up their final piece of business. And they have confirmed the fee! None of this undisclosed nonsense. Scenes.

It's by some distance my favourite transfer story of the day and it looks as if it may now be confirmed. Steven Fletcher has completed his move to Marseille

Mathieu Debuchy has got his wish then. Having been usurped by Hector Bellerin, the full-back is desperate for the first-team football opportunities he needs if he wishes to be part of Didier Deschamps' France squad. Here's confirmation of his arrival at Bordeaux.

CONFIRMED: Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy has completed his loan move to Bordeaux until the end of the season.

Watford have confirmed another signing, this time it's 18-year-old Adalberto Penaranda joining on a four-and-a-half year deal with the Hornets.

Another confirmed deal to bring to you, Valencia have completed the loan signing of Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev. As you may recall, it was Cheryshev's inclusion in the team when he wasn't actually registered that led to the La Liga giants being thrown out of the Copa del Rey,

It's been all quiet at Manchester United today, could that change in the coming hours? According to agent Jim Solbakken, it will. He claims United are currently working on a deal to sign his clight Omar Elabdellaoui from Olympiakos.

The interest of Manchester United is in place. We will see what happens during the night.

[via Manchester Evening News]

It looks like Radamel Falcao will have to make do with a return to Chelsea, unless another team makes their interest known in the next three hours. Monaco have already rejected the chance to terminate his Stamford Bridge loan ahead of schedule.

Fer's switch to Swansea is expected to be on a loan agreement until the end of the season.

Also believed to be close to a loan move is Jordi Gomez. The Spaniard is clearly surplus to requirements at Sunderland and is now expected to link-up with Paul Lambert at Blackburn Rovers.

A new midfielder seems to be top of the list of priorities for Swansea today as they seek to increase their four-point buffer from the relegation zone.

All the talk early this morning was of a deal for Reading's United States international Danny Williams or Swindon's Yaser Kasim, yet now it appears they have mounted a late swoop to sign Leroy Fer from QPR.

Kazim-Richards has certainly been around the block over recent years. After representing Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United in England before a move to Fenerbahce in 2007, the 37-cap Turkey international has since spent time with Toulouse, Galatasaray, Olympiacos, Bursaspor and Blackburn.

He was recently handed a two-week suspension by Feyenoord after allegedly offering to fight a journalist during a press conference held before an Eredivisie clash with PSV.

Following on from the loan signing of Manchester City's Patrick Roberts, Celtic have now completed the permanent capture of well-travelled striker Colin Kazim-Richards on a two-and-a-half year deal from Feyenoord.

Elsewhere, former Reading stalwart Jem Karacan has left Galatasaray in order to finalise a temporary move to Super Lig rivals Bursaspor.

Any Watford supporters excited to see club-record signing Abdoulaye Doucoure feature straight away in the Premier League will be disappointed. Whilst announcing the deal via their official website, the Hornets further revealed that the 23-year-old will be immediately loaned out to Spanish outfit Granada for six months.

"The opportunity to sign Abdoulaye Doucoure now was one we wanted to act upon, given our long-standing interest in the player," CEO Scott Duxbury said.

"He is very much part of Watford's future plans, and in the time between now and pre-season he'll be experiencing high-level competitive football in Spain."

We are still waiting for anything concrete on Mathieu Debuchy. Bordeaux are thought to be favourites to sign the right-back after interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland respectively, but confirmation is yet to arrive with the hours ticking down.

It does not look like Serge Gnabry will be heading back on loan anywhere just yet, meanwhile.

Plenty of intriguing speculation is currently doing the rounds regarding potential outgoings at Chelsea.

Stoke's imminent deal for Giannelli Imbula is expected to see on-loan midfielder Marco van Ginkel return to Stamford Bridge before, according to The Mail, heading back to his native Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph are currently running a story suggesting that injury-plagued striker Radamel Falcao is currently in Madrid with agent Jorge Mendes attempting to seal a surprise return to Atletico. Given that the Colombian has not played since October and Guus Hiddink recently described his ongoing thigh problem as serious, that would certainly be a shock.

Nothing particularly new on Remy just at the moment...

Fulham have been busy today. Slavisa Jokanovic has already signed Rohan Ince from Brighton and he has now added to his attacking ranks with a loan deal for Sporting's Moroccan playmaker Zakaria Labyad.

Yet another new arrival at Watford, with former French U21 international midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure now having completed his switch from Rennes.

To Turf Moor, where Burnley have finally announced the arrival of highly-rated centre-back James Tarkowski from Brentford on a three-and-a-half year contract.

The ex-Oldham defender drew significant criticism earlier this month when he reportedly refused to play for the Bees in a Championship clash against Burnley, but later clarified that his mother is suffering from a serious illness.

A rare confirmed Premier League signing now as Bournemouth complete a deal with Sheffield Wednesday that will see left-back Rhoys Wiggins embark upon a fourth spell with the Cherries.

The former Crystal Palace trainee had two previous loan stints at Dean Court before joining permanently in 2010. That particular stay lasted just a year before he left for Charlton.

Gary Neville has not had too much to smile about since being named as the shock successor to Nuno Espírito Santo at Valencia in December.

Los Che have not won any of the former Manchester United stalwart's first eight La Liga matches in charge and last night they slipped to their first home league defeat for 14 months against Sporting Gijon at the Mestalla.

However, he could be handed a helping hand by Zinedine Zidane as widespread reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid winger and supposed Liverpool target Denis Cheryshev is set to arrive on loan until the summer.

No new arrivals at the Crown Ground this evening...

Swansea have confirmed Eder's loan departure to Lille, while defender Daniel Alfei has also joined Mansfield until the end of the season subject to international clearance.

Meanwhile, Gillingham have extended the loan of promising Reading striker Dominic Samuel. The 21-year-old has scored five goals in 13 appearances for Justin Edinburgh's promotion candidates since first arriving at Priestfield back in November 2015.

Who says there is nothing happening?!

Remember Alex Buttner?

The underwhelming Dutch left-back who made 28 appearances for Manchester United between 2012-14 and believed he was overlooked by Louis van Gaal for the Netherlands' last World Cup squad has today joined Anderlecht on loan from Dynamo Moscow.

MK Dons look to be working hard on new signings as they bid to survive the threat of relegation back to League One.

Anyone who witnessed their utterly abject defending during the 5-1 FA Cup fourth-round humbling by Chelsea yesterday will know where Karl Robinson's priorities should lie in terms of incomings.

Speaking of unhappy strikers, Sky are now suggesting that Leicester have increased interest in Loic Remy after cooling their pursuit of CSKA Moscow's Ahmed Musa. High wages and a disagreement over whether it should be permanent or a loan could prove to be sticking points, however.

Claudio Ranieri is also said to be pondering a deal to sign Mame Biram Diouf from Stoke.

One potential deal that has come out of left-field this afternoon involves Yaya Sanogo.

The Arsenal striker has barely featured during a season-long loan at Ajax this term and Richard Cawley of the South London Press (SLP) is reporting that he is set to be recalled before following in the footsteps of Gunners teammate Francis Coquelin by joining Charlton.

More on Jose Enrique's suggested return to Newcastle, which is definitely not happening now according to the ever-reliable James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo...

Championship promotion hopefuls Brighton stated earlier that there was still plenty going on in terms of deadline day on the south coast, but I'm not quite sure this is what fans had in mind...

Despite rumours over a possible exit amid strong interest from the likes of Swansea, multiple sources are now suggesting that Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle is set to sign a new four-and-a-half year deal at Selhurst Park.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the transfer market for a second, Stevenage have just confirmed that they have today parted company with manager Teddy Sheringham.

The club currently sit 19th in League Two, eight points clear of the relegation zone after a difficult run of just six wins from 29 games.

Addressing the former England striker's departure after just eight months, chairman Phil Wallace said: "Teddy has had the worst luck I've seen in the 16 years I've owned the football club. Normally we'd have one or two major ops on key players in a season but we've had more this season than the last three combined.

"You also occasionally lose points in the last few minutes of games but we've been in this situation in four of the last eight matches. However, we are where we are and the club have to make a change.

"Teddy came in having to work on a lower budget than we've had before and the lack of available funds has made it difficult to get the players he'd like. He's given it his all but it hasn't worked and now we have to thank him for his efforts and move on."

Another transfer saga that has finally come to a close on deadline day is Rangers' protracted pursuit of Michael O'Halloran.

The St Johnstone striker had been the subject of numerous bids this month and has now put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal. He could make his Gers debut as soon as tomorrow night as the Scottish Championship leaders travel to face Raith Rovers.

After much speculation, Nasser El Khayati has finally completed his move from Burton Albion to QPR. The 26-year-old striker will reunite with former Brewers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink after signing a two-and-a-half year deal at Loftus Road for an undisclosed fee.

"I am very happy to sign for QPR and work again with Jimmy," the Dutchman told QPR's official website after his move was confirmed.

"He has been a big help for me on and off the pitch during my time here in England. I have developed as a player with him and I am looking forward to continuing to improve at QPR.

"Hard work has got me to this stage in my career but I want to progress even further now. I found my way at Burton and I am confident I will find my way with QPR.

"I am more than confident that I can do it and with hard work, I believe I will have a positive impact here. I am excited about playing for QPR and can't wait to show the supporters what I can do."

News of a confirmed loan signing in the Bundesliga, where leaders and reigning champions Bayern Munich have bolstered their ranks with the addition of German centre-back Serdar Tasci from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season.

Despite suspicions to the contrary, it seems that Steven Fletcher's proposed move to Marseille is not a hoax. French broadcasters RMC believe that the Sunderland frontman has been spotted at the club's training ground ahead of an imminent medical.

Deadline day favourite Peter Odemwingie is unlikely to be heading to the Stade Velodrome, however, after Stoke reportedly rejected a bid earlier today.

Not much happening at Real Madrid this afternoon, unless you count Ben Stiller bouncing across the Bernabeu turf...

Swansea striker Eder has now completed his loan move to Lille.

This seems like an accurate summary of events just at the moment. But stay with us, because you never know when things might kick into gear...

A shock return to Newcastle for Liverpool outcast Jose Enrique no longer appears to be on the agenda.

The Spaniard has yet to play a single game in the Premier League so far this term and left St James' Park under something of a cloud in 2011 when he criticised the Toon's transfer policy on social media.

It's all a bit stale at the moment, isn't it? You get the feeling that Stoke's impressive swoop for Giannelli Imbula, if completed, is likely to be the biggest deal of the day unless something quickly changes.

Things are afoot at Brighton. Watch this space...

Swansea striker Eder looks set to be closing in on a loan move to Ligue 1 outfit Lille. The 28-year-old has struggled to impose himself in south Wales since joining from Sporting Braga in July 2015 and does not appear to be apart of new head coach Francesco Guidolin's plans for the future.

To the Championship now, where struggling Charlton have terminated the contracts of two first-team players...

Joshua is now off to lie down in a darkened room. I think all the transfer excitement has got to him...

Right, there are seven hours to go until the window slams shut. And for the next little while, my colleague George Flood will take you through the dramatic deals.

Sit tight...

There has been a done deal at Carrow Road.

Norwich have confirmed news of Louis Thompson's latest loan move. He has joined Swindon Town for the rest of the campaign.

More from Mark 'Sparky' Hughes on Giannelli Imbula, who is set to join the Potters for a club-record fee.

"We're hopeful. It's progressed significantly quicker this morning. Last night it seemed to be a bit difficult. We hope that at some point in the day we'll be able to announce a big signing," he said, according to the BBC.

"He's a good young player, good range of passing - someone who will come in and add to the quality we've got. It's not something we've jumped into in the last minute."

High-flying Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has also been speaking about deadline day ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures.

Pardew confirmed Alex McCarthy is set to join a Championship club on loan provided the Eagles can find a replacement.

"He's a great goalie and we want to get him up to speed and get him back playing his best football, so he needs game time," he said, according to The Mirror.

"I took that option, rather than Jules [Speroni] going out, because Jules is Palace through and through and I want him around in case anything happens to Wayne."

Confirmation of a story we brought you a little earlier.

Elsewhere, Premier League table-toppers Leicester City are hopeful of doing some business in the remaining hours of the window.

Cluadio Ranieri has been talking about that possibility as the seconds tick away...

He said, according to The Guardian: "Always I am positive but now, believe me, I am very focused on the next match. There are other people involved in the negotiations. Everything is done [identifying players] and now it is their job. My job is thinking about the team.

"It [the squad] is enough because my team is so strong, so it doesn't matter. If a player arrives or doesn't arrive, it's the same. If someone arrives I'm happy because these kind of players can help us. That's it. I am always confident."

Mark Hughes has been busily praising the Stoke City board for the backing they have given him in the transfer market.

The club are on the cusp of breaking their transfer record for midfielder Giannelli Imbula, and Hughes is understandably delighted with the move.

"When we do go in the market, we do try and bring good quality in," he said, according to The Mirror.

"When you're trying to move and become a different club in terms of aspiration and expectation, then you need good players to drive that. If the right player becomes available, I've always felt I have the backing of the club to go and do something.

"This is another example of that and it's a huge vote of confidence from the owners who like what I'm doing here and the will back my judgement."

Away from the transfer window, everyone in the world of football is still trying to digest Pep Guardiola's impending move to Manchester City.

The Spaniard has signed a three-year contract at the Etihad and will be in place at the start of next season.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, who worked under Guardiola at Barcelona, has endorsed the move.

"He knows the game inside out, he spends a lot of time focusing on details, how you can hurt the opposition... In his first season with Barcelona we were very, very successful and he's taken it from there," he told the BBC.

On a head-spinning day of activity, Norwich boss Alex Neil has been talking about his decision to take Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford on loan.

"He's a player we were quite keen on in the summer and he has a proven pedigree of scoring goals," said Neil, according to the BBC.

"He didn't have game time at Crystal Palace and you can't score if you don't play.

"We saw first hand how good he is last season and we are hoping he can take the step up and score goals at this level."

Newcastle are doing their very best to strike some deals in the last few hours of the window, it seems.

The Magpies are reportedly attempting to resign defender Jose Enrique. The 30-year-old Spaniard has fallen out of favour at Anfield and could be set to return to St James' Park.

A bit more from Hughes on Berhaino (and then, the impending signing of Imbula):

On Berahino, he said: "We expressed an interest and we asked to be kept informed, but they have been consistent in their message so I don't anticipate anything."

And on the soon-to-be club-record signing...

Stoke City are right in the thick of the action this afternoon. But Potters boss Mark Hughes has confirmed Saido Berahino will not be joining them today.

That does not mean Berahino will not be going elsewhere in the Premier League, mind you.

News of a transfer in Italy...

Back to Anfield, and a reminder of what Jurgen Klopp has had to say about potential signings.

The charismatic German joked to journalists during his pre-match news conference: "I am not sure what is better for you, for your work? Which answer? So I can say maybe something happens, or I can say the truth.

"What do you want to hear? You can finish work for the day. I am not sure on the outgoings side, not 100 percent sure but I don't think something will happen on the other side. That is the situation."

For a bit more from Klopp, click here.

One potential deal involving Manchester United is that of Benfica youngster Renato Sanches, who has been persistently linked with the club in recent weeks.

Despite the speculation, Benfica sound perfectly relaxed about the situation.

"Renato is mature beyond his age," his manager Rui Vitoria explained to Sport TV. "He is being protected by a group of players who support him and are giving him a lot of help."

He added: "This situation is not difficult for us. If things happen, they happen. We all know that's the way it is. There is no point in worrying over things that have yet to happen.

"There is no drama about all this. The team is very stable and that helps dealing with speculation like this."

Just as a reminder, you can get involved with our coverage today by contacting us via email: sportsteam@ibtimes.co.uk or on Twitter: @IBTimesUKSport.

There is sure to be lots to discuss in the coming hours, so feel free to get involved.

Liverpool may not secure any last-ditch deals today, but there is a good news for the Anfield club.

Four players are on the road to recovery, including Daniel Sturridge.

A bit more from Baggies assistant boss Dave Kemp on the Saido Berahino situation.

"I'm expecting him to be here," he said, according to The Guardian.

"The chairman deals with that side. It was awkward today, he has a dead leg he picked up on Saturday.

"He came out, he's a bit sore, and he's gone home. With the media around that's probably the best thing to do."

As it is deadline day, it is probably fair to indulge in a bit of mischief-making. And Alice Mckeegan of the Manchester Evening News has suggested Manchester United could yet make a last-minute signing or two.

The Reds are, of course, desperate for defenders in light of their injury woes. But they will need to act hastily if something is to materialise in the next few hours.

Here is a bit of a strange-sounding one for you. Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is being linked with a move to Marseille.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, Fletcher is on his way to the southern French city to complete the formalities of a deal.

What is happening at Anfield this afternoon? Well, at the moment, not a great deal.

However, speaking during a pre-match press conference earlier today, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp suggested he was still on the lookout for a last-minute deal.

He said: "I'm not sure, not 100 percent, but I don't think anything will happen from our side."

More from Ayoze Perez, whose impressive form has been rewarded with a new five-and-a-half-year contract.

"Newcastle gave me everything and I'm really pleased to sign this new contract.

"It's a special day for me, a big day for me," the Spaniard admitted. "The truth is I'm really happy here, so it's a good thing for me - and I hope it's the same for the Geordie family."

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has confirmed the Potters are closing in on the signing of Giannelli Imbula.

The Porto player is set to join the Premier League side for a club-record fee, assuming both parties can get the deal over the line, of course.

On a vaguely-related note, former Newcastle hero Shay Given has revealed he is keen to go out on loan from his current club Stoke City in order to boost his chances of making the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 squad.

The 39-year-old has made just two appearances for the Potters this season.

"I've got the European Championships to get right for and hopefully play some games for Stoke, but that's not going to be easy because Jack has probably been our player of the season so far," he told the Stoke Sentinel.

"I've got to get match fit first, which will probably take a few weeks, then take it from there. The summer is massive for me and it's important I get match fit and play a few games to show them I'm ready to get on the plane to France.

"It might be here or it might be on loan for a couple of months. The important thing is to make sure the knee is right and then maybe have a chat with the gaffer."

Newcastle United fans have not had too much to smile about this season. But here is some welcome news: Ayoze Perez has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

Perez, 22, has put pen-to-paper on a new five-and-a-half-year deal. The contract ties him to St James' Park until the summer of 2021.

Back to Guardiola, and there are so many interesting sub-plots to the deal.

The club confirmed they had previously tried to acquire his services in 2012, only for those talks to collapse.

However, much of the subsequent discussion is sure to focus on the timing of the deal.

There's apparently been no progress made on the Saido Berahino transfer, in case you were wondering.

West Brom assistant manager Dave Kemp has been speaking ahead of the club's mid-week fixture against Swansea City.

"Saido picked up a slight knock in training but we are hoping he will be fit for tomorrow," he said, according to the BBC.

Speaking of John Terry, Arsene Wenger confirmed earlier today he has no plans to sign the Chelsea captain.

He said, according to Sky Sports: "No [I won't sign him], because he is at the end of his career and he has spent his career at Chelsea. If he wants to play longer, I am sure he will play for Chelsea."

On Chelsea's decision not to renew Terry's contract, he added: "Loyalty works two ways. I always consider that I'm paid for my commitment to the club and I'm well paid so once it is over the club owes me nothing and I have to get on with my life and find another way.

"I do not expect a reward because it is part of my contract."

John Terry has already confirmed he is set to leave Chelsea at the end of the current campaign and another centre-back has also been suggesting he could exit Stamford Bridge.

Gary Cahill has said, according to the Daily Mail: "I am settled here, have had a lot of success here and my family is settled here but ultimately I feel I need to play football matches. I have always been that way.

"It has always been in my make-up to play a high percentage of games. I realise that sometimes things go well and sometimes they don't. But it is very important for me I feel personally, even selfishly, to be playing football matches. You will never change me. I think it is a positive thing.

"But it is a little selfish side that in my career I have played a vast amount of games which has got my where I am now and I want to continue that same path, it is very important for a lot of reasons."

Just in case you are late in joining us on deadline day, a reminder of the biggest transfer: Pep Guardiola is to replace Manuel Pellegrini as the club's manager at the end of the season.

The announcement has been widely predicted for some time. However, the timing of it and some of the details released by City are interesting.

From more on that, read our story here.

He may not be on his way to Old Trafford, but it appears the Frenchman could be leaving Emirates at some stage today.

Debuchy has bemoaned a lack of first-team football in recent weeks and he may be set to return to this homeland.

The 30-year-old defender has been linked with a move to Bordeaux. The club's president, Jean-Louis Triaud, has said, according to The Mirror: "I cannot confirm the arrival Debuchy, but it is a path that we are exploring and we are hopeful."

According to reports in France, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has personally vetoed Mathieu Debuchy's proposed loan move to Manchester United.

The full-back has been linked with a temporary switch to Old Trafford, where defenders are in short supply because of the club's ongoing injury crisis.

But RMC claims Wenger has stopped the deal from taking place.

Back on Tyneside, and Newcastle boss Steve McClaren is understandably pleased with his latest signing, Seydou Doumbia.

The forward has joined the club on loan and McClaren is expecting him to make a big impact at St James' Park.

"It is no secret that we have been looking to add to our options in the striking area," he said.

"We have been searching for a forward and were delighted when the opportunity arose to take Seydou on loan.

"He is a natural goalscorer, someone who has scored goals in the Champions League and has played at the highest level. We believe he can make a mark in this team."

In the midst of the Guardiola-related news of the last hour or so, some other transfer lines from the club have slipped under the radar somewhat.

City have confirmed, for instance, that their highly-rated youngster Patrick Roberts has signed a loan deal with Celtic.

Roberts, 18, is thought to be one for the future at the Etihad Stadium.

And that's not all from White Hart Lane, with the club announcing they have reached agreement with Werder Bremen for the transfer of Milos Veljkovic.

The 20-year-old defender will now be in a dramatic rush to sign before the window shuts.

West Brom's loan signing Alex Pritchard has revealed what he hopes to achieve at The Hawthorns.

"It's been a hectic few hours – I was close to going elsewhere – but when this came about I didn't hesitate to come here," he revealed.

"I'm here and excited to get going. I spoke to Tony Pulis and coaches and was told to do my best, work hard and make an impression.

"I'm an attacking player, I like to get on the ball, make things happen and have an eye for goal. I can play on the wing or centrally - it's a dream to play in the Premier League and I hope I get that chance."

Seydou Doumbia has given his reaction to joining Newcastle. Here is what he has had to say on the deal...

"I'm delighted to be a Newcastle United player," the striker revealed. "I've already started to prepare. I've arrived and I'm ready to go.

"It has always been a dream to play in the Premier League and now that dream has come true, so I'm absolutely delighted. I am looking forward to helping the Club get some wins and climb the table."

Elsewhere on this increasingly-busy afternoon, Alex Pritchard has joined West Bromwich Albion on loan.

The 22-year-old has joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur for the rest of the season.

Away from Guardiola-related news, and Newcastle have signed Seydou Doumbia on loan.

His arrival is subject to the player receiving the appropriate visa, the club have confirmed.

Doumbia may not be the last signing the Magpies make today, mind you.

Former Manchester City star Trevor Sinclair is suitably excited by the arrival of Guardiola. He thinks it is a statement of intent from the cash-rich club.

"It's a massive, massive statement from the club, of where they are going. City are huge already but this is them setting out exactly where they want to go," he told the BBC.

"He's the hottest manager out there. Every club would want him. And when you look at the recruitment possibilities now, that's where you really start to get excited. He'll be able to bring in some huge players.

"You have to feel sympathy for Manuel Pellegrini. But he's got the opportunity to go off with a big bang now. Huge news for all City fans."

An interesting line emerging from the Guardiola announcement is that City held negotiations with the Spaniard in 2012, meaning the club has a long-standing interest in his services.

Guardiola was also linked to the managerial jobs at Chelsea and City's cross-town rivals Manchester United.

But it is City who have secured the transfer of the world's most sought-after coach. And here's the proof...

So, the biggest confirmed signing on deadline day is that of Champions League-winning coach Pep Guardiola to Manchester City.

The Blues have been fairly quiet during the transfer window, but they have made a splash in the last few hours.

The Spaniard has agreed a three-year deal at the Etihad.

The club have also released a statement about the decision. It reads: "Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC head coach for the 2016-17 EPL season onwards.

"The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.

"Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.

"Manuel, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the Club."

Manuel Pellegrini on his departure: "I finish here on the 30 June. There's been lots of speculation, nothing done behind me but I don't think it is good to have the speculation so that is why I told the press and the players."

Huge news coming out of Manchester City, who have announced Manuel Pellegrini is to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Chilean has been under huge pressure over the last few months, and his departure has now been confirmed.

As has been widely speculated, Pep Guardiola will become the club's new head coach. The Spaniard has signed a three-year contract with City.

More to follow.

As expected, then, Everton winger Aiden McGeady has left Goodison Park on loan.

He has joined Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season.

The tricky wide-man has barely featured for the Toffees this season and was keen to get more first-team action as he pushes his international ambitions.

Before I hand over to my colleague Josh Evans, my final contribution regarding Mathieu Debuchy. Linked with Manchester United and Aston Villa, the Frenchman could now be returning to his homeland with Bordeaux. The Chronicle, who have ruled out a move to Sunderland for Debuchy, are leading with this line.

One high profile addition coming in at Goodison Park, and it looks like one leaving too. Aiden McGeady looks set to move to Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season after leaving Everton who he has played for just once this season.

Looks like there is set to be a goalkeeping merry-go-round at Crystal Palace on deadline day. Julian Speroni is set to leave for Reading and be replaced by Rob Green, the QPR stopper. The Guardian are running this line this afternoon.

Loic Remy looks to be on his way, with Leicester City his destination. The FA, somewhat curiously, are the source for this story. We await something more firmer on this line but it was a story floating around this morning.

Confirmation of a third deal of the day surrounding Tottenham, who have allowed Milos Veljkovic to join Werder Bremen.

Looks like Tottenham have allowed a second player to leave on loan on deadline day. Alex Pritchard has joined West Brom, and now Federico Fazio has returned to Sevilla.

Confirmation of a deal at Arsenal...but not what you might think.

News from Merseyside regarding two strikers, one coming in and one potentially going out. Everton are interested in signing Oumar Niasse and the player has now turned up at the club's Finch Farm training ground. The Lokomotiv Moscow forward is on the brink of a move to Goodison Park. Now to Liverpool, and reports are emerging that West Ham United want to take injured striker Daniel Sturridge on loan. The Brentwood Gazette are running that story.

Stoke's pursuit of Porto's Giannelli Imbula is one of the more intriguing deals of the window. The France international would become the club's record signing and would be the replacement for Steven Nzonzi that Potters fans have been crying out for. Geoff Cameron has been deployed there in dispatches this term but Mark Hughes wants to recruit an out-and-out holding player.

It will not have escaped your attention that possible deals are few and far between on this deadline day. The question is however, is why? The new Premier League TV deal comes into play from next season and clubs will be scrambling to ensure they get a slice of that £5bn pie. Therefore, it is a slight surprise that the likes of Aston Villa and Swansea aren't frantically trying to get deals done given their plight. North east pair Newcastle and Sunderland have been busy and new faces are expected today too.

An update from West Brom and two interesting, if nothing else, lines from the Hawthorns club. Saido Berahino has left training early today though the club are adamant it is not related to a possible transfer and he remains in their plans for the game against Swansea. The other news is that manager Tony Pulis is not at the West Brom training ground today, did not take first team training and will not be taking this afternoon's press conference. That is about as good as it gets.

Of the big leagues across Europe, England, Spain and France close their trading at 11pm while Italy's window ends an hour before at 10pm. Clubs in the Bundesliga have until 5pm on Tuesday [2 February] to get deals over the line.

BBC Sport understand that Liverpool have rejected Watford's attempts to sign young striker Jerome Sinclair for £3m. The 18-year-old is out of contract in the summer and could yet move to Vicarage Road then.

Here is one for you. Mathieu Debuchy, the Arsenal outcast, to Manchester United on loan. Louis van Gaal has made no secret of being interested in signing a full-back, but is a deal for the France international really in the offing? Debuchy must surely leave north London if he is to cement his place in Laurent Blanc's France squad for Euro 2016. The Evening Standard are running the story which could illuminate deadline day.

Fell ashamed for even posting this. The deadline day onesie worn by Talksport report Ian Abrahams....

It will not have escaped your attention that it is slightly slow this afternoon, so here is a preview of the last few hours of the window courtesy of yours truly.

More Berahino news via The Mirror, who claim Newcastle have made a third bid worth £24m for the forward. One thing we are not yet aware of is while Berahino wants to leave West Brom, does he fancy be lumbered with a relegation battle? He seemed very keen on a move to Tottenham in the summer for sure.

News from West Brom where Saido Berahino has turned up for first team training amid speculation over his future. You would think with that less than 12 hours of the window left that it will take a late bid to force the Baggies' hand.

Sky Sports are speculating that Jordan Rhodes' collapsed move to Middlesbrough could resurrected on deadline day. The Blackburn striker refused to speak to reporters at the club's training ground this morning as speculation mounts over his future.

I mentioned at the start of the day that Loic Remy could leave Chelsea, but that deal could be dead in the water if Radamel Falcao leaves the club. Clubs in China have enquired after the Colombia international, according to The Daily Telegraph.

It seems to have been all about Arsenal this morning but some addition news from the north London club regarding outgoings, and confirmation that Kieran Gibbs will not be leaving on loan. Crystal Palace were linked with the England full-back.

News that Newcastle are waiting on the results of Doumbia's medical, raises the question of what actually goes on during a medical examination. For more on this and the process behind the deadline day procedure, check out Tony Mogan's piece on the art of the medical.

If Newcastle do not complete a deal for Saido Berahino today, they do have a fall back option in the form of Roma forward Seydou Doumbia.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman: "No [I am not expecting to complete any deals today]. Maybe one of our young players like Jack Stevens or Harry Reid to let them play on loan, maybe that will happen today. We did our job, if you have to do your job until today in my opinion you are nervous or you don't know what you have to do. In my opinion it is a little bit late."

Slaven Bilic on Sky Sports News: "There is a possibility still that Jelavic will go." Guangzhou Evergrande have been linked with the Croatia international.

News of a completed deal at Cardiff City.....

Two updates from Leeds United, who have made five additions during the transfer window. Steve Evans says he is chasing an overseas signing on the final day of trading, while midfielder Lewis Cook has quashed speculation linking him with a move to AFC Bournemouth.

"I'll be here after the deadline," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "Some people make the choice to move to the Premier League at a young age and it doesn't always work out for them. I love playing for Leeds."

Something to keep the day moving.

Arsenal may not be interested in making any deadline day signings but Borussia Dortmund says they would consider offers for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Dortmund ceo Hans Joachim-Watzke said: "If an offer comes, then we need to discuss it." Interesting. Or not.

Serge Gnabry had a torrid time at West Brom on loan, making just one league appearance this season, but having returned to Arsenal he will be loaned out again this time to a Championship club. Wenger says an agreement is in place by he will not reveal who with.

Wenger on transfers: "Look. The whole period was much quieter than I expected. I hoped much more activity. The fact that we are all here means it is still quiet. I've done. I am one of the fewest that have done (a signing) If possible, I would have been open to one more but there is a rarity of players."

More from Wenger who says: "If Messi knocks at the door, I won't send him back to Barcelona," but is 99% certain there will be no players incoming today. We will have a full news story from the Arsenal boss in the coming hours.

News from London Colney and Arsene Wenger's press conference where the non-committal Frenchman says Mathieu Debuchy could leave the club on deadline day. "I would have been open to at least one more," he told reporters. "Debuchy could go but at the moment it doesn't look like it." He also rules out a future move for Chelsea captain John Terry. Imagine the backlash.

In September, Fifa's transfer matching system came into full focus after Manchester United and Real Madrid were unable to process David de Gea's move in time. The online portal is the modern-day substitute for the old-fashioned fax machine and helpfully world football's governing body have made a video explaining the technology.

News from Stoke City where their chairman Peter Coates has confirmed the club are not interested in signing Andriy Yarmolenko. However, he does add The Potters are pursuing a deal "that is not easy". No prizes for guessing who is at the center of that.

Very helpfully, with a full list of Premier League fixtures spread across Tuesday and Wednesday several managers are holding press conference this afternoon and are sure to be pressed over any players coming in and out over the next few hours. Arsene Wenger and Alex Neil are due to speak from 9am, and we'll have news of any lines to emerge from those.

Les than five minutes into our live blog and we already have news of a confirmed deal, with West Brom understood to have signed Tottenham youngster Alex Pritchard until the end of the season. Will that be the only activity at West Brom this afternoon?

Fear? Check. Self-loathing? Check. Crushing anticlimax looms as the day that football annually consumes itself returns, with the final day of trading in the winter transfer window on course to be the dullest and most tedious in recent memory. Narratives may be few and far between, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham - perennial entertainers on deadline day - are all expected to be quiet while the main saga surrounds an over-priced English football who has not scored a league goal since October.

But just in case a prophecy from Sky Sports' cringeworthy deadline day television advert comes true, and that Lionel Messi is indeed in Bournemouth or Pep Guardiola [!?] arrives in Swansea, we will be with you all the way up until the 11pm deadline and beyond. Whether you are checking in and out while your boss turns their head, or you are in for the long haul until the small hours you are very much welcome to contribute via sportsteam@ibtimes.co.uk or on Twitter at @IBTimesUKSport. We look forward to hearing from you.