Transfer Window Truths: Countdown to Deadline Day
The final 48 hours of any January transfer window brings the bulk of business, so another scramble for signings is in store as sides across Europe attempt to boost their squads.
A late flutter of loan deals is expected this time around, but we will see some late panic buys as usual.
There are plenty of rumours around right now, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's proposed switch to the Premier League creating the most hype.
I have gone behind the headlines to discover what we should expect before the window closes for another season.
Arsenal's Last-Minute Deals
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Aubameyang's switch from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal is beginning to look like a deadline-day special.
The German club have been frustrated by the fact bids have been below their valuation of the player, but that is changing as the clock ticks down.
Sources close to the Gunners have told B/R confidence is high over a deal being completed. Over the weekend, they were assured Aubameyang remains keen on the move, and Arsenal are now finally meeting his £60 million asking price.
Aubameyang would become the club's biggest transfer of all time, and German outlet Kicker claims a deal is in place (h/t Express' Mikael McKenzie), which will now have other implications.
The situation with Olivier Giroud—who wants a move—has been having an impact on the deal, too. Dortmund have been keen to get him through the door, and it would help Arsenal to agree to that as the Bundesliga outfit need a replacement for Aubameyang before he is allowed to move.
But Chelsea have added Giroud to their shortlist of strikers too, as they have struggled to complete a deal for Edin Dzeko and will give up on him if nothing is sorted by Tuesday.
The domino effect of these moves could even mean Michy Batshuayi ends up moving to Dortmund.
Sources believe that due to the complex nature of the Aubameyang move, the likelihood of all these deals not being completed until the final day of the transfer window is high.
No Joy for Real Madrid
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There were big headlines over the weekend as Mauricio Pochettino and Harry Kane both found themselves being linked with Real Madrid.
There is certainly interest in both Tottenham Hotspur men—and one day they will most likely land their targets, but it will not be this year.
In the case of the manager, Madrid have him as their ideal candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane.
Pochettino is dedicated to his current project and does not have a release clause the Spanish giants can simply trigger.
His role in turning the club into a Champions League side has helped build a strong bond with chairman Daniel Levy, and contacts close to the manager believe that will help Tottenham keep him.
Pochettino is also more than aware how short a managerial lifespan can be at Madrid if things start to go wrong. Job security at Spurs is as good as you can hope for in the modern game.
Meanwhile, Kane's latest link comes from Ian Herbert and Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail, who reported a £500 million triple swoop that would also see Eden Hazard and David De Gea move to the Bernabeu.
No doubt Madrid are going to show their ambition in the next window, but this is going to be out of reach.
Kane is the Spurs poster boy ahead of a move into their new stadium next season and has vowed to stay for the historic moment.
Furthermore, club sources have told B/R that Levy would not sell him—even for £200 million.
Chicharito Looking to Leave
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We recently looked into Javier Hernandez's West Ham United misery, and the situation has not changed as we head towards deadline day: He wants to leave.
Perhaps his most likely opportunity to do so would be with a switch to Turkish side, Besiktas, who held talks over his situation last week.
The current injury crisis at London Stadium means they are less willing to sell the player than they previously were, but they are still looking for a new frontman themselves and have been exploring a potential deal for Graziano Pelle and are also being linked to Fedor Smolov.
Anyway, Besiktas feel there is still some chance they could strike a deal for Chicharito. They are having to be cautious about financial fair play so would prefer a loan with an option to buy.
Hernandez and his representatives are believed to be open to the move.
Besiktas recently signed Cyle Larin and Vagner Love, but at this stage they are not expected to make a major impact.
Manchester City Focus on Defence
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Manchester City are closing in on a £57 million deal for Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, as manager Pep Guardiola continues to make huge statements in the market.
Once the deal is complete, he will have spent £500 million since taking over at the club—and there are no signs of an end to his spree.
Laporte's switch should be completed either Monday or Tuesday, and the focus will then switch to the next transfer window.
Publicly, Guardiola has been talking about how City have to be careful with fees and wages, but he has already been assured he will have the funds for a significant defensive signing next summer.
Insiders at the Etihad Stadium say another proven centre-back is on his wanted list.
Other Late Deals to Watch
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A deal for Troy Deeney to move from Watford to West Bromwich Albion is possible, with talks progressing well over the weekend.
The Hornets want close to £20 million for the striker and that seems out of reach for Alan Pardew's side—although they may yet sell Jonny Evans, which would raise the required funds.
Arsenal have not been too keen on meeting his valuation but have been considering him for some time.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United are searching for a striker but will have to pay close to £22 million to land Feyenoord's Nicolai Jorgensen. That is likely to prove out of their reach, so other options are now being explored, including Michael Krmencik of Viktoria Plzen, according to Simon Jones and Jaime Wright of MailOnline.
