Transfer clock ticking: Clubs rush for 11th hour signings
The January transfer window in Europe closes at midnight Friday and the clock is ticking fast as the drama of the deadline day unfolds.
With most of the big clubs already in their comfort zones, some drama is still being recorded as clubs make last minute efforts to secure their targets before the midnight clock ticks.
Some have had relative easy deals but others are still in negotiation, hoping to broker it before the deadline with the speculated move of Nani from Manchester United to Inter Milan and Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos to Manchester United topping the speculation list.
Activities on the transfer market have been more in England where Ghana and Chelsea’s Michael Essien joined Italian giants, AC Milan on a free transfer for an 18-month deal.
Surprising, however, was the Blues decision to sell Juan Mata to desperate David Moyes’ Manchester United.
The speculation over Nani leaving Old Trafford has popped up again with a strong suggestion that the Portuguese star is on his way to Inter Milan in a deal that could be sealed before the midnight hour. There were rumours of his exit during the summer transfer but he stayed on and has been featured.
According to media reports, German Toni Kroos could land at Old Trafford to join Mata after Pep Guardiola admitted to the media that the Manchester United target could leave the club before today's transfer window deadline.
The midfielder reacted angrily after being substituted during his side's dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Stuttgart last Wednesday, fuelling speculation that he will head for the Munich exit.
The Mirror has reported that Moyes is prepared to offer £25million for the Germany star.
Speaking after his side’s victory, Guardiola said: “He (Kroos) is an important player but things can move fast in football.
“Here today, gone tomorrow.”
Liverpool boss, Brendan Rodgers is also targeting a major signing and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk’s Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka, valued at around £16million, has come up strongly as the target.
Arsenal are also pursuing deadline-beating £30million move for Schalke's Julian Draxler after lengthy negotiations throughout last Wednesday while Chelsea boss Joe Mourinho is in a price war with St Etienne over their centre-half Kurt Zouma.
Norwich are also in talks with Fenerbahce over a loan deal for defender Joseph Yobo, the Turkish club have confirmed.
The 33-year-old left Everton in August 2012 and played against Arsenal in their Champions League qualifier in August, but now appears set for a return to the Barclays Premier League to help boost the Canaries' bid to retain their top-flight status, the Sportinglife reported yesterday.
A post on Fenerbahce’s official Twitter feed read: “Negotiations over the hire of our player Joseph Yobo to Norwich City until the end of the 2013-2014 season have begun.”
AC Milan have confirmed that QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt has arrived in Italy to complete his loan deal to the San Siro.
The Morocco international was on loan to Fulham but is now due to sign for Clarence Seedorf's side.
Taarabt has not scored in 12 Premier League outings this season, but will be hoping to change that barren run during his stay in Serie A.
Taarabt told Milan Channel: “I’m honoured to be able to play for the best club in the world.”
