Football news LIVE: Guardiola responds to Haaland exit rumours, Everton vs Spurs build-up, Raphinha in Premier League return?

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Updated: 12:44, 3 Feb 2024

Another transfer window has slammed shut but talkSPORT will still have you covered with the latest breaking news and updates. 

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Hanging up his boots

Former Everton and Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has announced his retirement at the age of 36.

The Belgium international finished his career with Chinese club Shandong Taishan, where he played for five seasons after leaving Old Trafford in 2019.

He announced he was leaving the Chinese Super League club at the end of last year, having played his final game in the Chinese FA Cup final against Shanghai Shenhua in November.

But he has now decided to call time on his career in professional football.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the big-haired midfielder paid tribute to each of his clubs and their fans as he bid farewell.

Making their voice heard

Everton fans hijacked the TV broadcast of their Saturday lunchtime clash with Tottenham to protest their treatment from the Premier League.

Thousands of angry Toffees are expected to protest during the game at Goodison Park - live on talkSPORT.

And poor Peter Crouch, the former Liverpool striker, was caught in the middle as the local crowd started early outside the stadium.

Speaking ahead of the game, Crouch was pictured on TNT Sport's coverage with a group of Everton supporters in the background holding up the same card - which read, 'You don't know what you're doing', along with the Premier League logo.

Fans are protesting their ten-point deduction from league chiefs, with the club's appeal of the sanction underway, although they have been threatened with a second points deduction for further alleged spending breaches.

Premier League return?

Two Premier League clubs are interested in signing Raphinha from Barcelona.

That's according to reports from Spanish outlet Relevo, amid doubts over the Brazilian's future with the Catalan giants.

The emergence of 16-year-old La Masia sensation Lamine Yamal has prompted questions over Raphinha's role in the current Barca team and his future at the club.

The former Leeds United star is currently out with an injury and Yamal has seriously impressed in his absence, stepping into his role as a starting winger.

It is claimed Raphinha very much wants to stay, having sealed his dream move to Barcelona in July 2022, but the club's precarious financial situation means they may look to cash in on some of their stars, and Raphinha might be one of them with plenty of clubs keen.

The report claims Barcelona received offers for the Brazilian ace last summer, including from Newcastle and Chelsea, but he stayed put.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia are now interested, but two other Premier League clubs are also keen and have been in contact with his agents - including Tottenham, the report claims.

Raphinha has 14 goals and 19 assists in 70 appearances for Barcelona since his transfer from Leeds

Raphinha has 14 goals and 19 assists in 70 appearances for Barcelona since his transfer from LeedsCredit: Getty

Live on talkSPORT

We're a few hours away from today's Premier League lunchtime clash between Everton and Tottenham at Goodison Park.

It's a key game for both teams, with Everton battling for survival after slipping into the bottom-three, while Spurs are on the up.

The north Londoners have the chance to go level on points with rivals Arsenal, after coming from behind to overcome Brentford 3-2 in midweek, and are now just three points adrift of third place.

You can follow all the action on air and online with talkSPORT - follow the link below to find out how to stream the game live!

Jack in the pack

Jack Wilshere has emerged as a surprise contender for the Aberdeen job, according to reports.

The Scottish Premiership club are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Barry Robson this week.

Veteran coach Neil Warnock is one of the names in the frame for the role, having been without a job since leaving Huddersfield in September - and while he might be taking another break from the game, we all know the football-mad gaffer could be tempted to return.

Alex Neil is another linked with taking over, but the Daily Record claim Arsenal Under-18s coach Wilshere has also applied for the job.

The former England midfielder has held that post with his old club since 2022, leading the young Gunners to the FA Youth Cup final last season.

Credit: Getty

Poch's transfer wish

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the type of player he wants to bring to Chelsea in the next transfer window.

The Blues boss says there's a gap in his squad for someone to take over set pieces, and even named-checked a West Ham player as the kind of profile he's looking for.

“We don't have a specialist and we were talking about trying to find for next season a good one," said Pochettino.

“Look at West Ham. [James] Ward-Prowse. You add a player like him, you increase the percentage."

Credit: Getty

'I think there's more in him'

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou believes there is more to come from Richarlison who has been in fine form.

The Brazilian has scored seven goals in his last seven games and takes on his former club Everton this afternoon, live on talkSPORT.

Speaking about his striker, Postecoglou said: “Richy is going well, and it’s not just his goals, it’s his general game as well, which is improving, evolving.

"He’s become a real catalyst for a lot of our good stuff both with and without the ball.

"It’s good, he’s in a good place and we have to keep pushing Richy because I think there’s more in him.”

He continued: “His link-up and hold-up play is improving all the time. I love that.

"I love when players still want to improve and do improve rather than say he's played for his national team and been at this level quite a while, but I can see him developing further.

"That's what you want as a manager and coach. For us, he's becoming a really important player.”

Credit: Getty

Pep responds to Haaland rumours

Man City boss Pep Guardiola gave a spiky response when asked about reports linking Erling Haaland with a move to Real Madrid.

Haaland's return from injury has coincided with reports in Spain claiming the 23-year-old is unhappy in Manchester and angling for a move to the La Liga giants.

At his press conference yesterday, Guardiola was asked about the rumours and whether there was any truth in the reports.

"You have to ask the media from Madrid, maybe they have more information than we have," said Guardiola. "We don't have that feeling.

"He could not play for two months because he was injured but maybe the media from Spain, and especially Madrid, have more information than us. We cannot say he didn't adapt quickly and he was not fine since he arrived.

"It's the level he showed since he arrived on day one. We cannot control what people say. When he's unhappy, he will take his decision."

Credit: Getty

No Diallo for Sunderland

Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has revealed how the club missed out on other targets as a result of their pursuit of Amad Diallo.

The Manchester United winger spent last season at the Stadium Of Light and was heavily linked with a move back to Wearside last month.

However the decision was made that he would stay at Old Trafford with Erik ten Hag, something which was a huge blow for the Championship side.

Speakman said: "Amad would have been one of those three or four targets that I spoke about at the start. We are not in control of those factors.

I think you've seen in terms of the market, I think the term that has been used is it's been a fairly dormant market, there has not been as many transactions.

Ultimately you are then waiting on player availability, whether that's on a permanent basis or a loan basis. It ran its course that he wasn't available.

"We stayed in that for as long as we possibly could and could say in hindsight that was maybe to the detriment of signing another player earlier on, but we felt that was a choice we had to make and were comfortable with that choice."

Amad Diallo will stay and fight for his place at Man United despite interest from Sunderland

Amad Diallo will stay and fight for his place at Man United despite interest from Sunderland

Done deal for Tottenham!

Tottenham have reached an agreement to sign Swedish wonderkid Lucas Bergvall.

The midfielder, who turns 18 today, has agreed a deal that will run until 2029 after beating competition from Barcelona for his signature.

He will officially link up with Spurs on July 1, staying put with current club Djurgarden for the remainder of the season.

On his 18th birthday, we are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for Lucas Bergvall to join the Club from Swedish Allsvenskan side Djurgarden 🤍

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 2, 2024

Just say sorry!

Andy Townsend believes that the jury is out on Jadon Sancho after he moved to Borussia Dortmund to kickstart his career.

The Manchester United star moved back to Germany following a high-profile fallout with Erik ten Hag, with Townsend of the belief that his inability to apologise may come back to haunt him.

Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “There’s no value in falling out with players today because they’re on so much money – look at what happened with Sancho.

Ten Hag and him had a falling out and in my era the player would have grovelled back to the manager, even if he thought he was completely out of order and totally wrong, you’d have had to have come back onside and get on with it.

“For me, the kid was totally wrong and we’ll see how he gets on (at Dortmund) and how much he’s prepared to bounce back from that – the jury is out in that respect, for me.

“If you apologise to a coach in football you don’t have to mean every word of it, you just say ‘sorry boss’ and that’s it.”

Sancho is hoping to kickstart his career in Germany

Sancho is hoping to kickstart his career in GermanyCredit: AFP

Done deal

Carlos Vinicius has joined Galatasaray on loan from Fulham until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old striker arrived at Craven Cottage from Benfica in 2022 shortly after the the club's promotion back to the Premier League.

He scored five times in 28 top-flight appearances last season en route to the team finishing tenth

Playing time has been more limited during the current campaign with Vinicius, who previously spent time on loan at Tottenham, making just two starts in the league.

The club sealed a loan move for Chelsea striker Armando Broja late on deadline day, paving the way for Vinicius's departure to Turkey.

In a statement Fulham said: "We wish Carlos the best of luck for the rest of the season."

Carlos Vinicius has joined Galatasaray S.K. on loan until the end of the season.

Wishing you the best of luck, Vini! 💪

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 2, 2024

Reunited in Turkey

Serge Aurier has competed his move to Galatasaray, ending his short stint at Nottingham Forest.

The Ivorian right-back joins two of his former Tottenham teammates at the Turkish Super Lig club - Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele.

A Forest club statement read: "Serge Aurier has completed a permanent transfer to Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray.

"The 31-year-old joined Forest in September 2022 and went on to make 41 appearances for the Reds in all competitions.

"The defender, who has featured 13 times this season, now heads to Turkey to join Okan Nuruk's side.

"We would like to thank Serge for his contribution during his time at the City Ground and wish him well for the future."

Computer says yes

Lyon have finally announced the signing of Said Benrahma from West Ham, with deadline day's biggest saga finally brought to a conclusion.

The forward has moved to France on loan with the option to buy.

Lyon are paying the Hammers a £5.1million [€6m] loan fee to do the initial deal, and will have to spend a further £12.3million [€14.4m] to make the switch permanent in the summer.

West Ham also have a ten per cent sell-on clause.

It comes after a 'computer error' was blamed for the deadline day transfer not going through on time before last night's 11pm cut off point.

Lyon had done all the necessary paperwork and slammed West Ham for not getting their side of the deal sorted in time, but then appealed to FIFA to allow the transfer to happen after the deadline had passed - which was approved.

🚨 Saïd Benrahma rejoint l’OL sous la forme d’un prêt avec option d’achat jusqu’à la fin de saison 🖋🔴🔵

ℹ Toutes les informations ici ⤵

— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) February 2, 2024

Fornals says goodbye

Pablo Fornals has penned a short but sweet message to West Ham fans after sealing a move to Real Betis.

He wrote: "Hello everyone,

"So, West Ham fans, I am here one more time at London Stadium and hopefully not the last one.

"I just want to thank you for these four seasons and a half and for the support and the good memories.

"I arrived as a kid and became a man here and it was such a great pleasure for me to fight from relegation in my first season to become sixth in the league, to play a semi-final of European football with you the next season and to win a trophy.

"I have such big memories.

"You’re always going to be in my heart.

"This stadium, this team and this crowd will be with me always.

"I think you are waiting for this…

"West Ham are massive, everywhere we go!"

Credit: Getty

Pab-go Fornals

West Ham have confirmed that Pablo Fornals has now joined Real Betis over 17 hours after the UK deadline ended.

The midfielder’s deadline switch was a transfer the Hammers were accused of botching by not submitting the paperwork in time before last night’s 11pm deadline.

However, Betis successfully appealed to FIFA to allow the transfer to progress and Fornals has now returned to his homeland in a deal worth around £6.8million.

In a statement, the Irons said: "Everyone at West Ham United would like to thank Pablo for everything he has given to the Club during his time in Claret and Blue, and wish him and his family all the best for the future."

West Ham United can confirm that Pablo Fornals has joined Real Betis on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.

— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 2, 2024

St-erling effort

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola gave a spiky response when asked about reports linking Erling Haaland with a move to Real Madrid.

The Norwegian returned to action this week after two months on the sidelines with a stress fracture in his foot.

But his return has coincided with reports in Spain claiming the 23-year-old is unhappy in Manchester and is angling for a move to the La Liga giants.

Ahead of Man City’s trip to Brentford on Monday, Guardiola was asked his stance on the rumours and whether there was any truth in the reports.

“You have to ask the media from Madrid, maybe they have more information than we have,” said Guardiola. We don’t have that feeling.”

“He could not play for two months because he was injured but maybe the media from Spain, and especially Madrid, have more information than us. We cannot say he didn’t adapt quickly and he was not fine since he arrived.

“It’s the level he showed since he arrived on day one. We cannot control what people say. When he’s unhappy, he will take his decision.”

Credit: Getty

Noo interest

The Ghana FA are reportedly attempting to persuade Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo to ditch England and represent the African nation instead.

Mainoo played for England at age-group level, but his recent breakthrough at Old Trafford has led the homeland of his parents to try and convince him to play for them.

The 18-year-old was described as a “generational talent” by his team-mate Rasmus Hojlund following his stoppage-time winner in Man United's 4-3 win away at Wolves on Thursday - and his progress hasn't gone unnoticed by Ghana.

“The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams,” Randy Abbey, a member of the executive council of Ghana FA, told The Times.

“Kobbie is definitely one of such incredible talents, and the Association will love to work with him and many like him home and abroad.”

Credit: Getty

Go ahead

Pablo Fornals' transfer to Real Betis has also been approved by FIFA.

The midfielder's deadline switch was another deal West Ham were accused of botching by not submitting the paperwork in time before last night's 11pm deadline.

But, along with Lyon with their Said Benrahma deal, Betis appealed to FIFA to allow the transfer to progress as they had done everything in time on their end.

And it has been decided that both deals will be cleared to go ahead, with Hammers cult hero Fornals now set to return to his homeland in a deal worth around £6.8million.

Credit: Getty

Green lit

Said Benrahma has been cleared to join Lyon from West Ham, despite yesterday's deadline drama, with the decision now lying with the FA.

Lyon appealed to FIFA this morning to allow the transfer to go ahead, despite West Ham not getting their side of the paperwork done on time before the 11pm deadline.

Lyon have just held a press conference about the situation, and mid-way through the club learned that FIFA had accepted their request and will give the transfer the green light outside the registration window.

Benrahma is now expected to depart the Hammers and sign for the Ligue 1 club in a deal worth £15million, with the FA now having seven days to accept the transfer from the French FA.

Lyon's American owner John Textor told a press conference: "The Benrahma story looks like it's going to be an ongoing story for, in don't know if it will be several hours or a couple of days."

Still time

While the transfer window has shut in the UK, it remains open elsewhere in Europe, and Galatasaray are looking to take advantage.

The Turkish market doesn't close until February 9 and the Super Lig giants are looking to do a double raid on the Premier League.

With Fulham signing Armando Broja from Chelsea in deadline day, the Cottagers are ready to let Carlos Vinicius leave with Gala ready to pounce.

The Brazilian is set to depart Craven Cottage in a loan deal, which could be finalised today.

The Istanbul club are also keen on signing Serge Aurier from Nottingham Forest.

Missed opportunity

Arsenal have been told they could have signed top striker target Ivan Toney in January and avoided any Financial Fair Play punishment.

That is according to FFP expert and financial adviser Stefan Borson, who has poured cold water on talk the Gunners didn't have enough funds this month.

talkSPORT understands the Bees were demanding at least £80million for Toney - something Borson has hinted Arsenal had the means to do.

Hammers in trouble?

FIFA are reportedly investigating West Ham and the failed deadline day exits of Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals.

Benrahma was set to join Lyon in a £15million deal while Fornals was expected to move to Real Betis for around £7m, but both moves broke down - with the French and Spanish clubs laying the blame firmly at the Hammers' door.

Betis bosses claimed a 'computer failure' led to Fornals staying put in London despite the deal being signed off on their end and with the player.

The same was said for Benrahma's move to Lyon, with the Ligue 1 hammering West Ham in a strongly worded statement.

And now the Daily Mail claim FIFA are looking into why the deals didn't happen.

Credit: Getty

Surprise move

Former Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng has signed for Italian club Salernitana - who are rock-bottom of Serie A.

The former Germany international, 35, last played for Lyon spending two seasons in France after ending his ten-year spell at Bayern - where he won nine consecutive Bundesliga titles and lifted the Champions League twice in 2013 and 2020.

The 2014 World Cup winner's contract at Lyon expired in the summer and has spent the last six months as a free agent.

But he has now found his new club in Italy, where he will hope to help Salernitana survive the drop to Serie B.

The club is currently bottom of the top flight, but only seven points adrift of safety.

Not over

Real Betis are still hoping their deal for West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals will go through, according to reports in Spain.

Spanish outlet Relevo claim Fornals' move to LaLiga is 'not 100 per cent closed' and this morning Betis officials still hold hope the transfer will be allowed to progress.

For the second time on deadline day, following Said Benrahma's failed move to Lyon, West Ham were blamed for a processing error as another transfer fell through.

Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon has claimed it was due to a 'computer incident' at West Ham, but it is claimed LaLiga did register the player in time before the 11pm deadline.

"Let's hope it can be fixed," the Spanish club's chief said.

"The thing about Pablo Fornals happened at the last minute. There has been a computer incident, we have worked on it to be able to justify it. Betis has delivered the documents in a timely manner. West Ham seems to have had a problem with their computer tools . It has not only been in the case of Betis, but also in other cases. We hope it will be resolved in the coming days.

"The substance of the matter has been established. We understand that it is a computer error and it will be resolved. We are working on it. We are optimistic, although in these things we have to be cautious."

Credit: Getty
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