by Rob Wright
E-mail: sportonline@rte.ie
Tweet: #rtetransferday
0032 And just as I was turning off my PC there's one (hopefully) final piece of news, and it's another Everton exit.
Everton have confirmed the sale of striker Jermaine Beckford to Leicester for a transfer fee which could rise to £4million.
Now that really is your lot.
0023 And that's your lot. Transfer deadlines days have often been a big let down, but this one just kept giving. Mikel Arteta and Raul Merieles are the big movers but the likes of Stoke, QPR and Aston Villa have all made some important signings.
I'm off home. Thanks for joining us and all your emails and tweets.
0002 It's Thursday, the transfer window has been closed for an hour but still they come.
QPR have confirmed the signing of defender Anton Ferdinand from Sunderland.
2350 Here's one that crept under the radar. Fulham have confirmed the free transfer signing of former Porto striker Orlando
Sa on a three-year deal.
2345 OK, so my last update about Everton may have been twisting the knife slightly, however there is genuine good news for Toffess now.
The club have an instant replacement for Mikel Arteta after they confirmed that Royston Drenthe has joined them on a year long loan from Real Madrid.
2337 It's not all bad news Everton fans, honest! The Toffees has striker Denis Stracqualursi on season-long loan from Argentinian side Tigres.
Doesn't quite make up for losing your best player, but at least his name is going to frustrate commentators, that has to mean something, right?
2329 Finally we have official confirmation that Mikel Arteta has joined Arsenal. The Gunners have confirmed the signing of the midfielder from Everton on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
2317 Big news from Italy where Inter Milan have completed the signing of forwards Mauro Zarate and Diego Forlan.
2315 Sky Sports News are reporting that Mikel Arteta is now an Arsenal player. A fee of £10million is being mentioned.
2311 Don't think many people saw this one coming but Chelsea have confirmed that they have signed Liverpool's Raul Meireles on a four-year deal for an unconfirmed fee.
2308 Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that he has signed Arsenal striker Nicolas Bendtner on a year-long loan deal.
2306 We're now hearing that Liverpool and Chelsea have agreed a fee for midfielder Raul Meireles. The indications are that the Blues got the required paperwork through before the 11pm deadline.
2303 News from Aston Villa. Jermaine Jenas has joined Alex McLeish's men on a year-long loan deal, Alan Hutton has signed a permanent deal but Nicolas Bendtner's future remains uncertain.
2300 The summer transfer window is closed. Peter Crouch is believed to have wrapped up a big £12million move from Tottenham to Stoke City.
News of Arteta, Crouch and maybe even Raul Meireles will trickle through over the next hour.
2257 Mikel Arteta's transfer from Everton to Arsenal looks to be a done deal at this stage. According to reports the required paperwork has been sent through and we're just waiting on an official announcement now. Tough news for Everton fans to swallow.
2250 Ten minutes to go and the big questions left are whether Arsenal and Everton can agree a deal for Mikel Arteta and just what is Raul Meireles playing at?
2247 Merseyside pitch and putt courses will be on high alert tonight as Craig Bellamy's return to Liverpool has been confirmed. The Welsh international striker rejoins the Reds on a from Manchester City.
He'll wear the number 39 jersey in case you were wondering. You probably weren't.
2246 That Yossi Benayoun deal with Arsenal is confirmed to be a season long loan.
2240 Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the signing of Birmingham defender Scott Dann on a four-year deal. Dann, who had been heavily linked to both Liverpool and Arsenal during the summer, has joined Blackburn after they were the only team to make a firm offer for his services.
Rovers have also signed striker Yakubu from Everton. Still no word on that other Everton players who could be on the move. Mikel Arteta's proposed transfer to Arsenal remains very much up in the air.
2338 FC Twente striker Bryan Ruiz, who was a target for Newcastle United, has joined Fulham. The Cottagers were the first team in for the frontman, before Newcastle matched their offer, but the Costa Rican international has plumped for London.
2235 A lot of deal being announced now, Sean Wright Phillips' move from Manchester City to QPR has been wrapped up and the England international joins Joey Barton at Loftus Road.
2234 Israeli striker Yossi Benayoun has confirmed that he is an Arsenal player via Twitter.
"I sign with Arsenal, very happy and excited about it, but now my head is only in the game against Grecce on Friday, thanks for the support."
2230 Drama at Anfield with 30 minutes to go in the transfer window. Liverpool have confirmed that Raul Meireles has submitted a written transfer request.
Meireles was the subject of a bid from Chelsea, but Liverpool turned down £8million and Yossi Benayoun from the Blues. Just how the midfielder can hope to force through a move at this last stage is a mystery.
2227 Wesley Snjeider, who has been agitating for a move from Inter Milan all summer, has finally given up any hope of a late transfer.
"Thanks for all the support, from all over the world! I will stay with Inter next season. Have a good night everyone," he said on Twitter.
2221 Newcastle look to end the transfer window without any significant signings. They had been hoping to sign both Liam Ridgewell and Brian Ruiz but both deals now appear to be dead in the water.
Anyone else remember this? That £35million for Andy Carroll that Alan Pardew promised would be spent must be in a big pile under Mike Ashley's matress.
2203 Arsenal have made a big signing, but it's not Arteta.
The Gunners have confirmed the signing of Germany defender Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.
2200 It's all gone a bit quiet now as the last few deals are being done, here's where we stand with an hour to go.
Mikel Arteta looks ready to move from Everton to Arsenal, while the Gunners are also hoping to land Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun.
Arsenal striker Nicolas Bendtner is on his way out of the Emirates with Sunderland believed to be his destination.
Tottenham rejected a £40million bid for Luka Modric from Chelsea, but have sold Wilson Palicos to Stoke City and striker Peter Crouch in on the verge of joing The Potters too.
Craig Bellamy is at Liverpool's training ground in Melwood where he is expected to replace David N'gog, who joined Bolton Wanderers in a £4million move.
Birmingham defender Scott Dann has been heavily linked to Blackburn but there's been nothing concrete on his move since this afternoon.
2146 Wilson Palacios' £8million transfer from Tottenham to Stoke City has been completed, with Peter Crouch set to follow the midfielder to the Britannia Stadium.
2141 Mikel Arteta is looking more and more likely to join Arsenal now. The latest is that he has told Everton manager David Moyes and club official that he wants the leave the club.
As an Arsenal signing, Arteta makes a lot of sense and would look to be a ready made replacement for Cesc Fabregas. However it's hard to see why Everton would agree to it at this late stage, they won't have a chance to sign a replacement at all and their squad is thin enough as it is. They can't be that skint, surely?
2122 Interesting. That Mikel Arteta to Arsenal move that was dead in the water earlier on? Could be back on now. Talks between the two clubs are reported to have been reopened.
2113 Wow, Harry Redknapp is claiming that Tottenham turned down a bid of £40million from Chelsea for Luka Modric.
That's a big pile of dosh for a unsettled player that has admitted that he wants to leave. Mind you, given who Chelsea's last massive money signing - Fernando Torres - turned out, maybe Modric has had a lucky escape.
2112 West Brom have confirmed the sale of Marek Cech to Trabzonspor, for an undisclosed fee.
2103 And here comes 'Arry Redknapp, leaning out the side of a car and talking to a Sky Sports reporter. Where have we seen this scene before? Anyway Mr Wheeler Dealer shrugs off the "unconfirmed twitter link" to Kaka.
He does, however, reveal that he tried to land Bolton's Gary Cahill, but was unable to agree a deal with Owen Coyle's side.
2056 And here comes the crazy! Sky Sports' head hypeman Jim White has a feral look in his eyes and is positively salivating over "unconfirmed twitter reports" linking Kaka to Tottenham.
While I could pull you out a dozen "unconfirmed twitter reports" linking Maradonna to Monaghan United but there's something about Tottenham and that arch wheeler dealer Harry Redknapp that screams maybe...just, maybe.
Nah, couldn't happen. Could it?
2045 And it seems that Bolton aren't done yet either, they've just confirmed that Chelsea's Gael Kakuta has joined them on loan until 1 January.
2038 Confirmation that David N'gog is now a Bolton Wanderers player.
A statements on the Liverpool website read: "Liverpool have tonight confirmed that David Ngog has completed his transfer to Bolton Wanderers.
"The French striker joined the Reds from Paris St Germain in July 2008 and went on to make 94 appearances, scoring 19 goals.
"Everyone at Liverpool FC would like to wish David all the best with his future career."
2027 Reports coming through that David N'gog's move to Bolton has been completed, for a fee of around £4million. The Frenchman never really progressed past the 'promising youngster' stage at Anfield and will likely have to play second fiddle to Kevin Davies at the Reebok.
2018 Celtic look to have solved their left-back problem after announcing that they have signed Moroccan full-back Badr El-Kaddouri on loan from Dynamo Kiev.
A club spokesman confirmed the 30-year-old had joined until January, although Celtic have the option to buy the player.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been looking for a left-back since Emilio Izaguirre broke his ankle earlier in August.
2014 Sean Wright Phillips looks set to wrap up a move to QPR. The England international is believed to be undergoing a medical at Loftus Road, ahead of a permanent move from Manchester City.
2001 Ohhhh it's on! Shouty silver-haired Scot Jim White has just shown up on Sky Sports News. Much like no Christmas is complete without a drunken family row around the table over who took the Twix from the selection box, it's just not transfer deadline day with good oul Jim.
Time to gas up those helicopters.
1952 More from Rohan Ricketts, who is looking forward to the Europa League with Shamrock Rovers: "Contract has been signed. I can't wait to get into training with the lads. This is a an exciting challenge especially with the Europa comp."
1940 Just getting confirmation that Owen Hargreaves has signed a one-year contract with Manchester City. The former Manchester United, who had offered to play for free for the Red Devils, has passed that dreaded medical.
Well if nothing else, it's a great excuse to post this video again.
1936 Liverpool look set to finally offload their Nicolas Bendtner tribute act, David N'gog. The French striker has just arrived at Bolton Wanderers to discuss a £4million move from Merseyside.
There's no way that the Reds would let N'gog go without having a replacement signed, so it looks increasingly likely that Craig Bellamy will be making a return to Liverpool.
1932 My, but Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is a busy little bunny. He's just signed Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt on a season-long loan.
1930 We have another deal completed as Wigan have wrapped up the signing of Scotland forward Shaun Maloney from Celtic on an initial two-year deal.
The 28-year-old travelled to Lancashire earlier in the day after the two clubs agreed a fee, believed to be about £1million.
"We're delighted to welcome Shaun, who has great experience and is at the perfect age to come and bring something different to our squad," said manager Roberto Martinez.
1923 Well that was quick, even by Arsenal standards. The Gunners have apparently dropped their interest in Everton's Mikel Arteta.
Yep, it lasted all of 30 minutes as Arsene Wenger now looks to turn all his attention on landing Yossi Benayoun.
You have to wonder why, if there was any real interest in Arteta, did they leave it to the very last minute to make an offer. Reports claim that the Gunners were willing to part with £10million for the Spanish midfielder, but that didn't match Everton's valuation.
1908 Shamrock Rovers fan Alan Honeyman says: "Happy so far with Rovers dealing we get to keep Enda till the end of the season and then get a transfer fee also Rolling Ricketts and Jim Paterson signing.
"But is there any sign of more signings at Rovers as i think we need another centre half to be able to finish off the season."
Well Alan, aside from the fact that "Rolling Ricketts" sounds like some kind of medieval plague, Rovers' hands are tied somewhat as they can only sign players out of contract due to the Airtricity League's transfer being closed at the moment.
1901 More Airtricity League rumours as Paul Kelly emails us to say: "The Bray defender Adam Mitchell could be on his way to Hartlepool on a two year contract. Defender and club are still discussing terms."
You'd have to assume that Jeff Stelling will be dancing in whatever street he happens to be in tonight if that goes through.
1859 Killian Shaw has a bit of a poser for Shamrock Rovers fans: "Here's the big question for Rovers: if you're Enda Stevens, no matter how well intentioned you are- how willing would you be to put yourself on the line in tackles against League of Ireland henchmen knowing a bad injury could wreck your best ever shot at Premier League football?"
Well the transfer is agreed and so presumably is Steven's contract with Villa so regardless of his fitness, the fullback will be joing Villa in January.
1855 So Liverpool fans, how do you feel about the potential return of Craig Bellamy to Anfield? How about Arsenal fans? Are Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun the answers to the Gunners' considerable problems? Email sportonline@rte.ie to less us know.
1850 Well it's all kicking off now. Arsenal, who have been linked with seemingly everyone over the last few days are reported to have made a last-gasp move for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta.
Reports suggested the Gunners had made a bid for the Everton midfielder, with some suggesting a cash-plus-player offer had been tabled.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports News are claiming that the Gunners are also entering talks with Chelsea for the services of Yossi Benayoun.
1844 Meanwhile, much like the food in the RTÉ canteen, the Craig Bellamy to Liverpool rumours seem to be growing legs.
The Manchester City striker is reported to be in Liverpool for potential talks with the Reds as the two clubs haggle over a deal for the player.
David N'gog's move to Bolton Wanderers would seem to hinge on whether Liverpool and City can agree terms for the Welsh international.
1840 Right so, Ed's away risking his very life in the RTÉ canteen, but Transfer Deadline Day (that's TDD to you) doesn't stop for anyone. No sir!
Peter Crouch has agreed to join Stoke City, but the deal isn't done yet as the England international striker has to undergo a medical and more crucially has to negotiate the terms of his exit with Spurs.
Should it all go to plan, Rory Delap will have to get himself a step-ladder for those long throws into the box now.
by Ed Leahy
1800 Right then, only five hours of this nonsense (sorry, the "funny and sometimes insightful transfer deadline updates" - cheers PC) to go as the window closes at 11pm. It's time for tea (it's a bit like Test cricket this) so back at 7.00pm for the exciting stuff - Jim White on Sky Sports News must be going through his pre-match warm-up routine at this stage. Now I wouldn't leave you hanging so Jermaine Jenas is having a medical at Villa, while Spurs bid to land Gary Cahill is rated at 50-50.
1755 Alan Hutton was given permission to leave the Scotland camp today to discuss a move from Tottenham to Aston Villa.
1740 CONFIRMED Spurs winger David Bentley has joined West Ham on a season-long loan.
1730 CONFIRMED Shamrock Rovers have had a successful day in the transfer market, completing the signing of Rohan Ricketts and Jim Paterson. Speaking of Rovers (and yes @srfc1901, I was joking about the 1899 reference) an Allesandro Del Piero lookalike was just spotted on Grafton Street with a Hoops Megastore bag, while a certain Hooped midfielder (who shall remain nameless) was just spotted coming out of Burger King, again on Grafton Street.
1710 Arsenal still trying to do more business before the end of the transfer window and Everton's Mikel Arteta is now a target but the Gunners would have to throw some serious money at David Moyes for the gifted midfielder. Rumours that Gyan handed in a transfer request at Sunderland appear to be false...or are they?
1655 CONFIRMED: Shamrock Rovers can confirm that defender, Enda Stevens, will sign for English Premier League club, Aston Villa, in January. But Stevens will remain a Shamrock Rovers player until the new year, which will see him stay with the Hoops for the rest of the season and the Europa League Group Stages.
Enda Stevens said: “I have really enjoyed my time at Shamrock Rovers, and with Europa League football along with the run in to the league campaign still ahead, I can’t wait to be part of that before I leave for Aston Villa.
1650 @srfc1901 on Twitter tells us - Marlon Harewood spotted at Tallaght Stadium today is MON building up his squad for europe ? #rtetransferday - should that not be @srfc1899??
1640 Fulham have completed the signing of former Juventus defender Zdenek Grygera on a free transfer. Asamoah Gyan might be on his way out of Sunderland.
1630 Man City's 19-year-old striker John Guidetti is heading to Feyenoord on loan until the end of the season.
1622 The Craig Bellamy move back to Liverpool is looking more and more likely. Palcios move to Stoke still not confirmed as Stoke thought they were getting Peter Crouch as well.
1550 Rumour of the day from Emma Traynor - My brother's girlfriend work in a solicitors in London who look after Chelsea's legal affairs and she was typing up a contract between Chelsea and Titus Bramble. Make of it what you will! Thanks Emma, the thoughts of Bramble in a Chelsea shirt should cheer a lot of people up. Just think your brother, his girlfriend or the solicitor she works for is pulling your leg.
1545 We've been waiting for another Blackburn rumour just so we could post a link to this video of those chicken-eating cheeky chappy's - Everton's Yakubu could be on his way to Ewood Park, by the way.
1540 Looks like the Enda Stevens move is getting closer and it looks like he will stay with Rovers until the Europa League campaign is over - well the group stages anyway. Villa boss ALex McLeish on Sky Sports website said: "We've been watching Enda and have been very impressed with his exploits in the League of Ireland and in Europe. He's a young prospect, a boy with bags of potential and we're excited about doing a deal which benefits us and Shamrock (Rovers)."
1531 Email from GCullen 'Rohan Ricketts to Shamrock Rovers according to the BBC. Are they winding us up?' No it's true. You're right to be sceptical that a club about to embark on a Europa League campaign would sign a player who has been unable to secure a club all summer but it looks like the former Spurs player will be making a return to White Hart Lane in September with Michael O'Neill's Rovers.
1525 Latest from Rohan Ricketts on The Twitter - Im happy to say I'm just done my medical for @shamrockrovers and I'm on my way to sign the contract. I am absolutely buzzing to get playing
1505 Keep the emails coming and as you can see from the below it pays to be polite - 'Attention: Sir/Madam. I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to an account value in the intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is my second letter to you).'
Elsewhere, Birmingham City's Scott Dann looks set to be at Blackburn Rovers by the end of the day.
1500 Still no official news about the Enda Stevens transfer to Aston Villa. Most Hoops fans have accepted that the Ireland Under-21 international will be leaving Rovers but I am liking the 'joining in the New Year' rumour that is doing the rounds.
1455 Maybe there was a bit of truth in that Wes Hoolahan arriving by taxi - great link here thanks to our good friends across the office at MNS.
1450 Craig Bellamy could be next on the list as Stoke continue their search for a striker. Personally cannot believe that Bellamy has not been picked up yet. Great striker and never a dull moment. Just keep him away from the golf clubs, red headed Norwegians, Alan Shearer (more?) and all will be fine.
1445 I can't keep this news from you any longer - Chelsea have confirmed 20-year-old Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila, who joined
the Blues on a five-year deal from Chivas at the weekend, will spend the rest of the season on loan at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.
1435 'Just got a text off my mate who is a cabbie in the London. He just dropped Wes Hoolahan off at Fulham's training ground 15 minutes ago...' That's from Stuart Chaney. Don't believe a word of it but I am fond of a good cabbie story especially when it's coming from London. Was Charlie from Eastenders the driver? Surely former Shels midfielder Hoolahan is driving something swanky now that he's Premier League.
1421 Everton eventually look set to sign someone as the transfer window edges shut and it looks like emailer TMcDonagh's prediction is true that Denis Stracqualursi will sign from Tigre. Who the hell are they? asks TMcDonagh. Well they are an Argentinian side from Victoria, Buenos Aires and the aforementioned Stracqualursi is a centre forward and looks a little like Carlos Tevez on his wiki page. Is that a good enough reason to sign someone? Probably, combined with his 21 goals last season. That could be Jermaine Beckford off to Leicester so.
1410 Scott Parker transfer to Spurs appears to be completed. Great signing for Spurs - I had heard that Harry needed someone to deal with the mighty Shamrock Rovers midfield trio of Stephen Rice, Ronan Finn and Chris Turner at the Lane in the Europa League come 29 September.
1400 All transfer talk is put on hold to watch Paulo Di Canio have a bit of a barney with one of his Swindon charges, Leon Clarke, after last night's match. 'Don't pull me gaffer' Clarke mouths at the Italian who is trying to get him into the tunnel for some home truths. Bit of a scuffle down the tunnel before the security block off the cameraman who kept rolling. You can watch it on Sky Sports news or YouTube, no doubt. I'd fancy Di Canio every time when it comes to a scrap. Just ask Nigel Winterburn.
1340 Latest news from Stoke City is that Cameron Jerome is on his way to discuss terms after clubs agreed a fee. And there will be no Ian Poulter lookalikes at the Britannia as Stoke end there interest in Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner. Those London boys obviously don't fancy it up north as Crouchy already said he didn't fancy a bit of Tony Pulis action.
1305 And that's me done for a while - Ed Leahy takes over.
by Brendan Cole
1305 OK LoI fans, let's see if I can get this right:
English free agent Rohan Ricketts is set to join Shamrock Rovers, according to Mark McCadden of The Star (on twitter). Ricketts had previously said he was meeting a new club to do a deal today.
Elsewhere, the Stoke deal for Nicklas Bendtnder has collapsed, while David Ngog looks to be on his way to Bolton.
1300 The Airtricity League connoisseurs out there will be pleased to know that my colleague Ed Leahy will be taking over the onerous task of running this live tracker soon.
Chances of another Enda Stevens-gate: 0.01%
1255 Why get rid of Joe Cole and then sign Yossi Benayoun? There is nothing firm about Benayoun's destination next - so we must assume he is still negotiating.
Lille were rumoured to be among those interested, but presumably they won't be making any move now having secured Cole.
1245 More from twitter #rtetransferday.
@Dilly1984: "Anthony Stokes back to Arsenal where he used to be in the academy."
@RchrdPrkr: "Worst Everton signing, and there have been many, must be Alex Nyarko, couldn't kick snow off a rope. Per Koldrup close second."
@Tommy2cans: "Just heard rumour Balotelli is going to Newcastle this can't be true #rtetransferday"
1240 Sunderland have agreed a fee for Anton Ferdinand with QPR to move there. Pending a medical and agreeing terms, he will go there before the end of the day.
1235 CONFIRMED Joe Cole has joined Lille on loan for the rest of the season - and that means Aston Villa miss out.
Elsewhere, Arsenal keep on bidding like it's 1995 it seems. They made an inquiry about Mikel Arteta but considered way too low and rejected.
I know how to fix this problem on the Wii.
1230 More on Enda Stevens.
@Alandugganmayo (via twitter): "#rtetransferday or he could be Shamrocks Rovers left back, mentioned on BBC"
@Albertwhite (via twitter): "Enda Stevens plays for @ShamrockRovers not UCD. Stop showing your ignorance #rtetransferday".
Quite.
1225 Consensus seems to be that Modric will stay at Spurs - but is it because of Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy's brinksmanship?
Mick (via e-mail): "Spurs and Harry talking up Modric all month trying to get more money for him. Now this has backfired big time on them and on Daniel Levy. Now they are left with Modric who’s head is all over the place and will be unhappy that he’s not going to Chelsea.
"Can't see Chelsea coming in for him again and they will end up having to let him go in Jan or next summer for a lot less that Chelsea bid. He's a good player but not worth the money Spurs were looking for."
1220 Gerry Murray (via e-mail): "I am so depressed, Everton can't even buy time this window. I guess I will just have to follow my true love, Liverpool on their travels across europe...sorry i mean the Carling Cup. Kerry for Sam."
1215 The Honda rumour takes a hit.
Barry (via e-mail): "The Honda rumour appears to have run out of gas.....CSKA president says he is going nowhere."
Reportedly, CSKA Moscow President Evgeni Giner told a press conference: "Now Honda plays for CSKA and he will continue to play for CSKA."
1210 The ManYoo fan consensus is that a certain William Pruniere is the worst ever buy. Back in 1994.
Via e-mail: "He was actually voted the sixth worst footballer of all time. Only beaten by Arnold Sidebottom (also Man Utd), Istvan Kozma (Liverpool), Gus Caesar (Arsenal), Thomas Brolin (Leeds) and Ali Dia (Southampton)!"
1150 Irish rumour about 21-year-old UCD player Enda Stevens.
@Dylow (via twitter): "Is Enda Stevens off to Aston Villa? Signed today joining in January, reliable sources in Birmingham"
Rumour rating: 2.5/10
@codonnell (via twitter): "#rtetransferday Andre-Pierre Gignac linked with a host of EPL clubs including Fulham Everyone and Blackburn."
My guess is he will go to Everyone.
Rumour rating 2/10
1145 The latest to bubble up from twitter and a few websites is that Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda is going to move to Arsenal from CSKA Moscow.
On ManYoo's worst:
Gillp (via e-mail) "Luke Chadwick anyone?" Technically not a signing......youth academy graduate.
1140 The Liverpool PR machine is really pushing this line that Uruguayan defender Coates (CO-AH-TEZ? KOTES?) moved there because he already loves the Liverpool fans so much and his buddy Luis Suarez told him how wonderful they are.
1135 It is true, other teams have had some poor ones too.
Paul, Dublin (via e-mail): "Everyone banging on about Liverpool's worst how about Manchester United?
Kleberson anyone? Djemba Djemba, a certain Argentinian who cost a few bob aswell.."
Should Liam Miller also be in the Hall of Shame? Might be alone in this, but I thought Kleberson was actually quite good.
JD (via e-mail): "For Liverpool to be true title contenders they need three more players, right winger, Adam Johnson, centre back Gary Cahill and super sub striker Daniel Sturridge. Don't want to see Meireles go but for Sturridge and 7m would be a good deal. On the worst signing in pools history my vote would go to Igor Biscan!!!!"
Must point out that Igor is a Champions League winner.
1130 Asks a rather downbeat e-mailer: "Anyone feel sorry for Everton? We have yet to sign anyone and we will not sign anyone. Only club in Premiership not to sign anyone this transfer window."
Not really feeling it. Send me your worst Everton signing ever and I might.
1125 A Manchester United move is rumoured - could it be that the Schneijder deal will happen? Ribery to Chelsea is the other biggie that is possibly cooking away.
Joe Cole to Aston Villa is being pushed by Sky now. They promised a big piece of ManYoo news a minute ago, but it seems they meant the Villa all along.
1120 More superb rumours from inside the Brittania Stadium. My man tells me that - allegedly - Jermaine Pennant gets really bad pollen allergies when he goes into the club shop.
1115 Nothing other than talk for the last while but no real movement.
QPR are not interested in Crouch according to Sky. Bolton in for David Ngog is the other rumour.
On the Liverpool signings. More votes for Sean Dundee, and a couple for Bjorn Tore Kvarme. Also shouts for Itvan Kozma, Sebastian Leto and Andriy Vorinin.
I need a ruling on this though - lots of clubs sign players and then release them without playing don't they? Need a big fee to go with it to make it a 'worst' I would say.
Stephen (via e-mail): "Surely someone who was signed and NEVER played for us, is the worst player. Step forward Jean-Michel Ferri and (I think) Bernard Diomede."
1030 I'll have to take your word for it, but he does sound poor - Liverpool's worst:
Richie B (via e-mail): "Nobody has mentioned the calamity that was Torben Piechnik. Played with Denmark in their Euro 1992 winning team and was then signed by Souness. One of the worst centre backs ever to half graced the Premier League."
1025 Rovers fans have been chortling at this for a while:
Sinto Sinnot (via e-mail): "Steve Gerrard has been spotted in Tallaght this morning. Rumour has it he is going to sign for Shamrock Rovers as he wants to play in Europe this season!"
Two more great shouts for Liverpool's worst. Should it matter if the transfer was a free?
Brendan Ryan (via e-mail): "On this long running debate, how about throwing Philip Degen and Salif Diao in there. They hardly ever got a sniff of a game and Degen is still on Liverpools books."
1020 Shaun Maloney is set to move from Celtic to Wigan after the clubs agreed a fee of £1million. Nickey Shorey and Liam Ridgewell are not on the radar for the Celts though.
The other Celtic transfers so far:
Ins: Adam Matthews (Cardiff), Kelvin Wilson (Notts Forest), Victor Wanyama (Germinal Beerschot), Fraser Forster (Newcastle - loan), Mohamed Bangura, AIK Stockholm).
Outs: Paul McGowan (St Mirren), Freddie Ljungberg, Ryan Conroy (Dundee), Graham Carey (St Mirren), Niall McGinn (Brentford - loan), Ben Hutchinson, Andreas Hinkel, Daryl Murphy (Ipswich - loan), Richie Towell (Hibernian - loan).
1015 The Gary Cahill move from Bolton to Spurs.
£13million was the Bolton valuation and that put Arsenal off.
But it may be that the deal will be a part cash/part player exchange deal with Sebastian Bassong, Vedran Corluka and Alan Hutton among the potential makeweights.
1010 Peter Crouch has arrived at the Spurs training ground and there is nobody at Sunderland. Roman Pavyluchenko was also rumoured to be looking for a move too - all thanks to the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor on loan.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is reported by Sky to be working on a deal, and a striker is the Black Cats only target with 10 players already in.
QPR interested in Craig Bellamy is the other Sky rumour. Wright-Phillips and Anton Ferdinand are the other players that have been linked with QPR, and they have already picked up Armand Traore from Arsenal.
1005 @SheebaDonnelly (via twitter): "#rtetransferday how about Franck Ribery to Arsenal. Just the man they need in midfield to replace Cesc and Nasri."
Latest on Ribery was that Chelsea were having a look - and if the Modric deal does not happen they might go for it.
1000 Liverpool's worst ever. Of course!
Paul C (via e-mail): "I can't believe El Hadji Diouf hasn't been mentioned yet for the worst Liverpool signing ever. He cost around £ 11 million and all he will be remembered for in a Red shirt is the disgusting act of spitting at a Celtic Fan!"
0955 Another Irish rumour - this time embellished with the lovely detail that it comes via the Stoke City groundsman these past 15 years (though not the head one, cos I checked the name). Said groundsman is the alleged uncle of my erstwhile correspondent.
Ghostie (via e-mail): "He has it on very good authority that a deal is about to be struck for none other than Manchester United's Darren Gibson. A move, ironically suggested by a Mr. Trapattoni several seasons ago!"
Interesting.
One thing though Ghostie: that's not ironic, it's just something that hasn't happened yet.
Check this out for more detail.
0945 Liverpool's worst signing -
Ken (via e-mail): "There have been a few that didnt live up to expectation like Diouf, Morientes, Cheyrou, but for me it has to be Gregory Vignal, who was so bad he got the worst insult in football, been substituted after coming on as a subsititue against Spartak Moscow in the champions league, he only lasted about 15 mins."
0935 I have an e-mail from someone who claims Paul McShane is set for a move to Shamrock Rovers. I've put it in my silly rumours file for now.
Same correspondent claims Wright-Phillips will certainly move to QPR.
0930 Wes Soden (via e-mail): "At one time I thought Kiriakos was THE best header of the ball in the world, now I think he is just a long haired adonis. So terrible signing but fantasic looks. Also why is Poulson been sold to a bottle of water?"
0920 What about forgotten man Craig Bellamy. Liverpool and Tottenham are both sniffing about, and Cardiff would like to hang on to him too.
No news yet, but something may well happen during the day. According to RTÉ sources.
0915 Was Aquilani given a chance though?
Another contribution to the Liverpool's worst signing debate. An eye-witness tells me he is definitely one of the worst ever to line out for the club: Antonio Nunez - a makeweight in the Michael Owen/Madrid deal who is now plying his trade in Cyprus.
0913 Some solid news has arrived! It's about the RTÉ team, a genuine exclusive and marked 'internal use only'.
But I will bravely reveal it right here.
Anonymous (via e-mail): "From a solid source in London, rumours abound that Arsene Wenger is to be sacked and replaced by the wily Johnny Giles his back room staff to be made up of the shrewd cunning operator of Eamon Dunphy, Liam Brady (for his vast experience in everything Arsenal) and the stats man Bill O 'Herlihy for his vast knowledge of the game!!!!
"They are calling it the dream team. The first signings are to bring Phil Babb and Jason McAteer into the squad!!! You heard it here first."
0910 Redknapp on Gary Cahill: "I've always been an admirer of Gary Cahill. We've got to wait and see. We do need to shift one or two. So we'll see how the day pans out."
So, if I've got this right, Spurs need to shift Peter Crouch to buy Gary Cahill.
Crouch could go to Sunderland or QPR.
0907 There's always an 'oh yeah' moment in these discussions - so Liverpool's worst signing....
Séan Pól Mac Cathmhaoil (via e-mail): "Its clearly Aquilani!!! I mean something like three appearances and cost £17 million. There's no competition there!!!"
0905 Cameron Jerome (Birmingham to Stoke) is at the 'fee agreed' stage - £6m. Personal terms remain to be sorted.
Not sure what to make of the 'Modric going nowhere' claim from Harry Redknapp.
Harry's words: "That won't happen. No chance. One million per cent."
It's a tough negotiating stance for sure.
0900 The World Athletics Championships are on a rest day today. They must have known that the best athletes in the world competing for the year's biggest prize could never compete with the media behemoth that is TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY.
0855 Nicklas Bendtner's dad seen at Stoke!
Either they are really desperate, or they want to sign Nicklas.
0850 Does everyone know that Liverpool have signed Sebastian Coates? He arrives from Uruguayan club Nacional.
Does anyone know if it is KO-AH-TEZ or KOTES.
Proper fans will figure it out soon no doubt.
Also - have I mentioned that Christian Poulsen to Evian is my favourite move of the window so far. Cos Evian is like.......a water-making company too.
0845 The Dean/Daniel chortles continue!
Paul Bishop (via e-mail): If Dean Sturridge replaces Benayoun, that would be the worst transfer deal in history. : )
Cheik Tiote's Wikipedia page says he is "is very much thought as a essential part of Newcastle's future" (breaching several Wiki-standards!).
But Shane Gilloolly (via e-mail) thinks different: Cheik Tiote will be a Man united player by days end. £13 million and Kiki Macheda on loan to Newcastle till the end of season.
0827 Coffee clearly needed here to keep up with all this.
Question: Who is Liverpool's worst ever signing?
Discussed yesterday here, and among those on the shortlist were Christian Poulsen and Sean Dundee.
I'd like to throw Milan Jovanovic into the mix, even though he was free. Some may say Sotorios Kyrgiakos. There was also a cheeky mention for Robbie Keane, and we could go back to the moves for Fernando Morientes and even Stan Collymore.
Worst ever? Hmmmmm.
0820 @Aidoroch: "Dean Sturridge would be a great signing for Pool but he retired years ago #daniel #rtetransferday"
Sharp work from @aidoroch on Twitter.
It'll be young Daniel Sturridge that Liverpool are looking for, Dean Sturridge having hung up his boots in 2001.
0815 Shaun Wright-Phillips is set to move to QPR from Man City having played just twice for City this season.
Neil Warnock signed Armand Traore from Arsenal yesterday. That's the same Armand Traore who played in the back four that shipped eight goals against ManYoo.
A bargain? £1.2m......
Arsenal and Lille are among the other clubs being linked with Benayound.
0810 Modric 'won't move' says Harry Redknapp.
Modric to Chelsea "won't happen, one million per cent".
'Arry Redknapp is on Sky soon to talk about his wheeling and dealing (no, I wouldn't say it too his face).
As everyone knows, the Scott Parker deal is set to happen, but possibly with players being exchanged as part of the deal instead of a simple cash/player exchange.
Parker put in a transfer request yesterday.
A potential move for Peter Crouch is also discussed. There has been a bid of £10m from Stoke but Spurs want £12m, but there are other clubs interested.
Bolton's Gary Cahill could be a target, with Arsenal out of the race for his signature.
On Joe Cole, Redknapp adds "I love Joe, but we've got too many players".
Others report that Cole could go from Liverpool to Lille on loan if a Premier League club does not come in for him.
0750 Rumour has it that Cameron Jerome is set to move to Stoke from Birmingham.
0725 Another big talking point has been the Owen Hargreaves to Man City move.
Hargreaves 'only has to pass a medical' said some.
Hargreaves 'HAS TO PASS A MEDICAL' said others.
But he did (yesterday) and is set to become a City man having agreed terms.
0720 Good morning and welcome. We will be keeping up with all the big moves and rumours, especially those invovling Irish players.
Some early news:
As we knew yesterday, Arsenal are close to confirming the signing of Per Mertesacker as he has passed a medical and agreed terms. Andre Santos (left-back) has also passed a medical.
Yossi Benayoun is also on the move and said on twitter last night that he is due in London today to talk with potential targets.
"Negotiating with several team....news soon" is his latest on twitter.
A Chelsea offer involving involving £7million and Benayoun for Raul Meireles of Liverpool was rejected but if Daniel Sturridge replaces Benayoun, that could happen according to some.
If Liverpool does end up being the destination, that would surely contravene owner John Henry's ideas about buying players of a standard capable of winning the Premier League?
A fee has also been agreed for Brian Ruiz (FC Twente to Fulham). Also, Czech defender Zdenek Grygera is set to move from Juventus to Fulham.
People also seem to expect 'Arry and Spurs to do something. Cos he's a wheeler dealer innit.
