Transfer Deadline Day: Live analysis of all the major deals, rumors

Transfer deadline day is in full swing. We’re providing live, quick-hit analysis of the biggest deals – and rumors – until tonight’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.

Top story: Liverpool signing a defender (for real!)

They waited until the final day of the window, but Liverpool’s search for another center-back is almost complete.

The Reds are reportedly nearing a deal for Ozan Kabak. The Schalke defender, 20, is believed to be undergoing a medical in Germany to help expedite the process. The transfer could be structured as an initial loan with an option to buy for a total fee of around €30 million and would solidify Liverpool’s backline with someone who is clearly talented and has time to grow at the club for years to come.

Several names have been suggested as possible defensive options throughout the January window, and while Jurgen Klopp has been adamant that the club wouldn’t sign someone simply for the sake of bringing in another body, the injury bug forced his hand. With Joel Matip now sidelined – along with long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – reinforcements were a necessity as the Merseyside club looks to retain its Premier League crown.

Whether the push for Kabak nixes the deal that was reportedly in place for Ben Davies of Preston North End remains to be seen. David Carmo and Duje Caleta-Car have also been linked with a last-minute move to Anfield, but Kabak seems the most likely at the moment.

Deal for Alli falls apart

Paris Saint-Germain’s pursuit of Dele Alli appears to be over.

Tottenham’s inability to find a replacement for the seldom-used midfielder has seemingly scuppered any hopes the 24-year-old had of reuniting with Mauricio Pochettino. Spurs, now in the midst of a mini two-game slide, could use some creativity and shot creation, especially with Harry Kane sidelined. If Jose Mourinho doesn’t play Alli now, he never will, and we’ll be looking at a lose-lose situation for everyone.

Mustafi on his way out

Shkodran Mustafi, who has played a grand total of 45 Premier League minutes this season, is, mercifully, leaving north London. Arsenal are in talks with Schalke to jettison the defender, with sources telling James Olley of ESPN that €2 million to €3 million is the fee being discussed.

That lends more weight to reports about Liverpool’s pursuit of Kabak; Schalke would need a replacement for the Turkish international were he to leave today.

Mustafi, always prone to a glaring error (or two, or three) should get plenty of playing time for the Bundesliga’s basement club.

Neymar to Newcastle?

Sadly, no …

It’s fun to dream.

Inter Milan slam the door shut

Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has poured cold water on the many rumors swirling around the Serie A title hopefuls. Christian Eriksen, Alexis Sanchez, and Ivan Perisic were all tipped as potential departures this month – the Chilean was viewed as a possible makeweight for Edin Dzeko – but it seems like there won’t be a late flurry of action at the San Siro.

“We’re not selling or buying any player today,” Marotta said, according to Fabrizio Romano of The Guardian. “Christian Eriksen is staying too. The (Dzeko-Sanchez) swap deal with AS Roma is off.”

Is this just a smokescreen? We’ll know by the end of the day.

No new strikers heading to Manchester

Odds and ends

In lieu of earth-shattering transfers, the January window typically tends to provide a slew of minor moves – often loans – on deadline day. Things are no different this year. Here are some of the deals either finalized or nearing completion thus far today:

• Ainsley Maitland-Niles to West Bromwich Albion ?
• DeAndre Yedlin to Galatasaray ?
• Sami Khedira to Hertha Berlin ?
• Joshua Zirkzee to Parma ?
• Bryan Reynolds to AS Roma ?

Adding a little levity …

Remember, it’s important to try to enjoy the madness that is transfer deadline day, even if your favorite club isn’t active – or, worse, makes a bad signing.

Thankfully, everyone’s favorite parody account is here to keep things light: