Pete O’Rourke column: Tottenham could hijack Wharton deal, Chelsea pull Chalobah U-turn, Arsenal striker signing news

Sun 28 January 2024 21:00, UK

Welcome to the latest edition of my twice-weekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.

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CRYSTAL PALACE

My understanding is that Palace are not giving up on a deal for Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton despite seeing an initial £18.5million offer rejected.

I’m told the Selhurst Park club will return with another bid and are very keen to agree a deal this month.

Blackburn are reluctant to lose wonderkid midfielder Wharton and will hold out for around £25million.

Some reports have suggested Rovers want the midfielder loaned back for the rest of this season – but Palace want the teenager in right now as they are short in midfield following Cheick Doucoure’s serious injury.

Tottenham are interested in the talented Wharton and have watched him in action regularly, while Newcastle and Wolves are also keen.

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Crystal Palace are currently leading the race and are the only team to have formalised their interest at this stage, with Spurs looking elsewhere for midfield reinforcements at this time.

However, club chiefs are mindful they may be beaten to his signature in the summer window and are working hard to strike a deal as soon as possible.

EVERTON

The Toffees have not yet found a suitable replacement for Arnaut Danjuma, who is wanted on loan by Lyon.

Everton would need to cancel his loan deal at Goodison Park for him to make that move and as things stand, I’m told they won’t be doing so.

Lyon are already looking at alternatives.

Meanwhile, there is no scope for permanent arrivals at Everton in the final week of the window – but loan arrivals could come in if players were to leave the club.

Ben Godfrey is the most likely to leave, with Leeds United formalising their interest in a potential loan switch.

Everton would be keen to replace him with a temporary signing of their own before the deadline on 1 February.

Toffees and Fulham target Luiz Henrique is set to leave Real Betis to join Brazillian club Botafago.

The winger is very highly rated and has impressed in La Liga.

Both Fulham and Everton showed interest this month but look set to miss out to Botafago – who could then loan Henrique to Lyon, who share an owner with the Brazillian outfit.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Reports have suggested Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United are keen on Callum Wilson – who is available for around £20million amid Financial Fair Play concerns at St James’ Park.

Newcastle would be reluctant sellers, but Eddie Howe has already suggested a potential sale is out of his hands.

I’m told Man United is not a likely destination for Wilson – with Erik ten Hag’s side not able to afford any permanent deals this month.

Arsenal are also set to keep their powder dry until the summer window, sources say, as they want a marquee striker to come in and get the Gunners firing.

Premier League clubs up and down the table will be monitoring Wilson’s situation amid Newcastle’s worries, but my understanding is that he is happy at the club and is unlikely to move before the deadline.

BURNLEY

The Clarets are interested in Coventry City star Callum O’Hare alongside Championship duo Leicester and Southampton.

O’Hare is out of contract at the end of the season and has been offered a new long-term deal.

The midfielder has come back flying this term after a long-term knee injury.

I’m told Coventry remain hopeful of tying O’Hare down to a new contract and the player’s main focus is playing football at this time.

The Sky Blues want to keep him as they are focused on a potential promotion – with O’Hare key to their chances of achieving just that.

CHELSEA

I’m told there is a strong possibility of Trevoh Chalobah now heading out on loan in this window.

He has recovered from a serious hamstring injury and was considered a sellable asset by Chelsea – but a lack of permanent interest means they have had to pull a U-turn and consider loan offers.

Chalobah came through the youth ranks at Chelsea and any sale would have been considered pure profit under Financial Fair Play rules.

The Blues would consider letting him go out on loan with a potential option or obligation to buy later this year.

I’m told Fulham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham are all eyeing a late move for the centre-back.