Tuesday briefing: Nico Gonzalez to Man City leads flurry of late transfer action

Transfer deadline day produced its usual flurry of activity, although unusually it was some of the bigger names who raced to make last-minute additions.

A big name in Steven Gerrard was also linked with the managerial vacancy at currently the worst club in the football league, while Marcus Rashford settled into his new home after leaving Manchester United on loan.

Late burst as window closes

Manchester City took their January spending close to £175million after completing the last-minute signing of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez – while Tottenham finally got a loan deal for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel over the line.

City had recruited Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis and Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov for a combined £122.5m and the Gonzalez deal, who had been pulled out of the Portuguese club’s squad to face Rio Ave on Monday evening, was announced as the window closed at 11pm.

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Tottenham eventually signed Tel as he performed a u-turn three days after rejecting a move to north London.

The 19-year-old, who was also attracting interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, turned down the opportunity to move to north London on Friday after a £50.2million deal was agreed with the Bundesliga leaders.

However, he had a change of heart over the weekend, with reports in Germany claiming the France international wants to consider his longer-term future and so has agreed a temporary move, although the club have negotiated an option to buy.

Aston Villa were the other significant movers late in the window, signing Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Asensio on loan with a temporary deal for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi also announced in the early hours as they continue to compete on three fronts.

Business continued to be announced after the midnight deadline ticked by, with Southampton capturing Nigerian forward Victor Udoh on a three-and-a-half year deal from Royal Antwerp. Wolves also moved late for Zimbabwe international Marshall Munetsi from Reims until 2028.

Fresh start for Rashford

Marcus Rashford is excited by Aston Villa’s “constant ambition” and hopes to bolster their Champions League and Premier League challenge after joining on loan from Manchester United.

The 27-year-old, who has not played for United since mid-December, will be playing for another team for the first time having made 426 first-team appearances for his boyhood club.

“It’s an ambitious time for this club and a great opportunity for me to join this team and help them keep pushing forward,” he said.

“They are still in the Champions League and we want to go as far as we can in that and if you don’t aim to win it, you’ll never win it so that will be my main objective and keep pushing in the league to get as high as possible.

“This is my first time playing for any other team so you don’t know what to expect but it’s been more excitement, not scared of going into a new environment.”

Villa bolstered their attacking options further with the loan signing of Marco Asensio from Paris St Germain.

Bright tackles fan abuse

Millie Bright stressed players are “not robots” after receiving abuse from the Chelsea section at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Blues captain Bright described the incident, involving a fan who had been asking for photographs and signatures, as “hugely disappointing”.

The 31-year-old England centre-back posted on Instagram: “Yesterday I experienced hearing a fan’s comment that I was “f****** s***” in the first half.

“Now everyone can have their opinion, what was said I don’t actually care about but it was more the fact that this came after they’d asked for photos and signatures.

“Please may I remind you that as players we are not collectables, we are not robots, we are humans the same as you.

“After every game we as players make a choice to give you our time, support and generosity to do photos, signatures, have conversation because we care and respect you travelling to support us.

“We do this regardless of the result or performance, so please be more mindful of your comments.”

Gerrard has no-go for Cumbrians

EFL’s bottom club Carlisle will not be making a shock move for Steven Gerrard to become their third manager of the season.

Reports suggested the Cumbrians’ ambitious American owners, the Piatak family were considering an audacious bid for the former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard after sacking Mike Williamson, who had been allowed to sign 11 players in the transfer window.

Gerrard has only just left Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq and worked with Carlisle sporting director Rob Clarkson during his time in charge of Rangers, but the PA news agency understands it is not a move which will be pursued.

Recently-sacked former Bolton boss Ian Evatt is the early bookmakers’ frontrunner.

What’s on today?

Burnley will look to close the gap on the Championship’s top two at home to mid-table Oxford.

Neighbours Blackburn have a chance to consolidate their position in the play-off places when they go to QPR.

League Two play-off chasers Salford host Bromley, while Newport host Morecambe in an all bottom-six clash, while there are two EFL Trophy quarter-finals, including League One leaders Birmingham at Stevenage.