Transfer Deadline Wrap: Medical Heartbreak for Mateta, Arsenal’s Midfield Inquiry, and Forest’s Day of Frustration
LONDON — As the 2026 January transfer window slammed shut last night, the frantic nature of the Premier League market was on full display. From multi-million pound deals falling apart over medical scans to tactical “hijacks” and the emergence of future stars, Simon Jones of Daily Mail Sport provides a comprehensive autopsy of the final 24 hours of trading.
The Mateta Meltdown: A Dream Move to Milan Evaporates
The most dramatic narrative of the day centered on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The 28-year-old Frenchman had been vocal about his desire to join AC Milan, a move he viewed as a gateway to securing a spot in France’s upcoming World Cup squad. However, the move collapsed under the clinical scrutiny of the Milanese medical staff.
Initial tests conducted in London on Sunday hinted at a potential knee issue, and upon closer inspection by Milan’s doctors yesterday, the Italian giants decided the £30 million risk was too great. Mateta now faces the awkward task of reintegrating into Oliver Glasner’s squad, where he will find himself in direct competition with new arrival Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Palace’s day was a mix of high spending and clerical errors. While they successfully secured Strand Larsen from Wolves for £48 million—taking their window total to a staggering £83 million—they failed to finalize a deal for Everton’s Dwight McNeil. Despite a deal sheet being submitted and a medical completed, the terms shifted from a permanent transfer to a loan with an obligation after the Mateta sale fell through. Everton sources suggest the clock simply ran out before an agreement could be reached.
Arsenal’s “Tonali” Inquiry and Youth Recruitment
In North London, Arsenal were forced to scan the market for reinforcements following the news that Mikel Merino requires imminent foot surgery. This led to a brief but intense exploration of Sandro Tonali’s situation at Newcastle United.
While agents reportedly initiated contact, Arsenal never moved to club-to-club negotiations. Tonali’s representative, Giuseppe Riso, was quick to pour cold water on the rumors, stating:
“Newcastle won’t let Sandro go in January… We will see around March about his valuation, but only if Newcastle decide to open doors. This is a nonsense topic.”
Instead of a marquee midfield signing, the Gunners focused on the future, securing 18-year-old St Mirren forward Evan Mooney and Stoke City’s versatile defender Jaden Dixon. Interestingly, Arsenal missed out on Hearts’ teenage striker James Wilson, who rejected a loan-to-trial offer at the Emirates in favor of a permanent move to rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Nottingham Forest: A Series of Unfortunate Rejections
Nuno Espírito Santo’s Nottingham Forest endured arguably the most frustrating Deadline Day in the division. The club saw multiple pursuits hit a brick wall:
- Dwight McNeil: Missed out as the player was caught in the Palace/Everton crossfire.
- Arne Engels: Forest submitted three bids for the Celtic star, the final being £25 million, all of which were rejected by the Scottish champions.
- Hayden Hackney: Failed to lure the Middlesbrough standout to the City Ground.
Their only consolation was the £1.1 million acquisition of Borussia Mönchengladbach left-back Luca Netz, a deal that includes a significant sell-on clause.
[Table: Major Moves & Missed Connections]
| Player | From | To | Status | Reason |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | Crystal Palace | AC Milan | FAILED | Failed Medical (Knee) |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | Wolves | Crystal Palace | DONE | £48m Transfer |
| Jeremy Jacquet | Rennes | Liverpool | DONE | £60m (Joining in Summer) |
| Angel Gomes | Marseille | Wolves | DONE | Loan with £6m Option |
| Dwight McNeil | Everton | Palace/Forest | FAILED | Paperwork/Timing |
Chelsea’s Defensive Dominoes
Chelsea’s window ended with a sense of “what if.” They missed out on their primary target, 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet, who chose to join Liverpool in a £60 million deal (staying at Rennes until the summer).
In response, the Blues recalled Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg to provide immediate depth, while sending Aaron Anselmino and David Datro Fofana to the French side. This continues the heavy traffic between the two BlueCo-owned clubs, marking the 12th deal between the organizations.
The Best of the Rest: Wolves, Celtic, and the EFL
- Wolves: Successfully reinvested their Strand Larsen windfall into Southampton’s Adam Armstrong (£9m) and a cut-price loan for England international Angel Gomes from Marseille.
- Celtic: While they kept Engels, they are now eyeing free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been maintaining fitness with Arsenal’s U21s.
- Leicester City: Bolstered their survival hopes with the short-term signing of veteran Jamaal Lascelles from Newcastle.
- Manchester United: Conducted minor business, sending Gabriele Branchieri to Rotherham and James Scanlon to Swindon on loan.
Final Thoughts
The window closed with several players “out in the cold,” most notably Brandon Williams, who left Hull City by mutual consent and remains a free agent. As the Premier League rosters are locked in, the focus shifts to the pitch, where the “winners” and “losers” of this chaotic January will finally be revealed by the league table.