QPR strike late
Championship strugglers QPR strengthened their midfield with the late signing of Isaac Hayden on loan from Newcastle for the rest of the season.
Hayden has been out of favour on Tyneside for the last couple of years and spent last season at Norwich. He made 10 appearances for Belgian side Standard Liege during the first half of this campaign.
The ex-England Under-21 international brings significant Premier League experience, having played more than 100 times in the top flight, and hopes he can help preserve Rangers’ status in the second tier.
“It is obvious to see the position the club are in at the moment,” he said on the club’s official website. “But it’s a challenge that I feel I can add some value to, on and off the pitch – be an experienced player and be a leader to try and help the club stay in the league.
“Everyone knows what the Championship is like but if we can get a consistent run of performances, hopefully the points will come.
“I’ve looked at the squad and there are some really good players in it. There is definitely enough there but it is about us proving that on a matchday when it counts.”
QPR also completed a deadline-beating loan move for Wolves midfielder Joe Hodge.
One to shout about
Crystal Palace’s swoop for midfielder Adam Wharton from Blackburn looked to be the biggest Premier League move of deadline day as the transfer window closed with a flurry of late loan deals.
The Eagles – fighting to stay clear of being dragged into a relegation battle – are said to have paid an initial fee of £18million, which could potentially see a further £4m in add-ons for the talented 19-year-old.
Wharton, who has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, feels Crystal Palace is the right place for him to further his ambitions.
“The way they have brought players from the Championship and developed them into world-class players in the Premier League is something that stood out to me,” Wharton said on the club’s website. “It is a big reason why I wanted to come here.”
All gone quiet over there
Premier League clubs spent just £100million in one of the quietest transfer windows in recent memory.
That figure, as estimated by leading finance company Deloitte, is down from a staggering £815m last January and an average of just over £319m since the 2016-17 season, when the value of domestic television rights first jumped past £5billion in a three-year cycle.
A relative plateauing of broadcast revenues and the threat of sanctions under the league’s profit and sustainability rules – with Everton already docked 10 points this season – have been cited as potential reasons for the lack of activity this month.
Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said: “After record-breaking spending in the last three transfer windows, Premier League clubs’ spending this January has been subdued.
“The more prudent approach is likely driven by the high level of spend invested during the summer window, but may also have been influenced by a heightened awareness of the Premier League’s financial regulations and the potential repercussions of non-compliance.
“Securing the highest-quality player talent remains pivotal for Premier League clubs, but we’ve seen in this window that retention has been of higher priority than attraction.”
Over the line
Fulham confirmed the signing of Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea late last night.
The Blues initially wanted a £50million permanent deal for their 22-year-old striker but settled for a straight loan.
talkSPORT understands Chelsea lowered their loan fee demand from £5m to a nominal figure, and there is now an option to buy rather than an obligation.
Fulham will owe the Blues more money if appearance-related clauses are not met – and the deal could be worth £4m in total.
Broja said: “It feels amazing. I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started, meet the players and manager and play for the fans.
“The fans always play a big role and I can’t wait to go to Craven Cottage and meet them all. I’m going to work hard for the team and create a real bond.
“I’m really honoured and excited to be here.”