Transfer roundup, Jan. 17: Everton signs Theo Walcott, Sanchez waits for Mkhitaryan
Welcome to FC Yahoo‘s daily transfer roundup, where we’ll dissect the January market, assess the credibility of gossip, and discuss the likelihood that deals come to pass. Every day, we’ll split the various links between players and clubs into four categories to sift through the BS and direct your attention to the reports that deserve it.
Here’s the transfer roundup for Wednesday, Jan. 17:
WEDNESDAY’S DONE DEALS
Theo Walcott | Arsenal —> Everton — Walcott, after 12 years, 397 appearances and 108 goals for Arsenal, officially completed his move to Everton on Wednesday. The transfer fee is reportedly around $28 million for the 28-year-old forward who can play on either wing or through the middle.
Walcott had not started a Premier League game for Arsenal since last April. He was once a fixture across the front line for the Gunners, but injuries have curtailed his quickness, which had always been his primary distinguishing attribute. Because of those injuries, Walcott never quite lived up to the immense promise of his teenage years. But he had a very solid Arsenal career.
Everton is a logical move. It’s a logical one for Walcott, who now has four months to jump back into the England frame ahead of the World Cup – he’s a long shot, but not an afterthought. It’s logical for Everton, which was desperate for pace up front. And, at $28 million, it’s something of a coup for Arsenal.
Martin Hongla | Grenada —> Barcelona — An unheralded 19-year-old Cameroonian defender/defensive midfielder, Hongla will join Barca’s B-team on loan until the end of the season, at which point the Catalan club will have an option to buy.
REPORTS
Alexis Sanchez | Arsenal —> Manchester United — It is almost certainly going to happen. The only question appears to be whether Henrikh Mikhitaryan heads in the other direction. Reports on Tuesday suggested the deal hinged on the Armenian playmaker. The Guardian reported on Wednesday that it could happen without him. But the Independent‘s Miguel Delaney tweeted that Mkhitaryan and Arsenal are close to an agreement anyway.
Either way, Sanchez is in for a massive pay day. He has reportedly agreed to personal terms with United. Those terms stipulate a roughly $37 million annual salary and a $27.6 million signing bonus. Throw in the transfer fee – whether Mkhitaryan represents all, part or none of it – and the agent fee, and the total cost of the deal to United will reportedly be over $200 million.
Kostas Stafylidis | Augsburg —> Stoke City — Stafylidis is in England for a medical ahead of a move to Stoke on loan until the end of the season. The Potters already got the right back they needed; Stafylidis would be the left back they need.
CHATTER
Chelsea’s Andy Carroll interest — David Moyes had the following to say about Chelsea’s reported pursuit of West Ham striker Andy Carroll: “I know nothing about it. There have been a lot of rumors regarding a loan but as far as I know it has never officially come from Chelsea.”
The latest Carroll reports suggest West Ham wants around $28 million. There has also been talk of Michy Batshuayi going in the other direction on loan, but Batshuayi’s most likely destination apparently remains Sevilla.
RUMORS
Fred | Shakhtar Donetsk —> Manchester City — There have been intermittent rumblings of City’s interest over the past month of so. Sky Sports is the latest to say report it, though it seems unlikely to be a January deal.
Emerson Palmieri | Roma —> Chelsea — Most Chelsea left back rumors revolved around Juventus’ Alex Sandro early in the window. With that asking price – reportedly $82.8 million – apparently too lofty, Antonio Conte has reportedly turned to a cheaper Serie A option. Palmieri, a 23-year-old Brazilian-born Italian, could reportedly be available for around $27 million. He’d likely back up Marcos Alonso.
Andre Silva | AC Milan —> Swansea/Wolves — There is apparently a bidding war between the worst team in the Premier League and the best team in the Championship for a 22-year-old AC Milan striker who could cost around $50 million. What a time to be alive. (A move to Swansea is almost certainly not realistic; but Wolves can’t be ruled out because of the Jorge Mendes connection. Mendes represents Silva.)
Islam Slimani | Leicester City —> Besiktas — Besiktas president Fikret Orman was reportedly in England on Tuesday for Leicester’s FA Cup game against Fleetwood, and is interested in the Algerian striker, per Sky Sports.
JANUARY’S TOP DONE DEALS
(Chronological order)
Theo Walcott | Arsenal —> Everton ($27.6 million)
Martin Hongla | Grenada —> Barcelona (loan)
Lisandro Lopez | Benfica —> Inter Milan (loan)
Manuel Akanji | FC Basel —> Borussia Dortmund ($27 million)
Alex Pritchard | Norwich City —> Huddersfield Town ($16.6 million)
Yerry Mina | Palmeiras —> Barcelona ($14.2 million)
Francis Coquelin | Arsenal —> Valencia ($14.4 million)
Fousseni Diabate | Gazélec Ajaccio —> Leicester City ($4.8 million)
Renato Steffen | FC Basel —> Wolfsburg ($2 million)
Mark Uth | Hoffenheim —> Schalke (summer, free)
Moritz Bauer | Rubin Kazan —> Stoke City ($6.8 million)
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou | Tottenham —> Burnley (loan)
Kevin Mirallas | Everton —> Olympiacos (loan)
Philippe Coutinho | Liverpool —> Barcelona ($192.5 million)
Cenk Tosun | Besiktas —> Everton ($36.5 million)
Wesley Sneijder | Nice —> Al-Gharafa (undisclosed)
Ross Barkley | Everton —> Chelsea ($20.3 million)
Marko Pjaca | Juventus —> Schalke (loan)
Konstantinos Mavropanos | PAS Giannina —> Arsenal ($2.4 million)
Terence Kongolo | Monaco —> Huddersfield Town (loan)
Virgil van Dijk | Southampton —> Liverpool ($101.4 million)
Diego Costa | Chelsea —> Atletico Madrid (€71.5 million)
Adrien Silva | Sporting CP —> Leicester City ($29.8 million)
Previous rumor roundups: Jan. 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 16
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Henry Bushnell covers global soccer, and occasionally other ball games, for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell.
