Transfer deadline day live: Liverpool sign Jacquet, Mateta future confirmed, Benzema’s Saudi switch

Liverpool have clinched the signing of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for an initial £55m after beating Chelsea to the highly-rated French defender.

The 20-year-old will complete his move to Anfield on 1 July as Liverpool have already tied up their first bit of summer business.

Jacquet, whose fee could rise to £60m including add-ons, will sign a five-year deal with the option to extend it a further season, until 2032.

Cristiano Ronaldo has apparently gone on strike at Al-Nassr amid an extraordinary row over the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s operation of the club.

Ronaldo was absent from the club’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh on Monday despite not being injured or suspended, abandoning his teammates in the midst of a tense title race at the top of the table.

His reasoning for this latest tantrum relates to Al-Nassr’s transfer activity in the winter window, with the Portugal captain taking issue with supposed preferential treatment towards his club’s PIF-owned rivals.

Crystal Palace have completed the club-record signing of Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves.

Strand Larsen has agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract and moves to Selhurst Park in a package worth £48m.

Palace made a move for Strand Larsen after they granted Jean-Philippe Mateta's wish to leave the club in this winter transfer window.

Mateta's proposed deadline-day switch to Serie A giants AC Milan has since fallen through, but it failed to stop Palace's pursuit of Strand Larsen and they will pay an initial £43m with a further £5m included in the deal in add-ons.

Strand Larsen scored 14 goals for Wolves in the 2024-25 campaign to help steer them clear of relegation concerns and will aim to do the same at Palace, who are without a win in 12 matches in all competitions.

Jean-Philippe Mateta was hoping for a new challenge this month. His next challenge will be to reintegrate into the Crystal Palace squad.

The Frenchman will remain a Palace player for the remainder of the season after his AC Milan move fell through.

Juventus asked about signing Mateta on loan with an option to buy but Palace were not willing to sanction that deal.

Everton have signed winger Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season.

The Merseyside club will have the option to buy the 19-year-old in the summer but in the short term, George gives Everton a replacement for Jack Grealish, who is out for the remainder of the campaign with a foot injury.

In addition, Dwight McNeil is staying at Everton after a proposed loan move to Crystal Palace broke down because the necessary paperwork was not submitted in time.

Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United on loan in his latest bid to revive his career after becoming Manchester City’s forgotten man.

The England international has left City to return to the Championship for the first time since helping Leeds get promoted in 2020.

United, who are 17th in the second tier, have agreed a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy Phillips in the summer.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said Estevao will not be pressured to return to the club after flying to Brazil on Saturday.

The 18-year-old returned home after being given compassionate leave to deal with a personal matter and is unlikely to be available for Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg away to Arsenal.

Asked about a possible return date, Rosenior said: "I don't know yet. He's a young kid who has come and been magnificent.

"He's going through a really difficult time for personal reasons, he's on compassionate leave. I won't put any pressure on. It has to be right for him and he has to feel like he's in the right place to perform."

Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently training with the club’s Under-21 squad, having been a free agent since leaving Besiktas.

When asked if the 32-year-old could be snapped up to provide injury cover for Mikel Merino, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta smiled and said: “We explore every option.”

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has said it was “disgraceful” that the club only had “11 players available” for this weekend’s visit of Manchester City in an apparent dig at the Spurs hierarchy.

“Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were incredible,” Romero wrote on Instagram. “I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available — unbelievable but true and disgraceful.

“We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans.”

Southampton have signed Cyle Larin from Mallorca on loan for the rest of the season.

His arrival coincides with the exit of Adam Armstrong to Wolves.