A few notes from around the club today, including the signing of another young talent (as seen below).

Window shopping

Mikel to be fit for Saturday, Lampard likely
• After some seven weeks on the shelf, John Obi Mikel is finally ready to resurface.

In our last poll, we asked whether the club needed to sign a striker, winger, attacking midfielder, or holding midfielder in the transfer window to shore up one of the areas of weakness that had become apparent over the course of the 2011-12 season. An overwhelming majority of nearly 70% said that what the club needed more than anything was a striker, while 17% said winger, 8% said attacking midfielder, and only 5% said holding midfielder.

YOU try keeping them apart. Image: AFP PHOTO/ IAN KINGTON.

Don't feel bad that you missed all the transfer news because you're such important people. We too were engaged in frantic busy work (sleeping, shopping, drinking or a horrifying and painful combination of all three) when the window slammed shut at 23.

This January's Arsenal transfer news was relatively quiet at the Emirates Stadium, with Thierry Henry returning to the club on loan from New York Red Bulls and German teenager Thomas Eisfeld arriving from Borussia Dortmund for a modest fee.

However, activity has not always been this sedate at Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger making some surprising and at times, blockbuster signings in January.

This January's Arsenal transfer news was relatively quiet at the Emirates Stadium, with Thierry Henry returning to the club on loan from New York Red Bulls and German teenager Thomas Eisfeld arriving from Borussia Dortmund for a modest fee.

However, activity has not always been this sedate at Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger making some surprising and at times, blockbuster signings in January.

Luis Suarez is back from his suspension, Manchester United's tired of having 3,000 Liverpool supporters out-sing 70,000-odd United fans whenever the clubs meet at Old Trafford, and it turns out Liverpool signed an attacking player over the January transfer window after all. And also it's Friday, so let's get busy wasting a bit of time.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Le Toux talks

It just won't stop.

As suggested by the 130 readers' comments posted on PSP in less then 24 hours since the Le Toux transfer news broke, if the sadness felt by Union fans at the news of Sebastien Le Toux's transfer to Vancouver wasn't enough, subsequent comments from Peter Nowak and Le Toux will, for many, see that sadness turn to anger.

Ah hell. Not this shit again.

Oh joy. We've reached that special day of days in which insanity and panic trumps all. Well, you know, perhaps it's money that trumps all. Yeah, it's the cake.

This is January transfer deadline day. A war amongst men. Not really, but you know what I'm getting at.

Now we're going after another kid? Lord knows what you're doing Andre. Lord knows. More, after the jump:

Trick love tha kids

Right. His name is Patrick Bamford. He's 18 years old, and at present, logged a whopping 12 career minutes for the first team at Nottingham Forest.

Multiple outlets are carrying the story that Genk starlet Kevin De Bruyne is at Cobham undergoing his medical ahead of a 9 million quid transfer to the famous CFC. More, after the jump:

London calling

You already know the drill. KdB will come to Chelsea this summer, after finalizing paperwork tomorrow which sets his price and contract in place.

With Liverpool set to face Wolves on transfer deadline day, there was always some worry on our end as to how we'd manage to fit in both match coverage and any last-minute transfer insanity. Turns out that the club and Kenny Dalglish were fully sympathetic to our concerns, as today the official site put out a brief statement from Dalglish that under no circumstance will any new senior players be brought in before midnight in Paris on Tuesday.

Welp, it's done.

Baguettes & Brioche

After months of exile, Alex is once again on the verge of relevance. His protracted transfer saga has come to a close, with PSG concluding a deal to acquire the defender for 4 million quid. After turning down the chance to ply his trade at QPR, that massive club, he elected to reunite with former gaffer Carlo Ancelotti and take his talents to the Champs Elysses.

Henrique: still off to QPR?

São Paulo director, João Paulo de Jesus Lopes, says that the door has not been shut on forward Henrique's transfer to QPR. The Morumbi club say that contrary to earlier reports, Henrique has not been denied a UK work visa. "The truth is the visa wasn't turned down.

Ooh, it's a little early for tongue, Nolan. What kind of girls do you think we are? Image: PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images.

Nature abhors a vacuum, Kickettes. It isn't something we made up as a convenient opening remark for a transfer update post, it's the truth.

Don't believe us? Last week, we told you that Ludovic Obraniak had left Lille for Bordeaux, leaving a massive gap in their pretty player quotient.

Kerith Gabriel of the Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that only a contract issue is preventing Colombian striker Lionard Pajoy from completing a transfer to the Philadelphia Union. Pajoy, 30, leads the Colombian first division with 10 goals in 18 games for Itagui Ditaires.

Pajoy's profligacy in front of goal is a new development, however, with his career numbers hardly indicative of a dominant striker.

As exciting a name for the future as Joao Teixeira might be, most would agree he isn't going to make a difference when it comes to where Liverpool finishes this season. On the other hand, when it comes to just what the biggest shortcoming of this Liverpool squad is—the biggest thing holding them back—very few seem to agree on anything.

After waiting through half the January window with hardly even a solid link to report, Liverpool made an exciting first move in the market today—though it's exciting far more for its future potential and for the way in which participation in the NextGen Series is already paying off for the club than exciting for the club's prospects in the present.

All because Liverpool hasn't made a move yet in the transfer market doesn't mean that people aren't saying they're about to. So join us for the latest fun-like substance as we run down the latest collection of names being linked into—and out of—the club as the end of the January window edges into sight.

Patrick van Aanholt is off once again. Vitesse announced today that the 21-year-old fullback will be joining the Dutch club on loan for the remainder of the season.

In need of games

This is pretty good news. While the Eredivisie is a clear step down in competition from the Premier League, van Aanholt should have a chance to receive significant minutes after an egregious loan spell during the first half of the season.

It's done.

No, really. I'm serious, man. Just take a glance at the image below. Look, I swear it's not photoshopped. Look at his hair. I mean, how could I 'shop that?

Jack Bauer stylings

From now forth or at least until he fucks up Gary Cahill is a Chelsea player.

It has indeed happened. We have reached the magical plateau of 40 points, and are thus unlikely to be relegated. Three cheers. As for this fixture, it was a right odd one, with the Chels looking equal parts sterling and benumb, particularly in defense. Chances, there were a fair few for both sides.

The January transfer window is half way through, and, after the past two windows saw Liverpool one of the most active participants, it's been surprisingly quiet for a side lacking both midfield steel and finishing touch who before the season began set a return to Champions League action as the minimum requirement.

Here we are in the January transfer window, and we are all excited over the new stars that will be coming to the Emirates.

There is talk of this one, and talk of that one. Yet behind all the hype in the press you have Wenger telling us what I am afraid is going to be a very big disappointment for us all, and that is they do not want to spend any money with this financial crisis going to only get worse.

Here we are in the January transfer window, and we are all excited over the new stars that will be coming to the Emirates.

There is talk of this one, and talk of that one. Yet behind all the hype in the press you have Wenger telling us what I am afraid is going to be a very big disappointment for us all, and that is they do not want to spend any money with this financial crisis going to only get worse.

Jadson

São Paulo have confirmed that they have signed Brazil international Jadson from Shakhtar Donetsk. The 28-year-old has penned a three year deal but details of the transfer fee have yet to be released

Is Henrique on his way to Queens Park Rangers?

Check out more of Brazil's talented youngsters here

São Paulo's 21-year-old forward, Henrique, is reported to be close to signing a loan deal with Premier League club Queen Park Rangers. The initial deal is thought to be at around the €500,000 mark rising to €6million if QPR decide to make the transfer permanent.

No better source than the kid's own mouth.

Glad to see that the club has finally wrapped this deal up. It's been a highly disappointing season for McEachran thus far, with the player finding it damn near impossible to break into the first team at Chelsea under Andre Villas-Boas.

Images: PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images, AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES.

Ludovic Obraniak was a Lille player until yesterday when he signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Bordeaux.

All of our further research regarding his career, life and propensity towards nudity was abandoned as soon as we laid eyes on his.

Some more transfer news today with Darron Gibson leaving Man United and joining Everton for an incredibly low fee of £1million, possibly rising to £2million based on appearances. Gibson was told that he was free to leave after Paul Scholes came out of retirement, and I feel he'll be a great addition to Everton.

Newcastle have a number of top young players at the club, and if the transfer news of this last week is anything to go by, the club will be bringing in more top young players before September 1st rolls around. Mehdi Abeid - could become top player on Tyneside Two of Newcastle best 19 year-olds are Slovenian Haris Vuckic and [.

There's some news you might be interested in. Might. More, after the jump:

Back to France

Dijon have confirmed that, after a protracted series of negotiations, Gael Kakuta will be joining the club for the remainder of the campaign. Over the last ten days, Chelsea have been engaged in a series of loan discussions with both Dijon and Olympiakos.

As we go into the second week of the January transfer window, speculation is rife when it comes to the subject of Brazil's brightest prospects and where they might be heading. With so much talent in the country, there's plenty to choose from but I've picked out nine players who might have what it takes to make it in the Premier League
Click to view slideshow.

Word has begun circulating that Chelsea are expected to close the signing of Gary Cahill in the next 48 hours. More, after the jump:

English Recruits

So, this one looks like it'll finally be finished. The worst-kept secret of the winter is coming to its final hours, after an apparent break-through in negotiations took place Sunday evening, during which Chelsea representatives were able to reach a consensus with Cahill's agent.

Last summer, Liverpool rather famously spent big on players who created chances. To many, they paid far too much for far too little and the results haven't lived up to the expenditure, but regardless of whether one agreed with the approach at least there was a clearly identifiable approach: Find the Premier League players who created the most scoring opportunities and then start throwing money in their general direction.

Mail: Transfer news: Liverpool target Lazar Markovic

Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this January. Don't miss your daily Insider installment here for Monday, January 9.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2012-01-09 14:36:13 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Mail: Transfer news: Manchester United to miss Isaac Cuenca

Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this January. Don't miss your daily Insider installment here for Friday, January 6.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2012-01-06 14:25:24 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

There's obviously no transfer news as yet from White Hart Lane but surprisingly, the rumour mill is also a little quiet after the Christmas break.

As far as any potential incomings are concerned, we looked at the possibility of either Christopher Samba or James Tomkins at the back while our search for a striker could see Harry secure the services of Lille's Moussa Sow.

Mail: Transfer news: Dirk Kuyt no to Turkey: The Insider

Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this January. Don't miss your daily Insider installment here for Wednesday, January 4.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2012-01-05 14:51:02 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

This right here is a shocker. Eh, not really.

The club today confirmed that it had agreed a fee with Bolton for Gary Cahill. It's not a done deal yet, though, with personal terms still far off between the two parties.

Moving in

Andre Villas-Boas spoke of Cahill at his pre-match presser for Aston Villa.

Arsenal are on the brink of re-signing Thierry Henry.

That's according to Sky sources, who understand that the ex-Arsenal captain is on his way back to North London and is set to sign a 2-month loan deal with The Gunners. The deal is expected to be announced within the next 48 hours.