Liverpool agreed a club record fee with Newcastle United last night to sign Andy Carroll, the England striker.
And Carroll's arrival at Anfield paved the way for Chelsea to sign Fernando Torres in a British record deal. Despite announcing losses of £70.9million (Dh417,533m) last season despite winning the Premier League and FA Cup, Chelsea last night also agreed a fee with Benfica for defender David Luiz.
And, on a dramatic day of activity on the final day of the January window, Liverpool were also poised to spend some of the £50m they are set to receive for Torres on finally landing Charlie Adam from Blackpool.
Liverpool tested Newcastle's resolve to keep Carroll with an initial bid of £30m. After that was rejected, Liverpool upped the offer to a reported £35m and Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, reluctantly sanctioned the deal after Carroll handed in a transfer request.
Should Carroll agree personal terms and pass a medical his arrival would smash Liverpool's previous biggest transfer which saw Torres join the club from Atletico Madrid for £20.3m.
Carroll, 22, has scored 11 goals in 19 Premier League games this season and Liverpool fans will be excited at the prospect of the strapping forward teaming up with Luis Suarez, the new signing from Ajax.
Birmingham City also increased their striking options by signing Obafemi Martins, the former Newcastle striker, on loan from Russian side Rubin Kazan.
Martins, 26, has signed a six-month loan deal with an option for a permanent move to the Midlands club.
"He has great pace, he's two-footed and he's very good in the air for his size and I'm sure he's a signing who will excite the fans," Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said.
Heading out of the Premier League is Tuncay, the Turkish forward, who signed a three-and-a-half-year contract to join Wolfburg. Blackpool, meanwhile, moved to fill the void created by the likely departure of Charlie Adam by signing Andy Reid from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international has made 70 appearances for Sunderlandsince his £4m switch from Charlton in January 2008.
However, he became surplus to requirements under Steve Bruce and followed Paulo da Silva and David Healy out of the Stadium of Light.
"I think he will be perfect for us and it won't take me long to get him going," said Ian Holloway, the Blackpool manager. "He's gone for £12 million [in cumulative transfer fees] in the past so that's not a bad take for us."
Michael Bradley had a medical at Aston Villa last night ahead of a loan move until the end of the season from Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Bradley, 23, who impressed at the World Cup could then sign a permanent contract if he does well at Villa Park
"He is 23 and a very hard working midfielder who can score goals," said manager Gerard Houllier. Villa have already signed Darren Bent, Jean Makoun and on-loan Kyle Walker during the transfer window.
Juventus forward Amauri has turned down moves to Fulham and West Brom, his agent claimed.
The Italy international has struggled to make an impact this season for Juventus and has yet to score a Serie A goal in the current campaign.
Amauri has been strongly linked with a winter transfer window switch, and his agent Ernesto Bronzetti told Sky Italia: "The truth is that we have said no to two English clubs - West Bromwich and Fulham.
"These two clubs are not at his level.
"I don't think it would have been good for Amauri to join these teams because they are in the low positions in the standings.
"Moreover, it would have meant they would have had to adapt to a new life, with neither he or his wife speaking the language."
Amauri, 30, has been linked in recent hours with a move to Serie A side Parma as well as a return to his former club Palermo.
Wolves have signed former Bristol City goalkeeper Adriano Basso on a short-term contract until the end of the season.
The Brazilian, who was a free agent, has joined current first choice Wayne Hennessey, Marcus Hahnemann and Aaron McCarey in the club's goalkeeping department.
With Carl Ikeme sidelined after a shoulder injury, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy decided to bring in another senior goalkeeper in Basso as back-up.
McCarthy said: "With Carl's injury we needed to bring in another senior keeper and Adriano has been training with us and played for the reserves last week.
"He's in good shape and has plenty of experience under his belt and will be able to push the other keepers in training.
"He's just what we need to come in and provide cover and competition and will be a good influence around the place."
Basso has been a free agent since leaving Bristol City last March having made almost 200 appearances for the Robins.
The 25-year-old started his career in this country with Woking having played in Brazil for Ponte Preta and Atletico Paranaense.
* Compiled by The National staff with agencies
