Brighton have sacked head coach Melissa Phillips after a little under 10 months in the role.

Phillips signed a two-year deal upon joining the south coast club last April and helped them avoid relegation from the Women’s Super League in her first few months in charge.

But despite a decent outlay in the summer, which included the signings of Maria Thorisdottir, Vicky Losada and Pauline Bremer, results have not been what the Brighton hierarchy anticipated this term.

The Seagulls sit 10th in the table with just one win in their last six games in the English top-flight so Mikey Harris, supported by Owen Fisher, has been put in interim charge for the foreseeable future.

Brighton technical director David Weir said: “This is not a decision which has been taken lightly, but we feel it is vital for the progress we want to see in the Women’s Super League.

“We have invested heavily in the women’s squad and infrastructure going into this season, and results and performances have not been at the level we had expected, given that investment.”

Phillips, who had a two-and-a-half-year stint at London City Lionesses prior to managing Brighton, had overseen a win at Manchester City just two months ago while the club were six points clear of the drop.

Women’s managing director Zoe Johnson added: “The immediate priority is upcoming WSL, Conti Cup and FA Cup matches against Manchester United this Sunday, and Aston Villa and Wolves the following week; while also beginning the search for a permanent head coach.”

Hibernian signed two 20-year-old centre-backs on loan as the winter transfer window entered its final evening with their new relationship with Bournemouth quickly bearing fruit.

Hibs landed Nectarios Triantis from Sunderland and Owen Bevan from Bournemouth until the end of the season.

Australia Under-23 international Triantis was a regular under Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery during Central Coast Mariners’ A-League title-winning season before making three appearances for Sunderland this term.

Wales Under-21 international Bevan has played in the Premier League for the Cherries and spent time on loan with Cheltenham this season. Hibs this week received approval from the Scottish Football Association to progress with an investment in the club from Bournemouth’s owners.

Dundee, Livingston and St Johnstone have also made additions but more business is expected at Celtic and Rangers, among others.

Celtic are set to wrap up the loan signing of Norwich and Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah, who has scored seven goals this season, after the 22-year-old arrived in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Several players could be on their way out of Celtic Park with David Turnbull and Mikey Johnston tipped to join Cardiff and West Brom respectively, and James Forrest linked with an exit.

But Gustaf Lagerbielke’s proposed loan move to Italian side Lecce could be scuppered amid reports of further injury concerns over his fellow centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Rangers are expected to complete the signing of 20-year-old Colombia winger Oscar Cortes on loan from Lens with an option to buy after he arrived in Glasgow.

The Light Blues look to have been thwarted in their bid to land Brazilian left-back Jefte from Fluminense, with loan club APOEL Nicosia reportedly intent on keeping him until the end of the campaign.

However, uncertainty remains over the future of Gers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, with Galatasaray said to be preparing an offer.

Reports from Italy also claimed Hellas Verona were set to launch a bid to sign striker Cyriel Dessers.

Dundee re-signed Norwich goalkeeper Jon McCracken on loan. McCracken’s return to Dens Park came following an initial loan deal being terminated in August after he lost his place to Trevor Carson.

The 23-year-old went on to join Accrington on an emergency loan and played 13 times and now cannot play for anyone else this season other than Dundee.

With Carson missing some games recently through injury, manager Tony Docherty told his club’s website: “It is important for me to have strong competition in every position for the last part of the season and I want that with our goalkeepers and bringing Jon in gives us a real level of competition.”

Livingston have signed midfielder David Carson on an 18-month deal after the 28-year-old made more than 160 appearances for Inverness.

Kevin van Veen looks set to return to Scotland on a loan deal but it will not be at Motherwell. Assistant manager Stephen Frail gave fans fresh hope there might be a loan return for the Groningen striker on Thursday morning but it is understood only Kilmarnock and St Mirren are willing to meet the Dutch club’s wage demands.

Reports from the Netherlands claim Van Veen is now bound for Killie.

Aberdeen are said to have failed in an effort to re-sign Mattie Pollock on loan from Watford, while Hearts are hoping to hold on to Lawrence Shankland after signing Scott Fraser on loan from Charlton.

St Johnstone announced the signing of striker Adama Sidibeh for an undisclosed fee from Northern Premier League club Warrington Rylands. The 25-year-old has signed until May 2026.

Ross County are hoping to add least one more player and possibly two.

Outside of the top flight, Queen’s Park head coach Callum Davidson believes he has pulled off “a bit of a coup” by signing 32-year-old former Liverpool, Rangers and Scotland defender Danny Wilson from Colorado Rapids.

Lowland League side Albion Rovers sold striker Joe Bevan to Premier League Burnley for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old scored 15 goals for Rovers after joining from Camelon 12 months ago.

Hibernian signed centre-back Nectar Triantis on loan from Sunderland as the winter transfer window entered its final evening.

The Australia Under-23 international was a regular under Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery during Central Coast Mariners’ A-League title-winning season before making three appearances for Sunderland this term.

Montgomery said: “We have been chasing Nectar for some time, and although we thought he’d remain at Sunderland, circumstances changed and we made a move to bring him to Hibs.”

Dundee, Livingston and St Johnstone have also made additions but more business is expected at Celtic and Rangers among others.

Celtic are set to wrap up the loan signing of Norwich and Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah, who has scored seven goals this season, after the 22-year-old arrived in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Several players could be on their way out of Celtic Park with David Turnbull and Mikey Johnston tipped to join Cardiff and West Brom respectively, and James Forrest linked with an exit.

But Gustaf Lagerbielke’s proposed loan move to Italian side Lecce could be scuppered amid reports of further injury concerns over his fellow centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Rangers are expected to complete the signing of 20-year-old Colombian winger Oscar Cortes on loan from Lens with an option to buy after he arrived in Glasgow.

The Light Blues look to have been thwarted in their bid to land Brazilian left-back Jefte from Fluminense, with loan club APOEL Nicosia reportedly intent on keeping him until the end of the campaign.

However, uncertainty remains over the future of Gers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, with Galatasaray said to be preparing an offer.

Reports from Italy also claimed Hellas Verona were set to launch a bid to sign striker Cyriel Dessers.

Dundee re-signed Norwich goalkeeper Jon McCracken on loan. McCracken’s return to Dens Park came following an initial loan deal being terminated in August after he lost his place to Trevor Carson.

The 23-year-old went on to join Accrington on an emergency loan and played 13 times and now cannot play for anyone else this season other than Dundee.

With Carson missing some games recently through injury, manager Tony Docherty told his club’s website: “It is important for me to have strong competition in every position for the last part of the season and I want that with our goalkeepers and bringing Jon in gives us a real level of competition.”

Livingston have signed midfielder David Carson on an 18-month deal after the 28-year-old made more than 160 appearances for Inverness.

Livi manager David Martindale, who is also hoping to sign a centre-back, said: “He can play in a number of positions but, for me, is best in a defensive midfield role. He has bags of endeavour and desire to work hard for the team and I’m sure this will see him quickly become a fans’ favourite.”

Kevin van Veen looks set to return to Scotland on a loan deal but it will not be at Motherwell. Assistant manager Stephen Frail gave fans fresh hope there might be a loan return for the Groningen striker on Thursday morning but it is understood only Kilmarnock and St Mirren are willing to meet the Dutch club’s wage demands.

Aberdeen are said to have failed in an effort to re-sign Mattie Pollock on loan from Watford a day after Barry Robson was sacked as manager, while Hearts are hoping to hold on to Lawrence Shankland after signing Scott Fraser on loan from Charlton on Wednesday.

St Johnstone announced the signing of striker Adama Sidibeh for an undisclosed fee from Northern Premier League club Warrington Rylands. The 25-year-old has signed until May 2026.

Ross County are hoping to add least one more player and possibly two.

Outside of the top flight, Queen’s Park head coach Callum Davidson believes he has pulled off “a bit of a coup” by signing 32-year-old former Liverpool, Rangers and Scotland defender Danny Wilson from Colorado Rapids.

Lowland League side Albion Rovers sold striker Joe Bevan to Premier League Burnley for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old scored 15 goals for Rovers, including nine in League Two, after joining from Camelon 12 months ago.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank says that Ivan Toney will not be leaving the Bees on transfer deadline day.

England striker Toney has been linked with Premier League rivals such as Arsenal and Chelsea in the January window.

The 27-year-old has scored 34 goals in 68 top-flight games for Brentford and Frank insists Toney will stay put after a month of speculation.

“This will be breaking news, OK – but Ivan will stay,” Frank said at his press conference previewing Monday’s clash with Manchester City.

Elsewhere, there were few big early moves from top-flight clubs – although Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Newcastle all completed deals to strengthen their squads.

Forest signed 18-year-old striker Rodrigo Ribeiro on loan from Sporting Lisbon until the end of the season, while Morgan Rogers swapped Middlesbrough for Villa Park in a reported £8million switch and Newcastle brought in teenage midfielder Alfie Harrison from Manchester City.

Brighton midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud has, meanwhile, joined Stuttgart on loan. More transfers are expected to be completed ahead of the 11pm deadline, with Pablo Fornals expected to leave West Ham to join Real Betis.

But Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has said there is no chance Ivan Toney will make a late deadline day move away from the club.

Ribeiro came through the ranks in Lisbon and made his professional debut for the club as a late substitute in a Champions League tie against Manchester City in March 2022.

The 18-year-old’s move to Forest could become permanent. He told the club’s YouTube channel: “It is a great opportunity for me.

“It is the best league in the world. For me, it is a dream to play in this league and for this club.

“I promise to work every day and to keep going with the work and help the team.”

Rogers, 21, signed for Boro last summer and scored seven goals this season, including against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Villa also later announced the signing of England Under-19 international Lino Sousa from Arsenal, who is set to immediately join up with Plymouth on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Newcastle also made a move for the future with the signing of 18-year-old Manchester City midfielder Harrison for an undisclosed fee.

“The size of the club and what it has got going for it is massive for me,” Harrison told Newcastle’s website.

“It has got a huge, passionate fanbase and I’m looking to really push on with my career now.”

In the Sky Bet Championship, midfielder Alex Pritchard completed his move from Sunderland to Birmingham for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to reunite with former Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray.

“I am happy,” Pritchard told BluesTV.

“My future has been well speculated for a while now and I am just glad to get everything done and just settled and, hopefully, I can just crack on with football.”

Sunderland reacted quickly to fill the gap in their squad, signing winger Romaine Mundle from Standard Liege for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old former Tottenham player has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

Hull have been one of the most active Championship clubs on deadline day, with midfielder Abdulkadir Omur joining from Trabzonspor.

Turkish international Omur has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal after he joined for an undisclosed fee, while Dogukan Sinik has been allowed to make a loan move to Hatayspor.

“The fans will love watching him (Omur),” Hull boss Liam Rosenior said on the club website.

“He is someone who can unlock the door, create and score goals, and has a great final pass and shot.

“He is an outstanding technical footballer who can go past players, has a low centre of gravity and works hard out of possession. I love his football personality.”

Swansea have brought in young forward Charles Sagoe Jr depart on a six-month loan from Arsenal.

It has been an unusually quiet transfer deadline day as some Premier League club’s look to get new signings in ahead of the 11pm deadline.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the best deals done so far.

Rogers makes Villa switch

Aston Villa have completed a move for Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough, with the forward having impressed in the Sky Bet Championship so far this season with seven goals and eight assists to his name.

The 21-year-old arrived at Villa Park after Middlesbrough finally succumbed to an offer in the region of £16million.

Rogers will now line up in the Premier League to help Unai Emery’s side pursue a spot in Europe come the end of the season.

Rodrigo Ribeiro becomes Nuno’s first

Nottingham Forest captured 18-year-old forward Ruben Ribeiro from Sporting Lisbon as Nuno Espirito Santo made his first signing as Forest boss.

The 18-year-old striker has joined the club on loan for the remainder of the season, in a deal which could be made permanent.

Ribeiro has turned out seven times for Sporting so far this campaign and has even played in the Champions League, making his debut against Manchester City in March 2022.

Gio Reyna added to Forest ranks

Nottingham Forest have once again been one of the busier clubs on deadline day and completed a second loan signing of USA midfielder Reyna from Borussia Dortmund.

Reyna has made 121 appearances for Dortmund since 2019 and has already earned 24 caps in international colours.

Reyna will bring a wealth of experience from the Bundesliga and Champions League as Forest aim to bolster their bid to survive in the Premier League.

Dahoud goes back to Germany

Midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud joined Brighton from Borussia Dortmund in the summer but will now head back to Germany on loan at Stuttgart until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old German has made 14 appearances in all competitions but has fallen out of favour since receiving a red card against Sheffield United in November and has not featured for the Seagulls since a 1-1 draw with Burnley at the start of December.

Technical director David Weir said: “This is a good move for Mahmoud. It will give him an opportunity to play regularly for a side doing very well towards the top of the Bundesliga. We wish him well for the rest of the campaign.”

Mowbray secures Pritchard

In a sign of how quiet things have been, a Championship deal cracks the top five.

Midfielder Alex Pritchard becomes Birmingham’s third signing of the January transfer window.

The 30-year-old will link up with former boss Tony Mowbray on a two-and-a-half year contract

Bayern Munich have agreed a short-term loan deal to bring Granada forward Bryan Zaragoza to the Bundesliga ahead of schedule.

The German champions announced in December the 22-year-old would be joining them on a five-year contract from the summer of 2024.

Injuries to key players, however, have prompted Bayern to move into the transfer market and they have secured the services of Zaragoza early on loan until the end of the season.

Zaragoza will join up with Thomas Tuchel’s squad immediately.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund told the club’s website: “In football you always have to be flexible and so we’ve reacted to the current situation.

“An agreement like this involves three parties and we’re happy that Bryan Zaragoza is joining us earlier than agreed.

“Bryan sees his future at FC Bayern – that future is beginning now. We’re very pleased that he’ll strengthen our squad already for the second half of the season.”

Zaragoza, who helped Granada win promotion to LaLiga last season, joins a Bayern side currently trailing Bayer Leverkusen by two points in a tight title race.

Zaragoza said: “I’m moving to FC Bayern to grow at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I’m looking forward to what’s coming. We’re aiming high.”

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has told his players only hard work will help them achieve their Africa Cup of Nations dream as they set their sights on a place in the semi-finals.

Desabre’s side face Guinea at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Friday having progressed to the last eight without winning a single game in 90 minutes.

However, he is confident their industry and motivation can prolong their stay in Ivory Coast, with either the hosts or Mali awaiting the victors.

Desabre told a press conference: “The team is highly motivated. We know we can achieve more in this tournament, which for me is not the AFCON of surprises, but of hard work.

“The boys are on a mission and we will not give up under any circumstances.”

The Leopards emerged from Group F as runners-up having drawn all three of their games – against Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania – and needed keeper Lionel Mpasi to hold his nerve to convert the decisive spot-kick to seal an 8-7 penalty shoot-out victory over Egypt in the last 16.

Guinea have made it to the quarter-finals despite finishing only third in Group C behind Senegal and Cameroon, who have both since gone out of the competition.

Mohamed Bayo’s header in the eighth minute of stoppage time secured a 1-0 victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea to book their place in the last eight and boost their hopes of a first semi-final berth since 2015.

Coach Kaba Diawara said: “We are ready for the battle, both mentally and physically. We entered this AFCON conditioned to play seven finals.

“If it comes to penalties, we will go for it.”

The sides have met in the tournament three times in the past, all at the group stage, and DR Congo are yet to taste victory, losing 2-1 in the last encounter in 2004.

The National Elephants could be boosted by the return of Werder Bremen’s former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and on-loan Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy from injury.

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has told his players only hard work will help them achieve their Africa Cup of Nations dream as they set their sights on a place in the semi-finals.

Desabre’s side face Guinea at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Friday having progressed to the last eight without winning a single game in 90 minutes.

However, he is confident their industry and motivation can prolong their stay in Ivory Coast, with either the hosts or Mali awaiting the victors.

Desabre told a press conference: “The team is highly motivated. We know we can achieve more in this tournament, which for me is not the AFCON of surprises, but of hard work.

“The boys are on a mission and we will not give up under any circumstances.”

The Leopards emerged from Group F as runners-up having drawn all three of their games – against Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania – and needed keeper Lionel Mpasi to hold his nerve to convert the decisive spot-kick to seal an 8-7 penalty shoot-out victory over Egypt in the last 16.

Guinea have made it to the quarter-finals despite finishing only third in Group C behind Senegal and Cameroon, who have both since gone out of the competition.

Mohamed Bayo’s header in the eighth minute of stoppage time secured a 1-0 victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea to book their place in the last eight and boost their hopes of a first semi-final berth since 2015.

Coach Kaba Diawara said: “We are ready for the battle, both mentally and physically. We entered this AFCON conditioned to play seven finals.

“If it comes to penalties, we will go for it.”

The sides have met in the tournament three times in the past, all at the group stage, and DR Congo are yet to taste victory, losing 2-1 in the last encounter in 2004.

The National Elephants could be boosted by the return of Werder Bremen’s former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and on-loan Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy from injury.

Ousmane Dembele will miss Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain’s trip to Strasbourg on Friday.

The former Barcelona winger missed training on Thursday with a thigh problem and the club have since announced he will be not be risked at the Stade de la Meinau.

Luis Enrique’s team, who have a six-point lead at the top of the table, will also be without the suspended Bradley Barcola.

The forward received a one-match ban after being sent off for two bookable offences in stoppage time of last week’s 2-2 draw with Brest.

PSG had led 2-0 in that match but surrendered their advantage, raising question marks over their resilience.

Manager Luis Enrique, however, has dismissed concerns about a lack of stamina.

“After watching the match against Brest again, I don’t think we had an athletic problem,” the Spaniard told reporters at a press conference to preview the game at Strasbourg.

“I think they were very good opponents – that’s the reality. It’s true that we had difficulty pressing and recovering balls, but I don’t think it was a physical problem.”

After being held by Brest, who are third in the league, Enrique recognises PSG face a tough game against another side in good form.

Strasbourg, under the guidance of Patrick Vieira, are unbeaten in their last six matches.

“They’re a team in better momentum than at the start of the season,” said Enrique, the former Barcelona and Spain manager. “They have had good results recently and are in the middle of the table.

“They’re a team that creates but also defends very well, in an organised manner. We will have to be ready for everything in this match.”

The game comes too soon for Achraf Hakimi to rejoin the PSG squad following the end of Morocco’s campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations.

With the Champions League also due to resume later this month with the first leg of the last-16 tie against Real Sociedad, Enrique is aware the business end of the season is approaching.

He hopes his team can tighten their grip on the title race as pressures increase.

He said: “We have to win the next matches and get to the end of the season in the best possible way.

“For the moment, what is important is the match against Strasbourg, but now we are going to have to play matches every three or four days.

“We have to take these three points which are really important.”

Dundee and Livingston were the only cinch Premiership clubs to announce signings by mid-afternoon on deadline day but more business is expected at Celtic and Rangers among others.

Dundee re-signed Norwich goalkeeper Jon McCracken on loan while Livingston completed a move for Inverness midfielder David Carson.

Celtic are set to wrap up the loan signing of Norwich and Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah, who has scored seven goals this season, after the 22-year-old arrived in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Several players could be on their way out of Celtic Park with David Turnbull and Mikey Johnston tipped to join Cardiff and West Brom respectively, and James Forrest linked with an exit.

But Gustaf Lagerbielke’s proposed loan move to Italian side Lecce could be scuppered amid reports of further injury concerns over his fellow centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Rangers are expected to complete the signing of 20-year-old Colombian winger Oscar Cortes on loan from Lens with an option to buy after he arrived in Glasgow.

The Light Blues look to have been thwarted in their bid to land 20-year-old Brazilian left-back Jefte from Fluminense with loan club APOEL Nicosia reportedly intent on keeping him until the end of the campaign.

However, uncertainty remains over the future of Gers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz with Galatasaray said to be preparing an offer.

Reports from Italy also claimed Hellas Verona were set to launch a bid to sign Ibrox striker Cyriel Dessers.

McCracken’s return to Dens Park came following an initial loan deal being terminated in August after he lost his place to Trevor Carson.

The 23-year-old went on to join Accrington on an emergency loan and played 13 times and now cannot play for anyone else this season other than Dundee.

With Carson missing some recent games through injury, manager Tony Docherty told his club’s website: “It is important for me to have strong competition in every position for the last part of the season and I want that with our goalkeepers and bringing Jon in gives us a real level of competition.”

Livingston have signed midfielder David Carson on an 18-month deal after the 28-year-old made more than 160 appearances for Caley Thistle having joined from Morpeth Town in 2019.

Livi manager David Martindale, who is also hoping to sign a centre-back, said: “He can play in a number of positions but, for me, is best in a defensive midfield role. He has bags of endeavour and desire to work hard for the team and I’m sure this will see him quickly become a fans favourite.”

Motherwell are still looking for at least one further addition after signing 22-year-old Welsh forward Jack Vale on loan from Blackburn on Wednesday, and assistant manager Stephen Frail gave fans fresh hope there might be a loan return for Groningen striker Kevin van Veen.

“I’m not sure anything’s out the water,” Frail said on Thursday morning. “That could be one of those last-minute things. There will be one or two people that the manager and recruitment team are looking to bring in.”

However, St Mirren and Kilmarnock are also reported to be in the running for the Dutch striker. Killie manager Derek McInnes said on Wednesday “we may still look to add one if we can”.

Aberdeen are said to have failed in an effort to re-sign Mattie Pollock on loan from Watford, a day after Barry Robson was sacked as manager.

Hibernian are another club in the market for a central defender while Hearts are hoping to hold on to Lawrence Shankland after signing Scott Fraser on loan from Charlton on Wednesday.

Ross County are hoping to add least one more player while St Johnstone are reportedly keen to land 25-year-old striker Adama Sidibeh from English non-league side Warrington Rylands.

Outside of the top flight, Queen’s Park head coach Callum Davidson believes he has pulled off “a bit of a coup” by signing 32-year-old former Liverpool, Rangers and Scotland defender Danny Wilson from Colorado Rapids.

Lowland League side Albion Rovers sold striker Joe Bevan to Premier League Burnley for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old scored 15 goals for Rovers, including nine in League Two, after joining from Camelon 12 months ago.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank believes refusing to sell Ivan Toney in January proves how far the club has come in recent years – but admits eventually “money talks” when it comes to holding on to his stars.

England striker Toney was reportedly a target for the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea during the transfer window.

The 27-year-old has recently returned to action for the Bees having served an eight-month ban after breaching Football Association gambling laws.

Toney has scored 34 goals in 68 top-flight games for the Bees and Frank insists the player will stay put after a month of speculation.

“This will be breaking news, OK – but Ivan will stay,” Frank said at his press conference previewing Monday’s clash with Manchester City.

Asked if he was happy that the window was closing just hours after his media duties would conclude, Frank replied: “Happy? Yes, but I was pretty sure as I said from the beginning that Ivan will stay with us so I was not worried about that.

“In general, it is nice to know what you are working with so in that situation, yes (I am happy).”

Despite rumours of a big-money move during the window, Frank and the club as a whole were steadfast throughout January that Toney would not be sold.

The former Newcastle forward is out of contract at the end of next season but Frank feels Brentford showed their strength in keeping hold of their sought-after striker, even if their transfer strategy dictates otherwise.

“Yes, I think with any player we have a contract in general so at the end of the day we decide if they leave or not,” he added when asked if rebuffing any interest in Toney showed the progress Brentford have made.

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“Of course money talks and we also know that we are a ‘selling’ club as you could call it – we know that is part of the strategy.

“We want to have young, talented players in, develop them and make them better. Be on a journey with us, improve and hopefully do some fantastic stuff in the league and maybe one day win something.

“But at the end of the day, after some years if they are good enough they will progress to the next level.”

AC Milan defender Marco Pellegrino has completed a loan move to Salernitana for the remainder of the season.

The 21-year-old Argentinian joined Milan’s struggling Serie A rivals a day after the move looked to have fallen through.

Pellegrino played for former club Platense until July last year before joining the Rossoneri, for whom he made his debut as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with Napoli in October, and was therefore deemed to have played for two clubs this season.

However, after reported talks with FIFA, both clubs announced the deal had gone through on deadline day.

A statement on Milan’s website on Thursday said: “AC Milan announces that Marco Pellegrino has signed for US Salernitana on loan until 30 June 2024. The club wishes Marco a great second half of the season.”

Salernitana’s statement said: “US Salernitana 1919 announces that it has reached an agreement with AC Milan for the temporary transfer until 30 June 2024 of defender Marco Pellegrino. The player will wear the number 24 shirt.”

Kevin De Bruyne is pleased Manchester City are close to full strength as the business end of the season approaches.

Erling Haaland returned to action after almost two months out as the champions eased to a 3-1 win over struggling Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday.

With De Bruyne having made his first start since August and John Stones also featuring after a knock, City are in a healthy position as the pressure ramps up.

Defender Manuel Akanji is now the only absentee as City, five points off the top with a game in hand, battle with Liverpool and Arsenal for the title and prepare for the resumption of the Champions League.

“I think it’s really good,” said De Bruyne, who set up one of Julian Alvarez’s two goals in a comfortable victory over the relegation-threatened Clarets at the Etihad Stadium.

“I think if Manu comes back – and I think it’ll be soon – it’s going to be the first time in the year everybody’s fit, so that can only help us because I think the schedule is getting a little bit harder and harder in the next weeks.

“To have everybody available can only help the team being competitive. Even if you change (the team), there’s big stars sitting on the bench and you can rotate.”

After a difficult spell in November, momentum is growing at City with eight wins in succession and 10 in their last 11 games in all competitions.

That could be ominous for their rivals but De Bruyne insists nothing will be taken for granted.

The Belgian said: “I just think there is that feeling that whenever we lose a game, we’re falling too far behind. And it’s the same in the cup competitions – if you lose, you’re out.

“So I think we’re in a good moment, people are coming back, but we don’t get complacent.”

City, who are next in action at Brentford on Monday, were far too strong for a Burnley side who remain seven points from safety.

Victory was all but secured as Alvarez, aided by some poor defending, struck twice in the space of six minutes midway through the first half.

The Argentinian World Cup winner has excelled this season in the absence of De Bruyne and Haaland.

De Bruyne said: “He’s been really good. I think he’s played a lot in the midfield this year and that’s not really his position, but he did a great job because obviously we had a lot of injuries.

“He’s been banging in goals, giving assists, so he’s probably happy. He’s doing really good.”

Rodri added City’s third goal early in the second half and Burnley barely registered a threat until grabbing a late consolation through Ameen Al-Dakhil.

Italy international Andrea Belotti has joined Fiorentina on loan from Serie A rivals Roma for the remainder of the season.

The 30-year-old striker, who has 44 senior caps and was a late substitute in his country’s Euro 2020 final victory over England, joined Roma from Torino in August 2022, but has made only six league starts this season.

A statement on Fiorentina’s official website said: “ACF Fiorentina is pleased to announce the signing of Andrea Belotti on loan from A.S. Roma.

“The striker, who was born in Calcinate on 20 December 1993, has amassed over 100 goals in Serie A for Palermo, Torino and Roma.

“Belotti has also turned out for the senior Italy team 44 times, netting 12 goals and winning Euro 2020.”

Belotti’s move was confirmed by Roma, who wished him luck with his new club.

A statement on their official website said: “AS Roma can confirm that forward Andrea Belotti has joined ACF Fiorentina on loan until 30 June 2024.

“Belotti joined the Giallorossi in the summer of 2022, going on to make 68 appearances for the club over the last two seasons.

“He has scored 10 goals for Roma, the first against Helsinki in the Europa League on 15 September 2022. Good luck, Andrea!”

Midfielder Curtis Jones believes his “time has come” to play a significant role for Liverpool.

Jones, who turned 23 on Tuesday, made his senior debut in January 2019 but his breakthrough did not come until the following campaign.

Since then he has been gaining experience and – after a testing time last year because of injury – he is enjoying his best goalscoring season, having taken his tally to five with a goal in last weekend’s FA Cup victory over Norwich.

Manager Jurgen Klopp’s faith in the Toxteth-born academy graduate has not wavered and Jones responded with another good performance in the 4-1 win over Chelsea which extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points.

“It’s the most I’m enjoying it, I’d say,” Jones told TNT Sports.

“It’s been up and down for the whole time, I’d say – I had the injuries and stuff. It’s the first time when I’ve come in the team and I’m enjoying it, I’m playing free, I’m scoring goals and helping the team, so, I’m happy.

“I came around the team when I was 17 and it wasn’t an easy thing, but he (Klopp) was calling me in all the time and we were having chats. He was always saying, ‘Your time will come’.

“I’m at the point now where my time has come and I’m taking my chance. I had to adapt my game a lot. That’s what I’ve done now.”

Jones’ contribution this season has been particularly important with injuries to Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, plus the Asian Cup absence of Wataru Endo, meaning midfield resources have often been stretched.

But having come through January unscathed, the club are still challenging for four trophies and even before news of Klopp’s pending departure emerged, Jones believes they were set up for something special after a summer rebuild of their midfield.

“The team has got this buzz about us. It’s a new team, it’s a young team, it’s a fresh team,” he added.

“Of course there’s been a change in terms of how we play and the lads that have come in.

“Normally it takes a bit of time to adapt but the lads have just adapted quickly, they’ve come in, played their part.

“It’s just not individuals, like Mo (Salah) scoring all the goals. The likes of me are going to help, Dom’s going to help, Conor (Bradley) is going to help, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) as always. It’s passing through the whole of the team.”

The demolition of Chelsea highlighted the focus of the Liverpool players has so far not been distracted by Klopp’s announcement he is quitting and the manager is delighted by that.

“Attitude is not our problem, attitude is something we can expect. Attitude is created by the culture. Attitude is created by the crowd,” said the German.

“Attitude is created by pretty much everybody around the team. Attitude will not be the issue of this team.”