LaLiga has accused the Premier League of "cheating" the transfer market after the division's record-breaking £815million January window.

The English top-flight spent more than the rest of Europe's top five leagues combined in a bumper month of purchases, with Chelsea leading the way at £291.7m.

Those eye-watering numbers have been met with raised eyebrows across Europe, with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledging LaLiga trails the Premier League in the markets.

But now the Spanish league's corporate general director Javier Gomez, endorsed by president Javier Tebas, claim the English top-flight is cheating the transfer system.

"We are aware there is a lot of talk about how LaLiga's economic control means Spanish clubs sign less than Premier League clubs," the former said in a video posted by the latter on Twitter.

"The reality is that at LaLiga we want clubs to spend what they can afford and generate themselves, that is to say their own revenues.

"It is true that shareholders are also allowed to support the club and put money in to spend more than the club itself can generate, but within certain limits.

"Essentially, [in England] they are 'doping' the club. They are injecting money not generated by the club for it to spend, which puts the viability of the club at risk if the shareholder leaves.

"In our opinion, that is cheating, because it drags down the rest of the leagues.

"That is our fight, demanding that UEFA implements a new economic regulation that prevents the shareholder of a club from putting in more than a certain amount and that it enforces this rule and sanctions non-compliant clubs."

Chelsea's flagship move for Argentina's World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez saw them pay £105m to Benfica, shattering the British transfer record.

The club also bought Mykhailo Mudryk for £62m and Benoit Badiashile for £33m, among others.

Paul Pogba will be made to wait for his second Juventus debut after being ruled out of Thursday's Coppa Italia quarter-final against Lazio with another injury problem.

The France international has yet to feature for Juve since rejoining the club from Manchester United at the start of the season due to a succession of setbacks.

He sustained a knee injury in pre-season that later required surgery, forcing him to miss the entire season to date and France's World Cup campaign.

Pogba was back on the substitutes' bench for last week's Serie A meeting with Monza, but he was not brought on by Allegri as Juve suffered a shock 2-0 loss at Allianz Stadium.

Allegri confirmed at Wednesday's pre-match press conference that the 29-year-old is now nursing another minor issue that will rule him out of the visit of Lazio.

"I haven't decided anything tomorrow in terms of the squad, apart from [Leonardo] Bonucci, who is still out, and Pogba due to flexor soreness," Allegri said.

"Unfortunately, when you've been out for so many months and raise the intensity level, pain comes and more time is needed."

Pogba, who signed a four-year deal with Juventus, has not played a competitive game since former club United's 4-0 Premier League loss to Liverpool last April.

"It takes time. Nobody can work miracles," Allegri said. "His body must adapt. We must use him wisely and in the right moment when he is ready."

In better news for Juve, Allegri confirmed Dusan Vlahovic will start his first game since October after returning as a substitute last week.

"Vlahovic will start, but I have to decide on the others," he said. "The game could last 120 minutes, so subs will be important. I'll decide the line-up after tomorrow's training."

Juventus were docked 15 points last month following an investigation into the club's past transfer dealings and are now 15 points off the top four after last week's loss to Monza.

The Bianconeri turn focus to the Coppa Italia next – a competition they last won in the 2020-21 season – and Allegri is hoping to put the club's points deduction to one side.

"The points deduction should not be an excuse for bad results," he said. "We must go on the pitch and do what's required. 

"It may be the first time a team has been docked 15 points, but we must handle this situation in the best way. We'll do our best in the Coppa Italia."

The Premier League will always lead in Europe when it comes to transfers, but Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti vows his side will not surrender easily.

Clubs in the English top flight spent over a record-breaking £800million during the January window, led by a slew of big-money moves from Chelsea, who broke the competition's transfer record by signing Enzo Fernandez.

The financial outlay to bring in players to the Premier League saw the competition outspend the combined totals of LaLiga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga.

Speaking ahead of his side's Thursday clash with Valencia, Ancelotti suggested European clubs will always trail those across the English channel when it comes to spending sprees, though noted the Premier League teams will not necessarily dominate in UEFA competitions.

"We know what happens there," he said. "With the television rights, they can spend higher amounts. It will continue like this.

"Europe will follow the Premier League, it gives them an advantage.

"Even so, the competition against them, in Europe, it will not end."

Ancelotti's side are preparing for a busy four-week period that will see them juggle matches across four competitions, including the Club World Cup.

Though Madrid are ready to rise to the challenge, Ancelotti said the congested schedule laid out by UEFA and FIFA is a pressing concern for big clubs.

"We're in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, the last 16 of the Champions League and the Club World Cup," he added. "We don't throw away competitions.

"It is a [tough] calendar. LaLiga wants to do its thing, FIFA wants to do its thing, UEFA wants to do its thing. It doesn't let us have days off.

"The calendar is a very serious issue. We are excited to fight in all these competitions, but the calendar limit is being exceeded. We have to do something to avoid this."

Manchester City are reportedly planning a move for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison at the end of the season.

Maddison, 26, has been one of the top goal-creating midfielders in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons, collecting seven goals and four assists from 14 fixtures this campaign after a 2021-22 season with 12 goals and eight assists.

He closed last campaign with goals in each of his final four Premier League outings and was heavily sought after in pre-season, but Leicester opted to hold onto their midfield star.

Regardless of what happens in the second half of the season, Maddison has less than 18 months remaining on his contract and has reportedly shown no interest in extending, which will likely force Leicester's hand unless they want to lose him on a free transfer as appears likely with Youri Tielemans.

TOP STORY – CITY VIEW MADDISON AS KEY COG IN THEIR FUTURE MIDFIELD

According to the Daily Mail, City boss Pep Guardiola is an admirer of Maddison, and with plenty of upheaval expected in the club's engine room, a space could open up for the Foxes star.

The report states Leicester set their asking price at £60million when Newcastle United came knocking prior to this season, but they held firm as the offers "did not come close" to their valuation.

City midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are both expected to depart at the conclusion of the campaign, and their supposed £70m demand for the latter would likely pay for Maddison's arrival.

Leicester are already set to lose Tielemans on a free transfer after spending £32m to purchase his services in 2019, and they will likely be eager to avoid a similar fate with Maddison, while Brendan Rodgers could then use the fee to fund a mini rebuild.

ROUND-UP

– Calciomercato is reporting Chelsea enquired about 25-year-old Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella but were told the Italian club have no interest in selling, as he remains tied to the club until 2026.

– According to Sky Sports Italia, disgruntled Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo had a change of heart and wanted to head to Bournemouth, but the English side turned him down after spending their funds elsewhere.

– Fabrizio Romano is reporting Barcelona have an anxious wait to see if their €4m ($4.35m) transfer for 21-year-old LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo will be processed as the deal was signed seconds after the deadline.

– Manchester United captain Harry Maguire never considered a loan move to Inter and will remain with the club until at least the end of the season, per Fabrizio Romano.

Southampton have completed their club-record signing of Ghana and Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana for £22million (€24.95m).

Sulemana, 22, arrived at Rennes prior to the 2021-22 season for a €20m fee. He made 11 starts among his 20 appearances during his first Ligue 1 campaign before his season was cut short in February due to a back injury.

He has struggled to force his way back into the club's best XI this time around, with only two league starts to his name, but his stock received a massive boost after a terrific showing for Ghana at the Qatar World Cup.

Sulemana appeared in all three of Ghana's group stage matches, where he clocked the fastest sprint speed (35.7kp/h) out of every player at the tournament.

He has earned 15 senior international caps so far, although the lightning-quick forward is yet to record his first goal for his country.

The £22m fee exceeds the £20m paid to sign Danny Ings from Liverpool in 2019, and has the potential to rise to £24.6m if certain add-ons are activated.

In a second under-the-radar move, Southampton also confirmed the signing of 28-year-old Genk striker Paul Onuachu, who is the leading scorer in the Belgian top flight.

Onuachu, a Nigerian international, has scored 16 goals in his past 13 league games, and the towering 201cm presence was secured for a fee of £18.5m (€22m).

A paperwork error from Chelsea's side has reportedly prevented the loan deal that would have sent Hakim Ziyech to Paris Saint-Germain.

Ziyech, 29, arrived in Paris on Tuesday to complete the move, with both clubs on board after the former £35million signing struggled to force his way into Graham Potter's plans.

The Moroccan international has made only four starts this Premier League season to go with six brief substitute appearances, collecting his first goal involvement with an assist against Crystal Palace on January 15.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea are the side being accused of failing to submit the necessary paperwork in time for the move to be processed, while an anonymous Paris Saint-Germain source is quoted calling the situation a "Class A circus".

ESPN adds that the French giants believe the paperwork was filed in time and will appeal the Ligue 1 decision, but there is no timetable for the appeal process.

Chelsea completed an extraordinary spending spree by landing World Cup star Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, the biggest deal of transfer deadline day.

It was Premier League clubs that featured front and centre as big-name players found new homes on Tuesday, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City kept busy.

Deals struck on this day can be born of desperation; however, if the right player becomes available, those that jump at the opportunity to reinforce might be thankful they took that choice come May.

Here Stats Perform assesses five deals that went through and could prove hugely significant come the season's end.

Enzo Fernandez: Benfica to Chelsea, £106.8million

A World Cup wonder for Argentina, Fernandez's stock soared over four weeks in Qatar, to the point he became linked to the wealthiest clubs in Europe.

It was Chelsea owner Todd Boehly who lasted the distance in the race for his signature, adding Fernandez to the previous window deals for Mykhaylo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto.

Fernandez has only played half a season in Europe after moving to Benfica from River Plate, so there is an element of risk in Chelsea's investment, regardless of his national team performances alongside Lionel Messi and co.

He has played five Champions League group games, and the 22-year-old has looked the part, with his arrival handing Graham Potter another expensive plaything. This means there can be no excuses now for the head coach as he looks to turn the Blues into a winning machine.

Marcel Sabitzer: Bayern Munich to Manchester United (loan)

Bayern Munich decided they could afford to part company with Sabitzer, with the former RB Leipzig midfielder jetting out to secure a move to Manchester United, swapping one European giant for another.

It was reported Erik ten Hag fancied Ryan Gravenberch, his former Ajax player, but Bayern were said to have resisted that interest and instead allowed United to take Austria international Sabitzer.

He emerged as a surprising spare part for Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann, with Sabitzer having featured in 23 games for the Bundesliga leaders this season, albeit starting only 11 times.

Ten Hag will certainly like the fact Sabitzer has a duel success rate of 58.77 per cent – the highest of his career – this season.

He is not a like-for-like replacement for the injured Christian Eriksen, but Sabitzer brings his own qualities, will want to prove a point, and should not let United down over the coming four months.

Jorginho: Chelsea to Arsenal, £12million

Arsenal wanted Moises Caicedo and were prepared to pay a king's ransom for the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder. They settled for Jorginho, a Euro 2020 champion with Italy and Champions League winner with Chelsea, paying a small fraction of the fee they would have had to spend on Caicedo.

A deal worth around £12million looks sensible business, and Jorginho makes the jump from 10th-placed Chelsea to the table-topping Gunners, seeking the first domestic league title of his career.

He played 25 games this season for the Blues, scoring three penalties but not managing any goals other than those spot-kicks, nor any assists.

Some Arsenal fans have grumbled over the signing, but Jorginho brings defensive qualities and experience of winning, which for Arsenal in recent years has been in short supply.

Joao Cancelo: Manchester City to Bayern Munich (loan with option to buy)

Bayern brought in goalkeeper Yann Sommer earlier in the window after Manuel Neuer suffered a season-ending broken leg. That was a deal that many saw coming, but the move for Cancelo came out of the sky blue, reportedly after a disagreement with Pep Guardiola saw City happy to offload the full-back.

It went through on Tuesday, opening up the possibility of Cancelo being a Premier League and Bundesliga winner in the same season.

He looks set to feature at right-back for Bayern, with Alphonso Davies featuring on the left. It means Bayern will have a pair of attacking full-backs that will put the fear up opponents.

With Bayern in a slump, drawing their past three Bundesliga games, it felt important for there to be a new face coming in. Cancelo, until very recently a favourite of Guardiola, is used to winning things with City so should fit in well at Sabener Strasse.

Pedro Porro: Sporting CP to Tottenham (loan with obligation to buy)

Three and a half years since he joined Manchester City, Porro should finally make his debut in English football after being recruited to fill the right-back role for Antonio Conte at Spurs.

This has the makings of a masterstroke signing, with Spain international Porro having caught Spurs' eye in the Champions League group stage earlier this season. He previously played for Real Valladolid while farmed out on loan from City, for whom he never played a competitive senior game.

He represents an upgrade on Matt Doherty, who was released to join Atletico Madrid, and may have the edge on Emerson Royal, with Conte bringing in a player with serious defensive and attacking qualities.

Among defenders with 10 or more appearances and at least 10 tackles, Porro's 78.95 per cent tackle success rate ranks as the sixth-best in the Portuguese Primeira Liga this season.

Meanwhile, only one defender, Benfica's Alejandro Grimaldo, has created more chances than Porro's 34 from 14 games, which have brought him six assists.

Porro ranks second among defenders in the Portuguese top flight for the most crosses played too, with 108 to Grimaldo's 116. Significantly, though, Porro has played 526 minutes fewer than Grimaldo, illustrating how effective the Spurs new boy has been when on the pitch.

Enzo Fernandez has finally signed for Chelsea, becoming the Premier League's record signing after the Blues met his £106.8million (€121m) release clause at Benfica.

Fernandez, who was named Young Player of the Tournament after helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, was strongly linked with Chelsea earlier in the transfer window before talks broke down.

However, the big-spending Blues went back in for him with the end of the window drawing closer, signing Fernandez to a long-term contract – rumoured to run until 2032 – with confirmation arriving an hour and a half after the transfer window closed.

Chelsea submitted the relevant paperwork in time and Benfica were first to announce details of the deal on their official website on Wednesday.

His arrival takes Chelsea's spending to a reported £288.5m (€328.5m) in January alone, with the midfielder becoming their eighth signing of the window.

Fernandez only joined Benfica from River Plate last year but has played a starring role for them since making that move, helping the Portuguese giants top their Champions League group.

He had looked likely to remain in Lisbon at least until the end of the season, but Chelsea revisited the deal with head coach Graham Potter reportedly keen for midfield reinforcements.

The fee surpasses the previous Premier League transfer record, set by Jack Grealish's £100m switch from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021.

Fernandez could make his Chelsea debut against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Friday, as the Blues look to climb the table after a poor run of form saw them drop to 10th position. 

A dogged competitor with an eye for the magnificent, Fernandez featured in all seven of Argentina's games in Qatar, starting five of them after he came off the bench to net a superb goal against Mexico in the group stage.

Fernandez's ability on the ball, as well as his tenacity, will add a new facet to Potter's midfield options.

Only 11 players carried the ball further than Fernandez (1,239.7 metres) at the World Cup, while just 10 were involved in more shot-ending sequences than his 27.

Fernandez boasted a duel success rate of 58.8 per cent, winning 40 of his 68 engagements at the tournament.

He made just 17 league appearances during his short stint with Benfica, though he also featured in five group games in the Champions League.

Enzo Fernandez has finally signed for Chelsea, becoming the Premier League's record signing after the Blues met his £106.8million (€121m) release clause at Benfica.

Fernandez, who was named Young Player of the Tournament after helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, was strongly linked with Chelsea earlier in the transfer window before talks broke down.

However, the big-spending Blues went back in for him with the end of the window drawing closer, signing Fernandez to a long-term contract – rumoured to run until 2032 – with confirmation arriving an hour and a half after the transfer window closed.

Chelsea submitted the relevant paperwork in time and Benfica were first to announce details of the deal on their official website on Wednesday.

His arrival takes Chelsea's spending to a reported £288.5m (€328.5m) this month alone, with the midfielder becoming their eighth signing of the January transfer window.

Fernandez only joined Benfica from River Plate last year but has played a starring role for them since making that move, helping the Portuguese giants top their Champions League group.

He had looked likely to remain in Lisbon at least until the end of the season, but Chelsea revisited the deal with head coach Graham Potter reportedly keen for midfield reinforcements.

The fee surpasses the previous Premier League transfer record, set by Jack Grealish's £100m switch from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021.

Fernandez could make his Chelsea debut against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Friday, as the Blues look to climb the table after a poor run of form saw them drop to 10th position. 

A dogged competitor with an eye for the magnificent, Fernandez featured in all seven of Argentina's games in Qatar, starting five of them after he came off the bench to net a superb goal against Mexico in the group stage.

Fernandez's ability on the ball, as well as his tenacity, will add a new facet to Potter's midfield options.

Only 11 players carried the ball further than Fernandez (1,239.7 metres) at the World Cup, while just 10 were involved in more shot-ending sequences than his 27.

Fernandez boasted a duel success rate of 58.8 per cent, winning 40 of his 68 engagements at the tournament.

He made just 17 league appearances during his short stint with Benfica, though he also featured in five group games in the Champions League.

Manchester United have signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich for the remainder of the season.

The 28-year-old Austria international emerged as a deadline day target for Erik ten Hag's side following an injury to Christian Eriksen that will leave the Denmark international out of action until April.

Ten Hag told reporters on Tuesday that United did not require a late addition to fill the void left by Eriksen.

However, the availability of Sabitzer changed that approach and he has now completed a move to Old Trafford, bolstering the squad's midfield options for the remainder of the season as they battle on four fronts.

United confirmed Sabitzer's arrival on their official website a little over an hour after Tuesday's transfer deadline, having submitted the relevant paper work in time.

"Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions," Sabizter said. "From the moment I heard about this opportunity I knew it was right for me. I am a competitive player; I want to win and help the club achieve its aims this season. 

"I feel that I am at my peak as a player, and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad. I am excited to start with my new team-mates and manager and to show my qualities to Manchester United fans."

United director John Murtough added: "Marcel is a player that we have watched for a long time. The opportunity arose quickly, and we knew that he was someone with the ability and character to make an impact.

"He adds further quality to our squad and experience to the dressing room, and all of us are pleased to be welcoming him to Manchester United."

Sabitzer joined Bayern from Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig ahead of the 2021-22 season but has found regular opportunities difficult to come by.

While he has made 40 appearances for the Bundesliga champions, just 15 of those have been as a starter.

Sabitzer has not been signed in time for the second leg of United's EFL Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, but he could make his debut in the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Manchester United have signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich for the remainder of the season.

The 28-year-old Austria international emerged as a deadline day target for Erik ten Hag's side following an injury to Christian Eriksen that will leave the Denmark international out of action until April.

Ten Hag told reporters on Tuesday that United did not require a late addition to fill the void left by Eriksen.

However, the availability of Sabitzer changed that approach and he has now completed a move to Old Trafford, bolstering the squad's midfield options for the remainder of the season.

United confirmed Sabitzer's arrival on their official website a little over an hour after Tuesday's transfer deadline, having submitted the relevant paper work in time.

"Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions," Sabizter said. "From the moment I heard about this opportunity I knew it was right for me. I am a competitive player; I want to win and help the club achieve its aims this season. 

"I feel that I am at my peak as a player, and that I can contribute a lot of experience and energy to the squad. I am excited to start with my new team-mates and manager and to show my qualities to Manchester United fans."

Sabitzer joined Bayern from Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig ahead of the 2021-22 season but has found regular opportunities difficult to come by.

While he has made 40 appearances for the Bundesliga champions, just 15 of those have been as a starter.

Sabitzer has not been signed in time for the second leg of United's EFL Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, but he could make his debut in the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Sergio Ramos has "every chance" of making a return to the Spain squad, according to new head coach Luis de la Fuente.

The veteran Paris Saint-Germain defender is La Roja's all-time leading appearance maker with 180 caps, while he was part of the 2010 World Cup-winning side as well as the European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012.

However, the 36-year-old, who has played 27 times for PSG this season, has not featured for his country since the 3-1 victory over Kosovo in March 2021, subsequently missing Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. 

Nevertheless, De La Fuente has left the door open for the centre-half ahead of his first match in charge of La Roja against Norway in their Euro 2024 qualifier in March.

Speaking during an appearance on Spanish show El Hormiguero, he said: "Sergio Ramos, like other illustrious veterans, has every chance to come.

"Making a selection is a very long process. First, we started by controlling all the Spanish players, then we reduced it to 70 or 80 players, which is six or seven players per position, and then we reduce it more.

"Of course in a first idea, both Sergio Ramos and Iago Aspas or other Spanish footballers who are very good and are on the lips of all fans have possibilities to come.

"However, that does not mean that they will come, because there are other players also very good, and you have to value many aspects – in addition to football – when making a call."

It is a month since De La Fuente succeeded Luis Enrique following Spain's World Cup last-16 exit to Morocco, and the 61-year-old admitted he was shocked by the acceleration of his appointment.

"I didn't expect it. It was very fast, because once the World Cup was over, I thought Luis Enrique was going to continue," he added.

"But there was a call from Luis Rubiales [Royal Spanish Football Federation president] in which he told me that he wanted me to be the coach and I told him that of course, because I feel strong and prepared for it.

"But I really did not think that this decision was going to be made so quickly, nor did I think that Luis Enrique was going to leave the national team. But in the end, the circumstance occurred and here I am."

Simone Inzaghi felt Inter's desire to reach the Coppa Italia final four "at all costs" was crucial to their 1-0 quarter-final victory over Atalanta at San Siro.

Matteo Darmian's well-taken winner in the 57th minute saw the holders through to the semi-finals for the fourth successive season.

Having already lifted the Supercoppa Italiana earlier this month by thrashing rivals Milan in Saudi Arabia, Tuesday's victory took Inter one step closer to picking up a second trophy of the season.

The Nerazzurri are the only Italian side left fighting for silverware on all fronts, and Inzaghi lauded his team's aggressive trophy aspirations as key to the win.

"We did well against a valuable team," Inzaghi told reporters at his post-match press conference. "We wanted the semi-final at all costs.

"It was a wonderful evening for everyone. It gives us great pride to be the only team involved in all fronts in Italy."

While Inter remain in the Coppa Italia and Champions League, their Serie A title hopes are looking slim with leaders Napoli holding a 13-point lead at the top and showing no sign of slowing down.

Inzaghi believes his side would be closer to the summit were it not for Napoli's incredible form, winning 17 of their 20 league matches this term, though their sole defeat came against Inter this month.

"We are behind in the league like all the others," Inzaghi added. "We made some mistakes.

"I also see the other leagues. Bayern [Munich], we've seen what a team it is and it has a low points tally. In any other league, with 40 points after 20 games we'd be there to fight for the Scudetto.

"We just have to compliment the progress Napoli has made so far."

Much of the build-up to the Atalanta clash was centred on Milan Skriniar after the defender confirmed on Sunday he would be joining Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain.

It remained unclear whether Skriniar would make the move to France in this transfer window, but Inter CEO Beppe Marotta confirmed before the game the Slovakia international would only depart in June when his contract expires.

Despite Skriniar staying with Inter and finishing his suspension for his red card against Empoli, Inzaghi left him out of the squad for the Atalanta game, a decision he explained afterwards.

"I decided to exclude him today to leave him alone," Inzaghi told Mediaset. "But there's no problem with him.

"He's a great professional, he trains with us and I'll choose whether to use him or not each time."

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas joined Nottingham Forest on loan as Steve Cooper's side completed a remarkable deadline-beating signing on Tuesday.

Navas, a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, fell out of favour in the French capital with Gianluigi Donnarumma the preferred goalkeeper for Christophe Galtier's side.

The 110-cap Costa Rica international will add a wealth of experience as Cooper's side attempt to stave off Premier League relegation.

Navas, who won two Ligue 1 titles with PSG after leaving Madrid in 2019, could be in line for his Forest debut in a crucial relegation clash at home to Leeds United on Sunday.

The arrival of Navas, whom Forest have the option to sign permanently at the end of the season, was announced shortly after confirmation of Jonjo Shelvey's signing from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United.

Shelvey has penned a two-and-a-half-year contract with Forest, with the fee undisclosed but expected to be insignificant as the midfielder's Newcastle deal was set to expire in June.

Former Liverpool man Shelvey suggested Cooper was a big draw after discussing the move with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe.

"It's a fantastic football club that has so much history and I'm really looking forward to getting started," he told the club's website.

"My main goal straight away is to fight for my place in the team and stay there.

"It's not going to be easy because there's a lot of competition for places, but it's a challenge I'm really looking forward to and the competitiveness can only help the team going forward.

"I spoke to Eddie Howe and he had such good words to say about Steve Cooper. I previously knew of him from my time at Liverpool, so I knew what a fantastic coach he was, but meeting him for the first time has been a breath of fresh air.

"He's told me what he expects and the high standards he sets, so I can hope I can come and help the team push to stay in the Premier League.

"I've been in this league a long time, I know what it takes to stay up and what it takes to get a good team to gel, so I'm looking forward to getting started and working with the players that are here."

Two-goal hero Sean Longstaff revelled in "a special night for everyone" as Newcastle United overcame Southampton to book their place in the EFL Cup final.

Magpies academy graduate Longstaff scored twice for his boyhood club, who were 2-1 winners at St James' Park to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory and a first cup final appearance since 1999.

The midfielder had gone almost four years without finding the net on home soil, but ended his wait with two brilliantly taken goals to send Eddie Howe's side to Wembley, where they will play Manchester United or Nottingham Forest on February 26.

And Longstaff hopes there is plenty more to come for the Magpies, who are also third in the Premier League and well in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

"It's a special night for everyone from Newcastle," he told Sky Sports. "It's been such a long time since we've had a night like this. It's special and really emotional.

"It's amazing what can happen in a year. If you said 12 months ago that something like this could happen then people would laugh at you.

"We don't want to stop, we want to keep going and this is just the start."

Head coach Howe also saluted Longstaff after guiding Newcastle to their first EFL Cup final since 1976, making it the largest gap between appearances for any side.

"[Longstaff] is pivotal. He's Newcastle through and through," Howe said. "I think he's an excellent player and adding goals will only improve other people's awareness of that. He's been great this season.

"I've always believed he's an excellent finisher and converting that to a game is difficult. I always believe if you get in the right areas, it will come together, and he did that today.

"It was an intense game. At 2-0, we were playing really well and their goal changed the dynamic. Part of our problem was the psychological aspect. Southampton had nothing to lose, and we were feeling the pressure.

"You want to be in finals of competitions to increase your status and make yourself more desirable for people to join. This is a club on the up."

Defender Dan Burn added: "It's hard to sum it up. I've never played in an atmosphere like that. Before the game, I was getting emotional and had to hold myself together.

"They were always going to come at us [in the] second half, but we stuck it out."