Josh Maja has played his last game for Sunderland, chief executive Stewart Donald has confirmed. Maja, 20, has scored 16 goals in 30 appearances for the League One promotion chasers this season. And that has prompted plenty of interest in the young striker, who turned down a new contract worth seven times his current salary at the Stadium of Light. Ligue 1 side Bordeaux have won the race for Maja, who is on the verge of completing a cut-price £3.5m deal to France. The Black Cats were not prepared to lose him for minimal compensation in the summer, having Maja made it clear he wouldn’t be extending his current deal.…

With Cesc Fabregas now sold to Monaco Chelsea could sign a new midfielder in the coming days. The Blues were reportedly attempting to land two players – Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Barella – as manager Maurizio Sarri hunted the ideal replacement for Fabregas, but the former has now joined Paris Saint-Germain. Sarri clearly wants a talented playmaker who must have fine technique and otherworldly vision to help progress the ball from tight areas? It will be no mean feat replacing the Spaniard, who goes down as a Premier League legend after leaving for the south of France. So who are the men who might be up to the task? Find…

Former West Ham star Tony Cottee has criticised Marko Arnautovic’s attitude after his failed attempt to force through a move away from the club. Arnautovic was keen to leave the Hammers for an unnamed team in the Chinese Super League after receiving a big-money offer to move to the Far East. He was left out of the squad for the Premier League defeat to Bournemouth as speculation mounted over his possible exit, and also missed Saturday’s humiliating FA Cup defeat to AFC Wimbledon. Moments after that loss, though, the club confirmed Arnautovic had signed a contract extension to end the speculation over his immediate future. The Austrian forward said in…

Tottenham fans have slammed Kieran Trippier on social media for his shocking penalty miss against Crystal Palace. The full-back spurned the opportunity to get his side back in the game after blasting a penalty wide of the post after Patrick van Aanholt fouled Juan Foyth in the box. And it looks like Spurs fans have reached the end of their tether with their right-back this season. Have a look at some of their tweets below… Trippier won over the hearts of the nation during the summer for his heroic performances for the Three Lions in the World Cup. He netted that free-kick against Croatia in the semi-final of the tournament to…

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has joined Middlesbrough until the end of the season. The Nigeria international becomes Boro’s second signing of the January window. Mikel, 31, won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, as well as the Champions League, Europa League and League Cup during a 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge. He captained Nigeria at last summer’s World Cup and last played for Tianjin TEDA but had been a free agent since November. Boro boss Tony Pulis told the club’s website: “I’m pleased to get him in.   “He is a man with a lot of experience and quality. “He has a winning mentality and he wants…

Abdoulaye Doucoure has emerged as a shock deadline day target for Chelsea as Maurizio Sarri looks to strengthen his squad. The Watford midfielder has impressed during his three seasons at the club and Chelsea are keen to add the Frenchman to their side, as they are yet to replace the recently departed Cesc Fabregas. Doucoure, 26, is one of Watford’s most important players and Chelsea will have their work cut out in trying to get him without a fight. Having recently been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Doucoure admitted the rumour was a ‘pleasure’ but he is happy at Vicarage Road. “PSG holds an important place in my…

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has admitted his future with the Blues looks “bleaker” following Gonzalo Higuain’s arrival at the club. The Argentine has signed on loan with the option for Chelsea to buy him in the summer for £31million. Giroud, 32, has spent seven years in England with Arsenal and Chelsea, but has admitted the forward’s arrival has raised further questions on where his future lies. Speaking about a potential departure in the summer to French news outlet Canal Football Club, he said: “My agent is taking care of things. If they’re looking for a forward we’ll study the opportunities, whether it be there or elsewhere. “It’s certain that if Chelsea wants…

The January transfer window will slam shut on Thursday but Premier League clubs still have time to shape their squads for the rest of the season. This month has seen the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Dominic Solanke, Ryan Babel and Alvaro Morata complete big moves. But there are several top-flight clubs who still need to get their business done with a host of deals in the pipeline. While the 2019 winter market hasn’t quite matched the big-spending windows of previous years, Thursday’s deadline day could see some major transfers be completed. Here’s talkSPORT’s pick of the deals that may go through before the transfer window closes. Ivan Perisic and Denis…

Notts County owner Alan Hardy has “very reluctantly” put the club up for sale after a picture of his anatomy appeared on social media. The Nottinghamshire businessman bought the club just over two years ago and they currently sit rock-bottom of League Two. Hardy had to apologise this weekend after accidentally posting an inappropriate picture of his anatomy on social media. His gaffe came when he tried to show the fickle side of supporters by posting two screenshots from the same supporter, one sending him Christmas wishes and the other declaring he had ruined the club. But Hardy inadvertently included his phone’s camera roll of recent pictures, and one contained…

Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Tottenham go head-to-head in the FA Cup fourth round this afternoon, a tie that is live on talkSPORT. Both sides saw off League Two opposition in the last round and will now be looking to book a place in the last 16 at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace v Tottenham: How to listen Full commentary of Crystal Palace v Tottenham will be LIVE on talkSPORT, with our coverage beginning at 2pm. Russ Williams will bring you all the build up with John Motson and Alvin Martin on commentary duty. Click below or here for the live commentary stream. You can also listen through the talkSPORT…