Deadline day - who's on the move? (From The Argus)

11:33pm

The deadline has passed by Stephen Dobbie's loan move to arch rivals has been confirmed. It is expected to become a permanent move on July 1

10:47pm

Matthew Upson: "I’ve heard lots of positive things about Gus and his style and the whole package here at Brighton and Hove Albion. It is very exciting."

10:36pm

So we have got Upson. Upson and Ulloa in the transfer window, I will settle for that. Good business. What do we all think?

10:23pm

Gary Alexander story is on The Argus website with quotes from Richie Barker

www.theargus.co.uk/sport/10199845.Alexander_leaves_Crawley_on_loan/

7:25pm

Many thanks to Brian Owen for doing a great job on this all day. I'm with you for the rest of the evening with Andy Naylor still at The Amex, as he has been all day. Let's see what develops in the next three and a half hours

7:21pm

Right, that's it for me. Howard Griggs is a member of our late team this evening and he will take over from me now on here.

Thanks for following. Stick with it until 11pm if you can and look for the full stories in The Argus tomorrow morning.

7:10pm

Lots of you tweeting Andy about a link between Palace and Dobbie. That link being Holloway, of course. He is on to it. 

7:10pm

7:05pm

Would imagine Vincelot will be picked up by someone. He did a really valuable job for Albion in the first third or so of last season.

McGiveron was given his chance to impress by Albion last summer after being let go by Liverpool.

7:03pm

6:51pm

Things are starting to come together across the land. Stephen Warnock just completed a free transfer to Leeds. That's one of those that seemed to have been done ages ago but only recently completed, apparently.

6:49pm

A clip of the goal to which Andy Naylor refers was posted on this blog at 3.36pm. 

In the interests of balance, I should point out other goals were scored in that game!

6:48pm

6:48pm

Upson last played in Sussex almost a year ago when he helped ten-man Stoke beat Crawley 2-0 in the FA Cup. He also helped Reading keep a clean sheet at Withdean back in 2002.

6:42pm

6:41pm

Matthew Upson is 33 (will turn 34 in April) and is 6ft. 

He made his first league start when Arsenal drew 2-2 at Coventry in January 1998 as part of a back four which included two former Stoke players - Steve Bould and Lee Dixon.

6:36pm

6:34pm

Still looking very much like Upson coming south. 

6:15pm

It appears former Crawley striker Wes Thomas will be heading to Birmingham on loan from Bournemouth. 

6:05pm

6:02pm

Just threw that Forte one in as he was with Crawley earlier this season.

6:02pm

5:59pm

I am sure it is on here somewhere but Andy Naylor's belief is that if Upson signs it will be on loan, be it for the rest of the season or a month.

5:56pm

Looks like it will be a case of "we meet again". DJ Campbell, who said his Ipswich farewells against Albion on New Year's Day, is undergoing a medical at Blackburn. Rovers are here in less than a fortnight.

5:44pm

5:43pm

It also appears their forthcoming opponents Swindon will not be taking Gary Madine on loan, which in turn leaves the striker free to come off the bench for Wednesday against Albion if needed.

5:43pm

Looks like Crawley are done for the window then.

5:42pm

5:42pm

5:36pm

As in 2011, it looks like Elliott Bennett is staying put this winter judging from the tweet I just posted.

5:35pm

5:34pm

Jerome Thomas from WBA to Blackburn will go through this evening.

5:33pm

Away from the Championship, Spanish media (and probably English as well, I'd imagine) are reporting Arsenal are signing a left-back. Why does that not surprise me?

Nacho Monreal of Malaga is the man - for 10 million Euros

5:28pm

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOWS OF THE PAST

2011

Elliott Bennett was staying. That was the undisputed highlight of deadline day two years ago. Albion had kept Norwich at bay for the time being as they closed in on the League One title. Gus Poyet was priced out in his bid to sign a striker but was delighted to extend Chris Wood’s loan from West Brom until the end of the season. The main business of the window arguably came as soon as it opened when Craig Noone signed from Plymouth for about £300,000. He actually posed for the picture you see here on New Year's Eve 2010!

5:26pm

5:25pm

I know we're all about deadline-beating deals today but what about a man who could not wait to get  here just as soon as the calendar clicked on to January 1? I give you.....

5:24pm

As the quite spell continues, let's have some more nostalgia.

5:19pm

5:18pm

That last tweet was from the reporter at Blackburn. I included it purely for info on another Championship club - and because they are down here soon.

As for the previous one from Steve Bone of the Chichester Observer, that just went in because it was amusing!

5:16pm

5:15pm

5:14pm

5:13pm

Dave Jones, manager of Albion's next opponents Sheffield Wednesday, was sounding pretty relaxed about transfer business today.

He is after another striker but admits that will be a loan deal. Marlon King and Rob Earnshaw have been mentioned. Jones said: "There is no mad rush because we are not going to be buying anybody."

True - but it would make a difference to the Seagulls if Owls' remaining business is delayed until the loan window.

4:59pm

The Argus tomorrow features a couple of excellent features away from football with Sussex-based England internationals. Mike Legg has caught up with new cap Billy Twelvetrees ahead of the Six Nations and Steve Hollis has spoken to Matt Prior about life on two wheels.

We also have Albion's plans to ease Gordon Greer through his injury setback, a chat with CMS and a look at the Owls striker looking to profit from Greer's absence at Hillsbrough.

We also hope to have a piece about a new Albion signing...

4:55pm

Anyway, Andy has been chatting to Adam El-Abd today for a piece we will run in the paper on Saturday.

4:54pm

Hull already had Elmohamady of course.

4:47pm

4:46pm

Albion development keeper Daniel East has gone on loan to Hastings until March 2.

4:35pm

I'm assuming Glenn Murray is not on the move but what about that other Championship goal machine Charlie Austin? Here is what Burnley Telegraph reporter Chris Bodes had to say about Austin a few minutes ago in his weekly online webchat. 

"The club's stand point all along has been they have no need to sell, and don't want to sell. There's nothing bubbling under the surface. If someone is to make a late bid it would be out of left field as Dyche says."

4:25pm

Just gave Andy Naylor a call at The Amex and I think he is ready for a long evening. He's currently getting on with other work. 

4:07pm

4:06pm

Birmingham Mail say it is "increasingly likely" Curtis Davies will stay at St Andrew's unless Norwich up their offer to the required £4 million. I think we can forget him as far as Albion are concerned. Anyway, I'll dig out the tweet.

4:01pm

As alluded to by Andy there, Rory Delap has gone on loan from Stoke to Barnsley. I wonder if the towels go too as part of the package.

4:00pm

3:59pm

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOWS OF THE PAST

2010

Gus Poyet’s first transfer window in charge of the Seagulls was a quiet one. Marcos Painter (loan from Swansea) and Inigo Calderon (free agent) signed early in the month, as did Seb Carole (for a third time). Chris Holroyd, whose picture you can see, joined them from Cambridge United on January 29 for £60,000. Poyet also offloaded two players he had inherited - Graeme Smith to Hibs and Kevin McLeod to Wycombe.

3:57pm

3:55pm

Time for more nostalgia.

3:43pm

Andy Naylor reporting that Garry Monk of Swansea is another name to add to the list of those central defenders interesting Albion. But he is confident Upson is the top choice.

3:38pm

Probably counting my chickens but that was Matthew Upson scoring in the World Cup.

3:36pm

3:30pm

They weren't there.

3:19pm

Right, I'm popping over to Asda for a sandwich. If Shakira and Gerard are in there looking at the George baby range you'll be the first to know.

3:12pm

Thanks

3:12pm

I see Twitter is now over capacity. Can someone log off please?!?!

3:03pm

Kevin Phillips to Palace? That one is from "sources" of Sky Sports who "understand" such a deal is possible. The Holloway link. Now there's a striker who knows how to score against the Seagulls.

3:00pm

Simon Church is staying at Reading. He can move as a free agent this summer.

2:49pm

Jerome Thomas heading to The Amex soon? It seems there is a good chance he will move from West Brom to Blackburn.

2:45pm

2:45pm

2:39pm

Hot off the press from Richie Barker, via Steve Hollis: No more Crawley signings today and he does not expect anyone to leave. 

2:35pm

It sounds like Steve Hollis is on the phone to Richie Barker. Let's see what he says when he finishes the call.

2:33pm

I keep going away to do other work and keep coming back to this blog. Hopefully some of the readers are suffering the same problem! Anyway, I must get on with my CMS feature.

2:26pm

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOWS OF THE PAST

2009

They were calling them the Super Six as Micky Adams bought in half a dozen new faces. Deadline day saw defender Jimmy McNulty arrive from Stockport for £150,000 and striker Craig Davies head south from Oldham from an undisclosed fee to join Calvin Andrew, Seb Carole, Jason Jarrett and Chris Birchall, all of whom had signed earlier in the month. Adams felt the six would help keep Albion in League One. But it took a raft of loan signings to head off relegation to the fourth tier (although Andrew also played his part). Jan 2009 was also the month Steven Thomson headed back north of the border to St Mirren.
(Yes, I know there were only five new signings in the picture. Jason Jarrett wasn't there for some reason).

2:24pm

2:24pm

Right, back to the good old days....

2:16pm

2:15pm

Birmingham want £4 million for Davies. Doesn't mean they will get that, of course. Norwich have offered half that plus Leon Barnett.

2:13pm

That tweet was our Reds man Steve Hollis referring to Akinde's departure. 

2:12pm

2:11pm

Meanwhile the man who once tormented Albion's defence, but could not deny them promotion, is on the move. Crawley have parted company with John Akinde. The big man scored in the first minute for Dagenham on the night Albion secured League One promotion at Withdean, which matches his goal tally in his season-and-a-half with the Reds.

2:09pm

Remember Birmingham, possibly more than any other Championship club, are under pressure to sell today. 

2:07pm

2:07pm

2:07pm

Hold the nostaligia. Think about the present - Curtis Davies

1:57pm

1:56pm

1:56pm

Upson trail is getting warmer

1:52pm

The thought of Rory Delap arrowing in long throws on the back of icy breeze at Oakwell is an uncomfortable one though. Delap is being linked with a move to Barnsley

1:50pm

Chris O'Grady is on his way on loan from Sheffield Wednesday to Barnsley. That is of no relevance to Albion's trip to Hillsborough other than it might free up funds for a new man to come into the Owls squad. O'Grady was in the shadows at Wednesday.

1:47pm

Well it seems to have gone a bit quiet now. Hopefully a sign of things being done. I still think business will drag on. We have upped our manpower on the evening shift in readiness. Our deadline permits us to get all deals in The Argus tomorrow, even if they go through spot on 11pm.

1:41pm

1:36pm

Elsewhere in the Championship, Wolves are interested in taking striker Simon Church from Reading (would cost about £500k) and Forest now appear favourites to land George Boyd.

1:33pm

1:32pm

As Andy Naylor tweeted earlier, the emphasis in Albion's hunt for a defender has shifted somewhat. They are now looking for a fill-in for Greer and Dunk as much as anything. While also being a longer-term project, Virgil Van Dijk would also have fitted that bill, international clearance permitting. But that was not why they were after him. Remember the Seagulls were keen on him even before Greer was injured against Arsenal.

1:22pm

So Kieron Dyer to Boro is done but Danny Graham is off to Sunderland. 

1:04pm

Of course the fact Tate trained in West Glamorgan this morning with no apparent knowledge of a move to Brighton does not preclude him from standing in The Amex showing off the blue and white stripes to a photographer some time this evening. But it does underline it would be a last-minute signing.

12:53pm

Tate trained with Swansea this morning and was oblivious afterwards to any #bhafc interest.

— @AndyNaylorArgus 31 January 2013

12:45pm

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOWS OF THE PAST

2008

Dean Hammond’s departure to Colchester for £250,000 and Glenn Murray’s £300,000 arrival from Rochdale were the big stories. Murray was on board for the last game of January, a 1-0 defeat at Northampton, as was Steven Thomson (signed from Falkirk). Jonny Dixon got in just before deadline in a £55,000 deal from Aldershot and Shane McFaull also signed from UC Dublin but Alex Revell headed to Southend for £150,000 and Nathan Elder joined Brentford. Revell’s departure was confirmed during that Tuesday night defeat at the Sixfields Stadium where, bizarrely, Elder got his first start of the season and Murray was on the bench.

12:44pm

Remember this? Albion signed a fresh-faced young striker five years ago.

12:31pm

Craig Mackail-Smith - who tends to speculatively linked with a few clubs - is looking forward to following the transfer news this afternoon and evening. He said today: "It’s exciting for us as players because we watch it and see which players go where and talk about all the moves. It’s just the way it is and the boys get on with the football and watch it just for fun."

12:18pm

Steve Hollis lists Crawley's January INS (seven of them) and OUTS (six of them) in The Argus today. He has also spoken to Matt Sparrow about what will hopefully be his long-awaited full debut this weekend. As I mentioned earlier, it looks like Reds are done dealing this month unless an offer comes in. Billy Clarke is one of the more likely to attract interest, I am informed.

12:10pm

We are expecting Leroy Lita to be given his first start up front for the Owls on Saturday, by the way, after hitting the winner at Charlton on Saturday coming off the bench. Lita is on loan from Swansea.

12:09pm

Morison/Becchio is now a done deal while it seems Swindon are trying to take striker Gary Madine off Wednesday's hands before Albion go up there.

12:06pm

The poll regarding your preference to play at centre-back includes the name of Lewis Dunk after Charlie Oatway said today he COULD be an option at Hillsborough in the absence of Gordon Greer. Of course, if you want to comment on that, please no reference to details of the current court case. If you opt for another current player or another potential new signing, then feel free to let us know who via the comments section.

12:02pm

12:02pm

12:01pm

I agree with that last comment by Seagull83, who was referring to the managerial position at Chelsea. Yes, I know it is off topic but the subject arose earlier when I told how Sky Sports were at this morning's Albion press conference specifically to ask Gus Poyet about the Chelsea job.

11:59am

11:59am

Virgil Van Dijk was told by Groningen that they could not do without him in their defence for the rest of the season. He told Dutch reporters: "Of course that's a compliment for me. It proves that I'm important. I fully understand FC Groningen and they understand me."

Last bit suggests he might still be allowed to go and follow his dream in England at some point.

11:47am

11:42am

Alan Tate of Swansea seems to be the latest defender being linked with Albion. Remember Andy Naylor is at The Amex getting the definitive line on all these names you will see flying around.

11:31am

Elsewhere, it is being reported that the Becchio/Morrison switch is on after both players passed medicals at Norwich and Leeds respectively.So Becchio leaves Elland Road, where he scored against Albion about this time last year.

11:28am

10:52am

Now in the office and checking in with Steve Hollis, our Crawley man. He's not expecting drama with the Reds today although of course there remains the chance one or more of their players could attract a late bid. Meanwhile Andy Naylor remains on the scene at The Amex.

10:23am

Right, I'm leaving The Amex and heading off back to the office. Will let you know if I see Gus leaning out of his car window talking to reporters (or indeed Gerard Pique) in the stadium car park!

9:18am

I should at this point stress that the fact we are launching this blog does not mean we necessarily expect a hectic day for the Seagulls - certainly not to match what happened on the evening of August 31. But what we can promise is a handy resource for you to check for news from here, rival clubs and Sussex football as a whole.

9:13am

Welcome to The Amex and what be a long day of transfer activity, speculation - and tweets. I'll be keeping an eye on what is going on here with Albion and anything else around the Championship with potential impact on the Seagulls. I'm Brian Owen - my colleague Howard Griggs will see you through the last few hours this evening.