Jo leads charge as deadline looms

THE final hours of the January transfer window made an inevitably frenetic start yesterday, as Premier League clubs tried desperately to bulk out their squads ahead of today's 5pm deadline.

Everton moved to add depth to their striking resources by signing Jo, the Manchester City forward, on loan for the rest of the season. The Brazilian joined from CSKA Moscow last summer but has failed to make any sort of impression, scoring just twice. David Moyes, however, was in dire need of additional firepower having been forced to play for almost six weeks without any recognised forwards.

City also agreed to let defender Tal Ben Haim leave Eastlands in search of first team football, with the Israeli international joining Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season.

Hull were facing disappointment in their bid to sign veteran Roma defender Christian Panucci. The Humbersiders had been hoping to sign the 35-year-old on a short-term contract but the Italian is likely to stay in Serie A.

Fulham were also busy yesterday. Olivier Dacourt, the Internazionale midfielder, is set to join the Cottagers on loan as manager Roy Hodgson seeks to plug the gaps left by the departed Jimmy Bullard and Leon Andreasen.

The former Leeds player was in talks with Fulham last night, although he is unlikely to be joined in south-west London by Brian McBride, whose proposed return to the club from Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire was on the brink of collapse last night.

Bolton's disappointment in missing out on Portuguese international Miguel Veloso could be compounded after their £2.5m bid for Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis was rejected by the south coast club. Pompey were more interested in adding to their squad last night, opening talks with Tottenham over a move for out-of-favour striker Giovani Dos Santos and signing Greek striker Theofanis Gekas, 28, on loan until the end of the season from Bayer Leverkusen.

Blackburn have completed the signing of Sunderland striker El Hadji Diouf in a £2m deal.

West Bromwich are hoping to conclude a move for striker Juan Carlos Menseguez. The Argentine has travelled to England for a medical from his current club San Lorenzo.