While the January transfer window never proves to be the mass spending spree that the summer brings, some clubs still shell out massive sums looking to fill mid-season holes or capture budding European talents. This winter was no different. Clubs such as Juventus, Liverpool, and Barcelona spent Money to perform much better in the 2nd half of the season.
Juventus was the top spender of the window, plunking down €75 million to acquire Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic who has been setting goal-scoring records over in Italy. Arsenal was reported to have heavy interest, but Vlahovic only wanted one club.
The Reds brought in prolific Porto winger Luis Diaz, while Barcelona turned Ferran Torres’ head with a big offer. Aston Villa’s capture of Lucas Digne came at a cut-rate price after the player wanted out of Goodison Park. Newcastle United also appears on the list twice, as the new Magpies owners splashed the cash on Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood to help avoid relegation.
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Top signings
1. Dusan Vlahovic
One of the biggest signings this time around is the Fiorentina’s striker move to Turin as Juventus Managed to sign him for €75M and he will earn around €7M per season. The Serbian Striker has been sensational this season with 17 goals and 2 assists in just 21 matches in the Seria- A and also scored 3 goals in 3 Matches in the Coppa Italia. His signing will definitely help Juventus as they have struggled to score goals this season. Vlahovic’s arrival will change the fortune for Juventus in the champions league as well as in the Seria-A. Vlahovic will also get the taste of playing the champions league as he turned down Arsenal’s offer to sign for Juventus.
2. Ferran Torres
The Spanish national team player has moved from Manchester City on €55M and a permanent move as Barcelona head coach Xavi wanted him as a no 1 priority for the winter transfer market. The reason is of course his class and lack of wingers in the squad and also Doubts about Ousmane Dembele’s future. He can play as a striker and also on both the wings, which can help the Catalan Giants as with all the injuries they are having this season. Torres has been excellent so far as he has managed to score 2 goals and 1 assist.
3. Luis Diaz
The Colombian winger has moved to Liverpool from Fc Porto, Liverpool will pay €40M and guaranteed €20M added ones. Liverpool was looking to sign only one player and no doubt they have signed one of the current best players. His performance in the champions league has forced Jurgen Klopp as a priority for his plans and also Salah and Mane’s absence could bring a change of fortune for his career as to be looking to make his impact in the premier league, the Colombian has been amazing so far with 14 goals and 4 assists with Fc Porto. His vision and Goal scoring abilities could provide Liverpool a lot as they look forward to winning the champions league and also providing Manchester City a threat as they are just 9 points behind them with 1 game left in hand and the title race isn’t just over yet.
4. JULIAN ALVAREZ
The 22-year-old Argentine striker has joined Manchester City from Argentina-based club River plate on a permanent deal for a price of €18.5 M fee. The center-forward has been the current sensation in Argentine Primera Division. While Manchester city was with one striker this season in the form of Gabriel Jesus and also the departure of their club legend Kun Aguero. Man City had been performing excellent so far this season without a proper striker now the addition of a goal scorer like Alvarez might make them even more dangerous and also a threat to other teams.
5. LUCAS DIGNE
Digne fell out with Everton boss Rafael Benitez and his last appearance for the club came on Dec. 1, so it was no surprise to see him move in January. The way his time at Everton ended wasn’t good for the club’s PR, and it turned out to be unnecessary anyway when Benitez was sacked in mid-January after a 2-1 defeat at Norwich.
Villa reaped the rewards and got a player who counts PSG and Barcelona among his former clubs. The left-back will certainly bring an extra dimension to the Villa defense, and it’s another canny signing. Digne has already started strong at Villa and is showing his class.
TOP 5 UNEXPECTED TRANSFERS
Adama Traore
Another biggest and shocking move In the transfer windows has been the Loan transfer of Former La Masia player Adama Traore who has been sending on a Loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Fc Barcelona for the remainder of the season with a buy-back clause and signing him on a permanent deal. The Blaugrana had been struggling with their recent form and had been knocked out of both the domestic Cups, Copa Del Rey, and Supercopa de Espana. And injury of their new number10 Ansu Fati had forced them to buy Adama Traore who is known for his speed and shooting abilities and this pace can really help them finish top 4 this season or win the Europa League to qualify for Next season’s CL.
AUBAMEYANG
Aubameyang’s disciplinary issues and poor form have seen him dropped and stripped of the captaincy, so Arsenal agreeing to terminate his £350,000-a-week contract with 18 months left saves them a lot of money. But they haven’t signed a replacement. Barca needed to make the finances work and had to persuade the Gabon international to cut his salary to join them, but surely even they wouldn’t have expected to get him on a free transfer. They took advantage and have landed a quality striker on the cheap who can help them reach the Champions League this season after all their upheaval. As long as he keeps his focus and discipline as Barca has an agreement in his contract to terminate it if he breaks the disciplinary rules.
ROBIN GOSENS
Gosens has become one of the best wing-backs in Serie A, scoring 20 goals and providing 14 assists over the last two seasons, so Atalanta is not only losing him but has also let him join their league rivals. The 27-year-old has been injured this season, but he’s still a class act.
Inter knows exactly what they are getting with the Germany international and a €25m obligation to sign him permanently after the loan expires feels like an excellent deal. His arrival should strengthen Inter in attack and defense.
DENIS ZAKARIA
With only six months left on his contract, Gladbach was backed into a corner and had to let him go in January. The fee is minimal for a player of such quality, though, and they will be unhappy with how the transfer played out.
Zakaria is the definition of a defensive midfielder and helps to solve Juve’s issue in the center of the pitch. At 25, he has plenty of time to develop. It’s just a really smart piece of business from the Italian club.
Bentancur and Kulusevksi
Spurs signing someone on deadline day is a surprise in itself. The two midfielders have moved to Tottenham Hotspurs. Rodrigo Bentancur has moved to North London on a permanent deal for €19M whereas Kulusevski has joined on a loan and his buy-back clause will be triggered if Spurs qualify for the Champions League And also on the number of appearances. Conte always wanted a better midfielder and the addition of this Juventus Duo can bring them hopes for qualifying for next season’s champions league. And also the departure of Ndombele and Dele Alli left spaces in the squad and there is no doubt that Conte will provide them with a lot of opportunities to play.
LOAN DEALS
PHILLIPE COUTINHO
Coutinho arrived for a potential €160m back in 2018 and has struggled ever since. Barca is even still paying most of his wages for another loan spell, which hasn’t helped their financial situation that much.
It’s a win-win situation for Villa. The Brazil international has shown with Liverpool that he can perform in the Premier League, and now he’s working under former teammate Steven Gerrard. The 29-year-old will fill a creative void for the club, and they have an option to sign him for €40m if they want, or they can just send him back to Barca if he doesn’t impress.
ANTHONY MARTIAL
United hasn’t handled Martial very well at all over the past few months, especially after it became clear that he wanted to leave. At 26, the forward should be approaching his prime, but he hasn’t found form at United and it is best he moves on for a fresh start. United even had to back down on their demands for a loan fee to get this one done.
Sevilla has their best chance in years to win LaLiga, and bringing in Martial is a smart move. Yes, they agreed to pay his entire wages while on loan, but he is keen to prove a point and get his career back on track, and his direct running can make things happen in the final third.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK
Having spent around €40m to sign Van de Beek from Ajax in 2020, United gave him limited opportunities in the first team. He didn’t light up the league, but his versatility surely would have been useful in the second half of the season. United may regret this, even if they did get a loan fee.
Sitting 16th in the Premier League, Everton had to get some help. As one of the world’s best midfielders in his own playing days, new boss Frank Lampard is the perfect manager to get the Netherlands international back on track. It’s a decent movie and one the player badly needed.
NDOMBELE
Ndombele was Spurs’ record signing, at €62m from Lyon in 2019, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations. He fell out of favor under Jose Mourinho and has made only three Premier League appearances since the arrival of Conte in November. A €3m loan fee doesn’t really cover the blow.
Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere, and Ndombele returns to the club that let him leave as a replacement for Bruno Guimaraes. The Frenchman is still only 25 and has a chance to rebuild his career somewhere he feels comfortable, with a reported option of €65m to sign permanently if the club desires.
OTHER SIGNINGS
DELLI ALLI
£5m signing from MK Dons in 2015, Alli looked like he could do no wrong until a few years ago. Then suddenly his form fell off a cliff, and he hasn’t been the same since. A loan move would have been preferable for Tottenham, but they should at least be able to make a profit once a clause kicks in to trigger a £10m payment when he plays 20 games, while there are also some hefty add-ons too.
Everton spotted a chance and, much like Van de Beek’s arrival, were able to rely on the pull of new manager Frank Lampard to get the deal done. Alli needs a fresh start, and if Everton can turn him back into the player who netted 18 Premier League goals in the 2016-17 season.
Christian Eriksen
The news has finally come when all the football fans around the globe were waiting for Eriksen’s return, after suffering a cardiac arrest during the UEFA EURO 2020, He has made a comeback after 7 months as he signs for newly promoted premier league side Brentford as a free agent as his contract with Inter Milan was terminated by Mutual Agreement. His comeback has made thousands of fans happy as he looks forward to making a mark in the premier league and can be an important signing for Brentford as they look to avoid Relegation.
KIERAN TRIPPIER, BRUNO GUIMARAES & CHRIS WOOD
Newcastle United has undergone a rollercoaster ride over the past six weeks since the club was taken Up by a consortium led by Saudi UK Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Newcastle had spent their Winter on some quality signings such as Atletico Madrid’s Right back and also Brazilian Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and Burnley Striker Chris Wood. All these signings might save Newcastle from Relegation and might help them make more quality signings for next season.
CONCLUSION
The winter transfer window saw some unexpected as well as some shocking moves and surprisingly most of the big teams took active participation as Barcelona, Juventus, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City, prepare themselves for the rest half of the season. The decisions made by the clubs were correct and will the player’s performance turn the Fortunes for Club only time will tell us all.
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