(Skysports)
As the Winter Transfer Window for the 2021/2022 season comes to a close, many top-named footballers have made some surprising, and not-so-surprising moves as the second half of European club football begins to unravel.
As there were hundreds of signings across a plethora of leagues, we’ve taken account of the most significant players as well as some honorable mentions to highlight this winter window.
These are the biggest transfers coming out of the January 2022 Winter Transfer Window.
10. Anthony Martial
(Football Espana)
Coming in at number 10, the wonderkid from Monaco was looking like a promising star after Manchester United splashed 60 million euros back in 2015. After years of injury and lacklustre performances, the French striker is now finally getting the move he has been asking for after Sevilla FC have come knocking. Although his potential may have dried out in the Premier League, Martial is looking to revive his career in Spain as he’s still only 26 years old. In a squad that currently holds the attacking power of Papu Gomez, Youssef En-Nesyri and ex-Barcelona star Munir El Haddadi, Martial will have to prove his worth if he wants to fill those hopes many have held up for him thus far. Don’t worry Premier League fans, as this transfer is just a loan, Martial is set to return at the end of the season.
9. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
(Barca Blaugranes)
In the 9th spot, the once Arsenal Captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is finally leaving the gunners after weeks of back and forth discussion whether his departure will come. Once again FC Barcelona have brought another attacker this January as the Gabonian striker arrives on a free after his contract had been terminated. Aubameyang is no question a clinical goalscorer after being crucial for Borussia Dortmund and as well as Arsenal (in his first few seasons). A spark has gone out for Aubameyang who hasn’t been as good as he once was in the last season or so, however, a new beginning can ignite that flame once again with this new opportunity. He will be battling with Memphis Depay for that starting striker role but his reputation precedes him as a clinical finisher who could be a hit or miss for the Catalonians depending if the stars align.
8. Robin Gosens
(CBC Sports)
At number 8 comes Robin Gosens who stunned the crowds at Euro 2020 last summer with his brilliant positioning, tracking-back, crosses, and ability to defend as well as he can attack. The German left midfielder is staying within the Serie A after his transfer from Atalanta BC to Champions Inter Milan on a loan move until the end of the 2022/23 season with an obligation to buy for 25 million euros. This Gosens transfer will help Inter as they lack depth in the left-back position as well as their left midfield with the aging Alexander Kolarov and Ivan Perisic currently in the squad. Overall, a great transfer that will hinder Atalanta going forward but also strengthen the already explosive Inter Milan squad who are currently top of the league.
7. Denis Zakaria
(Juventus.com)
In the number 7 spot, Swiss defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria comes in after many top clubs like FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea FC were battling to get that long-awaited signature. The club that came on top is none other than Italy’s Old Lady, Juventus FC who acquired Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach for a brilliant fee of 8.6 million euros. Zakaria has been a promising defensive presence in the Bundesliga for the last few years being a dominant ball winner, an agile interceptor, as well as a decent distributor and an aerial threat to go along with it. Juventus are in need of some midfield depth as they’ve been lacking in that department for a few years now. As Aaron Ramsey and Rodrigo Bentacur make their way out of the Serie A, Zakaria’s inquisition will be a great replacement and will further improve the squad to bring them the glory that has been taken away from them.
6. Lucas Digne
(Skysports)
An unfortunate departure for Everton, Lucas Digne comes in as our 6th best transfer this window, as he arrives in Aston Villa after they acquired the French left-back for 30 million euros. The ex-Barcelona and ex-PSG defender had a significant decline as he made his way into the Premier League but it only took him a year or so to show his brilliance for the blues in these last 4 years. Arguably one of the current left-backs in the Premier League, Digne has been outstanding for Everton with his reliable set pieces, crucial defensive decision making, and distribution that has made him a threat on the left. Aston Villa have made quite a statement this transfer window and Digne will look to improve their squad as he will undoubtedly be a starter for them, let alone make an immediate impact for the side who are in 11th at the moment.
5. Bruno Guimarães
(Planet Football)
A name that has gone under the radar for many, Bruno Guimaraes is the 5th best January transfer as the Brazilian midfielder leaves Olympique Lyon to Newcastle United for a fee of 46 million. A huge price tag for what will be a big player for Newcastle as they struggle with relegation halfway into the season. Guimaraes has been a consistent threat from Lyon in these past few years with assists, defensive brilliance as well as an overall reliable option in front of his defenders that has gotten him high praise within Ligue 1. Having a bit of flair about him as well, Guimaraes’ tactic decision-making and leadership should significantly improve the lacklustre performances that Newcastle have been showing this season. Alongside the signing of Chris Wood from Burnley, Newcastle have acquired some true firepower as they continue into the second half of the season.
4. Ferran Torres
(Football365)
A surprise transfer, Ferran Torres has left Manchester City to FC Barcelona this January with a fee of 55 million euros, he’s coming in at our 4th spot. Having only joined Manchester in the summer of 2020 from Valencia for 33 million euros, Torres is returning to Spain to help the struggling Barcelona side recover any chance of European football next season. Although he couldn’t make a significant impact in the already star-studded City side, Torres was still a young potential attacker who has shown promise after netting 9 and assisting 3 in the 28 games he’s played. Barcelona’s attack has been anything but clinical this season and having an injured stricken Ousmane Dembele constantly out of action, Torres will see himself as a starter for the Catalonians now, and definitely in the future to come.
3. Philippe Coutinho
(Skysports)
A talent who’s been all over the map, Philippe Coutinho is returning to the Premier League after transferring from FC Barcelona to Aston Villa on a loan transfer until the end of the season. Coutinho was once a huge part of Liverpool’s attacking threat before leaving for Barcelona for a staggering amount. Since then, Coutinho has increased his trophy cabinet but individually has not been the attacking midfielder that many believed he would be. We have seen Coutinho tear it up in the Premier League before so this transfer will not be one he will have to settle into, this is an exciting move for those who remember his long shots and dribbling excellence of once before. Aston Villa have acquired an attacking talent that will replace Jack Grealish’s spot that has yet to be filled since his departure in the summer. Expect good things to come from Coutinho in the second half of the season, a great signing that will more than likely make an impact.
2. Luis Diaz
(OPARA)
In the 2nd spot, the Colombian maestro Luis Diaz has finally made his move that many were expecting after his performances for FC Porto and the Colombian National Team this past year. Liverpool have signed the left-winger for a relatively understandable price tag of 49.5 million euros immediately bringing the Colombian into the second half of this season. The pacey-skillful winger brings depth to Liverpool’s attacking power which already holds the names of Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota. Diaz will look to bring clinical finishing, finesse, stylistic distribution and glued ball control that has elevated him to popular conversations around the footballing world. Although a big step up from the Liga Nos in Portugal, Diaz should be a long-term option for the reds who will use him as a rotational player who will no doubt strengthen the already threatening Liverpool attack.
1. Dusan Vlahovic
(ESPN)
The best transfer of the window is unquestionably the Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic who has been the most talked-about attacker in the first half of the season. Staying within Italy, the striker arrives at Juventus FC from Fiorentina who paid an astounding 90 million euros after being one of the most clinical finishers in the past year. Having netted 20 goals and 4 assists in 24 games in both league and Italian cup, Vlahovic was looking to head to London as Arsenal have been in talks with him for weeks. The Old Lady has not looked the same since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo this past summer and a goal scorer as promising as the 22-year-old Vlahovic will look to be that star attacker as he also acquired the number 7 shirt as well. The most expensive January transfer with no shadow of a doubt, Vlahovic will be the most-watched attacker coming into this second half of the season. Juventus have acquired a player they will most definitely turn into a goal-scoring machine, and hopefully be worth the price tag that they paid for, watch out Morata, Dusan is in town.
Honorable Mentions
Wout Weghorst (VfL Wolfsburg to Burnley for 15.4 million euros)
Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid to Newcastle for 16.5 million euros)
Axel Tuanzebe (Manchester United to Napoli on loan for 600,000 euros)
Ainsley Maitland Niles (Arsenal to Roma on a loan for 500,000 euros)
Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas to FC Augsburg for 18 million euros)
Chris Wood (Burnley to Newcastle for 33 million euros)
Vitalyi Mykolenko (Dynamo Kyiv to Everton for 25 million euros)
Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus to Tottenham Hotspurs for 21 million euros)
Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus to Tottenham Hotspurs on a loan for 11 million euros)
Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wolves to FC Barcelona on loan)
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspurs to Everton on a free transfer)
Donny Van De Beek (Manchester United to Everton on loan)
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