Winners and losers of January transfer window
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 1 Feb 2022 09:30 CST
- 6 min read
The January 2022 transfer window is now shut – and what a window it was!
Despite an ongoing pandemic that has wreaked financial havoc on the sporting world, football clubs continue to live in their own bubble and spend like there is no tomorrow.
TRENDING
Juventus made the biggest January signing in Serie A history in Dusan Vlahovic, while Man City made their biggest ever January sale in Ferran Torres to Barcelona.
Both Juve and Barcelona were incredibly active in the winter market as they both struggle in their domestic leagues, while many other teams spent heavily – namely Newcastle, Liverpool , Everton and Aston Villa. Not everyone opened their chequebooks, though.
So who were the winners and losers in the January market?
WINNERS: Juventus
The biggest winners, not just in Italy but in all of Europe, were undoubtedly Juventus.
The Bianconeri have endured a miserable season and are currently struggling to even qualify for the Champions League. They needed a strong January window to try and work their way back to the top of Italian football.
And they made a huge statement by signing Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic – arguably the best young striker in Europe after Erling Haaland. Vlahovic scored 33 league goals in 2021 – only Robert Lewandowski scored more on the continent.
But even more impressive was the fact that Vlahovic’s huge €80 million fee will be virtually paid for by the €70m double sale of two squad players – Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur – to Tottenham. Aaron Ramsey – who has become a figure of fun in Turin – was also loaned out to Rangers.
Juve improved not only their attack but their midfield as well, as they signed Deniz Zakaria for a cut-price €8m from Borussia Monchengladbach. They also captured promising young defender Federico Gatti from Frosinone for €7.5m.
WINNERS: Aston Villa
Aston Villa are clearly a club on an upward trajectory. After the disappointing final few months of Dean Smith's tenure, the club took a punt on Rangers manager Steven Gerrard to take them forward, and the appointment has been positive so far.
Not only have Villa impressed on the pitch, but the pull of Gerrard is undeniable as his name and respect have allowed the club to be linked with players that would have been unthinkable even six months ago.
In the transfer window, Villa signed one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, Lucas Digne, from Everton. The marquee acquisition remains Philippe Coutinho, one of the most expensive players of all time, while Calum Chambers and Robin Olsen arrived on loan.
There is only one reason Villa were able to attract a Coutinho - Gerrard.
WINNERS: Man City
Manchester City went into the transfer window not needing much business to be conducted. Pep Guardiola's side are in a terrific position in the 2021/22 season, as they are nine points clear in the Premier League and remain one of the favourites for the Champions League.
Although they ideally wouldn't have wanted Ferran Torres to go, they ended up getting €65 million for the Spaniard, who was by no means a key player.
They used that money to buy one of the most promising young stars in the world in Julian Alvarez, who will likely turn into a superstar.
There were no other major departures, and although some may think the club still needs a centre-forward, Man City's form suggests otherwise.
LOSER: Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele is one of the most expensive footballers ever following his €105 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017.
The transfer has been a disaster, as the Frenchman has not lived up to his potential, mainly due to his shocking injury record at Camp Nou.
Despite this, Barcelona were keen for him to sign an extended contract with the club, as his current deal expires in the summer of 2022. When his demands proved too much, he was subsequently told to find a new club in January.
A move to the Premier League was mooted, with Chelsea and Newcastle mentioned as potential destinations, but no transfer happened, which leaves Dembele's career to stagnate for a further six months. He could still sign a new Barcelona deal, but some relationships would have to be mended first.
LOSERS: Arsenal
Arsenal went into the January transfer window with two clear objectives; to sign a top number nine and a central midfielder. These are two areas of the pitch where the Gunners have been crying out for reinforcements.
They failed on both counts, ending the month without signing a senior player in either position.
Vlahovic had been Arsenal’s top target in attack but the Serbian never had any intention of joining the Emirates club. This was clear from day one, yet the club continually wasted time on a lost cause trying to convince him otherwise. Attempts to sign alternatives all proved fruitless.
In the centre of midfield, Arthur Melo was the preferred option but Arsenal’s board refused to sanction an 18-month loan that
LOSERS: Man Utd
Manchester United fans would have been heading into the January transfer window with a sense of hope.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was gone and Ralf Rangnick, a player known to have a keen eye for a player, was brought in as caretaker manager.
It is clear that Man Utd need reinforcements, particularly in central midfield, and so they were linked with moves for the likes of Declan Rice and Amadou Haidara in January.
In the end, not a single player was signed by the Red Devils, which is crazy considering their lacklustre 2021/22 so far.
It all became a bit embarrassing in the end, as they were forced to tell Jesse Lingard that he had to stay following Mason Greenwood's arrest by the police.
LOSER: Fabio Paratici
There is a joke circulating among Juventus fans that Fabio Paratici has finally had his first good transfer window for the Bianconeri.
Paratici is very unpopular with the Italian club’s fans after he really struggled as Juventus transfer chief between 2018 and 2021, playing a big role in their decline.
After moving to Tottenham last summer, Paratici has struggled in his new job. All his summer signings have failed so far, while he missed out on all three of his main targets in January; Luis Diaz, Adama Traore and Franck Kessie.
This resulted in a desperate late dash to bring in some new faces that had been promised to manager Antonio Conte. As a result, he overspent on two Juventus squad players – paying a potential €70m for Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur. The fact this delighted Juve fans says it all.
Paratici also failed to bring in a right wing-back or a centre back.
