Who Spent It Better?
The January transfer window came to a frantic end last night with the clubs spending €150m in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to €430m for the winter window alone. The triangular transfer deal of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi came to an end , much to the relief of the clubs involved in the transfer. Aubameyang made a club record €56m move to Gunners , thus becoming the signal for a series of deals to happen in quick succession. The deal was promptly followed by 31 year old French striker Olivier Giroud making a €18m move to Stamford bridge to replace Michy Batshuayi , who in turn replaced Aubameyang in a season long loan deal at Dortmund , thus completeing the merry-go-round of transfers which at one point seemed like just another transfer rumour.
Aubameyanng’s deal, coupled with the news of German playmaker Mesut Ozil signing a contract extension, the mood around the red side of London was pretty good in spite of a 3-1 loss to Swansea City.
Chelsea’s new signing Olivier Giroud watched from the stands as Bournemouth hammered the blues 3-0. With this deal, Antonio Conte’s search for an experienced marksman upfront has come to an end.
Spurs presented Lucas Moura at half time of their match against Manchester United. The Wembley crowd welcomed him with much needed applause. The Brazilian secured the move from French giants Paris Saint Germain.
Manchester City reportedly walked away from a deal for Algerian Talisman Riyadh Mahrez. Reports claim that the foxes demanded €95m for their starman thus scaring away the City officials. Mahrez is said to be unhappy after not making a move to Etihad stadium.
He wasn’t the only one sad last night. Lille’s Amadou was spotted in the London station dejected after failing to secure a move to Crystal Palace.
Rafa Benitez did pretty decent shopping at Newcastle , as they secured Leicester City striker Islam Slimani on loan. Rafa also bought goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on loan from Sparta Prague. Aleksander Mitrovic was however sent out on loan to Fulham.
Roma were quick to react to their player Emerson Palmeiri signing for current EPL champions Chelsea by securing last minute deals for Liverpool’s Hector Moreno and Jonathan SIlva from Sporting. The Italian club had a positive window in which they held on to their prized frontman Edin Dzeko.
Liverpool didn’t spend much of Phillipe Coutinho’s funds but they did secure last minute loan deals for their players. Lazar Markovic went to Belgian club Anderlecht, Jon Flanagan to Bolton Wanderers and Harry Wilson to Hull City.
Paris Saint Germain didn’t allow Javier Pastore to move elsewhere. Reports claim that Inter Milan were eyeing a move for the Argentine. The midfielder was pretty upset over it. Inter Milan however, allowed their Japanese player Yugi Nagatomo to join Galatasaray on loan. Thus paving way for Stoke City to sign Badou Ndiaye from the Turkish club.
West Ham too invested , as they bought back Andre Ayew back from Swansea for € 18m and Jorgan Hugill from Preston North End with seconds to spare.
