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The coronavirus pandemic made the summer transfer window very different from its predecessors, but, with soccer back on the agenda, the January window will open normally for major European leagues.
Although clubs spent almost 1.5 billion euros less ($ 1.9 billion) in the summer than the previous year, according to FIFA, several deals were agreed in October that will be completed as soon as the winter window opens. January is traditionally a quieter month, but will global events see some different strategies for the best teams?
Here are the ratings for all the top offers. The most recent reviews are at the top; each day is in order of highest price. If you don’t see a grade for a move that has completed, check back later. All rates are reported unless confirmed with *.
JAN. 4
Arsenal: C
Schalke: B +
Schalke are a mess and need all the help they can get after a 13-game winless streak in the first half of the Bundesliga. Getting a former player back is a good start, while handing over the captaincy even though he will only be on loan for the rest of the season is a clear sign that something is not right. You will want to impress and you can certainly help them.
Arsenal are betting a bit on the physical form of Kieran Tierney. The Scotland defender has been excellent this season, but injury and the Gunners may have a problem without Kolasinac. Left-back options would be Bukayo Saka, who is best used higher up the field, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is more comfortable on the right or in midfield. Kolasinac was clearly frustrated by his lack of playing time (and probably also because his friend Mesut Ozil was frozen), but letting him go in a season with more injuries than most could prove costly.
JAN. 2
Atalanta: B
Joined Man: B
* Offer still pending announcement of work permit
With only a handful of games under his belt for the Italian team, the October announcement that Diallo would be moving to Man United came as a huge surprise. Atalanta took the 18-year-old through his lower ranks and clearly rated him well, but an offer of € 21 million, with a possible € 20 million in add-ons, was too good to turn down. They may have held out for a few more years to see how it plays out, but no one would blame them for accepting the money in the current climate.
United are taking a risk, but their transfer policy is geared towards young players and they got one of the most exciting wingers. It would be a surprise if Diallo went straight into the first team, but they did well to hold off the competition for a player they have followed for a year after impressing in the UEFA Youth League. It’s a lot of money, but at least half of the outlay is based on performance.
FC Salzburg: B.
RB Leipzig: A
The relationship between the two Red Bull-owned clubs made the negotiations here quite simple, as it is a well-trodden path for players. Salzburg may have been able to raise more money for the Hungarian midfielder, but they will deposit the money and go on to develop their next young talent.
Szoboszlai had attracted the attention of some massive clubs, such as Arsenal, Milan, Bayern and Real Madrid. So Leipzig did incredibly well to persuade the 20-year-old that he should continue his development in Germany. It is probably the perfect club for him, as the style of play is similar to that of Salzburg and the Bundesliga has a reputation for improving the skills of young players. Expect to hear much more about Szoboszlai in the years to come.
FILIP STEVANOVIC
8 million euros (6 million pounds, 9.75 million dollars)
Partizan Belgrade: C +
Man City: B-
Partizan took the unusual step of announcing the Manchester City deal in October without City actually confirming anything, so there remains an element of doubt about it. The 18-year-old winger is clearly highly rated by the Serbian club he joined when he was 9 years old, as he made the breakthrough to the first XI this year after going through youth teams. Partizan will deposit the € 8 million plus add-ons, but may regret letting Stevanovic go so early in his career.
City scouts have seen something in the teenager, although Stevanovic is likely to be on loan (possibly back to Partizan) for the remainder of the season. While he cites Cristiano Ronaldo as his role model for style of play, he is still too inexperienced to make a dent in City’s first-team squad. They did well to beat 15 clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, for their signing, but it’s clearly one for the future.
