January transfer window: Grading big signings in men’s soccer

Once again, men's football clubs across Europe have spent incredible sums on signing players during the summer transfer window, breaking several records in the process.

According to Deloitte, Premier League clubs' gross spending of £2.36 billion was almost £440 million higher than the previous record (£1.92 billion) set last summer, while that (with the exception of the Spanish La Liga) gross transfer spending has increased in all European countries. also the top leagues.

Saudi Pro League clubs have played their part and paid £245million to sign Premier League players, so can we expect the same in January? Usually the one-month window is a little slower, but in January 2023, Premier League clubs spent a record £815 million, 90% more than the previous record of £430 million sterling in 2018.

Here are the grades for all the major confirmed summer transfers in men's football, with each day's moves listed in order of highest fee.

All charges are indicated unless confirmed with an asterisk

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January 9
RB Leipzig: C+

Tottenham: B-

Leipzig spent €30 million to sign Werner again in 2022 and his two goals in 14 games this season are a far cry from his first spell where he scored 95 in 159. The club still made a decent profit after his transfer to Chelsea. for 50 million euros in 2020, so it's not all bad. But they wouldn't have expected him to struggle enough to get a loan.

Tottenham need a back-up striker, but it's hard to understand why they were impressed with his time at Chelsea (23 goals in 89 games). A loan deal means the risk is low, his pace could be useful for the Ange Postecoglou system and it's a good move for a player who needs game time before Euro 2024 if he wants to break into the squad. German team. But this seems very much like a stopgap solution, and those usually don't work.

January 4
Man City: C-

Colorado Rapids: A

Steffen signed for City for $7 million from Columbus Crew in 2019 and made just 21 appearances between loan spells at Fortuna Dusseldorf and Middlesbrough. The USMNT international will never be able to unseat Ederson as the No.1 and a move is best for him considering he is still only 28 years old.

The Rapids landed a lot. Steffen was left out of the U.S. squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by coach Gregg Berhalter and a move to MLS, where he will play regularly, is expected to put him back in the national team discussion.

January 3
Athletico Paranaense: A-

Barcelona: B+

The 18-year-old scored 28 goals in 80 appearances during his brief spell in the first team – including 21 in 44 matches in 2023 before injury limited his involvement. Athletico couldn't keep him once a big European team came along and they landed a very decent fee for his services.

Barca have gambled by parting with so much money given their financial situation, but they clearly see something of Luis Suarez in the young Brazilian striker. It's difficult to grade his transfer considering he's only 18, but if he fulfills his potential, Barca will consider it a bargain.

January 1st
Benfica: A+

PSG: B

Benfica know how to close a deal. Ramos has come through the youth ranks, so the €65 million is just profit and they could earn another €15 million in performance-related add-ons. Yes, they missed his 46 goals in 106 games, but Santos' Marcos Leonardo looks like he could be a decent replacement.

Three goals and an assist in 18 games is not exceptional form, but PSG are clearly preparing for Kylian Mbappe's possible exit and the 22-year-old Portugal international has plenty of potential. However, he will have to start hitting the net with more regularity, if we do not want his movement to be considered a failure.
Sao Paulo: One

PSG: B

The Brazil Under-20 international has been linked with numerous clubs, so Sao Paulo was always going to struggle to keep him. A fee of €20 million seems decent, especially since he is a central defender.

PSG needed some depth in defense and he has a lot of potential, although he can learn a lot from Marquinhos, who played a key role in his decision to move to Paris.
Man United: C-

Eintracht Frankfurt: B+

Another example of a big United transfer gone wrong. Van de Beek signed for €45 million from Ajax in 2020 and seemed a perfect fit for Ten Hag, having previously played under him. But that did not work.

Frankfurt have done a lot here and will pay United a nominal loan fee and cover the majority of Van de Beek's wages. An option to sign him permanently stands at €11 million, which is affordable, and he is the type of player who could impress in the Bundesliga if he regains his confidence.
Tottenham: D+

LAFC: A

Clearly not part of Ange Postecoglou's plans, Lloris has been out for six months despite captaining the club last season. With a contract until the summer, Spurs did the right thing by letting the 37-year-old leave for nothing mid-season, but it's a sad end to his 11-year career in the North London.