Bayern, Atletico win transfer window; SPL the biggest loser

The January 2024 transfer window did not reach the heights of the summer, or even the previous January, because European clubs did little business.

With English Premier League teams spending a record €2.79 billion during the summer window and €842 million in January 2023, Transfermarkt reveals the figure is around €121 million this month -this.

In the other major European championships, the situation is similar. It's fair to say that the transfer bubble has burst due to new financial regulations and the lack of options available.

Indeed, the clubs of French Ligue 1 (192 million euros), Italian Serie A (101 million euros), German Bundesliga (82 million euros) and Spanish LaLiga (86 million euros) also spent less. And the Saudi Pro League went from summer contracts totaling €949 million to just €23 million in January.

So, despite the general lack of activity, who did well? And who did poorly?

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Winners

BAYERN MUNICH

Despite the failure of their search for a defensive midfielder, the German champions still benefited from a positive window. The signing of right-back Sacha Boey is particularly exciting, as the 23-year-old has been solid for Galatasaray since joining the club in 2021 and has impressed in the Champions League. Defensively polished, consistent and enthusiastic going forward, the €30 million new arrival should significantly strengthen Bayern's right flank.

The capture of Eric Dier, thanks to an initial loan from Tottenham, also offers coach Thomas Tuchel experience and versatility in defense. As a bonus, Bayern also managed to fast-track the signing of Granada winger Bryan Zaragoza – his arrival for €15 million was already agreed for the summer – just before the deadline.

ATLETICO MADRID

Third in the La Liga standings, Atletico may not have opted for quantity during the transfer window, but they ended up with quality. To the surprise of many, they signed highly-rated Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren in a well-executed move.

The Belgium international had been linked with almost every elite club in Europe, with a transfer fee estimated to be between €35 million and €50 million, but the 18-year-old suddenly turned up in Madrid and signed for an initial amount of 22 million euros (plus 20 million euros). 5 million add-ons). While Vermeeren may not step straight into the starting XI, Atletico have nevertheless signed one of the most coveted teenagers in Europe.

Add to that the signings of defender Gabriel Paulista and goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan, and the club should be well placed to challenge in the second half of the season.

TOTTENHAM

Spurs did well to bring in a new centre-back given the lack of options this month. At €25 million from Genoa, Radu Dragusin was the most expensive Premier League signing of the window and represented good value for money given his obvious potential.

Additionally, despite still looking for his first goal for the club, German striker Timo Werner – on loan from RB Leipzig – has brought energy and liveliness to Spurs' attack with an assist in each of his first two league appearances.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Dortmund may be slightly underperforming in the Bundesliga, where they sit fourth, but they can boast excellent transfer work. Ian Maatsen, on loan at Chelsea, has been outstanding in his first three games, with the left-back creating an assist in the 4-0 away win over FC Cologne.

The same can be said for the return of fan favorite Jadon Sancho. Although the England winger has been cautiously reintroduced, due to his lack of playing time at Manchester United in recent months, he has already been productive with two assists. Indeed, back at the club he left in 2021 for €85m, he looks like a completely different player to the desperate, confidence-starved figure he cut in the Premier League.

SOUTH AMERICAN TEENS

Striker Vitor Roque has finally arrived at Barcelona. Although his €40 million move from Atletico-PR was agreed last year so he could join in the summer of 2024, it was brought forward after Gavi suffered an injury. The 18-year-old Brazil international took little time to make his mark for Barcelona, ​​scoring a headed goal two minutes after coming off the bench in the 1-0 win over Osasuna.

Manchester City have pounced on exceptionally talented River Plate striker Claudio Echeverri, who stood out at the recent Under-17 World Cup – although his arrival in Manchester is not expected until after of the year since he returned to his former club on loan. .

Brighton beat off competition from City to sign Boca Juniors left-back Valentín Barco for around €10 million. The 19-year-old was on the shortlist of many big European teams and the Premier League club has emerged as a star of the future.

Meanwhile, another promising prospect from the South American scene has been signed by PSG for €20 million. Gabriel Moscardo, a defensive midfielder for Corinthians, has attracted rave reviews for his performances in Brazil's Serie A and the 18-year-old was signed before returning to his former club on loan.

Clearly, with no transfer market value in Europe, some of the continent's top clubs have looked to South America for bargains.

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Losers

THE FANS

With transfer windows becoming a biannual event in their own right – and expensive signings being celebrated like a long-awaited trophy – this one has proven quite disappointing for most hungry supporters.

While it's undoubtedly a sign of good health, the stiff 10-point penalty handed out to Everton – and perhaps soon to Nottingham Forest too – has undoubtedly brought an air of caution to the Premier League's spending, seeing them go from one billion euros in January 2023 to around 100 million euros this time.

This also helps avoid the trickle-down effect that oils the wheels of several European leagues (and, in turn, restricts investment further down the pyramid.) While January brought transfer activity back to levels year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's no reason to believe things won't bounce back this summer.

UNITED MAN

Languishing in the Premier League's upper midfield, some transfer activity was both necessary and anticipated at Old Trafford. Instead, as the club waits for Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25% minority investment to be ratified by the league, while also facing financial challenges, no new faces have presented themselves at Carrington.

Sending 85 million euros by loaning Sancho to Dortmund is also a defeat for the club. Even though Sancho was not in manager Erik ten Hag's plans due to their very public disagreement, having to virtually abandon such a talented player is not a good idea. And Anthony Martial's injury as well as Marcus Rashford's disciplinary issues mean they really have very few options up front.

SAUDI PRO LEAGUE

After the incessant summer madness which reached around 800 million euros, the Saudi Pro League failed to ignite the transfer market in January.

With the exception of Marseille left-back Renan Lodi joining Al Hilal for €23 million, the ambitious and big-spending league has only seen the arrival of loan signings and free transfers – which is a contrast considerable compared to last summer.

Additionally, the league has also struggled to retain its highest-profile stars. Jordan Henderson has already left Al Ettifaq for Ajax, former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema wants to leave Al Ittihad just months after his arrival, while Al Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte has expressed his displeasure (and that of others).

SAID BENRAHMA

West Ham winger Saïd Benrahma looked set to move on loan to French club Lyon before the deal collapsed at the last minute.

Incredibly, Lyon then released a statement accusing the club of “incomprehensible behavior” and “lack of respect”. They insisted on the fact that they had taken all the administrative steps, but that “West Ham had never launched the slightest technical procedure on their part, despite repeated reminders from OL and continuous mutual telephone communication”.

So now the 28-year-old Algeria international is stuck somewhere he doesn't want to be and won't be able to leave until July. When he does, it is unlikely to be for a move to Lyon.