The coronavirus pandemic continues to put a strain on football finances, resulting in a relatively quiet January Transfer Window with very few marquee signings across Europe. Newcastle United seem to be the only club that are prepared to spend heavily in this window with their new Saudi Arabian owners, but there have been some smart deals done by clubs across Europe this month for high-profile names like Philippe Coutinho and Ferran Torres.
Here are the grades for all of the major transfers of the 2022 January Transfer Window.
▶ Anthony Martial – Manchester United to Sevilla (Loan)
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Grade: A
Sevilla have a golden chance to win their first La Liga in decades in 2022, and Anthony Martial is an excellent addition midway through the season to help Los Rojiblancos in the title race. Although the Frenchman’s career has hit a stumbling block at Manchester United, the 26-year-old is still an incredible asset to have in attack with his speed and directness, which will add another layer of dynamism to Julen Lopetugui’s side.
▶ Adama Traore – Wolves to Barcelona (Loan)
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Grade: B
Adama Traore is an incredibly low-risk high-reward signing for Barcelona in the January Transfer Window, with the Catalan club only signing the former La Masia graduate on a loan deal with an option to buy. However, considering the style of play Barcelona wish to play under new coach Xavi, it is difficult to imagine how Traore will fit in the new system given his lack of output in the final third and struggles in possession.
▶ Philippe Coutinho – Barcelona to Aston Villa (Loan)
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Grade: A
Philippe Coutinho might not be the player he once was at Liverpool, but the Brazilian is still an elite playmaker who instantly raises the floor for Aston Villa this season. Coutinho is a perfect fit for Aston Villa as the left-winger in Steven Gerrard’s 4-3-3, with the Barcelona loanee able to thrive as a wide-playmaker alongside Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins.
▶ Robin Gosens – Atalanta to Inter (£23.3m)
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Grade: A
Robin Gosens is an excellent addition for the current Serie A leaders in defence, and the German is the perfect wing-back profile needed in Simone Inzaghi’s system 3-5-2 system at Inter. Gosens is already well-versed with the Italian league thanks to his time at Atalanta, and an 18-month loan along with an option to buy is an exceptional deal in terms of value for the Italian club.
▶ Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Arsenal to AS Roma (Loan)
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Grade: B
Although there are some questions over his mentality, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a promising addition for AS Roma this winter. Maitland-Niles offers incredible athleticism and tactical versatility, with the Arsenal loanee able to play at right-back and in midfield for Jose Mourinho’s side.
▶ Chris Wood – Burnley to Newcastle United (£25m)
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Grade: B+
Spending £25m on a 30-year-old may seem like a waste of money, but Newcastle kill two birds with one stone with this transfer, improving their starting XI substantially and adding goals to the team while also weakening one of their direct relegation-rivals Burnley.
▶ Lucas Digne – Everton to Aston Villa (£25m)
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Grade: C
Everton have pulled off a massive steal to get £25m for a player that turns 29 in the summer and refused to play for the team after a falling out with the manager Rafael Benitez. Although Digne does have some desirable qualities in attack – especially his excellent crossing and set-piece delivery – the Frenchman isn’t particularly athletic and is a defensive liability.
▶ Dusan Vlahovic – Fiorentina to Juventus (£66m)
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Grade: C
Dusan Vlahovic is undoubtedly one of the brightest young talents in world football at the moment who will go on to score a bagful of goals throughout his career. That being said, for the numbers involved, there are plenty of risks involved with this transfer, given that Juventus will pay upwards of £150 million for the whole package (transfer fee, wages, agents commission). Moreover, Vlahovic needs to be surrounded by creators to thrive, and with Chiesa injured and Dybala becoming a free agent in the summer, the Serbian could struggle at Juventus.
▶ Ferran Torres – Manchester City to Barcelona (£46m)
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Grade: A+
Ferran Torres is the perfect addition to the Barcelona frontline, with the former Manchester City forward adding to the club’s burgeoning Spanish core alongside Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati. Tactically, Torres can play anywhere across the front three and offers Barcelona something they have lacked in recent years, an outlet that can stretch the pitch vertically by running in behind defences.
[Featured Image Credit: Ferran Torres]
Shivaan Shah