Well, I’ve never known such a quiet January Premier League transfer window.
By my reckoning, it’s 20 years or so since the late summer deadline day madness was given a New Year slot to match.
And while the drama/panic-buying of late August/early September can rarely be beaten, January has brought its own narrative in the football world.
For example, who could forget the window of 2011 when Fernando Torres, prolific at Liverpool up to that point, was lured away to Chelsea for a tint at title and European glory (they secured neither as it turned out, although Torres played a part in their European success a year later).
There have been some other notable successes – not least Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool where he became captain) and Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon to Man Utd where he also became captain) – and it’s not always been about the money either, although here’s a reminder of the five most expensive January signings of all time.
Yet January 2024 has proven to be a much more subdued affair and, for me, there is only one reason why – Financial Fair Play regulations.
In a season which has already seen one team docked 10 points and threats over others, it seems clubs simply aren’t prepared to risk potential sanctions further down the line.
That suggests to me that the unprecedent punishment dished out to Everton so far, may only be the tip of the iceberg.
How else could you explain the situation at the country’s biggest club with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag this week admitting the club cannot afford to replace Anthony Martial in attack, despite the Frenchman being ruled out for virtually the remainder of the campaign.
With Jadon Sancho out of favour and on loan at Borussia Dortmund, it means the Red Devils’ attacking options have been reduced by a third at a stroke.
So, if there are one or two potential losers this month, who have done well to recruit smartly without, presumably, breaking the bank.
Well Aston Villa, I think, after manager Unai Emery landed his reported No 1 transfer target with a package worth about £15 million accepted by Middlesbrough for the winger Morgan Rogers.
The 21 year-old became Villa’s second signing of the month after right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic arrived in the Midlands from Red Star Belgrade.
Rogers, who joined Middlesbrough on a permanent deal last summer, was earmarked by Emery as a player who could instantly bolster Villa’s frontline.
Manchester City, whom Boro paid about £1m for Rogers last summer, stand to benefit from a sell-on clause.
What of elsewhere – well, another club in the Midlands has caught my eye too.
Nottingham Forest appear to have recruited smartly by bringing in United States midfielder Giovanni Reyna on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
They have also added another loan move in Sporting Lisbon striker Rodrigo Ribeiro, although at 18 years-old, he seems a recruit more for the longer-term.
If there were SBOTOP Premier League betting odds on who had the best January window, my money would be on Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou has guided the North Londoners to a fair few Premier League highlights this term and the club acted quickly in the month to back its man.
He brought in centre back Radu Dragusin from Genoa for £25.5 million, a deal which could prove very beneficial long-term, while former Chelsea attacker Timo Werner joined up with the Lilywhites on a loan deal until the end of the season.
With key players returning from injury and international duty, strength in depth could be key and I expect Spurs to pip their challengers to seal a top four place this term.
It’s reported the club is also considering a move for Conor Gallagher.
The Chelsea midfielder, a product of the youth set-up, is out of contract in 17 months’ time and the west London club are willing to listen to offers as selling an academy product would help their financial fair play position.
It would not be a popular move with Chelsea fans, though. Gallagher has been an important player for Mauricio Pochettino this season and has captained the team on occasion. He is also from a family of Chelsea fans.
If Spurs land him too, they will be the biggest winners of the window.
As for the losers, any side which has been weakened and not replaced key men may come to rue their inability to act before the end of 2023-24.
At the time of writing, there is still a few hours left for one more tasty deal, but I’m not holding my breath.
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