January is usually a quiet month for transfers, but the Premier League’s winter spending in 2022 was actually the second-highest in history and more than half the money (€335m, according to Market transfer) by the last five clubs: Everton, Norwich City, Newcastle United, Watford and Burnley.
With the World Cup resting in Qatar and the ongoing economic crisis around the world, it’s not clear how teams will respond to the various challenges this year, but there have already been agreements for some high-profile signings.
Here are the scores for all major deals in January 2023. Latest writes at top; Every day in the order of the highest fee. If you don’t see an estimate for a major transaction completed, check back later.
– Check all major completed trades
All fees are reported unless confirmed with an asterisk.
Jan 2
Barcelona: F
Atletico Madrid: A-
Reminder: Barcelona paid €120m to sign Griezmann from Atlético in 2019, then brought him back to them for two years in 2021. This loan included a commitment to make the deal permanent for €40m should he play more than 45 minutes at 50%. of the games he had available… which he did. Legal battles ensued, and in the end, the financially stricken Barcelona cut the fee in half to avoid an epic. It was already one of the worst signings ever for Barcelona, and seeing Griezmann shine for France in a new role (advanced midfield) at the 2022 World Cup only adds insult to injury.
Atletico brought the 31-year-old back on a four-year deal, which is a bit of a gamble given he has yet to regain his former brilliance for them while on loan. However, at least they wouldn’t have to monitor the minutes of the meeting anymore. If they can make the most of his new abilities in midfield, they will be happy to count their €100m earnings.
January 1st
Eindhoven: b
Liverpool: a
PSV had a €50m fee on their minds, and director Marcel Brands even went on record a few months ago to say that had Man United offered that amount over the summer, they would have let Jacobo move on. But after the brilliant World Cup with the Netherlands, the club’s rating remained unchanged. It looks like they could have asked for more, even if they could have gotten another €8m in add-ons.
Still, it’s a great move from Liverpool. Not only did United defeat their rivals, but they didn’t spend much to sign a player with 55 goals and 50 assists from 159 appearances for PSV. He is versatile and has plenty of room to develop at the age of 23. It will be a step up in quality, but Gakpo has the skills to handle it.
Central Coast Mariners: B-
Newcastle: b
The 18-year-old Cole rose to prominence when he became the youngest player to represent Australia since Harry Kewell and then earn a place in the World Cup squad. Such was his rise, he only signed his first professional deal in June, so Kuol has a lot to learn. But he’s highly rated and the Mariners won’t stand in his way on a big move.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has already said the striker will be “nurtured and developed in the next couple of years to get him up to the proper level for the Premier League”, so don’t expect him to make an immediate impact. In fact, after impressing in the World Cup, the club has already had a lot of loan offers. So much for the future.
Atletico Madrid: a
Wolves: b
The Brazilian forward joined Atlético for €25m from Hertha Berlin in 2021 but failed to find regular first-team football, scoring seven goals in 54 appearances. His lack of minutes this season has seen him miss out on a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad and it’s no surprise to see him move on. But Atlético needs cash and has done brilliantly to get such a large transfer fee, albeit one to be paid in the summer.
The initial loan deal will It automatically becomes a permanent deal until 2027, if certain terms are triggered. That would cost Wolves €40m, sources said, with a possible further €10m in add-ons. It seems like a very big sum for a player who hasn’t set the world on fire in LaLiga, even though he’s still only 23 and has a lot of potential.
December 30th
Victory: A+
You don’t get a lot of opportunities to sign a player of Ronaldo’s caliber, so play fair with the Saudi side asking for the kind of ridiculous money they can’t refuse. The 37-year-old will reportedly have a salary of $75 million a year, but it’s a strange place for one of the all-time greatest players to end his career.
If we give personal scores to a player’s decision, Ronaldo will score low. While he used to talk about playing until the age of 40, competing at the highest levels and fighting for trophies, it seems he is now only interested in money (and he has a lot already!) after his time at Manchester United ended badly.