Top 5 Deals in the January Transfer Window: Good or Bad Deal?
By Jim James
With the January Transfer window over, I just feel the need to make a few posts about the window. It was a very active window, even though no superstars changed teams, lots of very good players changed teams, and a few potential Superstars. Today, I’m going over the top 5 deals done in the January transfer window, and rating whether they’re good or bad pieces of business. Let’s begin!
- Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus (81m)
Age: 22
Position: ST
Former Team: Fiorentina
Rating: 8/10
It would be a 10/10 but the fee is mental. 81 million for a player who is only in his first good season. It seems a little boom-or-bust. He is the 23rd-most expensive player in history, as close as makes no difference to Luis Suarez’s move to Barcelona for the transfer fee. He has high standards, but after scoring 16 goals already in the Serie A season, he seems like a safer bet than most wonderkids. It’ll be interesting to see what he does when he becomes the best player at Juventus. Until then, if Juve start him regularly, he should reach his potential.
- Luis Diaz to Liverpool (45m)
Age: 25
Position: LW
Former Team: Porto
Rating: 6/10
I know Diaz was one of the best players in Portugal and was just begging for a big move to one of the World’s top clubs. But he’s now 25, in the last of his developing years, and playing for a team who may not start him often. Liverpool already have Sadio Mane as a LW, and even though Diogo Jota benefitted from a move to Liverpool, he took advantage of a declining Roberto Firmino, who is now in his declining years. Sadio Mane is in his prime at 29 and when Mane is sold off, Diaz’s developing years will be over. However, who knows, he may just work out.
- Ferran Torres to Barcelona (55m)
Age: 21
Position: RW
Former Team: Man City
Rating: 7.5/10
I may be biased, but I really like this one! Even though the transfer came as a big surprise to me, with Ferran only being at Man City for less than 18 months, Ferran has an opportunity to secure the RW position at Barca for the next decade, potentially with Ansu Fati and Erling Haaland. He turns 22 this month, but it amazes me still that he’s only 21. Even though we’ve also signed Adama Traore and P-E Aubameyang, Ferran, if he stays healthy, should lock down a role in the Starting XI with his amazing versatility.
- Denis Zakaria to Juventus (8.6m)
Age: 25
Position: CDM
Former Team: Borussia Monchengladbach
Rating: 8/10
When I first heard this transfer was happening, I thought it was a pre-contract agreement. I was wrong, it’s happening now, and I think that this was a masterstroke deal. I know Monchengladbach were desperate to get rid of him for some money, but 8 mil is a steal. He solves Juventus’ midfield problem pretty well, and is a great player!
- Dejan Kulusevski to Tottenham (18 month loan with potential obligation to buy for 35m)
Age: 21
Position: RW
Former Team: Juventus
Rating 7/10
This is much like the Ferran Torres transfer. Unexpected for a player who just joined that team, and someone who could lock down the role. However, it all comes down to how Spurs treat him. He needs playtime, and Spurs haven’t done that well with young attack minded wingers recently (Bergwijn, Gil, Sessegnon), but I think that Spurs can turn a page with Kulusevski. I wish him the best in London.
That’s all for today, Sorry for not posting for the last 3 days, I was so caught up with the transfer window but I promise, more posts soon. This is Jim James, until next time.