Thursday's quiet deadline day might have been understated, but it marked the end of an eventful January transfer window that saw Europe's top clubs take it easy, but several notable clubs make clear moves to upgrade their squads.
Bayern Munich were arguably the biggest team to make a splash this window, but opted to sign depth options like Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur and Sacha Boey from Galatasaray. Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund, though, were among the clubs that made some of the most headline-grabbing signings, especially the latter when they signed Jadon Sancho on loan at the start of the window.
The window as a whole, and deadline day specifically, was full of depth deals for some of the Premier League's lower half teams, as well as implications for the U.S. men's national team. Several USMNT players made a move this window, while American youngster Duncan McGuire wins the award for wildest transfer saga of the window after his deal to Blackburn Rovers collapsed and then was back on and completed in the final 24 hours.
After a series of transfers that are full of narratives, here's a look at the winners and losers of the winter transfer window.
January's a perfect time for players to get out of unideal situations and no one exemplified that -- or did so faster -- than Sancho. He went nearly four months without playing after being iced out by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and now has the chance to reboot his promising career in familiar terrain at Dortmund. Time will tell what heights Sancho can truly reach, but we are at least finally at a point in his career where we can find out.
He will certainly be happy with his Ajax move, but Henderson's quick Saudi Arabia arrival was met with an equally rapid exit from Al-Ettifaq just five months later. He could be rewarded with a spot on England's Euros roster, but the whole thing reeks of embarrassment after his big interview defending the move in September and comes with permanent damage to his reputation as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
USMNT players were busy this window and secured much-needed moves ahead of the Copa America. Most notable among them is Gio Reyna, who moved from Dortmund to Nottingham Forest in search of playing time. Credit must also go to Johnny Cardoso and Ethan Horvath, whose respective moves to Real Betis and Cardiff City could see them work their way into serious roles at the summertime competition. McGuire and Paxten Aaronson also transferred to Blackburn and Vitesse, respectively, keeping them in the conversation for both the Copa America and the Olympics.
The window ended with some pretty bad news for Matt Turner, who is now facing a lot of competition for club and country. After a series of blunders from Tuner in recent weeks, Forest moved to sign goalkeeper Matz Sels from Strasbourg on deadline day. It seems likely that Sels will have a crack at the starting spot at some point, which provides an opening for Horvath as the USMNT's No. 1 if he plays and performs. The same just might be true for fringe candidates like new Colorado Rapids signing Zack Steffen and even Gaga Slonina, who's on loan from Chelsea at Belgium's Eupen.
Perhaps no high-profile team was more active than Tottenham, who made a surprise quick move for Timo Werner from RB Leipzig and followed that up by convincing Radu Dragusin to pick them over Bayern. The pair provide some real depth for a team that is in sore need of it during the first year of a rebuild under Ange Postecoglou, and Spurs might just follow that up by landing promising Swedish youngster Lucas Bergvall, who will reportedly choose Tottenham over Barcelona.
The winter transfer window is always a modest one, but just because that's the case does not mean it feels underwhelming when deadline day lives up to the tepid billing. It seems like a dramatic summer window is just months away, though, so at least those of us waiting to be entertained will not have to wait very long.
The Belgian goalkeeper signs a deal with Forest for 3.5 years, with a transfer fee of $6.5 million heading Strasbourg's way. The goalkeeper battle is officially on at Forest.
The Duncan McGuire has finally reached a conclusion, and the player's final destination is Blackburn Rovers. The move may have collapsed while McGuire was on a plane yesterday, but everything was sorted out just in time to complete a deal today. Looks like the club squeezed in enough time to shoot a teaser, too.
Another transfer window is officially in the books, but we'll keep an eye on any news that might still trickle in. A few official announcements are still expected, including Forest's move for Matz Sels, who is expected to compete with Matt Turner for the No. 1 spot, as well as an ending to the Duncan McGuire saga.
Bournemouth, who are slowly but surely developing a reputation as one of the Premier League's secretly good sides, have officially added forward Enes Unal to their ranks. He's on loan for the rest of the season from Getafe and recently recovered from an ACL tear, but scored 31 combined in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. The deal includes a purchase clause for around $18 million.
A little more news out of Spurs before the window closes: young forward Alejo Veliz is off to Sevilla on a loan until the end of the season with no obligation to buy. Seems like a move to get him some playing time during his first season in Europe, but not one that limits his future with Tottenham.
One more USMNT player's deal is officially over the line before the window closes -- goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. His move to the 14th place Championship club is another one of those that is driven by a need for playing time, since Horvath spent the first half of the season as an unregistered member of Nottingham Forest's team.
The move could not come at a better time. After a handful of shaky of performances from Matt Turner in a Forest jersey, the USMNT's No. 1 spot might be up for grabs ahead of the Copa America. (On that note, it might be worth keeping an eye on Zack Steffen, who is now at MLS' Colorado Rapids...)
Gio Reyna isn't the only USMNT midfielder on the move this week. Paxten Aaronson just joined Eredivisie side Vitesse on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt for the rest of the season in a move that seems all about playing time. He's barely played 100 minutes with the Bundesliga side this season, and consistent minutes -- plus a good run of form -- could allow the 20-year-old to be in contention for a spot at June's Copa America or July's Olympics.
It's not a major incoming for Tottenham, but one of Europe's busiest top teams this window might just land another player. Swedish youngster Lucas Bergvall reportedly picked the Premier Leauge club over Barcelona tonight and is set to fly to London tomorrow -- his 18th birthday -- to undergo a medical. He's expected to sign a five year deal, and Spurs are expected to pay a transfer fee of around $11 million to Djurgarden, where he will stay the rest of the season.
Though the biggest Premier League clubs have taken it easy today, there has been some movement around the league's other clubs. The latest? Relegation-battlers Sheffield United, who just secured Mason Holgate on loan from Everton.
Few of Europe's biggest teams made major moves during this window, which comes with limited surprise since the January transfer window is usually a mild one. The likes of Bayern, PSG and Barcleona all dipped into the market but only to sign depth options, while Manchester City looked to the future and signed Claudio Echeverri only to loan him back to River Plate for the rest of the season.
If anything, the next best teams were the ones who made some noticeable moves, chiefly Dortmund by bringing back Jadon Sancho and Tottenham by lining up Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin. It makes sense for those teams to really feel the need to level up while those above them feel confident with the squads they've built after a strong start to the season.
Nottingham Forest might be in trouble after being charged with breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations, but they cannot resist signing players, can they? The team that has already brought in 40-plus players since booking their return to the top flight last season has their sights set on Ajax's Chuba Akpom -- even though the Dutch club already turned them down. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again -- even if the window closes in 2.5 hours.
France U21 defender Maxime Esteve has officially joined Burnley on loan from Montpellier. He'll be at the Turf Moor until the end of the season.
It's been a fairly busy day for young players in the Premier League. Manchester City academy product Alfie Harrison has joined Newcastle's setup, while Blackburn's Adam Wharton joined Crystal Palace for around $23 million in a move that could free up funds for the Championship club to sign Orlando City's Duncan McGuire at long last. Lino Sousa also moved from Arsenal to Aston Villa, but went on loan to Plymouth Argyle for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, a move is brewing between Tottenham and Sevilla for a loan with no option to buy for Alejo Veliz. The forward injured his hamstring on New Year's Eve and there's no public timeline on his return, the deal suggests that he might be available to play some real minutes before the season's up. It might be the team's lone notable outgoing today, since Bryan Gil has reportedly rejected the chance to move on loan this window.
Hugo Ekitike's PSG exit is finally complete with the Frenchman joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with an option to buy this coming summer. Ekitike had been on Les Parisiens' departure list for some time and he has finally been moved on having already come close to leaving Parc des Princes last summer.
In perhaps the biggest move of deadline day, James Benge reports that Chelsea striker Armando Broja is on his way to Fulham on loan. He still has to undergo a medical, but that is not expected to be an issue. Here's more on the loan deal:
The NWSL's transfer window doesn't actually close until the end of April, but with preseason officially underway, teams are making some big splashes. Atop the list this deadline day is expansion side Bay FC, who officially signed Nigeria star and two-time Champions League winner Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona.
Sandra Herrera had the chance to talk to Oshoala about her big move and her ambitions for both her and the club's first year in the league.
Despite the earlier drama which suggested that Fulham could steal in late to take Said Benrahma from West Ham United, Olympique Lyonnais are set to complete the deal for the Algeria international. The Hammers rejected the Cottagers' loan offer for Benrahma with the 28-year-old joining OL for a $5.4 million loan with a $13 million purchase clause for this summer.
FC Dallas have completed their biggest ever transfer deal with striker Petar Musa joining the Major League Soccer side from SL Benfica. The 25-year-old Croatia international has signed a four-year DP contract at Toyota Stadium and the initial $11 million plus $3.3 million deal makes history for the Toros. Musa arrives in Dallas despite Russian club Spartak Moscow's deal to sign Jesus Ferreira being canceled by MLS recently.
This has been a deal for the ages for the USMNT and Orlando City forward. Let's take a look at McGuire's last 24 or so hours:
Not sure if Blackburn had other plans for a striker that fell through or just wanted the option to cancel McGuire's buy option if they're relegated but it seems like he's going to get his move after an impressive rookie season with Orlando where he scored 13 goals and assisted three more. Orlando were trying to extend his contract but after he rejected their latest offer, they'll now have a chance to cash in.
Linked to Luis Muriel of Atalanta, Orlando may also already have their replacement striker lined up.
A player moving from MLS to the Championship would usually not be considered riveting material, but this transfer deadline day, it's arguably the most dramatic storyline to follow. Hours after Orlando City forward Duncan McGurie's move to Blackburn Rovers collapsed while he was on his way to the U.K., and after his new club opened up talks with Sheffield Wednesday, Sky Sports is reporting that a deal to Blackburn is back on the table.
A significant late move here with Paris Saint-Germain finally set to get rid of the unwanted Hugo Ekitike initially on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt but with a mandatory buy option. The Frenchman is on his way to Germany having been out of favor in Paris since nearly scuppering Randal Kolo Muani's arrival at Parc des Princes back in the summer. The German outfit's option to buy should be around $32.5 million with Ekitike also set to land PSG a sell-on percentage should the player be successfully rejuvenated and then sold on by Eintracht.
Here are the timings to know for the big leagues and when their window closes, all on Eastern Time. The Bundesliga will be done and dusted at midday, Serie A at 2 p.m. and Ligue 1 at 5 p.m. La Liga and the Premier League draw us to a close at 6 p.m. ... or 11 p.m. my time. A long night ahead then, folks!
USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner will face major competition for a starting role with Nottingham Forest now that Matz Sels has been lined up to join from RC Strasbourg Alsace in France. The Belgium international shot stopper is set to sign a contract until 2028 after a deal was agreed in the region of just under $6.5 million. Sels, 31, in flying in to complete his medical while Horvath has been closing on his move to Cardiff the day after Gio Reyna's City Ground loan move was confirmed.
Lilian Brassier has been a key part of Brest's unexpectedly successful season so far which sees them challenging for European soccer next term. A host of clubs have shown interest in the 24-year-old defender who has excelled this campaign under Eric Roy's leadership, but the Brittany-based outfit are standing firm. Milan are the latest club to have bid and the Italian giants were even prepared to include Marco Pellegrino in any deal, but Brest have rebuffed that along with Stuttgart and Porto's efforts -- the Germans recently lost Dan-Axel Zagadou to another injury. Can Brest hold on to Brassier until the current winter window slams shut?
In what has been a hectic few days for the Arsenal youth setup, I can reveal another prospect on the move. Miguel Azeez was once considered the bright young thing at Hale End but his career stalled out in loans at Ibiza and Wigan. The Gunners are now in talks to send the midfielder to Atletico Baleares in the Spanish third tier in what would be a permanent deal. This one is by no means guaranteed to get finished before the deadline, according to CBS Sports sources, but there is a will from all parties to make it happen.
Azeez would be following Bradley Ibrahim (Hertha Berlin) and Lino Sousa (Aston Villa) in making what might once have seemed premature moves away from the club. None of those deals are likely to net Arsenal much money but if the Azeez deal is finalised it is expected to include sell on clauses, matching rights and appearance add-ons to earn the Gunners cash in the future.
Arsenal are not alone in taking this approach with their youngsters, Villa are another who take the view that endlessly loaning their prospects is not as shrewd a move as it was once viewed. All too often in the lower leagues of English and European football, managers under pressure for immediate results will trust in veterans with more competitive experience while clubs are often more reluctant than they initially seem to develop a player for another team.
Deals like Ibrahim's could be reflective of another step in youth development, particularly for those viewed as unlikely to get much further than the first team fringes. Hertha are altogether more motivated to develop the young midfielder now he is theirs, should he prove to be a success then Arsenal can profit on him and, if things go really well, get him back at the market price. If the alternative is talented footballers reaching 20 or 21 with little progress made in their careers, it may just be preferable.
West Ham United's Said Benrahma is now in France and ready to undergo his Olympique Lyonnais medical despite a reported attempt from Fulham to hijack the deal. The Cottagers have been linked with a host of names including Benrahma, Rayan Cherki and Silas Mvumpa, but the Hammers' man appears to have slipped through their fingers as he is now in Lyon ready to complete his loan move. This is one that has been on our radar since the day began, so expect this one to come off barring any unexpected late hitches now that Benrahma has agreed personal terms with OL.
Cardiff City are expected to sign USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath from Nottingham Forest with the shot stopper undergoing a medical on Thursday. Runar Alex Runarsson's loan deal from Arsenal will be cut short with the Iceland international likely to need a new landing spot. Horvath is yet to play a Premier League game for Forest but had significant European experience with Club Brugge in the past. The Bluebirds' fee to acquire Horvath is yet to be known, but it should be a permanent move for the American.
January deadline day tends to be quite the damp squib but, for those who aren't emotionally invested in which Championship club will land Kieffer Moore, this is Argus Filch in a monsoon levels. Why exactly?
Well November's almighty 10 point deduction for Everton's breaking of profit and sustainability rules (PSR) had an almighty chilling effect on the market. Clubs that might have been ermmmming and aaahing about whether to strengthen their squad midseason concluded there was little value in testing the Premier League regulations while the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United had long since concluded they were too near the limit.
Without the great cash injections provided from England, the rest of the continent has largely eased up in its spending too. There is the odd isolated pocket of expenditure -- Bayern Munich have made a few notable deals -- but by and large Europe's top leagues are sticking with what they have.
There is another significant factor at play as well. This stage of the window would usually see a sizeable chunk of the Premier League throwing money out of the door in an attempt to save themselves from relegation. Most, however, have concluded that Burnley and Sheffield United are already goners and that there is a decent chance Luton will join them. Why push your spending limits if you're already safe?
Notably the two clubs who probably can't feel safe are Forest and Everton, both of whom have further PSR charges hanging over them. Forest have been throwing money at a problem that would be exacerbated by further points deductions but might they have anyway? Meanwhile finances are so strained for Sean Dyche that there aren't really the funds to add to the squad anyway. Everton should be fine if their performances this season are anything to go on but the table is looking a little worrying for the Toffees, to say the least.
According to ESPN, USMNT man Paxten Aaronson is expected to join Vitesse from Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. The jump from the Bundesliga to the Eredivisie until the end of this season would help the 20-year-old gain greater on-field minutes given his fall out of the team recently. Vitesse are in need of reinforcements as they fight against the drop in the Netherlands and could even debut this weekend if it happens. Paxten is the younger brother of USMNT international Brenden Aaronson while Gio Reyna was on the move just yesterday joining Nottingham Forest on loan.
... is not a football one. According to widespread reports, multiple time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is in talks to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari.
Now look I'm no F1 expert -- Mario Kart is more my sort of racing -- but this seems a pretty seismic shift in the sport. Hamilton is, by all accounts, very good at driving (much like yours truly). A seven-time world champion at the age of 39, the Brit needs only one more to break Michael Schumacher's all-time record for driver's championships, and he could do so in Ferrari red from the 2025 season. Proper what if Erling Haaland moved to Manchester United vibes here... sorry for that mental image, City fans.
