The noteworthy January transfer window transactions:
Christian Pulisic/Dortmund has signed an American record 73 million dollar deal with Chelsea. Chelsea will loan him back to Dortmund until the end of the season. Good business by Dortmund. Dortmund have an amazing scouting department. A lot of Chelsea fans will be popping up in the United States, especially near Hershey Pennsylvania, where Christian is from. I have some friends that are Fulham fans because of Dempsey… Chelsea is a lot easier of a team to be a fan of. Thorgan Hazard is rumored to be the replacement for Pulisic at Dortmund. Eden Hazard still hasn’t signed a new contract with Chelsea… is a move to Real Madrid looming?
Samir Nasri signed with West Ham after his 18-month doping ban. Nasri has played well at Marseille, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Sevilla. If he can find some solid form, he could add some needed creativity to the West Ham attack.
The 36-year-old-free-kick-taking Naldo has signed with Monaco. He adds some experience to a young, underachieving Monaco club. Thierry Henry needs his Monaco club to start playing better futbol if he wants to manage there next season.
Monaco are in the news again with the signing of Cesc Fabregas. Thierry Henry is coaching Cesc Fabregas for a Ligue 1 team. If that doesn’t make you feel old, then you should tell the kids on the playground about this site. Fabregas didn’t seem to fit at Chelsea recently, but it is hard to provide service for attackers like Willian and Morata, who look like they couldn’t be bothered to actually play soccer. Monaco is doing all they can to get out of 19th place and the relegation zone in France. Cesc should help.
Manolo Gabbiadini, who has the Peakeist Blindiest name in World Futbol, has left Southampton for a return to the Italian club, Sampdoria, for the fee of 12 million Euros. Sampdoria get some help at top to supplement the aging Fabio Quagliarella.
Brahim Diaz has been signed by Real Madrid for a 17.3 million Euro fee from Man City. Mahrez cost 60 million Euro and was always going to play more than Diaz. I’m sure some City fans would rather develop Diaz than play Mahrez, but Mahrez is no slouch. Real Madrid could use him with Isco falling out of favor and Bale being injured. Diaz could be a better Asensio one day.. and I love Asensio.
Real Betis has signed Diego Lainez from Club America for a 14 million Euro fee. Lainez is a quick left winger, who should add some needed creativity outside for Betis for the years to come. The Mexican Messi will have plenty of opportunity on the right and left wing.
AC Milan have signed the former Fluminese youngster, Lucas Paqueta, for a 35 million Euro fee. Milan’s future looks brighter.
Paulinho, Sandro Wagner, Leo Baptistao, and Talisco have both chased the money and gone to China. Espanyol will miss Baptistao’s goal scoring.
In one of the weirder transfer signing announcements I have seen lately, Burnley signed Peter Crouch. He will be a solid target man for them and a great guy to have around the club.
Leicester sign Youri Tielemans from Monaco. Youri is 21 years old. Hamza and Youri could form a solid young midfield for Leicester. The Kante and Drinkwater days are gone, but Leicester seems to be building a solid midfield again.
Crystal Palace sign Michi Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea. Michi did not do much at Valencia, but with Zaha’s service, he should be able to find some goals. Palace are hoping he finds his Dortmund form.
Newcastle United have signed Miguel Almiron from Atlanta FC. Miguel is a quick, solid passer that has been one of the best player in the MLS over the past few seasons. Newcastle fans are just happy they beat Man City. A record signing is icing on the cake. It is a league record fee for the MLS. He is a true #10 that Newcastle desperately need.
Arsenal have signed Denis Suarez from Barcelona. I think they signed the wrong Suarez… Denis will help their midfield I think, but he doesn’t seem to be a clear upgrade as of now. When Ramsey leaves this summer, Denis will play a larger role at the club I presume. The option-to-buy is smart business for Arsenal. He could go all Paco Alcacer. People forget Man City signed Denis Suarez when he was 16. This signing has to make Juventus fans happy because they are that much closer to getting Ramsey now.
Wolves have signed Jonny Castro from Atletico permanently. Castro can play left or right back and he never stops running. He is worth the 20 million as players with his skill and work rate are hard to find.
Valencia have signed Ruben Soriano from Alaves to hopefully find some goals. Valencia have more ties at this point in the season than I can ever remember a team having. They need all the finishing they can get.
PSG signed Leandro Paredes from Zenit for 40 million Euros. Paredes will slot in nicely next to Verratti. PSG will win the league with this signing (and without it). This feels like the first midfielder PSG has signed in years. Good business.
I think that pretty much covers the window. If I missed a big signing just mention it in the comments and call me dumb. Thanks!