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?
Keylor Navas has signed a 16 million Euro deal with Arsenal. Good business for Arsenal. Navas makes their first 11 better for less than 20 million. Have to do it.
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.
AC Milan have signed the former Fluminese youngster, Lucas Paqueta, for a 35 million Euro fee. Milan’s future looks bright. Here’s a video for those that don’t know Paqueta. If Paqueta’s fine football skills as a visual with a former One Direction member on vocals doesn’t get you going. Nothing will. Absolutely nothing.
Paulinho and Talisco have both chased the money and gone to GZ Evergrande in China.
