'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With most European heavyweights still reeling from the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, January was expected to be a relatively quiet month. The last 31 days, however, have poured cold water on the prediction, proving to be just as frantic as a nail-biting summer transfer window.
Most of the top European clubs took part in the winter sale, either buying or selling the players they need or do not need. Many loan deals were struck as well, giving wantaway stars the opportunity to prove their mettle.
All in all, it was an eventful January for European clubs, making us all the more excited for the second stretch of the 2021-22 season.
Here are the five top five transfers that took our breath away in January 2022:
#5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona
From wearing the captain’s armband with pride to being shunned by his own manager, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a rough couple of months at Arsenal. He had not played a single game for the Gunners since his disciplinary breach in December, which made him desperate to find a way out.
Mikel Arteta, too, did not have him in his plans and did not stop him from finding a suitor.
Barcelona boss Xavi was eager to reinforce his attack in the winter transfer window and shortlisted the Gabon international. With 18 months remaining in Aubameyang’s £350,000-a-week contract, he was expected to leave on loan for the remainder of the season.
Strapped for cash, the Blaugrana could not afford to pay him his original salary, and the north Londoners were not going to share their burden.
To finalize the transfer, the 32-year-old reportedly decided to take a significant pay cut. The Gunners went a step further to honor their former skipper’s wishes and let Barcelona sign him on a free transfer, and not on a six-month loan as previously thought.
Thanks to their shrewd “generosity,” Arteta’s side will save close to £25 million in wages over the next 18 months.
#4 Kieran Trippier to Newcastle United
Relegation-threatened Newcastle United are desperate to stay afloat in the Premier League this season. To help their cause, the Magpies used their newfound riches to acquire the services of Kieran Trippier from La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid.
Los Rojiblancos accepted a €15million bid for the Englishman, who played a key role in helping the Spaniards win the La Liga title in the 2020-21 season.
Trippier, who excels in the right-back position, can bring a lot of quality to Newcastle’s attack going forward. He is quick off his line, can whip in dangerous balls into the area and is defensively solid.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man also spent the majority of his career in England, which should allow him to settle in quickly at Newcastle.
#3 Ferran Torres to Barcelona
The 2021-22 campaign has not been kind on Barcelona. They have been rather mediocre in La Liga, winning only nine of their 21 top-flight fixtures.
The Blaugrana also finished behind Bayern Munich and Benfica in their Champions League group and were subsequently thrown out of the competition.
They’ve also come up short in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, which has practically ended their hopes of silverware this season.
Xavi is determined to turn their fortunes around and believes new signings are the need of the hour.
Impressed with his brief spell at Manchester City, the Catalans spent €55million to acquire Ferran Torres' sevices in the first week of January.
So far, Torres has featured in three games for Barcelona, registering one goal and an assist.
#2 Luis Diaz to Liverpool
Portuguese club FC Porto sold Luis Diaz to Liverpool for €45million (€15million in add-ons) in the final week of January. The Colombia international enjoyed an exceptional campaign in the Primeira Liga in 2021-22, registering 14 goals and five assists in 18 appearances.
The fact that Liverpool were able to sidestep Diaz’s €80million release clause is an achievement in itself. They simply offered the 25-year-old the opportunity to be a part of one of the best clubs in Europe, and the player couldn’t say no.
Diaz will have to bring his “A-game” to break into the Liverpool XI, especially with Sadio Mane producing eye-catching performances every other week.
It will be interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp deals with the situation and whether Luiz manages to bring his red-hot form to England.
#1 Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus
In the months leading up to the January transfer window, Arsenal were one of the hot favorites to sign Fiorentina ace Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian, who is Serie A’s joint-leading top-scorer (17 goals) this season, ultimately ended up snubbing the Gunners, moving to Italian giants Juventus instead.
Juventus, who have struggled to find their footing in the Italian top-flight this season, needed a marquee signing to keep their top-four hopes alive.
Vlahovic’s pace, intelligence, and movement would bring a breath of fresh air to Juve’s attack, give them the dynamism they currently lack.
If all goes according to plan, the Serbia international could end up leading the Turin club’s title challenge next season.
The Bianconeri acquired his services for €81.6million, making him the fourth most expensive signing in Serie A history. Vlahovic has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Old Lady.
