Transfer Window mishaps - 5 signings that made no sense (2020/21 season)

The footballing calendar for the 2020/21 season is nearing its end, and fans will have their eyes firmly set on the upcoming transfer window - set to kick off around the end of the season. The summer transfer window of the season is always the most exciting one, with big-money signings a more prominent feature here than in the winter window.

The transfer of a new player into the club also brings about high expectations from the fans, and sometimes it's just the spark a club needs to have a good season. A case in point would be Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, who has changed the club's fortunes since his arrival, but that script doesn't necessarily pan out all the time. Today, we will take a look at 5 such transfer signings that did not make any sense.

5 signings in the transfer windows that made no sense this season

#5 Ben Davies | Preston to Liverpool | £1.6million

Kicking off our countdown is Liverpool's last-minute signing in this year's January transfer window - Ben Davies. Barring a recent win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the defending champions are having a torrid time this season. While the club from Anfield have been extremely unlucky with injuries this season, they have made a few strange and desperate moves in the winter transfer window.

While every other name on our list has made a few appearances for their new clubs, Davies is yet to feature in the reds for Liverpool. The starting XI seems to be a bridge too far for the English defender, as he has failed to even make it to the squad on most occasions. Davies was included on the bench for Liverpool's Champions League tie against RB Leipzig, but that's the farthest he's come to putting on a Liverpool shirt.

However, like most Liverpool players this season, Davies fell victim to the injury curse upon his arrival at Anfield. The 25-year old can still turn things around, but the jump from the Championship to the Premier League seems like a little too much for him.

#4 Willian | Chelsea to Arsenal | Free transfer

Next up we have Brazilian winger Willian, who has shifted base from south-west to north London. Reunited with his former Chelsea and Brazilian team-mate David Luiz, the Arsenal faithful had high expectations from the 32-year old. This was further ignited after his Arsenal debut, where he lodged 2 assists on a 3-0 win over Fulham.

However, things went south for Willian soon after. In 29 appearances since his debut, 12 of which have been from the bench, Willian has managed just 5 assists and has failed to find the back of the net. Willian was rumored to have signed for Barcelona before moving to the Emirates, but a deal was not negotiated in time.

Willian currently functions as a back-up to Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Nicolas Pepe. The Brazilian is in the twilight stages of his career, and the Arsenal fans would prefer to see young academy products get the opportunity to cement their places in the starting XI instead. Arsenal proceeded with signing the 32-year old despite being loaded with attackers, making this one of the worst signings this season.

#3 Arthur Melo | Barcelona to Juventus | Swap Deal

This was probably one of the worst swap deals in the history of club football, where none of the parties involved will be pleased with the transfers. The first part was the transfer of Brazilian midfielder Arthur, from Barcelona to Juventus, in a deal that made little sense to the fans.

The 24-year old has made only 26 appearances for the club since his move in the summer transfer window, 9 of which have been from the bench. Arthur has the output of a solitary goal, with no assists to his name. Along with this, the 24-year old has created just one goal-scoring opportunity and makes 1.5 dribbles on average per 90 minutes, with 0.3 crosses completed.

Juventus' midfield is packed with the likes of Weston McKennie, Adrien Rabiot and Bentancur all showing signs of improvement. One would argue that Arthur was surplus to Juventus's needs and will find it hard to nail down a spot in the starting XI in a packed Juventus midfield.

#2 Miralem Pjanić | Juventus to Barcelona | Swap Deal

Pjanic moved to Barcelona in a swap deal

Taking the penultimate position on our list is the second part of a horrid swap deal - Pjanic to Barcelona. From the onset, it was a strange deal to make sense of. Barça parted ways with a 24-year old talented midfielder to sign a veteran who was already in his 30s.

This bit of transfer business was another example of Barcelona's failing administration under ex-Barca president, Josep Maria Bartomeu. For all his experience, Pjanic has found life hard at Camp Nou and has struggled to get regular playing time under his belt. Pjanic has only one goal and zero assists in 33 appearances for Barcelona, with 15 of them coming from the bench.

It is hard to understand Barcelona's reasoning behind the swap deal, but this is certainly not the result they were expecting.

#1 Donny van de Beek | Ajax to Manchester United | €39million

Manchester United singed van de Beek int he summer

Our pole position goes to the curious case of Donny van de Beek, who came to English shores with a considerable reputation. The young Dutchman had a couple of magical seasons with Ajax, playing a crucial role in their fairytale run to the Champions League semifinals.

In 175 appearances for the Dutch champions, van de Beek notched up 41 goals and 34 assists, but it all dried up when he moved to Old Trafford. In 28 appearances for the club this season, the 23-year old has one each in the goals and assists column. However, it's not entirely been van de Beek's fault.

Manchester United acquired the supremely talented midfielder when they didn't need anyone in that position. The Red Devils have more than a handful of midfielders, with Paul Pogba, Fred, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, and Bruno Fernandes already in the squad. Van de Beek's preferred position is the No. 10 position, which is currently occupied by the Portuguese. The fact that United signed the Dutchman after the signing of Fernandes is what baffles us even more.

It is certainly a shame to see a young, talented midfielder waste some of his best years warming the bench. The massive influx of money in English football due to massive TV rights deals has led to a number of stellar signings but also to a few that make no sense whatsoever.

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Edited by Diptanil