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Transfer windows are always exciting because it gives clubs across the planet to buy and sell players to balance their team and make themselves a stronger force for the matchdays that lay ahead.
The summer transfer window is busier due to the more number of transfers happening and a larger timespan for clubs to plan accordingly. Things are a bit slow in winter because it is mid-season and clubs don't want to part with their valued assets as they have been part of plans for the club till the end of the season.
However, certain wonderful deals are occurring which are worth noticing and they can be game-changing for the club for the remainder of the season. The winter signings who click have a massive effect on the results of the club in the closing stages of the season.
Here are 5 top transfers that have occurred this transfer window in Europe so far.
#5 Exequiel Palacios
Exequiel Palacios joined Bayer Leverkusen on a 5-and-half year deal this January from River Plate for a fee in the region of €17 million. The 21-year-old Argentine international has been highly rated for quite some time now. He ignited interest from Real Madrid but a couple of injuries meant the transfer was off for the time being. Federico Valverde started delivering brilliant performances and Zinedine Zidane decided not to move for the player ultimately.
Palacios is a very dynamic midfielder and he can play anywhere in the midfield starting from the defensive midfield to an advanced attacking midfielder position which makes him a real asset for the teams he plays for. Leverkusen has got a gem in their ranks at a very nominal price and this can help them achieve their goals for the season both domestically and in Europe under the tutelage of Peter Bosz who recently extended his contract at the club till 2022.
#4 Reinier Jesus
Real Madrid has been actively pursuing Brazilian attacking talents in recent years and is not hesitant to spend a fortune for players who are unproven in Europe. The likes of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes are already in Europe proving their mettle at the top level under Zinedine Zidane. Los Blancos added a latest Brazilian youngster to their ranks by securing the signature of Reinier Jesus from Flamengo on a 6-and-half year deal till June 30, 2026, for a fee of €30 million.
The transfer of Reinier to Madrid was announced just a day after he turned 18 on 19th January. He's an attacking midfielder by trade but he can operate as a second striker as well as a left-winger. He's a very talented footballer who can do a lot of stuff with the ball at his feet. Reinier is known for his dribbling, passing, ball control and creative abilities and is pretty physical which is a very uncommon characteristic for an attacking midfielder. It should only be a matter of time before he breaks into the first team at Madrid and proves his worth.
#3 Alvaro Odriozola
Bayern Munich is looking like a fresh team since the days Hansi Flick took over as head coach. The Bavarians had been playing a very bland variety of football which became more and more predictable over time under Niko Kovac. This made them inconsistent and lose a lot of points regularly and eventually led to the sacking of the Croatian. Hansi Flick took over on an interim basis but the dressing room responded very well to his tactics and Bayern have won 10 and lost 2 matches under his reign at Bayern so far.
The club is facing a shortage of central defenders due to injuries to Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Sule and Flick wants to play Joshua Kimmich in the midfield. He's been a wanting for a right-back in his solution and the Bayern board found an agreement with Real Madrid over the transfer of Alvaro Odriozola on a loan deal till the end of the season. Odriozola is very fast, press resistant, good with the ball at his feet and a brilliant crosser; he's just the type of player Bayern were on the lookout and they got his signature without any hassles.
#2 Dani Olmo
Dani Olmo has been one of the most sought after player this transfer window. Big names starting from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Chelsea were interested in the signature of the talented Spanish attacker. Olmo hails from the La Masia academy in Barcelona. He joined Dinamo Zagreb in 2014 in search of more playing time and eventually made his way to the first team. He's improved himself steadily over the years and made a name for himself in Croatia and across Europe.
This transfer window, there were close to 10 clubs who were interested in his signature but in the end, he chose to move to RB Leipzig to continue his development under Julian Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann is great with attacking talents and he can make them look like world-beaters on their day. He did it at Hoffenheim with the likes of Belfodil, Kramaric and Joelinton and he's continuing it at Leipzig with Timo Werner leading from the front. Olmo under Nagelsmann will be an exciting prospect to watch out for in the seasons to come.
#1 Erling Braut Haaland
Erling Braut Haaland's transfer to German giants Borussia Dortmund has to be the best piece of business done this January. Borussia Dortmund fought off competition from the likes of RB Leipzig, Manchester United and Juventus to secure the signature of the talented Norwegian striker from RB Salzburg. The youngster chose Dortmund over other clubs due to the primary reason for getting game time as Paco Alcacer is relatively unsettled and is looking to leave the club as soon as possible.
Haaland has already made his mark in the Bundesliga having scored 5 goals in 59 minutes after having come on as a sub against Augsburg and Koln. He marked his debut with a stunning hat-trick and brace followed in the next match which has taken the entire football community in Europe by storm. He's big, burly and has a lot of pace under his belt which makes it very difficult for defenders to mark and contain him. Dortmund has got a real gem in their ranks he will be massively influencing their results in the remaining half of the season.
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