These are testing times for the Premier League money men. The January transfer window creaked shut last week and, now that the dust has settled, we can see that the landscape has changed.
Financial Fair Play seems to be biting at last and the billions spent in windows gone by has turned into millions, and not that many of them. While the big spenders at Chelsea and Newcastle United have closed their wallets (for a while anyway) the loan market has been busy and clubs at either end of the table will hope they have strengthened enough for the challenges ahead.
Newcastle have signed Alfie Harrison from Manchester City and that is it for the Magpies. It’s a signing for the future as the 18 year old has not yet broken into first team football, but he will have more chance in Newcastle than Manchester and he has bags of promise, scoring eight goals in eight U18 appearances for the Sky Blues.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has responded to speculation in Spain that Erling Haaland may be open to a move in the summer. The Premier League champions see this as an attempt in Madrid to unsettle the 23 year old. The City coach was dismissive of the gossip, saying: “If someone wants Erling, it’s easy. Call Man City and ask. It’s what we do when we want to sign someone.”
The latest Premier League 2024 betting odds have hardened their support for the Sky Blues and Guardiola is happy to go with what he has; but other clubs have been active, so let’s take a look at a few of the winter transfers and pick out those we think can make a real difference.
London calling
Spurs have established themselves in the top four and Ange Postecoglou has moved smartly to bring striker Timo Werner in from Leipzig and central defender Radu Dragusin from Genoa. Werner knows London well having spent two years with Chelsea and his Premier League nous will stand him in good stead. He joins a team with plenty of creative flair and his strong running and hold up play will help star striker Richarlison to exploit the space he creates. Both Werner and Dragusin have made three appearances already for Spurs and the centre back could be an inspired buy. He’s big and powerful, with great poise and positional strength; and the basis of a solid defence will give Tottenham’s more attacking players even more confidence to gamble when they get the chance.
Elsewhere in the Capital City West Ham United have brought in defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City and he can fill a void left by his England sparring partner Declan Rice, who departed for Arsenal in the summer. The Hammers need more solidity, conceding six goals in the last three games, and Phillips can help them to win the midfield battles.
In other Premier League 2024 news Fulham have signed striker Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea, and his arrival may signal an exit from Craven Cottage. With the Turkish window still open we could see a move away for Carlos Vinicius, with Galatasaray rumoured to be close to a deal.
Who can bring salvation to the strugglers?
Luton Town are doing a good job of proving what you can do without splashing the cash and the Hatters have recently battled their way out of the relegation zone, but three of their relegation rivals have strengthened in the hope of securing survival. Burnley are in serious trouble, seven points from safety and with 15 games left. The Clarets have a glut of talented young players but they have been naïve at both ends of the pitch. Striker Lyle Foster is a real handful and he has been joined another young forward, David Fofana from Chelsea on loan, while centre back Maxime Esteve has also arrived at Turf Moor from Montpellier.
Fofana scored twice in Burnley’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at the weekend and, along with Foster, it looks like the Clarets will have a more threatening strike force; which this SBOTOP writer has been waiting for. Will it work? Let’s wait and see.
Brentford have started to struggle recently and the Bees are just three points above the drop zone, and Thomas Frank has brought in wingback Sergio Reguillon on loan from Spurs. The 27 year old has bags of experience with Real Madrid and Sevilla, and he knows his way around the Premier League so that could be a smart addition.
In the other eye-catching move, Nottingham Forest have signed Gio Reyna on loan from Borussia Dortmund. The US striker came on for the last few minutes in Forest’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend and, if he can stay fit, he’ll be an exciting addition.
But, finishing where we started, Forest may need all the help they get. They are two points above the drop zone and, having been charged by the league under profit and sustainability rules, they may yet have points penalty to cope with.
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