A look at the winners and losers of the January transfer window

The January 2024 transfer window did not relish expectations. It was a complete contrast to the previous season’s January transfer window where Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and a host of other Premier League teams all made significant reinforcements to their respective squads.

This season, the risk of breaching Financial fair play regulations has hugely affected the usual flurry of transfer activities that usually excite fans throughout the entire duration of the winter window.

For the football-loving fans, who get excited by big-money signings at their clubs, the just-concluded window must have been disappointing. Regardless of this, some clubs still made major moves, securing their transfer targets and making adequate reinforcements to strengthen their squad while others whose players were in high demand successfully retained their priced assets to help push the club forward.

Here’s a preview of the winners and losers from the just concluded January transfer window:

Winners 

Tottenham Hotspur 

Tottenham could rightly be seen as the club to carry out the most successful transfer dealings as they made quality additions to help strengthen their squad as they look to better their progression into Champions League places. Fans with Tottenham tickets will have been pleased with the business they conducted as Ange Postecoglou strengthened his squad.

The acquisition of Radu Dragusin from Serie A side, Genoa could be regarded as the biggest transfer dealing in the just concluded window. Additionally, Spurs were able to secure the signing of former Chelsea forward, Timo Werner who joined from Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig, making him a valuable outlet in Postecoglou’s attacking set-up.

More remarkably, these January acquisitions were signed early in the transfer window to enable them to seamlessly transition into the full flow of the culture and playing pattern of the team.

Tottenham were also successful in offloading players like Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier permanently while Japhet Tanganga and Sergio Reguilon left on loan.

Their ability to usurp European heavyweights like Bayern Munich and Barcelona to secure the signings of Radu Dragusin and Lucas Bergvall from Genoa and Djurgardens respectively underlines the club’s determination to swiftly get their transfer dealings done on time.

The additions of Werner and Dragusin would provide Postecoglou with the much-needed firepower for his club’s pursuit of a top-four finish. Following their ousting from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup competitions, they now have fewer fixture competitions and enough squads to carry out their task.

Crystal Palace 

In contrast to their usually quiet January transfer window, Palace were among the sides to make significant acquisitions to their squad.

Daniel Munoz joined the club from Jupiler Pro League side, Genk in an £8m deal while also beating competitions from a host of Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Tottenham for the acquisition of 19-year-old midfield prodigy, Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers.

Munoz arrives at Selhurst Park as the first notable right-back acquisition since Nathaniel Clyne joined from Liverpool in 2020 and he will play a huge role in solidifying Palace’s defence as they look to avoid relegation battle towards the end of the season.

For Wharton, the deadline day arrival will hope to continue the fairytale story of Championship acquisitions, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise who have made their mark in the Premier League since they arrived from Queens Park Rangers and Reading respectively.

The England u20 star will certainly be an integral part of Roy Hodgson’s team and could even prove to be a profitable asset in the long run when the big clubs begin to chase after him.

Wharton will take the place of Cheick Doucoure who has been ruled out for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an Achilles injury. 

Brentford 

The success story of Brentford’s transfer window might not be incomings, but the retention of their talisman, Ivan Toney who returned from an eight-month ban. The 27-year-old proved that he hasn’t lost touch with his abilities by scoring on his return against Nottingham Forest and adding another against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, The Bees did not stop at this as they further solidified their squad with the acquisition of Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham on loan while also adding Türkiye U21 International, Yunus Emre Konak from Super Lig side, Sivasspor as well as Iceland International goalkeeper, Hakon Valdimarsson from Swedish club Elfsborg.

Thomas Frank’s side came close to acquiring highly sought-after prodigy, Antonio Nusa dubbed the “Norwegian Neymar” but fitness complications hindered a move from moving through.

While Brentford fans may be disappointed over the failure of landing Nusa who is one of Europe’s hottest prospects, the retention of Toney who has been earmarked for big moves to Chelsea or Arsenal, should provide a glimmer of hope to Brentford fans as they hope for a rejuvenation in form.

Surely, Toney’s addition will help spearhead the Bees’s attack and further inspire the whole team to up their performances as they look to shake off a poor run of results.

Losers 

Arsenal 

Arsenal produced a resounding performance at the Emirates Stadium to secure a 3-1 victory over table-toppers, Liverpool. Safe to say The Gunners’ title hopes are back on track after reducing the deficit to just two points adrift of Liverpool.

Although the victory was convincing by all standards, Mikel Arteta’s side has previously shown signs of struggles against Fulham, Aston Villa and West Ham United where lacklustre performances and inability to finish off chances cost them heavily.

Both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have proven unreliable most times, the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard have hugely attributed to The Gunners’ successes lately, but there remain issues to iron out in the attack.

One would expect the Gunners to add a lethal striker, especially after being linked with Karim Benzema and Ivan Toney. However, a move for neither forwards failed to materialize and the Gunners may still struggle upfront as the season progresses.

Everton 

Everton find themselves in the relegation spot as they currently sit 18th place in the Premier League standings.

Their League position would probably have been farther off the relegation zone if it weren’t for the ten-point defection they got over Financial Fair Play breaches.

These breaches may have presumably played a part in Everton’s inability to make signings, leaving them in a bleak situation.

With the absence of any acquisition, Sean Dyche will have to rely on his current squad(who are solid enough) to navigate through this difficult phase of the Premier League and ultimately avoid their first-ever top-flight relegation.

Newcastle United 

After starting the season brightly, injuries to key players played a part in Newcastle’s downturn in form as they currently sit in ninth place and completely out of European contention for next season.

While everyone would expect the Magpies to make additions especially with Joelinton being ruled out for a lengthy period, Financial Fair Play restrictions have limited their chances to make the necessary, quality addition to their team.

There were possibilities of selling players to buy, especially with key players like Kieran Trippier being linked to Bayern Munich, Miguel Almiron being tipped for a move to the Saudi Pro League while Callum Wilson was being offered to other clubs, the Magpies ultimately decided against selling any of their key players.

Eddie Howe will hope his current crop of players will rediscover their form and play a huge role as they look to fight for a spot in either of Europe’s three competitions.