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The 5 best deals of the January 2021 transfer window
The January transfer window was slow as expected, with many clubs unwilling to let their players leave due to fears they could be left short in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, most Premier League clubs made no permanent deals whatsoever, with loans much more common. Deadline day was something of a damp squib, though Liverpool finally moved to address a defensive injury crisis with the twin signings of Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak. Here are five of the best deals of the January 2021 transfer window.
5 best deals of the January transfer window 2021
Morgan Sanson (Marseille to Aston Villa – £15.5m)
One of the few clubs to complete a big deal was Villa, Morgan with Sanson arriving from Ligue 1.
After something of a trolley-dash approac,h following their promotion to the Premier League 18 months ago, Villa have been a lot more effective in the market during the past two windows. Sanson adds further quality to a high-class midfield, with the 26-year-old having contributed two goals and three assists in 12 Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille this term.
With Villa having half an eye on European qualification this term, Sanson seems to be a smart addition to a midfield stable already boasting the likes of John McGinn and Jack Grealish. Villa were also able to cut some deadwood in their squad too with Henri Lansbury allowed to leave, while Conor Hourihane and Lovre Kalinic were among eight outgoing loans in January. They’ll be hoping that he proves a success and not one of the worst January transfers in history.
Martin Odegaard (Real Madrid to Arsenal – loan)
In terms of big names involved in Premier League deals, Odegaard tops the list. Having joined Madrid at the age of 16, the Norwegian was tipped as one of the stars of the future and will be looking to kick on after joining Arsenal. Odegaard was outstanding on loan at Real Sociedad last term but failed to break through after returning to Madrid for the 2020-21 season.
It is the second season in a row that Arsenal have looked to La Liga to add quality to their midfield in the January window. Last year, they borrowed Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid and the Spain international remains on loan at the Emirates Stadium this season too.
Mikel Arteta’s side have lacked creativity this term with Odegaard expected to slot straight into an advanced role in midfield. He will be tasked with creating chances for a misfiring front line of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe as Arsenal continue to improve after a dreadful start to the campaign.
Arsenal were able to finance Odegaard’s loan after finally seeing Mesut Ozil leave the club. If he settles in England Odegaard could prove to be one of the shrewdest deals make in the January 2021 transfer window.
Joe Willock (Arsenal to Newcastle United – loan)
Odegaard’s arrival at Arsenal means Joe Willock got bumped down the pecking order in the Gunners midfield and he has been given a chance to develop at Newcastle.
Steve Bruce’s men have found things tough of late but a good win at Everton may prove to be a turning point, with Willock potentially signing at the right time to help the Magpies to improve. Willock should add pace and drive to a staid Newcastle side that have been drifting towards the relegation zone in the last couple of months.
At 21, Willock is in a key moment in his career if he is to make it in the Premier League.
Moises Caicedo (Independiente del Valle to Brighton – £4m)
Brighton have been exploring the South American market more than most Premier League clubs recently and the latest player to make the move to the south coast is Caicedo. A prodigiously talented 19-year-old, Caicedo opted for the Seagulls despite being chased by a host of elite clubs across Europe.
He joins fellow South Americans such as Alexis Mac Allister, who is starting to make a big impact in Graham Potter’s midfield, and the Colombia international Steven Alzate. Caicedo is already a full Ecuador international and should prove a smart signing for Brighton.
Robert Snodgrass (West Ham to West Brom – £100,000)
Brighton’s relegation rivals West Brom were among the busiest teams in the transfer window, but Snodgrass was the only permanent deal landed by the Baggies.
Snodgrass was out of favour at West Ham but his quality from set pieces will be crucial as West Brom try to get out of trouble under Sam Allardyce. West Ham subsequently moved to bring in Jesse Lingard on a loan deal from Manchester United, a move that has started extremely well.
West Brom also signed Mbaye Diagne on loan from Galatasaray and the striker shone in a draw at Fulham on his debut, while there were another brace of arrivals on deadline day.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles adds versatility after joining from Arsenal on loan, while Allardyce also completed the signing of Okay Yokuslu from Celta Vigo on a temporary deal. But Snodgrass looks to be the key figure if Allardyce is to pull off another Great Escape. If he helps keep West Brom up if will be one of the best deals the club have ever made, let alone in the January 2021 transfer window.
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