La Liga - January transfer window recap: Chaotic Barca and intimidating Real Madrid

Half of Spain's top tier didn't move a muscle during the just-closed transfer window. Some because of finances, others because they believe that their teams are competitive enough to continue the fight in the second part of the season. For Real Madrid, we knew that their focus would be on operation 'Kylian Mbappe' and when it comes to Barça, sports director Mateu Alemany had his work cut out for him. Atletico Madrid wobbled through the trading period, Sevilla as per usual did a good job, Villarreal were pretty quiet, Valencia were not too specific.

BARCELONA

Complex, uncertain, tense - that's what Barcelona's transfer window looked like in a nutshell. And it started pretty romantically - a New Year's gift that was agreed with Manchester City in December, and arrived at the Camp Nou on January 1 in the form of Ferran Torres.

Even though news and rumors stated that Barca are painfully short on money - they opened 2022 with a 62 million + 11 million USD signing. However, the harsh reality hit them quickly - they had to free up some space among the playing staff and also within the payroll in order to register Torres.

Ten days of uncertainty and then a sigh of relief - Philippe Coutinho was sent on loan to Aston Villa with the buyout option of 45 million USD. Should we remind you that once upon a time Barça paid 150 million USD to sign him from Liverpool? As Coutinho arrived in Birmingham, and Samuel Umtiti extended his contract and agreed to a far lower salary, everyone in the club was relieved - Torres was registered.

The burning problem of Ousmane Dembele remained - his readiness to extend his contract with the club but under unrealistic conditions, that is. The Frenchman and his agent blackmailed Barcelona and the club have had enough. Dembele was told to pick up his bags and leave by January 31 or watch the second part of the season from the stands. Barcelona are an institution, even for football figures much bigger than Dembele, who showed a lack of respect.

The whole push-me-pull-you with the eternally injured Frenchman lasted almost the whole of January, and during that time, Barça worked on bringing an attacker, it was one of two priorities before the start of the transfer window, along with a winger. At first, there was talk of the possibility of Alvaro Morata wearing the Barcelona shirt after Real and Atletico Madrid. However, Juventus coach Max Allegri did not want to give up the Spaniard, and Atletico (who are still Morata's employers) were not thrilled with the idea of letting him join the ranks of a direct rival.

After the arrival of Ferran Torres, no one talked about a new winger, but Adama Traore's return to the place where he grew up emerged out of nowhere. As the Catalans nurture excellent relations with Wolverhampton, where their Francisco Trincao plays on loan, Traore's arrival was easily and quickly agreed, and a little later, a 39.5 million USD buyout clause was defined. Whatever you think about Traore, the fact is that Barcelona has never had a football player of such (physical) characteristics but it is still unknown how much he can give to the club or what Xavi can make of him.

That same Xavi, while he was not yet announced as the coach of Barcelona, ​​was a strong anti-advocate of the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

"Mane and Aubameyang are footballers who can destroy you when you leave them a lot of space. But Barcelona need players who know how to use a smaller patch space. I'm thinking of players who can fit in Barcelona and it's hard to find them. Samuel Eto'o was perfect, as is Luis Suarez now," Xavi once said.

A special story full of twists and anticlimax - maybe it was bad luck or fate, who knows, but Aubameyang and Barça merged only after Xavi took the wheel.

As the last day of the transfer window passed, it seemed that the arrival of Auba on loan from Arsenal was getting closer. When the information and photos that he arrived at Barcelona airport appeared on social networks, it seemed that everything is sorted. It turned out that he came on his own initiative, without an agreement with the club, and then that no agreement was reached with Arsenal regarding the distribution of the payment of his 16 million USD net salary.

Just when everyone thought the transfer failed - like a goal in the 90th minute - a turnaround. Instead of a loan, the Gabonese forward comes as a free agent because in the meantime he agreed to terminate his contract with Arsenal. Although there were no official confirmations until midnight, and even after, most reliable Spanish and English media reported that he underwent proper medical check-ups, and then came to the club premises to sign a contract and that the deal will be made official on February 1.

But what about Dembele? Although several Premier League players were mentioned, as well as Paris Saint-Germain - he did not find an engagement. The last information at the time of writing this text was that he would be 'fired' in the morning. In that case, Dembele could look for a new club as a free agent, and Barça could register Aubameyang without any problems.

Ajax's left-back, Nicolas Tagliafico, was very close to signing for Barça - he wanted exclusively to move to Camp Nou, but his wish was not fulfilled because the Catalans wanted a loan with the right of a buyout, and the Amsterdamers wanted a permanent transfer.

Arrived: Ferran Torres (Manchester City, 62 million USD), Adama Traore (Wolverhampton, loan), Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal, free), Dani Alves (free)

Left: Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa, loan), Alex Collado (Granada, loan), Injaki Pena (Galatasaray, loan), Yusuf Demir (Rapid Vienna, loan end)

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid made zero purchases but even so drove fear into the competition by projecting a full-on attack for next season - an agreement with Kylian Mbappe. On the last day of the transfer window, German Bild shook the world stating that Los Blancos agreed with the French superstar on an annual salary of over 55 million USD gross and that they are waiting for the match of the eighth-finals against Paris Saint-Germain to end in order to officially confirm Mbappe as their new player. That's how Real Madrid do it. Even when they don't take out sacks of money on the table, they shake the football market.

Now that is what you call a transfer bomb! Real and Mbappe strike a deal - 56 million USD a year

Aurelien Tchouameni is also included in Real's dream team project for next season - Spanish Marca wrote in January that the Monaco defensive midfielder was seen as a replacement for Casemiro. The head of the scouting service of the Madrid giant, Juni Calafat, was at Monte Carlo at the end of January - he secured Tchouameni's signature for the upcoming transfer window.

Real Madrid was mentioned as the main candidate for Palmeiras' 15-year-old child prodigy, Endrick Felipe Moreira, for whom they should battle with their biggest rival Barcelona, ​​and perhaps another European giant. However, that case seems far in the future.

Real's most wanted player this winter was Luka Jovic, but given Karim Benzema's frequent injuries, Carlo Ancelotti did not dare to let the Serbian go.

We warned you in time: Endrick is the next big thing, Real Madrid and Barca in a war for the Brazilian gem

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ATLETICO MADRID

Atletico Madrid's results and performances this season are directly in proportion with the quality and quantity of signings that arrived at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium. Considering how much Los Colchoneros are struggling on all fronts this season, they had to spend significantly more than the 6.5 million USD spent on "low-cost" options such as Daniel Wass and Reinildo Mandava.

Wass' arrival was directly affected by the sale of Kieran Trippier to Newcastle, which was inevitable. Although he is a central midfielder by vocation, the experienced Dane had the task of covering the left side countless times in his career.

With the purchase of Mozambican defender Reinildo from Lille for 3.4 million USD, Renan Lodi got some support on the last day of the transfer window at left-back, so now Atletico have two decent options for each side - Lodi and Reinildo on the left, Vrsaljko and Wass on the right.

As with Trippier, Newcastle also asked about Yannick Carasco (so did Tottenham) but Atletico successfully resolved that situation. Diego Simeone saved an important player by using the Belgian's exit clause - 68 million USD represented a line that the interested Premier League sides were not ready to cross.

Two and a half hours before the closing deadline, Newcastle went after Atletico defender Felipe, but it turned out to be more of a panic move because the Magpies were not sure if they would be able to finish the job with Brighton's Dan Burn of Brighton on time. When Newcastle realized that Burn will sign, the Felipe-pursuit stopped.

At one point, the European media went crazy with the possibility of Luis Suarez putting on the Aston Villa shirt. Reportedly, Steven Gerrard invited his former teammate but in the end, the whole story ended only with speculations that El Pistolero could return to England.

Arrived: Daniel Wass (Valencia, 3 million USD), Reinildo Mandava (Lille, 3.4 million USD)

Left: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle, 17 million USD), Ivan Šaponjić (Slovan Bratislava, free)

SEVILLA

In August 2021, the club from Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan signed six new players, this January only two, but more than decent. Sports director Monchi once again showed that he is great at managing to get everything that Sevilla have planned.

With the opening of the market, Sevilla began to wrap itself around Anthony Martial, whose bringing in was being considered by Juventus and Barcelona at the same time. As time passed, other teams' focus went elsewhere and the Andalusian club brought the former Golden Boy on loan a week before the end of the transfer window. He was completely forgotten at Manchester United, and Sevilla offered him a chance to revive his career at the age of 27. The loan didn't cost them a penny, if we exclude they took on Martial's full salary. And it is not a small expense because it ranges between 6.7 million and 9 million USD.

Ten days earlier, Jesus Tecatito Corona arrived in Andalusia for 'pocket change', signing a contract until 2025. Sevilla started chasing after the Porto winger in 2020, and a year and a half later they managed to complete the job. Since the Mexican's contract with the Portuguese passport expired at the end of this season, the Europa League kings managed to get him for only 3.4 million USD, which is 21.5 million USD less than his market value.

As two football players with pronounced offensive characteristics arrived at the club, Oussama Idrissi and Oscar Rodriguez were not needed - the first one moved to Cadiz, and the second to Getafe.

Arrived: Jesus Corona (Porto, 3.4 million USD), Anthony Martial (Manchester United, loan)

Left: Ibrahim Amadou (Metz, without compensation), Oussama Idrissi (Cadiz, loan), Oscar Rodriguez (Getafe, loan)

VALENCIA

The transfer window at Mestalla closed with the arrival of Bryan Gil. Not a small matter, because he is one of the greatest talents in Spanish football at the moment. However, Gil came on loan from Tottenham without a buyout option, and Valencia failed to complete one of the main goals - to bring in the defensive midfielder for whom Jose Bordalas has been dying for.

By midnight, the club was trying to find a 'number six' that would restore balance in the midfield, but with limited finances, ie financial fair play, Valencia were powerless. Attempts to bring Amadou Diawara from Roma, Levante's Mikael Malsa, were unsuccessful, so Bordalas, will have to get the most out of the second part of the season without a classic defensive midfielder.

The situation was further complicated by the departure of Daniel Wass - but instead of the experience, the Bats gained in talent with the signature of Ilaix Moriba. Unfortunately, as with Gil, Moriba's loan from Leipzig is without a buyout option, but until the end of the season, which is for how long he will stay - he should contribute immensely on the pitch.

The injury of Gabriel Paulista made the club prioritize a search for a defender, and for just 900,000 USD, Eray Comert arrived. The Swiss player of Turkish origin was not a signing exactly according to Bordalas' taste, but he will serve as a replacement for the injured Brazilian. Maybe he would have been happier if Barcelona's Oscar Mingueza came to Mestalla.

Although he showed almost nothing in Tottenham, Bryan Gil brings great quality to sunny Valencia and that is clear to everyone. More playing minutes he could not have had in London will come to the young Spaniard.

Arrived: Bryan Gil (Tottenham, loan), Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig, loan), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Dinamo Tblilisi, 950,000 USD), Eray Comert (Basel, 900,000 USD)

Left: Daniel Wass (Atletico Madrid, 3 million USD), Cristiano Piccini (Red Star, no compensation), Hason (Alaves, no compensation), Alex Blanco (Como, loan), Cristiano Rivero (Alcorcon, loan), Jorge Sanez Mirandes, loan), Manu Vallejo (Alaves, loan)

VILLAREAL

The Yellow Submarine seemed to be underwater until January 31 - then they emerged, picked up a single signing and dove back under again.

Although Sevilla were the first to ask for Giovanni Lo Celso, quiet Villarreal intervened at the end of the transfer window, and the Argentine midfielder decided to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Juan Foyth. The stopper moved to Villarreal last year, also from Tottenham, found himself plating great under Unai Emery and was an important factor in winning the Europa League.

However, Foyth was paid 17 million USD, while Lo Celso arrived on a loan with a buyout option, the details of which have not been disclosed yet. When it became clear that Antonio Conte was bringing in Rodrigo Bentancour, the exit door opened wide for the Argentine.

Arrived: Giovanni Lo Celso (Tottenham, loan)

Left: Ivan Martin (Girona, loan)

Sun 16:00: (3.00) Valencia (3.10) Sociedad (2.70)

GETAFE

Arrived: Borja Majoral (Roma, loan 500,000), Gonzalo Villar (Roma, loan), Oscar Rodriguez (Seville, loan), Ocai Jokushlu (Celta, loan), Gaston Alvarez (Boston River, loan)

Left: David Timor (Huesca, no compensation), Alan Njom (Leganes, no compensation), Xema (Eibar, loan), Dario Poveda (Huesca, loan)

MALLORCA

Arrived: Vedat Muriqi (Lazio, loan 1.3 million USD), Sergio Rico (Paris Saint-Germain, loan), Giovanni Gonzalez (Peñarol, no compensation)

Left: Alexander Trajkovski (Al Faiha, no compensation), Lago Junior (Huesca, loan), Jordi Mbula (Estoril Praia, loan), Joan Sastre (loan, PAOK, loan), Aleis Febas (Malaga, loan)

CELTA

Arrived: Oberlin Pineda (Cruz Azul, no compensation)

Left: Okay Yokushlu (Getafe, loan), Miguel Baesa (Ponferradina, loan)

GRANADA

Arrived: Matthias Arezzo (River Plate Montevideo, 3.6 million USD), Njegos Petrovic (Red Star, 1.8 million USD), Alex Collado (Barcelona, ​​loan), Mirto Uzuni (Ferencvaros)

Left: Luis Abram (Cruz Azul, loan), Adian Bucke (Pass Ferreira, loan), Alpha Dionca (Barcelona B, loan)

Sun 18:15: (2.40) Barcelona (3.25) Atl.Madrid (3.30)

MORE THAN HALF OF CLUBS HAVE NOT INVENTED A PENNY

Spain has 20 clubs, and out of those 20 clubs, as many as 11 did not spend a single dollar. Some because of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, others again because they are satisfied with what they already have, and others because they wanted to save their ammunition for the upcoming transfer window.

Sociedad did not spend, but still brought one of the more attractive names - Rafinha Alcantara on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Levante has by far the weakest defense in the course of the championship so far, and it was to be expected that they would strengthen it. They did so by bringing in veteran Martin Cáceres for free.

REAL SOCIEDAD

Arrived: Rafinha (Paris Saint-Germain, loan)

Left: /

BETIS

Arrived: /

Left: Sydney (Cruzeiro, no compensation), Robert Gonzalez (Las Palmas, loan)

ESPANYOL

Arrived: Toni Vilena (Krasnodar, loan 600,000 USD)

Left: Alvaro Vadillo (Malaga, loan), Juan Camilo Besero (Gymnast, loan)

Sun 20:30: (2.35) Betis (3.50) Villareal (3.15)

OSASUNA

Arrived: /

Left: Xavi Ontiveros (Villarreal, on loan), Haume Grau (Zaragoza, no compensation), Robert Ibanez (Leganes, on loan)

LEVANTE

Arrived: Martin Cáceres (Cagliari, without compensation)

Left: Pablo Martinez (Huesca, loan), Alexa Blessa (Castellon, loan)

ALAVES

Arrived: Jason (Valencia, no compensation), Gonzalo Escalante (Lazio, loan), Nauen Tenagla (Talleres, loan), Manu Vallejo (Valencia, loan)

Left: Mamadou Sila (Rayo Vallecano, loan), Thaci (Fuenlabrada, loan)

Sun 21:00: (1.25) Real Madrid (6.75) Granada (13.0)

CADIZ

Arrived: Lucas Perez (Cadiz, 240,000 USD), Luis Hernandez (Maccabi Tel Aviv, no compensation), Fede San Emeterio (Valladolid, loan), Ruben Alcaraz (Valladolid, loan), Osama Idrizi (Seville, loan)

Left: Marcos Mauro (Haurez, no compensation), Milutin Osmajic (Bandirma, loan), Alvaro Jimenez (Ibiza, loan), Jon Ander Garrido (Mirandes, loan), Martin Calderon (Mirandes, loan)

ELCHE

Arrived: Lucas Olasa (Valladolid, loan), Ezekiel Pons (Spartak Moscow, loan)

Left: Lucas Perez (Cadiz, 240,000 USD), Josema (Valladolid, loan), Axel Werner (Arsenal Sarandi, loan), Dario Benedetto (Marseille, loan termination)

RAYO VALLECANO

Arrived: Mamadu Sila (Alaves, loan)

Left: Las Bangura (Lamia, loan), Yassin Quazmi (Leganes, loan), Jose Pozo (Al-Ahly, loan), Sergio Moreno (Amorebieta, loan), Andres Martin (Tenerife, loan), Ivan Arboleda (Newell's Old Boys, a loan)

ATHLETIC BILBAO

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