The January transfer window gives clubs a chance to strengthen positions that need reinforcing due to a variety of reasons. Some clubs have injury issues, others lack quality and some just need more legs in their squad to deal with a fixture overload. This year a few Premier League clubs have already confirmed the signatures of players who could be crucial to them from the get-go. Football betting odds could also fluctuate as a result of wagers on other potential signings before January’s deadline day. This all makes for an exciting few days ahead in the transfer window.
Today, we’ll go through some of the best transfer dealings of the winter window so far.
Gedson Fernandes – (Benfica > Tottenham/ loan)
Tottenham completed the signing of young Portuguese midfielder Gedson Fernandes on an 18-month long loan deal from Benfica. Fernandes is expected to boost Tottenham’s midfield that has come under a lot of criticism in recent weeks. He is an ideal box to box midfielder who is very efficient with the ball in his feet. He can strike the ball very well from distance and also has the pace and dribbling ability to beat players. Gedson is regarded as one of Portugal’s brightest young talents and Tottenham fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of watching the Portuguese blossom under Jose Mourinho.
Pepe Reina – (Milan > Aston Villa/ loan)
Aston Villa needed to recruit someone to replace the injured Tom Heaton and boy have they done that. The experienced shot-stopper joined earlier in the month from Milan on a loan deal till the end of the season. He has already impressed Villa fans on his debut against Watford and if he maintains a high level of performance, a contract extension could be on the cards as well! He will bring with him a wealth of experience and leadership qualities that Villa will need to ensure they stay up in the Premier League
Takumi Minamino – (RB Salzburg > Liverpool/ £7.25m)
Liverpool were quick to pounce on Takumi Minamino’s paltry release fee after they scouted him throughout the first half of the season. The young Japanese impressed Liverpool scouts with encouraging performances in the Champions League against who else but Liverpool. Minamino has regularly been involved in goals throughout his time at Salzburg and it waits to be seen how Klopp plans to utilize him. If you want more insight on how he could fit into the current Liverpool system, read this feature from earlier this month.
João Pedro – (Fluminense > Watford/ £3.3m)
This does not exactly classify as a January 2020 transfer because the young Brazilian was snapped up by Watford in October 2018. If you think that’s strange, wait till you find out that he hadn’t even made his senior debut for the club he was contracted to then – Fluminense. This could either mean that the Watford scouting department have taken a huge gamble, or that he is genuinely an extremely talented young footballer. Watford are desperately looking for someone to add goals to a squad lacking a consistent finisher.
“He announced his presence in the Fluminense first team with a flurry of goals — left footers, right-footer, headers, and even a spectacular bicycle kick. But more than just goals, he showed impressive vision and build-up play.”- Tim Vickery, South American correspondent for ESPN
Joao Pedro burst on to the scene last season scoring goals left right and centre but it will still be unfair for us to judge him so early. He is a young boy who has just moved to a new country, and he will take a few months or maybe even seasons to settle down. Having said that, Pedro will give Watford fans something to look forward to in a season that has seen more downs than ups.
