Keep track of what will be a fascinating January transfer window with our tracker of the biggest moves across Europe throughout the month.
Dele Alli
Tottenham Hotspur > Everton (Undisclosed)
In March 2018, Mauricio Pochettino named Dele Alli as “The best 21-year-old footballer in the world”.
Three years later and he’s out of the team, having made just 10 appearances in the Premier League this season.
A fresh start beckons at Goodison Park and in a World Cup year, working under Frank Lampard could be crucial to force his way back into England contention.
Jermain Defoe
Free Agent > Sunderland (Free)
Having departed Ibrox with the Scottish Premiership trophy, Jermain Defoe has sealed an emotional return to the Stadium of Light.
37 goals in 93 matches during his first spell at the club, he’s joined a Sunderland side that are aiming to win promotion to the Championship at the fourth time of asking.
The veteran will provide much-needed support for Ross Stewart, who has scored 18 times in League One this season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal > Barcelona (Free)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has become a persona non grata at the Emirates after being dropped from the side in December by Mikel Arteta for disciplinary reasons.
He’s not played since, with Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette proving a capable front three in his absence.
But Auba has certainly left his mark at Arsenal. Four years to the day since signing for the Gunners, 113 G/A, an FA Cup and a Golden Boot later, he's left the Emirates for Camp Nou.
Todd Cantwell
Norwich > Bournemouth (Loan)
23 years old with 110 first-team matches under his belt, Todd Cantwell joins AFC Bournemouth on-loan until the end of the season.
A two-time Championship winner with his boyhood club Norwich, Cantwell becomes Scott Parker's latest high-profile addition as he aims to guide the Cherries back to the Premier League.
Dan Burn
Brighton & Hove Albion > Newcastle (£13m)
Newcastle continue to strengthen their back line with the signing of Dan Burn from Brighton.
In dire need of reinforcements at the back, they quickly moved for Kieran Trippier, have added Matt Targett from Aston Villa, and now have a left-footed centre-back in Burn.
At 6ft5, you imagine the former Wigan man will be a target from Trippier’s set pieces.
Aaron Ramsey
Juventus > Rangers (Loan)
In one of the most surprising moves of the window, Rangers have signed Aaron Ramsey from Juventus.
After moving to Turin on a free, Ramsey has struggled for fitness and game time, but has still managed to post impressive numbers in spite of that, registering 0.30 xA per 90 last season, the 10th highest in Serie A (min 10 90s).
Even at 31 years old, the Welshman should prove to be an excellent signing for Giovanni van Bronckhorst in his quest for a first title as Gers manager.
Giovani Lo Celso
Tottenham Hotspur > Villarreal (Loan)
Giovani Lo Celso has swapped North London for the Spanish sun once more, completing a loan move to Europa League champions Villarreal.
Unai Emery's move for the midfielder follows apparent disagreements between the Argentine and Antonio Conte.
After never living up to his £55m price tag, the former Betis man has a chance to reignite his career.
Donny Van de Beek
Manchester United > Everton (Loan)
The forgotten man at Old Trafford, Donny Van de Beek has secured a deadline-day loan move to Everton in a bid to finally get some Premier League minutes under his belt.
After making a name for himself at Ajax as a key part of the midfield which saw them reach the Champions League semi-finals, Manchester United made a £40m move for the Dutchman.
However he’s started just four league games in 18 months, and will be desperate to prove he can make an impact in England, spending the rest of the season on Merseyside.
Dejan Kulusevski
Juventus > Tottenham Hotspur (Loan)
Spurs complete a Deadline Day double swoop of Juventus talent, as the young Swede follows Rodrigo Bentancur from Turin to North London.
Capped 20 times by Sweden, the Stockholm-born winger can play across the front line, adding another dimension to an attack comprising of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Lucas Moura.
An 18-month deal has been agreed with Juventus, with the option for a £35m move on the table in 2023. Antonio Conte will be pleased to strengthen his side as the hunt for European football accelerates.
Rodrigo Bentancur
Juventus > Tottenham Hotspur (£26m)
Antonio Conte has moved to bring in Rodrigo Bentancur as his first signing as Spurs boss.
The Uruguayan has spent five seasons in Serie A, winning the Scudetto three times with the Old Lady.
He should bring a calming influence to Tottenham, anchoring the midfield and protecting the back line as Conte continues to rebuild a squad aiming for Champions League football.
Tanguy Ndombele
Tottenham > Lyon (Loan)
Tanguy Ndombele’s tumultuous time at Tottenham may have have finally come to an end as he secures a deadline-day loan back to his former club Lyon with an option to buy for €65m.
Despite difficult spells since becoming Spurs record signing in 2019, few doubt the outstanding ability the 25-year-old possesses.
Having previously made a name for himself at Lyon, Ndombele will be looking to once again find that top class form that made him one of the standout midfielders in Europe.
Julian Alvarez
River Plate > Manchester City (£17m)
After failing in the summer, Manchester City finally sign a striker with Julian Alvarez moving from River Plate, however the 21-year-old will stay in South America until at least the end of the English season.
Described by Gonzalo Higuain as the ‘complete No.9’, 2021 saw him break through with the Argentina national team, as well as scoring 20 goals in 35 league games, establishing himself as arguably the best player in the Argentine Primera Division.
Wout Weghorst
Wolfsburg > Burnley (£12m)
A hardworking target man, Wout Weghorst replaces Chris Wood, who was sold to Newcastle when they activated his release clause earlier in the transfer window.
The Dutchman is capable of bringing teammates into the game with his link-up play, and in three-and-a-half seasons with Wolfsburg, he’s scored 17, 16, 20 and six goals – 11 of which have come with his head.
At 6ft6, he should make the ideal Sean Dyche centre-forward.
Matt Targett
Aston Villa > Newcastle (Loan)
After two-and-a-half seasons at Villa Park, Matt Targett becomes Eddie Howe's fourth signing, joining Newcastle on loan until the end of the season.
With Lucas Digne's arrival earlier in the window, Targett was deemed surplus to requirements, and should step straight into the starting XI at St James' Park as Newcastle look to avoid relegation.
Christian Eriksen
Free Agent > Brentford (Free)
After suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, few could have imagined we'd see Christian Eriksen on a football pitch again, hoping simply that he'd make a full recovery.
He did just that, but was unable to play in Serie A and was released from his contract with Inter, training with former club OB in Denmark.
The 29-year-old now signs for Thomas Frank's Brentford, where he's sure to receive a fantastic reception at every ground he visits.
Luis Diaz
Porto > Liverpool (£36m)
After impressing in their Champions League game earlier this season, Liverpool have made a swift move for Luis Diaz.
The winger looked set to be joining Tottenham until Liverpool - reportedly looking to sign the 25-year-old at the end of the season - hijacked the move
A strong dribbler who likes to cut in onto his favoured right foot, the Colombian has an eye for goal - scoring 14 goals in 18 Primeira Liga games this season.
Bruno Guimaraes
Lyon > Newcastle United (£33.5m)
A pure box-to-box midfielder, Bruno Guimaraes does it all. With a superb range of passing, he can press, tackle and carry the ball upfield at will.
Breaking into the Lyon team at the start of the 2020-21 season, a Brazil call-up followed soon after.
He’s attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal over the last 18 months, but Newcastle have captured his signature, and the 24-year-old’s signing should be a huge step towards safety for Eddie Howe.
Adama Traore
Wolves > Barcelona (Loan)
One of the most exciting wingers in the Premier League, and subject to regular speculation about a move over the last couple of years, Adama Traore returns to where it all started.
After graduating from the Barcelona academy, Traore made just one La Liga appearance before being sold to Aston Villa. Limited game time saw him move to Middlesbrough for a couple of seasons before Wolves signed him in 2018.
While his detractors may tell you his skill set is limited, when it comes to beating his man and getting the ball into the area, there are few better in world football, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in at Xavi's Barcelona, who have the option to make the deal permanent for around £25m.
Dusan Vlahovic
Fiorentina > Juventus (£63m)
After much speculation about his future and reports of strong interest from Arsenal, Dusan Vlahovic has moved to Juventus.
The Serbian’s contract expired at the end of next season, and despite the offer of making him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, Vlahovic stated he wouldn’t be renewing his deal.
He’s currently tied for top scorer with Ciro Immobile on 17 goals, and will be a big boost to the Old Lady’s top-four hopes.
Robin Gosens
Atalanta > Inter (£20m)
Robins Gosens has established himself as one of the premier attacking wing-backs in Europe in recent years, though this season has seen him sit out three months with a hamstring injury.
The last two full seasons has seen the German score 19 goals and lay on 13 assists in Serie A (none of which were penalties or free-kicks) as Atalanta have become fixtures in the top four.
He’s also established himself in the German national team, where he impressed at Euro 2020, winning Man of the Match against Portugal, and will be an excellent addition to Simone Inzaghi’s side.
Anthony Martial
Manchester United > Sevilla (Loan)
After an excellent 2019-20 where he contributed to 23 league goals - scoring a career-best 17 - Anthony Martial’s form dropped alarmingly the season after, contributing to just seven goals before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
He was unable to recover his place in the starting line-up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick, and heads to Spain in a bid to recapture his form, with his long-term future likely to be decided in the summer.
David Neres
Ajax > Shakhtar Donetsk (£11m)
Part of the Ajax team that reached the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League, moves to Ukraine looking to recapture his old form.
2019 also saw Neres break into the Brazil team and be the subject of a £37m bid from Guangzhou Evergrande.
He started the 2019-20 season strongly, but having suffered a serious knee injury in November that year, the winger has struggled to hit the heights that saw him score 26 goals across his first two full campaigns with Ajax.
Anwar El-Ghazi
Aston Villa > Everton (Loan)
Despite falling out of favour in the West Midlands, Anwar El Ghazi has been instrumental for Aston Villa in recent years.
Since joining Villa in 2018, El Ghazi has registered 20 goals for the club. His Premier League goal record (15 goals) makes him Villa's 20th best goalscorer in the Premier League era.
In spite of his impressive goal record, El Ghazi has only made four Premier League starts this season and none of these have been under new Villa boss, Steven Gerrard.
Chris Wood
Burnley > Newcastle (Undisclosed)
Hitting double figures in each of his last four Premier League seasons with Burnley, Chris Wood joins their relegation rivals Newcastle as their second signing of what's sure to be a busy transfer window on Tyneside.
With Callum Wilson set for a spell on the sidelines and Newcastle discovering a buyout clause in Wood's contract, the Magpies have moved quickly to bolster their front line.
Prior to the season, Wood was averaging a goal contribution every 2.4 games for Burnley, and Eddie Howe will be hoping for something similar for the rest of the season to help steer Newcastle away from safety.
Lucas Digne
Everton > Aston Villa (£25m)
One of the Premier League's most productive full-backs in recent years, Lucas Digne makes the switch to Aston Villa after three-and-a-half years with Everton.
Registering a goal or assist every 4.5 games in his first three seasons at Goodison Park, the Frenchman has been deployed in a more conservative role under Rafa Benitez, and has failed to contribute to a single goal this season.
Digne asked to leave in January, with the club announcing the signing of Vitaliy Mykolenko earlier in the window, and he becomes the second arrival at Villa Park following Philippe Coutinho.
Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona > Aston Villa (loan)
Featured in the 2015 PFA Team of the Year, Phillipe Coutinho had established himself as not just one of Liverpool’s, but one of the Premier League’s best players as Brendan Rodgers’ reign came to an end and Jurgen Klopp’s got underway.
A club-record transfer to Barcelona followed, and despite two La Liga titles in 18 months, he’d failed to win over the fans, unable to replicate his performances from Anfield. A loan move to Bayern Munich saw him recapture some of his best form, and Steven Gerrard will be looking for more of the same between now and the end of the season, with Villa eyeing a top-half finish.
Axel Tuanzebe
Manchester United > Napoli (loan)
Alex Tuanzebe featured sporadically for Manchester United over the last couple of years while he’s been at the club, but despite impressing in his limited appearances, has been unable to lock down a place in the squad.
He was part of the Aston Villa side promoted to the Premier League in 2019, however he’s struggled for regular gametime at Villa Park following his most recent loan move this season, and heads to Napoli in search of more regular top-level football.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Arsenal > Roma (loan)
After breaking into the Arsenal starting XI under Arsene Wenger and remaining there under Unai Emery, Ainsley Maitland-Niles found himself sidelined and shipped out on loan to West Brom under Mikel Arteta.
Having lost his place with Arsenal - and England - despite his versatility, Maitland-Niles made a public plea via Instagram to leave the club in the summer. Finally getting his wish, AMN moves to the Italian capital until the end of the season.
Kieran Trippier
Atletico Madrid > Newcastle (£13m)
The first signing of the new era on Tyneside sees Kieran Trippier join Newcastle from Atletico Madrid after helping them to their first La Liga title since 2014.
Thought so highly of by Diego Simeone, El Cholo accommodated him in a 3-5-2 system last season, as he contributed 10 assists in his two full campaigns at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The first priority for Eddie Howe will be to bolster the backline as they fight to stave off relegation, and the former Bournemouth manager will be hoping Trippier can contribute at both ends of the pitch.
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La Liga: Morata may become latest to cross the Real-Barca border
Vitaliy Mykolenko
Dynamo Kyiv > Everton (£19m)
One of the most promising full-backs in Europe, Rafa Benitez moved early in the window to secure the signature of 22-year-old Ukrainian left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko.
The signing appears to confirm the end of Lucas Digne’s spell at the club, with the Frenchman linked to a number of clubs in the Premier League after signalling his desire to leave.
Kacper Kozlowski
Pogon Szczecin > Brighton (£10m)
The youngest player to play at a European Championship, Brighton & Hove Albion have secured the signature of Poland midfielder, Kacper Kozlowski.
The 18-year-old has joined from Pogon Szczecin for £8m, but will go straight on loan to Royale Union St-Gilloise, currently top of the Belgian Pro League.
10 of Graham Potter’s last 14 signings at Brighton have been players under the age of 24, and he will be delighted to have beaten the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan, Liverpool and RB Leipzig to the Pole’s signature.
Nathan Patterson
Rangers > Everton (£12m)
A signing that may have raised eyebrows considering the fee and amount of experience of the player in question, but Nathan Patterson is a hugely promising talent who is set to be the long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman.
He’s started 15 Scottish Premiership games, only denied more game time by the indispensability of James Tavernier, but the 20-year-old is dangerous going forward and should only get better with more opportunities and playing at a higher level of football - hence the five-and-a-half-year contract.
Jonathan Ikone
Lille > Fiorentina (£20m)
A Ligue 1 winner with Lille last season, Jonathan Ikoné has joined Serie A side Fiorentina for a fee of £12.6m.
The Frenchman’s move will see former club Paris Saint-Germain receive 50% of the fee as part of the sell-on clause in his 2018 transfer to northern France.
Ikoné, 23, will be hoping to recapture his 2020-21 form and will look to form an instant connection with the highly-rated Dušan Vlahović in Florence - assuming the Serb doesn't secure a move of his own in January.
Ricardo Pepi
Dallas > Augsburg (£15m)
Named MLS Young Player of the Year in 2021 and included in the MLS All-Star XI, Ricardo Pepi put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
Despite attracting transfer interest from the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Ajax, the USMNT star opted to join Augsburg, who sit just one place above the relegation play-off spot in the Bundesliga.
The transfer made Pepi, 18, the most expensive American MLS player to sign for a European club, the most expensive transfer Augsburg’s history, and the second most expensive player ever to transfer from MLS to a European league.
Ferran Torres
Manchester City > Barcelona (£50m)
After a debut season which saw him heavily rotated, yet contributing to nine Premier League goals across 24 appearances, Ferran Torres looked to establish himself in a new role as Manchester City’s centre-forward this season.
Torres started well, scoring five goals in seven games, but was rather abruptly dropped before suffering a broken foot in October. His goal against Wycombe in the EFL Cup was to be his last action in a City shirt as he seeks guaranteed first-team football, offered to him by Barcelona.
Though it remains to be seen when Torres will make his first appearance in a Barca shirt; their financial situation and the La Liga salary cap two stumbling blocks.
Daryl Dike
Orlando City > West Bromwich Albion (£7.5m)
After a successful loan spell at Barnsley where he helped to fire the club to the Championship play-offs with nine goals in 19 games, Daryl Dike teams up with previous head coach Valerien Ismael at West Bromwich Albion.
The USMNT star, 21, put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract at The Hawthorns and will add much-needed firepower to the Baggies’ attack as they look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
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