The January transfer deadline window passed without the need for everyone to lose their collective minds over a deal like Karim Benzema to Burnley or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to PSG, Manchester City, Arsenal or any of the other clubs he really likes.
OFFICIAL: Marko Arnautovic shuts the January transfer window.
( @SoccerAM)pic.twitter.com/d2zkg3GjKW— SPORF (@Sporf) January 31, 2017
The fond memories we have of Chelsea splashing to cash for Fernando Torres and Liverpool going all in for Andy Carroll have been replaced by a new narrative: the money of the Chinese Super League.
For the first time ever, Premier League clubs actually recorded a profit in January. With Real Madrid banned from this window and Barcelona only investing in their B-squad’s push for promotion, Spain spent next to nothing.
Juventus invested in youth in Serie A, and the story out of the Bundesliga was Borussia Dortmund signing ‘the next Ibrahimovic’. Strangely, this window was dominated by China and France.
Chinese club Shanghai SIPG payed £60 million for Chelsea’s Oscar on December 23, and Watford striker Odion Ighalo, scorer of one EPL goal in 18 appearances this year, was purchased by Changchun Yatai for £20 million.
France were the surprise heavy hitters in Europe during this window, Marseille landed West Ham’s legend-turned-villain Dimitri Payet (£25 million), Lyon captured the latest player to fail in Manchester United’s famed No. 7 shirt, Memphis Depay (£15m) and PSG, sitting third in the Ligue 1 table, tried to kick-start their season by spending big on Julian Draxler (£30m) and Benfica’s Goncalo Guedes (£25 million).
Finally, it’s over. But the Chinese transfer window doesn’t close until February 28, so it’s not over. Will Ashley Young transfer to Shandong Luneng for £50 million? Stay tuned.
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