What Important Moves Have EPL Clubs Made This Month?
While it is well known and accepted that groundbreaking deals generally don’t take place in the January window, it is still an important chance for clubs to improve, bring in some reinforcements in light of injuries and offload some of the fringe members of their squad.
Today we take a look at the Premier League transfers that have taken place so far during this January window. It’s important to know that not all deals will be mentioned here, but rather the ones involving players who are more likely to make an impact during the rest of the 2024/25 campaign, whether through the part they play for their club or through their absence.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s team has now welcomed Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen for a reported fee of £19m, plus an additional £2.5m in bonuses.
The Dutchman is a former Arsenal youth player who has scored 13 goals for Dortmund in the Bundesliga last season and helped the German team reach the Champions League final.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have signed Argentine left-back Julio Soler from Lanus for an initial fee of about £6.6m.
The deal for the 19-year-old, who the Cherries say has signed “a long-term contract”, could eventually be worth about £11.5m if all add-on clauses are met.
Simon Francis, Bournemouth’s technical director, said: “Julio is another talented young player who arrives highly sought after and we are pleased to have added him to our squad.
“With the way Andoni [Iraola] and his staff improve exciting prospects, we look forward to seeing Julio’s progress with us.”
This can also be seen as a move made in preparation for the departure of Milos Kerkez, who has been attracting interest from the division’s biggest sides with his performances this season.
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner’s Eagles will be without Trevoh Chalobah for the remainder of the season, as he has been recalled from loan by his parent club Chelsea.
This must be seen as a setback for Palace, as the 25-year-old defender made 14 appearances for them this season and scored three goals.
Ipswich Town
Kieran McKenna’s team have brought in two reinforcements so far and both have the potential to be impactful in their quest to stay in the Premier League.
26-year-old defender Ben Godfrey has joined the Tractor Boys from Atalanta on a loan deal until the end of the season. “I can’t wait to meet the lads and get started,” said Godfrey, who earned two England caps in 2021. “I have really enjoyed speaking to the manager and to have the opportunity to work under him now is something I’m very excited about.”
The other incoming player is Jaden Philogene, who arrives at Portman Road from Aston Villa on a permanent transfer, with the fee understood to be around £20m. The 22-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Tottenham
Spurs have signed Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky for a rumoured fee of £12.5m from Slavia Prague. His contract will be running until the summer of 2031.
The 21-year-old has already made his debut for Ange Postecoglou’s side in their FA Cup match against Tamworth and has had a baptism of fire in yesterday’s North London Derby as well.
Wolves
Vitor Pereira’s first signing in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers is Reims centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou. The 27-year-old transfer is reported to be worth £16.6m, while his contract will run for four-and-a-half years, with an extension option for another 12 months.
“Emmanuel’s a winner and he’s driven,” said Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs. “After the journey he’s had, he’s still unbelievably hungry. He’s the type of player the Wolves fans should love, because you’re going to get absolutely everything he’s got.
“When Vitor came in, it was the first conversation we had. To add one quickly. There are so many games in January, so you can’t afford to waste a month. We have to use this month to be as efficient as possible, and we’re really excited about this signing.”