Clubs re-focus after transfer frenzy
PREMIER League managers are turning their focus back onto the pitch after a frantic January transfer window as the top clubs jostle for Champions League positions and struggling sides battle to secure safety.
Clubs spent a record £430-million (R7.3-billion) last month -- nearly double the previous record of £225-million (R3.8billion), according to accountancy firm Deloitte.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival headlines major changes at Arsenal, Manchester United beat local rivals Manchester City to the signing of Alexis Sanchez and Virgil van Dijk and Aymeric Laporte became the two most expensive defenders in history after joining Liverpool and City.
Arsenal departed from their usual cautious transfer policy, bringing in Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United in exchange for Sanchez, who had just six months left on his contract.
Just as crucial to Arsenal’s prospects was tying down playmaker Mesut Ozil to a bumper new 3½-year contract on deadline day.
The signing of two former Dortmund stars hints at wider changes at the club hot on the heels of the appointment of new chief scout Sven Mislintat, who also brought both players to the German giants in 2013.
Chelsea benefited from the clear-out at Arsenal, signing Olivier Giroud.
The French international, 31, split opinion in his 5½ years with the Gunners, where he was capable of spectacular goals but struggled to convince Arsene Wenger he was worth a permanent starting berth.
However, he is exactly what Conte sought as an alternative to Alvaro Morata up front, with the out-of-favour Michy Batshuayi shipped out to Dortmund on loan.
United may not have spent a penny in transfer fees, but committed to reportedly the biggest contract in English football history by tying down Sanchez for the next 4½ years.
This was a small crumb of comfort for the red side of Manchester, with Pep Guardiola’s men romping towards the Premier League title.
City reinforced at the back with a clubrecord signing of Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for £57-million (R962-million).
Crucially, both Sanchez and Laporte are free to play in the Champions League, with both sides of the Manchester divide eyeing European glory.
Despite slumping into the bottom three, Southampton were one of few sides to end January in the black after their windfall for Van Dijk, with Argentine striker Guido Carrillo’s move from Monaco their only major move.
Bottom-of-the-table West Brom have pinned their hopes of survival on a return to form for Daniel Sturridge after he sealed a six-month loan deal from Liverpool.
Newcastle United were also forced to turn to a flurry of last-minute loan deals for Kenedy, Islam Slimani and Martin Dubravka. – AFP