The winter transfer window was a rather underwhelming one for fans of permanent transfers, with loan deals taking preference over permanent transfers. Here, we take a look at some of the transfer window’s biggest winners and losers.
Winner: AC Milan
The Rossoneri managed to sign Mario Mandzukic, Fikayo Tomori and Soualiho Meite, with the latter two joining the team on loan with the option to make the switch permanent. Mateo Musacchio was released and joined Lazio on a free transfer whereas Andrea Conti was loaned out to Parma. Teenage centre-forward Lorenzo Colombo was loaned out to Parma, capping off another successful transfer window for the Serie A club.
Winner: Arsenal
The Gunners managed to get the hefty wages of Mesut Ozil off their books, and also terminated the contract of Sokratis Papasthathopulous, as well as Shkodran Mustafi, who joined Olympiacos and Schalke respectively. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Seas Kolasinac, Joe Willock and William Saliba were loaned out to West Brom, Schalke, Newcastle and Nice respectively.
The arrivals of Martin Odegaard and Matthew Ryan makes Arsenal arguably the biggest winners of the winter transfer window.
Loser: Dele Alli
Once heralded as the future of the Tottenham midfield, Dele Alli has had a serious falling out with the club and has seen his playing time drastically reduced under Jose Mourinho. PSG were rumoured to be in the race for signing the player on loan but were unable to settle on a deal with Spurs, resulting in the player facing another six months on the bench.
Winner: Liverpool
With all three of their senior centre-backs out for the season with injuries, Liverpool managed to play their cards well and sign Ozan Kabak on an initial from Schalke, alongside Ben Davies from Preston North End for a fee worth €4 million. The Reds are potentially sorted till the end of the season, and have dealt with their centre-back problems for under €5 million, which caps off another outstanding transfer window performance for the Premier League champions.
