Transfer deadline day: What to expect as January 2022 window shuts

News Express |31st Jan 2022 | 995

Will Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Rodrigo Bentancur, Jesse Lingard and Aaron Ramsey be on the move?

Premier League clubs are preparing for what could be one of the busiest transfer deadline days in recent years, with January spending already far above last year.

The deadline in Europe’s major leagues is on Monday, with the English top flight and Football League windows closing at 23:00 GMT.

Premier League clubs have spent about £195m going into deadline day, compared with £70m at the end of January 2021.

So when exactly is the deadline around Europe, who has already moved, what could happen and how can you follow it?

What could happen?

Newcastle United, who became one of the world's richest clubs after their Saudi Arabia-backed takeover in October, could stay busy as they attempt to build a team that can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Manager Eddie Howe has agreed the signing ofBrightondefenderDan Burnfor £13m, which will take their January spending to almost £90m. The Magpies have been linked with a string of other players includingAston Villaleft-back Matt Targett andArsenalstriker Eddie Nketiah.

Several Premier League teams, includingNewcastle, wantJesse Lingard- butManchester Unitedare reluctant to let him leave.

Tottenham Hotspurare hoping to make their first signings since Antonio Conte took over, having been frustrated by several deals falling through. They are working on deals for twoJuventusplayers - Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and Sweden wingerDejan Kulusevski.

AnotherJuveplayer has been linked with the Premier League, withNewcastle,Burnley,Everton,Crystal PalaceandLeeds Unitedall reported to be interested in Wales midfielderAaron Ramsey.

Arsenalcaptain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has not played since early December, is a reported loan target forBarcelona.

Manchester UnitedmidfielderDonny van de Beekhas agreed to joinFrank Lampard'sEvertonon loan, but the deal has not yet been confirmed, while centre-backPhil Joneshas had talks with Ligue 1 sideBordeauxover a temporary move.

Manchester Cityare expected to confirm a deal for 21-year-oldRiver PlatestrikerJulian Alvarez, although he is then set to return to the Argentine club on loan.

Other potential moves could seeTanguy Ndombele(Lyon, PSG),Japhet Tanganga(AC Milan) or Dele Alli leaveSpurs.

Brentfordare also trying to sign free agentChristian Eriksen, whileJuventus'former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has also been rumoured for a potential return to the Premier League.

Paris St-Germainhave agreed terms withBarcelonaforwardOusmane Dembele,24, which could spark a move by the Spanish club for Morata, Aubameyang or PSG's Mauro Icardi.

What has happened so far?

Liverpoolmade the biggest signing of the window in England on Sunday, withPorto's Colombia wingerLuis Diazjoining in a deal worth 45m euros (£37.5m), with a further 15m euros (£12.5m) in potential bonuses.

Newcastlehave already sealedLyon's Brazilian midfielderBruno Guimaraesfor £35m with £6.6m in add-ons,BurnleystrikerChris Woodfor £25m andAtletico Madridand England right-backKieran Trippierfor £12m.

There have been four other Premier League signings worth £10m or more.

Aston VillasignedEvertonleft-backLucas Dignefor £25m, whileEvertonbought two defenders for a combined £27m -Rangers'Nathan PattersonandDynamo Kyiv'sVitalii Mykolenko.

Wolvesmade the loan signing ofRB LeipzigforwardHwang Hee-chanpermanent for £14m.

The biggest signing in Europe came whenJuventussignedFiorentinaforwardDusan Vlahovic- who had been a target for several Premier League sides - for an initial £58m.

Aston Villa,BrentfordandSouthamptonall signed goalkeepers on loans or as free agents, whileWatfordbrought in five relatively unknown players - Edo Kayembe, Samir, Hassane Kamara, Maduka Okoye and Samuel Kalu.

Villaalso signedArsenaldefenderCalum Chamberson a free transfer.

Notable loan deals sawVillatakeBarcelona'sPhilippe Coutinhoand sendAnwar El GhazitoEverton, whileWolvessigned Portugal Under-21 wingerChiquinhofromEstorilfor £3m.

Two players to leave the Premier League for La Liga on loan wereAdama Traore(WolvestoBarcelona) andAnthony Martial(Manchester UnitedtoSevilla), whileUnitedloanedAmad DiallotoRangers.