Paris (AFP)
The winter transfer window, with a strong Scandinavian accent after the transfers of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland and Christian Eriksen, will perhaps be tinged with a South American touch if Edinson Cavani managed to join Atlético Madrid, by Friday at midnight.
- England: Manchester United takes out the checkbook -
If the European champion Liverpool contented himself with the Japanese striker Takumi Minamino (Salzburg), Tottenham was active in both directions.
On the one hand, coach José Mourinho has trimmed, with Eriksen (Inter Milan) and defender Kyle Walker (on loan to Southampton). On the other, the long absence of his striker Harry Kane forced him to reinforce his attack with the Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn (PSV) and the Portuguese midfielder Gedson Fernandes (on loan from Benfica). The Spurs have also exercised the option to buy Giovani Lo Celso.
Another London club, Chelsea have not gone mad despite the lifting of their recruitment ban. Often in departure rumors, Olivier Giroud is still part of the Blues squad, despite his non-existent playing time.
On the Manchester side, United released the checkbook for the Portuguese Bruno Fernandes, 25-year-old attacking midfielder for Sporting¨Portugal. According to the Lisbon club, the amount of the transfer amounts to 55 million euros, to which can add up to an additional 25 million euros - the highest amount for this winter transfer window 2020.
- Germany: the Haaland bargain -
Dortmund did not have to spend as much to make the big hit of the winter, by offering RB Salzburg 19-year-old striker Erling Haaland for 20 M EUR. The Norwegian has already scored five goals in his first two Bundesliga games, a record.
Leipzig, also on the spot, caught up by hitting Spanish forward Dani Olmo (Dinamo Zagreb), European Hopes champion, for the same amount. Another promising player, French defender Jean-Clair Todibo was loaned by Barça to Schalke 04.
Among the top players, Bayern Munich have strengthened to face a cascade of injuries, with the Spanish defender Alvaro Odriozola, on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.
Hertha Berlin signed Lucas Tousart for 25 M EUR, but lent him to Lyon until the end of the season.
In terms of departures, the most notable is that of international Julian Weigl, who is leaving Dortmund for Benfica Lisbon, for 20 M EUR and a contract until 2024.
- Spain: Cavani in the waiting room -
Atlético Madrid will he finally recruit Edinson Cavani? The Uruguayan striker, who became a replacement for Paris SG, said he wanted to join the capital but "Colchoneros" and Parisians could not find an agreement.
The agitation around Diego Simeone's club contrasts with the calm seen at Real and Barça. The merengue club preferred to bet on the long term, by recruiting the Brazilian nugget Reinier (18 years old) in Flamengo for around 30 M EUR until 2026.
For the Barcelona rival, the arrival of Quique Setién on the bench was not accompanied by any major upheaval in the workforce.
The most active club was undoubtedly Seville FC, which signed the Moroccan center-forward Youssef En-Nesyri (Leganés) for EUR 20 million, and the Spanish midfielder Suso, on loan from AC Milan.
Valladolid, 16th in Liga, attempted a blow by seducing Hatem Ben Arfa, free since his departure from Rennes last summer. A true globetrotter of French and English football, the 32-year-old striker will try to bounce back in the club of former Brazilian glory Ronaldo.
- Italy: movement in Milan -
In Italy, it’s in Milan. The most spectacular blow was succeeded by AC Milan, with the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Defender Simon Kjaer (Atalanta) also arrived, but there were many departures to ease the finances of the Lombard club. Pepe Reina left for Aston Villa, Mattia Caldara for Atalanta and Suso for Seville. Krzysztof Piatek could sign him at Herta Berlin.
Inter has also been very active. To believe in the title to the end, Antonio Conte chose Eriksen, who arrived for EUR 20 million to give more creativity to the midfielder. Ashley Young (Manchester United) and Moses (Chelsea) also joined the Nerazzurri.
Juventus remained very calm while Naples registered some reinforcements, as much to try to save this season as to start to prepare the next one (Demme, Lobotka, Politano or Petagna, which will arrive in June).
Roma, not very rich, chose young people. Roger Ibanez (Atalanta) has arrived and Carles Perez (Barcelona) and Gonzalo Villar (Elche) are expected to join him. Captain Alessandro Florenzi, in need of playing time, should be loaned to Valencia. Poorly classified, the Fiorentina made a big financial effort (18 M) to repatriate the striker Patrick Cutrone, in check at Wolverhampton.
CPB-STT-PvE-jta / ah / lab
© 2020 AFP