Tor-Kristian Karlsen, ESPNFeb 2, 2024, 03:00 AM ET
The 2024 January transfer window did not reach the heights of the summer, or even the previous January, as clubs around Europe did little business.
While England’s Premier League teams spent a record €2.79 billion during the summer window and €842 million in January 2023, Transfermarkt reveals that figure to be around €121m this month.
In Europe’s other top leagues, it was a similar story. It is fair to say the transfer bubble has burst due to new financial regulations and a lack of available options.
Indeed, in France’s Ligue 1 (€192m), Italy’s Serie A (€101m), Germany’s Bundesliga (€82m) and Spain’s LaLiga (€86m) clubs also spent less. And Saudi Arabia’s Pro League dropped from summer deals totalling €949m to just €23m in January.
So, despite the general lack of business, who did well? And who did poorly?
Despite failing in their quest to land a defensive midfielder, the German champions still enjoyed a positive window. The signing of right-back Sacha Boey is particularly exciting, as the 23-year-old has been solid for Galatasaray since joining the club in 2021 and impressed in the Champions League. Defensively tidy, consistent and enthusiastic going forward, the €30m new arrival should boost Bayern’s right flank considerably.
The capture of Eric Dier, on an initial loan from Tottenham, also offers coach Thomas Tuchel experience and versatility at the back. As a bonus, Bayern also managed to fast track the signing of Granada winger Bryan Zaragoza — his €15m arrival was already agreed for the summer — right before the deadline.
