Stade de Reims: B+
Wolves: B+
Centre-backs come in vastly different forms, and it’s safe to say Agbadou is of the more active type. He racks up tackles, interceptions, duels won and clearances willingly, showcasing good strength and an ability to do a bit of everything. Stylistically, think similar to Chelsea’s Axel Disasi.
Wolves are badly in need of central defensive help, so Agbadou looks like a plug-and-play signing who immediately lifts them. The fact he’s spent 2½ years in Ligue 1 is a bonus there, as players tend to translate very effectively from France to England. Both teams should come away happy enough with the fee exchanged.
Jan. 7
Lanús: B+
Bournemouth: A
It should come as no surprise to see Bournemouth hit the market for a left-back, given their current incumbent, Milos Kerkez, is so highly thought of by the world’s top teams. This looks a lot like the Cherries are planning ahead, which is undoubtedly smart.
Lanús have a reputation for developing stellar full-back talent and Soler will now be managed by a very good former full-back in Andoni Iraola. The 19-year-old’s game is packed with energy and aggression and he’s already on the cusp of the Argentina national team. This feels like a match made in heaven. The initial fee looks a little low for such an established prospect, but the deal could rise to £11.5m if targets are hit — that would be a Lanús club-record fee.
Jan. 5
Slavia Prague: A
Spurs: B+
Guglielmo Vicario’s injury this season made clear how short Spurs had left themselves in the goalkeeper department. As a backup, Fraser Forster ticks the veteran box, but doesn’t actually suit Ange Postecoglou’s ball-playing system.
That makes 21-year-old Kinsky one for the future, but also one for the now, too. He’s been praised for his long distribution and ability to use both feet, which will lead to some early opportunities to stake his claim. His first game in the Carabao Cup vs. Liverpool worked out pretty well.
Gangwon FC: B
Spurs: A
Tottenham beat a host of competition to sign Yang, the freshly crowned Korean League Young Player of the Year. He joins the club that South Korean compatriot and idol Son Heung-Min has made so famous in his nation — something that perhaps made Spurs the most likely destination all along.
The fee isn’t an awful lot for a Premier League side to stake on potential, so from Tottenham’s perspective this is low-risk, high-reward business. His 12 goals and six assists last season suggest there’s plenty of potential to be moulded. It may seem to be a paltry fee for Gangwon, but the perception in South Korea is that this is a strong return.
Inter Miami: C+
Brighton: B+
Gómez has moved from Paraguay, to MLS, to the Premier League in the space of just 18 months, with Brighton happy to strike early for the potential he’s quickly shown. There’s always been a rough rule of thumb in football that any player Lionel Messi clearly enjoys playing with is likely a quality one — so Gómez’s on-pitch connection with the Argentina legend at Inter Miami speaks volumes.
Miami have described the fee received as “among the most expensive outbound transfers in MLS history,” but when compared to previous deals it’s tough to shake the feeling that it’s a little on the low side.
