The 2024 January transfer window is drawing to a close as Premier League clubs up and down the land must now hurry to get deals done before the deadline arrives. The clock is ticking down but for a lot of teams it seems as though their business has already concluded in what has been a comparatively inactive window for England’s top flight compared to years gone by. Last year the Premier League broke countless transfer records with a total spend in 2023’s January window tallying an extraordinary £800 million as clubs went into spending overdrive. There has been no such clamour to bolster squads this time round with only £55 million spent on new signings thus far at time of writing. Perhaps this is a naturally cautious response to the backlash suffered by Everton and Nottingham Forest following breaches of the Premier Leagues Profit and Sustainability Rules prohibiting all top flight clubs accumulating losses in excess of £105 million in a three-year period. After such drastic action was taken last year to ensure clubs achieved their goals last season, perhaps the common sense move to remain within PSR regulations was to put the cheque books away until the summer. That being said, there have still been enough big moves in Europe’s best league to wet the appetite. Here’s our look at the biggest transfers in the Premier League this January.
Timo Werner to Tottenham Hotspur
The German forward surprised many when signing on with Spurs not only given his history with former London rivals Chelsea, but also because of the North London’s club needs elsewhere in their squad. It was presumed that Ange Postecoglou would be in the market for a centre-back given his lack of options there both in terms of strength in depth and a long list of injuries to defenders. It was an odd move by the Aussie to bring Werner in ahead of that area but regardless, in acquiring the 27-year-old international striker he has significantly bolstered his attacking options. With over 150 goals and 80 assists in his professional career there is no doubt that the German poses a threat in front of goal. He may have struggled for form when with the Blues in his two year spell but he still managed to tally double figures for goals in each of his seasons and last made 22 goal contributions from his 40 appearances for Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig. While only a loan move to the end of the season as things stand, there is an option to buy for no more than £15.5 million should Big Ange want it; a brilliant low-risk high-reward arrangement. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement with the German struggling for gametime this season and ambitions of making EURO 2024 in the hosts’ squad, Werner will not only be given the opportunity to help his chances of reaching that tournament but also help alleviate the burden on Son Heung-Min up front.
Kalvin Phillips to West Ham
Since signing for Manchester City back in 2022 Philips has had little to no gametime as Pep Guardiola’s side went on their charge domestically and across the continent. There was no question as to why the Spaniard acquired him; he was a key player in a Leeds side that back then were playing some scintillating football under Marcelo Bielsa and was a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England side making their mark. However, in his short spell at City the midfielder has played only 380 minutes of football for the club, starting on only two occasions. While City are not short of world class midfielders to compete for Philips’ spot, it goes without saying that that is not enough time spent on the pitch to reach your full potential. At 28-years-old, if Philips doesn’t want to spend the rest of his playing career warming the bench, the time is now to make a decisive move. His loan to David Moyes’ West Ham could provide the opportunity he needs to revive his career. The London club have brought him in until the end of the season and have an option to buy should they wish to take it. Bookmakers that offer fast payouts allow betting on transfers. He seems a natural fit for Moyes’ style of football and could help fill the hole left by Declan Rice’s absence at the beginning of the season. Who knows, if he stays fit and makes an impact he may yet earn a spot on the plane to Germany this summer.
Sergio Reguilon to Brentford
Another loan signing to round off our list but a much-needed one for Thomas Frank’s side. The Bees have been tumbling down the table in the worst run of form for the club since arriving in the Premier League back in 2021. Before a vital 3-2 win over Forest, they lost five on the bounce in the Premier League landing them 14th spot on 22 points, just six points off Luton Town in the drop zone. To stop the rut the Danish head coach needs to bring in some people in January and Reguilon fits the bill for what he needs. A solid defender with invaluable experience at some of Europe’s biggest clubs is exactly the sort of experience you need in a dressing room to bring the best out of a squad. The Spaniard might have struggled for game time with recent loan moves that might require some leeway in getting up to full match fitness but he should have no such problem in West London with Frank already keen on making his move a permanent deal come the end of the season.
