Transfer Deadline Day 2022: Tracking Biggest Deals on Final Day of January Window
January 31, 2022
It's the final day of the January transfer window, which means the rumors and news reports are coming in hot and furious.
Below, we'll track the biggest developing stories around Europe as Monday progresses.
Aubameyang Reportedly Headed to Barcelona on a Free
One of the storylines of Arsenal's season has been the fallout with former team captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Now, per multiple reports, the striker's time in north London is coming to a close and he'll be headed to Barcelona on a free transfer:
David Ornstein @David_Ornstein🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona have verbal agreement with Arsenal (subject to contract) to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on 6 months + 1 year deal that, if completed, will bring his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFC</a> career to an end. Medical to take place tonight <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthleticUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthleticUK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBarcelona?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBarcelona</a> <a href="https://t.co/4wXWdGSNB8">https://t.co/4wXWdGSNB8</a>
John Cross @johncrossmirrorAubameyang set to join Barcelona on a free transfer. Unlikely to be fee involved as Arsenal will make huge saving on his £350,000-a-week wages. Barcelona will fund the whole package. May not be announced until late on. Note <a href="https://twitter.com/MirrorFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MirrorFootball</a>
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoPierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently undergoing medical tests in Barcelona while board’s working on details of the deal. 🩺🔴 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCB</a><br><br>Final stages of the negotiation while Arsenal have been guaranteed that “the deal will be completed”. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeadlineDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeadlineDay</a>
While supporters tired of the saga surrounding the 32-year-old will be glad to see him go and his wages off the books, Arsenal's failure to add reinforcements at his position will raise more than few eyebrows.
The Gunners' lone move Monday was adding defender Auston Trusty, who will join in the summer:
Colorado Rapids @ColoradoRapids𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Auston Trusty is set to join <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Arsenal</a> this summer. <br><br>From your entire <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rapids96?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rapids96</a> family, congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/austheboss3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@austheboss3</a>! <br> <br>📝: <a href="https://t.co/PXQzLac5Bq">https://t.co/PXQzLac5Bq</a> <a href="https://t.co/c7ctIHM6e6">pic.twitter.com/c7ctIHM6e6</a>
But the club's failure to bolster its attack, as it looks to mount a push for the top four and a return to Europe, will be seen as a tactical blunder.
Mbappe Reportedly Agrees to Sign With Real Madrid in the Summer
According to a report from Bild, Mbappe has an agreement in place to join Los Blancos after the 2021-22 season on a free transfer:
That's right—one of the best players in the world reportedly will leave PSG on a free. If the Parisians don't win the Champions League title this season, it has the potential to go down as one of the worst pieces of business in football history after Real Madrid reportedly offered PSG $208 million for the player before the season.
Now, Los Blancos appear set to get the player without dipping into their war chest.
Juventus Keep Making Moves; Tottenham Swap Midfielders
The Italian giants are having a huge window, having already landed exciting young forward Dusan Vlahovic.
But Juventus continued its roster reshape Monday, bringing in midfielder Denis Zakaria while allowing attacking midfielder Aaron Ramsey to leave on loan to Rangers, per journalist Fabrizio Romano:
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoOfficial and confirmed. Denis Zakaria joins Juventus on a permanent move from Borussia Moenchengladbach. €5m plus €3m add ons fee. Contracts sealed and signed. 🤝⚪️⚫️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeadlineDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeadlineDay</a><br><br>Borussia Moenchengladbach confirm the deal with an official statement.
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoAaron Ramsey from Juventus to Rangers, done deal and here we go! Agreement on loan with buy option. Ramsey will sign in the coming hours. 🏴🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rangers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rangers</a><br><br>Rangers will cover part of Ramsey’s salary. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeadlineDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeadlineDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/c4xEiZKcHQ">pic.twitter.com/c4xEiZKcHQ</a>
Ramsey wasn't the only departure for Juve on Monday, as midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur signed with Tottenham on a permanent deal and Dejan Kulusevski was allowed to join Spurs on loan with the option to buy:
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoOfficial and confirmed. Rodrigo Bentancur joins Tottenham on a permanent deal, statement confirms. ⚪️🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THFC</a><br><br>Juventus will receive €19m plus €6m add ons, as previously reported here. Boca Juniors will receive 30% of this deal.
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoDejan Kulusevski-Spurs deal details ⚪️⤵️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THFC</a><br><br>▪️ €10m loan fee for one year and half loan;<br><br>▪️ Obligation to buy for €35m under certain conditions [UCL/appearences];<br><br>▪️ Buy option clause available for €35m.<br><br>Potential €35m clause would be paid in five installments.
To cover for those moves, Tottenham allowed Tanguy Ndombele to return to Lyon on loan with an option to buy, and polarizing midfielder Dele Alli is reportedly heading to Everton to link up with new manager Frank Lampard:
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoOfficial and confirmed. Tanguy Ndombele joins OL on loan from Tottenham, including buy option not mandatory for €65m. 🔴🔵 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OL</a><br><br>OL will also cover part of the salary of Ndombele. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/kTVFRuF1dj">pic.twitter.com/kTVFRuF1dj</a>
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoEverton and Tottenham are now signing contracts for Dele Alli deal. Here we go confirmed 🔵🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFC</a><br><br>Details: free transfer, €12m after 20 games and bonuses for next years.<br><br>It could reach €35/40m but of course depends on Dele/team performances.<br><br>📲 More: <a href="https://t.co/75Kv13B4Bq">https://t.co/75Kv13B4Bq</a> <a href="https://t.co/hq1sW3XqE9">pic.twitter.com/hq1sW3XqE9</a>
Matt Law @Matt_Law_DTDele Alli move to Everton from Tottenham agreed. Set to be an initial free transfer with Everton paying £10m once he has played 20 games. Two and a half year deal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/efc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#efc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thfc</a>
It was a busy day in Turin and north London—and justifiably so. Juventus is fifth in Serie A, 11 points off leaders Inter Milan but just a point behind fourth-place Atalanta. Reworking its roster as its fight for a Champions League berth is key.
Tottenham, meanwhile, find itself seventh in the Premier League but just two points off Manchester United in fourth and with two games in hand. Spurs smartly have made big changes to the roster for Antonio Conte as he looks to propel the team to the Champions League.
Julian Alvarez Signs with Man City, Will Join in the Summer
Manchester City officially landed its latest forward:
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoOfficial and finally confirmed. Julián Álvarez joins Manchester City from River Plate for €17m plus €1.5m add ons, bonuses and taxes. 🔵🕸 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCFC</a><br><br>Álvarez will remain with River Plate at least until the summer. Contract to 2027. <a href="https://t.co/pWfPwxbUIw">pic.twitter.com/pWfPwxbUIw</a>
Alvarez, 22, can play as either a central striker or a winger, giving him the sort of versatility that Pep Guardiola prefers. In 2021, he scored 20 goals for River Plate in 35 Argentine Primera Division appearances while winning the league title.
Other Signings and Reports of Note
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoOfficial and confirmed. Donny van de Beek joins Everton from Man United on loan: “I had a really positive meeting with the new coach. We have the same ideas about football and he had a lot of influence on my decision”. 🔵🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFC</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/IhiiPUgPhc">pic.twitter.com/IhiiPUgPhc</a>
Rangers Football Club @RangersFC🆕 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RangersFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RangersFC</a> are delighted to announce the loan signing of <a href="https://twitter.com/Cymru?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cymru</a> international midfielder <a href="https://twitter.com/aaronramsey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aaronramsey</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/juventusfc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@juventusfc</a> until the end of the season.<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/W444lJrdyP">https://t.co/W444lJrdyP</a> <a href="https://t.co/8fR8Rqa0OL">pic.twitter.com/8fR8Rqa0OL</a>
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoFabio Carvalho to Liverpool, agreement in place for total fee around €10m after 2 hours meeting tonight. Five year deal ready for Carvalho. 🔴🇵🇹 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LFC</a><br><br>Time to prepare paperworks and sign before midnight then… here we go. He’ll stay at Fulham on loan. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeadlineDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeadlineDay</a>
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomanoGiovani Lo Celso to Villarreal, done deal and here we go! Total agreement reached between Tottenham and Villarreal on loan. 🟡 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Villarreal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Villarreal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeadlineDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeadlineDay</a><br><br>Unai Emery was key for Lo Celso to turn down OL move and join Villarreal. It’s done. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/2S8e5WdYBM">pic.twitter.com/2S8e5WdYBM</a>
The January transfer window officially closes for most European leagues on Monday night. The windows for the Premier League and La Liga each close at 6 p.m. ET.