The January transfer window saw a huge sum spent by clubs in the Premier League, albiet Chelsea made up a significant proportion of that total. But here are some of the biggest signings that didn’t happen in January…
MUDRYK TO ARSENAL
In one of the biggests stories of the transfer window, Mykhailo Mudryk’s proposed move to Premier League leaders Arsenal was hijacked by their London rivals Chelsea.
It had looked for much of the window as though the Ukrainian would be heading to north London, but with Shakhtar Donetsk refusing to budge on their preferred terms of the deal it presented the big spending Blues with the chance to swoop in and secure the signing.
Embed from Getty ImagesHow costly missing out on Mudryk could be for Arsenal remains to be seen. Should the Gunners lose out in the title race and the 22-year-old hit the ground running at his new club, then Arsenal fans will rue their side not splashing out on the attacker.
But Arsenal under sporting director Edu have become known for refusing to budge on what they think a player is worth. He’ll be hoping that approach pays off again and that refusing to go the extra mile for Mudryk does not prove to cost them the Premier League trophy come the end of the season.
BRIGHTON KEEP CAICEDO
Heading into the window, Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo was one of the big names to watch, with rumoured interest from several top clubs.
Chelsea were touted as the likely destination for the Ecuadorian, but it once again become a battle between the Blues and rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners made the biggest play for Caicedo, twice seeing bids rejected towards the end of the window with Brighton adamant that a sale would not be happening in January.
Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi spoke of his desire to keep the 21-year-old at the club beyond January, despite the midfielder releasing a statement admitting that he would like to leave for Arsenal.
Arsenal ended up switching targets and instead signing Jorginho from Chelsea, with the Blues replacing the Italian with Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for a British record transfer fee of £105m.
But Caicedo will again be one to watch when the summer transfer window comes around. Will Arsenal return with another offer or have they admitted defeat? Could Chelsea look to bolster their midfield further by reuniting him with boss Graham Potter? Or has the door been opened for another interested suitor?
ANGER OVER ZIYECH
With Chelsea again extremely active in bringing players in, it looked as though Hakim Ziyech would be one of those heading for the exit door.
A deal was agreed for the 29-year-old to join Paris Saint-Germain on loan but the correct paperwork was not finalised to allow Ziyech to make the move.
PSG were highly critical of Chelsea for the deal falling through, claiming incorrect paperwork was sent ahead of the deadline. The loan move was then blocked by France’s football governing body, the LFP.
Where this leaves Ziyech is unclear. Chelsea have a wealth of options in the wide and attacking areas and the fact they were willing to let him go means he has likely fallen down the pecking order at the club.
Like Caicedo, he is another one to keep an eye on in the summer transfer window.
HINCAPIE STAYS PUT
Tottenham managed to get a deal for Sporting’s Pedro Porro over the line on the final day of the transfer window, but an offer for another defender in Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie did not come to fruition.
Spurs were said to have offered £22m for the centre-back, according to German publication Bild, who added that it will likely take a lot more to prise him away from Leverkusen.
The 21-year-old’s versatility and potential make him an intriguing prospect and Spurs will likely have to stump up more cash if they want to complete a deal in the summer window.
They will be hoping the boat has not been missed for Hincapie, with a strong second half of the season only likely to further increase his value and the competition for his signature.
NO MOVE FOR ZANIOLO
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother player Spurs were reportedly keen on bringing in was Roma wide man Nicolo Zaniolo.
The 23-year-old was rumoured to be a target for manager Antonio Conte throughout the January window, only for the club to instead sign Arnaut Danjuma and Porro.
It later became apparent that Premier League strugglers Bournemouth were in for the 23-year-old, only for a deal to fail to materialise.
Zaniolo has left many unhappy in Roma because of his desire to leave the club in January, and a summer move looks increasingly possible. Bournemouth’s interest will no doubt be reliant on staying in the top flight, however.
