Football: the end of the transfer window is getting ready

PARIS: January's transfer window closes Thursday with a late defeat in the biggest clubs in the Premier League, which is unlikely after a month in which the biggest players have been on the continent, from Barcelona at AC Milan.

The most active club in England is Chelsea, who loaned Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus after buying American striker Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for £ 58m (USD 74m) and loaned him for the rest of the season. the season. .

Their rivals at the top of the Premier League kept their check book closed, with the window closing on Thursday at 23:00 GMT.

"It's a difficult situation because people are telling you" here is a player, there is a player "and you buy it, but it's useful for three weeks. a problem because the other boys are coming back, "said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. told the BBC, confirming that he did not want short-term solutions to the problems of defensive injuries.

"We have to go through there, and this transfer window will not be ours."

Beyond Pulisic, the biggest transfer made in January in England was Dominic Solanke's move from Liverpool to Bournemouth for £ 19 million ($ 24 million).

"For a month, I said we would not do anything on the transfer market," insisted Pep Guardiola, the boss of Manchester City.

BREXIT FACTOR?

Brexit is the possible elephant in a discrete window, given the uncertainty of the issue that is currently dominating British politics.

The impact on the value of the pound sterling against the euro and the dollar might not help, but do clubs actually slow transfer transactions due to the UK's imminent departure from the United Kingdom? European Union?

A British agent told AFP that there was "great uncertainty" among some foreign players, but added that he had not "noticed any change in the behavior of the part of the clubs at this stage ".

BARCELONA ADVANCE THE WAY

Meanwhile, some of Europe's biggest names have taken initiatives, with Barcelona in the lead.

The champions of Spain have agreed to pay 75 million euros to Ajax – plus 11 million euros in bonuses – to allow Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong to participate in the event. next season.

They also recruited Kevin-Prince Boateng, a loan from Sbaduolo, as a backup, following the signing of Valencia defender Jeison Murillo's defender and the signing of a contract with French central defender Jean-Clair. Todibo, promising, next season.

In addition, Atletico Madrid have lent to Chelsea, former Real striker Alvaro Morata, while his rivals have brought the young midfielder Brahim Diaz from Manchester City for 17 million euros. euros.

"We have a wonderful team and we will fight on all fronts," Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari said on Wednesday, saying there would be no more business at all. to play Bernabeu.

PSG STRENGTHENS IN MIDFIELD

In France, Paris Saint-Germain lost Neymar for 10 weeks with a metatarsal injury, but it is in midfield that he must strengthen.

After signing a contract signed with the Argentinian group Leandro Paredes, aged 24, Zenit St. Petersburg for € 47 million, they could also return for Idrissa Gueye, Everton.

Marseille have signed Mario Balotelli from Nice, while Monaco has signed several commitments, led by Spanish star Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea.

In Germany, Bayern Munich, which recruited young Canadian teenager Alphonso Davies of the Vancouver Whitecaps, has made it one of his priorities.

The Bavarians also reached an agreement on the transfer of French defender Benjamin Pavard to Stuttgart from 1 July for € 35 million.

PIATEK, PAQUETA IN MILAN

In Italy, Juventus allowed Mehdi Benatia to leave for Qatar and replaced him with Uruguayan Martin Caceres, but Milan has spent the most.

The seven-time European champions have cut Higuain's loan to Juventus and have replaced it with the Polish favorite from Genoa, Krzysztof Piatek, for a fee of € 35 million.

Brazilian international midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 21, joined Flamengo for a similar amount.

Beyond the major leagues of Western Europe, Russian clubs have until February 22 to sign, the Chinese transfer counter is open until February 28. Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini may well be the last to leave Europe.