January Deals
With Jhon Durán to Al Nassr and Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa grabbing headlines, we spotlight underrated deals that flew under the radar this window.
We’re all familiar with the headline deals of this transfer window - Jhon Durán’s lucrative £16.7m-per-year tax-free move to Saudi Arabia and the tense standoff between Ruben Amorim and Marcus Rashford, now temporarily resolved with Rashford’s short-term switch down the M6 to Aston Villa. However, Villa hold an option to make the move permanent for £40m.
Ones to Watch
Join us as we dive into last month’s transfer window across Europe’s top five leagues, highlighting the underrated moves to watch for the rest of the season, along with their profiles, strengths and weaknesses.
Andreas Skov Olsen - Club Brugge to Wolfsburg (£12.7m)
Position: Right Winger
Age: 24
Height: 1.87m (6'2")
Nationality: Danish
Preferred Foot: Left
He is a dynamic left-footed winger who primarily operates from the right flank, cutting inside onto his stronger foot to create goal-scoring opportunities. He possesses excellent technical ability, a strong dribbling skill set, and an eye for goal. His playing style is well-suited to teams that prioritize quick transitions and attacking play.
Key Strengths:
Dribbling & Ball Control – Excellent close control, allowing him to beat defenders one-on-one.
Shooting & Finishing – Strong ability to cut inside and shoot, particularly from outside the box.
Crossing & Creativity – Delivers accurate crosses and is capable of playing incisive through balls.
Movement & Positioning – Intelligent off-the-ball movement to find space and exploit defensive gaps.
Set-Piece Threat – Capable free-kick and corner taker, adding an extra attacking dimension.
Weaknesses:
Physicality – Despite his height, he isn’t the most physical player and can struggle against aggressive defenders.
Defensive Contribution – Not the most disciplined defensively; tracking back and pressing intensity can improve.
Consistency – Can drift in and out of games at times, especially against deep defensive setups.
Mika Biereth - Sturm Graz to Monaco (£10.9m)
Position: Striker
Age: 21
Nationality: Danish
Height: 1.87 meters (6'1½")
Preferred Foot: Right
Mika Biereth is a dynamic and fearless striker, combining physical strength with technical finesse. His ability to hold up play, link effectively with teammates, and make intelligent runs behind defensive lines makes him a constant attacking threat. Gifted with excellent spatial awareness and composure in front of goal, he consistently finds himself in dangerous positions. Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Biereth is a tireless worker, pressing opponents relentlessly, contributing defensively, and displaying the versatility to thrive in various attacking roles.
Strengths:
Finishing: Demonstrates clinical finishing ability, both inside and outside the box.
Link-Up Play: Effectively combines with midfielders and wingers, facilitating fluid attacking movements.
Aerial Ability: Utilises his height to win aerial duels and pose a threat on set-pieces.
Work Rate: Exhibits high energy levels, consistently pressing defenders and tracking back when necessary.
Areas for Improvement:
Consistency: Maintaining high performance levels throughout the season.
Decision-Making: Awareness of others in the final third to increase assist numbers.
Physicality: While strong, could further develop strength to better handle physical defenders.
Bazoumana Toure - Hammarby to Hoffenheim (£8.4m)
Position: Left Winger (LW) / Right Winger (RW)
Age: 18
Nationality: Ivorian
Height: 1.78 meters (5'10")
Preferred Foot: Left
Bazoumana Touré is an explosive winger renowned for his exceptional pace, agility, and technical prowess. Primarily operating on the left flank, he effectively utilises his left foot to cut inside, creating goal-scoring opportunities. His dribbling skills and close ball control enable him to navigate through tight defenses, making him a constant threat in one-on-one situations. Touré's vision and ability to deliver precise crosses also make him a valuable asset in wide attacking roles.
Strengths:
Acceleration & Pace: Touré's speed allows him to outrun defenders and exploit spaces behind defensive lines.
Dribbling & Ball Control: His close control and agility enable him to maneuver through tight spaces and maintain possession under pressure.
Creativity & Vision: Demonstrates the ability to set up teammates with key passes and accurate crosses.
Finishing: Capable of scoring from various positions, both inside and outside the box.
Areas for Improvement:
Defensive Contribution: Enhancing his tracking back and defensive positioning to support team dynamics.
Physicality: Building strength to better handle physical challenges from defenders.
Consistency: Maintaining high performance levels throughout the entire match and season.
Crossing: Improving his accuracy and cross selection will help him create more chances for his teammates.
Gift Orban - Lyon to Hoffenheim (£7.5m)
Position: Striker
Date of Birth: 23
Nationality: Nigerian
Height: 1.78 meters (5'10")
Preferred Foot: Right
Gift Orban is a dynamic and prolific striker known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability and intelligent movement. He possesses a keen sense of positioning, often finding himself in advantageous spots within the box. His agility and quick acceleration enable him to exploit defensive gaps effectively. Orban is also noted for his precise ball-striking, allowing him to score from various positions and distances. His versatility enables him to operate both as a central forward and in wider attacking roles.
Strengths:
Finishing: Demonstrates clinical finishing with both feet, making him a consistent goal threat.
Positioning: Exhibits excellent spatial awareness, often positioning himself to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Pace and Agility: Utilizes his speed and agility to outmaneuver defenders and create space.
Ball Striking: Possesses a powerful and accurate shot, effective from both inside and outside the penalty area.
Areas for Improvement:
Aerial Duels: Could enhance his effectiveness in aerial challenges to become a more complete forward.
Defensive Contribution: Increasing his involvement in pressing and defensive duties would benefit team dynamics.
Consistency: Maintaining high performance levels throughout the season is crucial for his development.