I talked about four different deals that went through on Deadline Day that will help their respective teams moving forward. But of course the other biggest storyline we follow on transfer deadline day, is the rumors of players reportedly on the move, players who turned down moves, or even bids that were rejected.
In the second part of my January 2017 transfer deadline day posts, I’ll be taking a look at some of the other bigger deals that ended up going through, some major moves that I did not include in the first post. I will even tell you about a late bid that was declined at the end of the deadline day.
Manolo Gabbiadini – Napoli to Southampton (17 million pounds)
Manolo Gabbiadini has scored more free-kicks in the league (4) since 2013/14 than the entire Southampton side combined (3).
Specialist. pic.twitter.com/NbjXffIhbZ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 31, 2017
Southampton were looking to bolster their attacking options and the club did just that. For the club record fee, Southampton completed the signing of the 25-year-old Italian striker today. The club hope Gabbiadini will only improve in England, and have penned the striker to a four and a half year contract.
Forwards with highest shot accuracy in Europe’s top 5 leagues (20+ shots):
S. Perisca (81%)
M. Sau (75%)
Raffael (75%)
M. Gabbiadini (74%) pic.twitter.com/B3z0XJAh3T— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 31, 2017
Watch out for this man to make an impact over the course of the rest of the season. Can he help the Saints crack the top 10?
Jordan Ayew – Aston Villa to Swansea City (Undisclosed fee + swapped for Neil Taylor)
@jordan_ayew9 puts pen-to-paper on a three-and-a-half year deal with the club… pic.twitter.com/oimJ3MgEQu
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) January 31, 2017
We hardly ever see this “trade” type of move in soccer, but today we have seen a player plus cash deal happen in the Premier League! Jordan Ayew is the younger brother of former Swansea City player Andre Ayew.
Ayew is currently away on international duty playing for Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations but should report to his Premier League club sometime next week should they defeat Cameroon in the Semi-Finals. Ayew will play anywhere upfront and if used correctly, can live up to the hype he had as a youth in France.
Odion Ighalo – Watford to Changchun Yatai (20 million pounds)
If you thought all of the players leaving for China were over, think again. In a continued trend of Chinese clubs overpaying for just above average strikers, Changchun Yatai forked out a nice fee for Ighalo where we will surely hear in the coming days of his ridiculous wages. He joins the ever-growing list of players bolting for the cash in China rather than staying and fighting to improve their career.
Odion Ighalo scored more league goals than Alexis Sanchez & Diego Costa last season.
This season he’s scored fewer than Gareth McAuley. pic.twitter.com/hC5yWlfbDl
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 31, 2017
Nathan Ake – Chelsea to Bournemouth (18 million pound bid Rejected)
One of the big Premier League surprises of Deadline Day came from Bournemouth as they bid for a player that Chelsea have just recently taken back early from his Bournemouth loan. It is understood that not only the permanent transfer fee was rejected, but that Chelsea also turned down even a second loan attempt.
Conte says he is happy with the squad he has, with Nathan Ake, Kenedy and Charly Musonda now added following loans. #LIVCHE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2017
Ake found success earlier this season at Bournemouth while on loan, so a permanent move seemed like it could happen, but after Chelsea recalled him, it is clear the blues do not want to lose their prize youngster.
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