That’s it, it’s over… Started on January 1, the transfer window ended Thursday at 11 p.m. in France. A relatively calm transfer window overall, like PSG, which found a way out for Hugo Ekitike, on loan to Frankfurt, but did not announce any new recruits on this last day of the winter transfer window . Ekitike is one of the notable departures of the day in Ligue 1, with obviously that of Marseillais Vitinha, loaned to Genoa. News which should not disturb Parisian and Marseille supporters. FC Strasbourg fans are certainly asking more questions after the transfer of Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels to Nottingham Forest. Especially since only the experienced Matthieu Dreyer, defector from Saint-Etienne (L2), reached this position. Amazing. Once announced as leaving, OM’s French international Jonathan Clauss ultimately did not move.
For the rest, the Montpellier Maxime Estève goes to Burnley, like the Rennais Lorenz Assignon, the Nantais Fabien Centonze is loaned to Hellas Verona, the Monegasque Myron Boadu is loaned to Twente and the Strasbourg defender Gerzino Nyamsi goes to Lokomotiv Moscow, while that the Moroccan defender of Brest Achraf Dari, lacking playing time, is loaned to Charleroi. Non-exhaustive list, with numerous loans here and there.
In terms of arrivals, the Ligue 1 clubs did not make any sparks this Thursday. We will highlight the return to France of former Parisian Benjamin Stambouli (33 years old), signatory of a contract until the end of the season in Reims. Aged 23, Serbian striker Andrej Ilic arrives from Norway in Lille as Jonathan David’s understudy. The MHSC has repatriated two former Bleuets, 24-year-old defender Modibo Sagnan (Utrecht) and 25-year-old former Inter player Yann Karamoh (Torino). In Montpellier, we don’t have means, but ideas. In Lyon, we have both: Les Gones thought they would have two new faces on the gong, the 25-year-old Belgian international Orel Mangala (Nottingham Forest) and the 28-year-old Algerian international Saïd Benrahma (West Ham). The former could become the club’s most expensive player! One thing is certain: he signed. Not the second. The Hammers did not send the required documents on time… Also note the arrival of Brazilian hopeful Andrey Santos (23), on loan to Strasbourg from Chelsea.
Among the failures of the day, apart from Benrahma, let us highlight that Le Havre tried in vain to secure the services of Chelsea player Malang Sarr. On the Metz side, we thought for a while about… Erling Haaland’s cousin, the Norwegian Jonatan Braut Brunes who plays in Louvain.
Abroad, nothing exceptional to report. The 22-year-old Spanish international Bryan Zaragoza has joined Bayern Munich. He was only supposed to arrive this summer but the injury to Kingsley Coman changed the situation… Italian international Andrea Belotti was loaned to Fiorentina. The surprise of the day came from England, where we learned in the evening that English international Jesse Lingard, free since last summer, will soon join FC Seoul in South Korea. He is 31 years old. Biggest transfer of the day in terms of compensation? Crystal Palace has spent, according to various sources, more than €20 million for Adam Wharton, a 19-year-old English attacking midfielder who previously played for his hometown club, Blackburn.
