Liverpool A for Gakpo transfer

January is usually quiet when it comes to transfers, but the Premier League’s winter spending in 2022 was actually the second highest in history and more than half the money (335 million. Transfer market).

With the World Cup in Qatar on hiatus and the ongoing economic crisis around the world, it is unclear how teams will respond to the various challenges this year, but some high-profile deals have already been agreed.

Here are the ratings for all the major contracts for January 2023. The latest posts are at the top; each day is in order of highest payout. If you don’t see a grade for a significant move that’s been completed, check back later.

– See all the great deals that have been made

All payments are reported unless confirmed with an asterisk.

January 2nd

Barcelona: F
Atlético Madrid: A-

Reminder: Barcelona paid 120 million to get Griezmann from Atletico in 2019, then loaned him back for two years in 2021. The loan included an obligation to make the deal permanent for 40 million if he played more than 45 minutes in 50% of the matches. the games he was available for … that he did. Legal battles followed, and eventually financially strapped Barca cut the fee in half to avoid the saga. It was already one of the worst signings for Barca ever, and seeing Griezmann shine for France in a new role (advanced midfield) at the 2022 World Cup will only add insult to injury.

Atletico have brought the 31-year-old back on a four-year deal, a gamble as he had failed to recapture his former glory while on loan. Still, at least they don’t have to track his minutes anymore. If they get the most out of his newfound midfield abilities, they’ll be happy to count their 100m win.

January 1st

PSV: B
Liverpool: A

PSV had a 50 million fee in mind, and manager Marcel Brands even said a few months ago that if Man United had offered that much in the summer, they would have let Gakpo move. But after a great World Cup with the Netherlands, the club’s value remained intact. Feels like they could have asked for more, although they could potentially get another 8 million extras.

It’s a great move from Liverpool though. As well as beating rivals United to the punch, they haven’t spent too much to sign a player who has 55 goals and 50 assists in 159 senior games for PSV. He is versatile and has plenty of room to develop at 23 years old. It’s a step up in quality, but Gakpo has the skills to handle it.

Central Coast Mariners: B-
Newcastle: B

The 18-year-old Kuol rose to prominence when he became the youngest player to represent Australia since Harry Kewell and then made the World Cup squad. Such was his rise, he only signed his first professional contract in June, so Kuoli has a lot to learn. But he’s highly regarded, and the Mariners weren’t going to stand in his way of a big move.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has already said the forward will be “groomed and developed over the next couple of years to get him up to the right level for the Premier League”, so don’t expect him to make an immediate impact. Indeed, since their impact at the World Cup, the club has already had plenty of loan offers. So much for the future.

Atlético Madrid: A
Wolves: B

The Brazilian forward joined Atletico 25m from Hertha Berlin in 2021 but failed to find regular first-team football, scoring seven goals in 54 appearances. His lack of minutes this season cost him a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad, and it’s no surprise to see him continue. But Atletico need cash and did brilliantly to get such a big transfer fee, albeit one that will be paid in the summer.

The first loan agreement will come “will automatically become a permanent deal until 2027 if certain clauses are triggered” and sources said it will cost Wolves 40 million with another 10 million in add-ons. That seems like a very large fee for a player who hasn’t set the world on fire in LaLiga, even though he’s still only 23 and has a lot of potential.

December 30th

Al-Nasr: A+

You don’t get many chances to sign a player of Ronaldo’s caliber, so fair play to Saudi Arabia for investing stupid money that they couldn’t refuse. The 37-year-old is reportedly making $75 million a year, but it’s a strange place for one of the greatest players of all time to end his career.

If we were to give individual grades for a player’s decision, Ronaldo would score poorly. Although he talked about playing until he was 40, competing at the highest level and fighting for trophies, it seems he is now only interested in money (and he already has plenty!) after his time at Manchester United ended badly.