Cymru through the Transfer Window: Where Welsh players and clubs ended January

The rapid change and volatility of the January transfer window returned for its 2022 edition, and in the world of Welsh football, it offered some deals of great magnitude.

From loans to last-minute deals, how did the Welsh clubs and players of note move in the market?

Swansea City

It was a month in which Russell Martin faced losing some of his best players. 10 players departed in total and it would be vital to their season as to how they replaced them.

Ethan Laird had his loan spell cut short by Manchester United and was sent to AFC Bournemouth, leaving the Swans in a lurch as the window opened to find a quick replacement.

Cyrus Christie, who was not getting a look-in at Fulham, was identified as the prime target to replace Laird, although it took some serious negotiating between the player and the Cottagers before a move could be finalised.

The deal fell through, to begin with, but with some negotiation, it eventually went through and the Swans had their man.

Andy Fisher also arrived for a fee of £400,000 and was a goalkeeper suited to Martin’s system having played under him at MK Dons. Finley Burns joined him on loan from Manchester City.

The window would also see a lack of real strategy and aim from the owners. Jamie Paterson was expectant of a new deal after his electric start to life in South Wales.

A creative player was eventually added in Hannes Wolf of Borussia Monchengladbach, but all the missed deals for James McAtee, Domingos Quina and Scott Fraser must have frustrated Martin and his backroom staff.

Nathanael Ogbeta was the last name through the door for £300,000 but not before Liam Walsh exited for Hull City on loan and Jake Bidwell left for Championship rivals Coventry City. Liverpool’s Rhys Williams also had his loan cut short as he returned to Anfield.

All in all, a frustrating window for Swansea.

Cardiff City

Cardiff’s window proved to be far more active than many had anticipated, but Steve Morison and his staff knew there needed to be a real injection of life into this squad as the prospect of relegation loomed during a stretch of unfavourable fixtures.

The planning, according to WalesOnline’s Glen Williams, was paramount.

The recalls of Max Watters and Ryan Wintle were planned as Morison admired the pair from afar. As was the move from full-back to right-sided centre-back for Perry Ng.

In external additions, Cardiff added the highly-rated Cody Drameh on loan from Leeds United, alongside a deal for Manchester City youngster Tommy Doyle, Stoke City’s Alfie Doughty and Middlesbrough’s Uche Ikpeazu.

However, the real inevitable for the Bluebirds was the loss of Kieffer Moore to Bournemouth.

Despite the drag until the deadline, the Welsh international clearly felt his time in the capital was up when Scott Parker’s side came knocking, which they did in a £3.5 million move.

Moore will be sorely missed at the Cardiff City Stadium, but as proven in the positive results since his departure against Nottingham Forest and Barnsley, there is light for Morison and his side despite their inexperience.

Newport County

The primary aim for Newport County this window was not based on incomings, but the retaining of the one they know as the ‘best on earth’, Dom Telford.

Manager James Rowberry and his backroom team managed to convince the 20-goal forward to remain at Rodney Parade, adding Josh Pask, James Waite and Robert Street to the squad to bolster their promotion hopes.

Waite arrived from Cymru Premier side Penybont on an 18-month deal with Pask and Street joining on loan. The announcement for Street was certainly something to behold.

We hope this is a signing right up your ??????…#NCAFC?? pic.twitter.com/2y4UKSLMnj

— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) January 26, 2022

International Interest

At an international level, the highest-profile move saw Caerphilly boy Aaron Ramsey leave the attractions of Turin to take up a loan spot with Glasgow Rangers.

Many Welsh fans would have been surprised by this move. Ramsey’s 2016 international teammate, former Celtic star Joe Ledley, also expressed his shock in the South Wales Press.

To many, Ramsey is one of the Golden Generation of Welsh football. Commentators suggest that he could still have plenty to offer at a higher playing standard and we heard talk of links to Burnley and Newcastle.

Ramsey will therefore shine at Ibrox, where the opposition may prove less testing than opponents at Turf Moor or St James’ Park.

Let us not forget too that ‘Rambo’ can expect to play in front of a full house every other week with the added carrot of European football. A confident, match-fit Ramsey can only benefit the national team.

As to how much at home the passionate, Welsh-speaking Welshman will feel amongst the red, white and blue hoards of a fiercely “loyalist” fan base is another matter.

Moore’s move to Bournemouth probably came as little surprise. The forward has become something of a national hero of late, and despite his injury-hit current season, could still be expected to fire the Cherries to the Premier League. The 29-year-old has not been the force he was for Cardiff and a move probably suited all parties.

If he does take Bournemouth up, no doubt he will be joined by Neco Williams, who has moved to Craven Cottage on loan from Liverpool in the hope of game time for Fulham. He will join up with another Anfield old boy Harry Wilson on the banks of the Thames.

If Moore, Williams and Wilson all start next season as Premier League regulars, most impartial followers of Robert Page’s side would see that as a successful January. Connor Roberts could help form a decent spine of the side if Burnley can avoid the drop.

Of equal interest to these moves is, perhaps, the transfers we did not see?

Hibernian striker Christian Doidge has been knocking on the door of Page for some time now. The Newport product has supplied the goods for a number of teams over the years and continues to provide a goal threat at Easter Road. However, will Cardiff or Swansea have fancied a punt on him?

Luke Jephcott has also been a regular name on the Plymouth Argyle team sheet. The Aberystwyth-born striker might have expected some interest from ambitious clubs hoping to persuade him to leave Home Park and chip in the odd goal or two at League One or even Championship level.

——————————————

Chris Stonadge and David Collins

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt