Five January transfer moves that went under the radar.

With the likes of Chelsea spending millions in the January transfer market, some deals have not garnered the attention they deserve. 

With the dominance of the Premier League big hitters, other European clubs have had to settle for loan deals or cheaper fees for their targets.

Ivan Ilic (Hellas Verona to Torino)

With fellow Serbian Sasu Lukic leaving Torino for Premier League side Fulham, Torino pounced to get their hands on the ex Manchester City central midfielder.

Initially joining on a loan deal, Ilic will officially join in the summer for approximately £14 million. A big outlay for a club like Torino who traditionally rely on loan deals and free agents.

Ilic will provide Torino head coach Ivan Juric with a typical box to box option in the centre of the park. The Serbian is capable of progressing the ball extremely well as well as breaking up play to start attacks.

A player already accustomed to Ivan Juric and his style of play, Torino will hope to push further up the table and into the European spots for the first time in a decade with Ilic playing a pivotal role in midfield. 

Ruslan Malinovski (Atalanta to Marseille)

After joining Atalanta in 2019 the playmaker became a key cog in Gian Piero Gasparini’s entertaining Serie A side. However due to a supposed fallout with the manager Malinovski has decided to join Marseille.

With coach Igor Tudor playing a similar system to Atalanta’s, Malinovski should feel right at home playing in an attacking midfield role behind Alexis Sanchez. The technical maestro will also deliver danger from set pieces, which is always a valuable asset. 

The Ukrainian will aim to propel the French club into the title race as PSG continue to stall. Once again this deal is initially on a loan but expect the number ten to join in the long run if he performs well. 

Philipp Max (PSV Eindhoven to Eintracht Frankfurt)

Once of Augsburg, the German left back has recently become a bench player in the Eredivisie. He therefore was eager to move back home, with the opportunity to join Bundesliga title hunters Frankfurt too big to turn down.

The left back will offer an attacking outlet down the left hand side and will be a valuable alternative to the more defensive minded Christopher Lenz.

With the title race hotting up in the Bundesliga, Max could prove to be a decisive signing for the Frankfurt based club who will also have hopes of making the Champions League quarter finals.

Hamad Junior Traore (Sassuolo to Bournemouth)

With Bournemouth’s failed attempt to sign Nicolo Zaniolo, the southern based side have instead decided to sign the energetic midfielder Traore from Sassuolo. The club have signed the player on a loan deal with an obligation to buy for up to £20 million if certain conditions are met. 

The Ivory Coast international has been an important player for the green and blacks since 2019 and will inject high energy play into Bournemouth’s lacklustre midfield. 

Traore will also add versatility to the squad as he is also comfortable as a number ten or playing on the left side of midfield. With a relegation scrap to come in the future, Gary O’Neil will hope Traore will bring quality to the Cherries. 

Naouirou Ahamada (VFB Stuttgart to Crystal Palace)

With Crystal Palace spending little money in the summer they have decided to spend £10 million on rising star Ahamada from Bundeliga strugglers VFB Stuttgart.

The 20 year old midfielder is a supreme technician who has become an increasingly important player in Germany. With two goals and another two assists in league play this season, fans of the Die Schwaben will be disappointed to see another promising player leave. 

With the other deadline day signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal, Patrick Vieria will be overjoyed with his midfield options coming into the second half of the season. Ahamada has all the tools to be an important part of Crystal Palace’s future.

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