With the January transfer window slamming shut on Tuesday night, theScore ranks the 20 best moves made across the game’s top leagues.

20. Alistair Johnston ?? Celtic

Details: Signed from CF Montreal for reported £3M fee

Johnston, a standout performer for Canada at the World Cup, is already becoming a cult favorite among the vociferous Celtic fan base following his transfer from Major League Soccer. The versatile defender made his debut against bitter rivals Rangers – at Ibrox, no less – and acquitted himself well under extremely testing circumstances. “Baptism of fire. Wouldn’t want it any other way,” the 24-year-old said on social media after the match. Eloquent and honest off the pitch and a gritty competitor on it, Johnston has all the tools to become an adored figure at Celtic Park.

19. Josef Martinez ?? Inter Miami

Details: Signed after being released by Atlanta United

The remarkable success that followed Josef Martinez’s arrival won’t soon be forgotten in Atlanta. But, while the admiration from supporters never wavered, it became obvious that things were unraveling behind the scenes after the 2018 MLS MVP was suspended for a week late last season. Fast forward five months and the Venezuelan star is looking to revive his career at Inter Miami. If he can avoid injury setbacks and issues off the pitch, the 29-year-old should turn out to be a huge upgrade for a club that needed to replace Gonzalo Higuain, who retired after the 2022 campaign.

18. Facundo Buonanotte ?? Brighton & Hove Albion

Details: Signed from Rosario Central for reported £5.3M initial fee

Have Brighton done it again? The Seagulls’ ability to mine talent from all over the world is becoming a thing of legend in world football. Their vaunted recruitment team will hope that Buonanotte is the latest in a conveyor belt of players purchased for nominal fees and sold for exorbitant amounts. The 18-year-old, who was tracked by the likes of Juventus and Atletico Madrid, is comfortable playing multiple roles in central midfield. A dynamic dribbler, the Argentine midfielder has “very big potential and can become important for (Brighton) this season,” according to manager Roberto De Zerbi. Chelsea should just go ahead and prepare their £100-million offer now to save everyone the time.

17. Hamed Traore ?? Bournemouth

Details: Signed from Sassuolo for reported £21M fee

Another deal that showcased the unrivaled financial might of the Premier League. Bournemouth, battling relegation, scooped up a player that’s been linked with some of Italy’s top clubs at various points in his burgeoning career. Traore, an explosive attacking midfielder, is a spellbinding dribbler who thrives when asked to progress the ball up the field and take on defenders. The 22-year-old’s creativity will provide a much-needed spark for a club that averages less than a goal per game in the Premier League this season.

16. Keylor Navas ?? Nottingham Forest

Details: Loaned from Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season

Nottingham Forest don’t need a second invitation to bring in new faces, but they got one when goalkeeper Dean Henderson was ruled out for four-to-six weeks with a serious thigh injury. Relying on 36-year-old Wayne Hennessey to assume the starting job was simply not an option, so Forest went out and picked up the decorated Navas on a low-risk deal. The Costa Rican netminder, a three-time Champions League winner, will instantly provide an assured presence between the sticks for Steve Cooper’s side.

15. Weston McKennie ?? Leeds United

Details: Loaned from Juventus, deal can become permanent for up to €40.5M

This deal makes sense on multiple levels for Leeds, who needed a do-everything midfielder to help in their pursuit of Premier League salvation. Given the existing American influence at the club, McKennie should feel comfortable almost instantly, eliminating a barrier that can exist for January signings who don’t have much time to acclimate before being asked to contribute. McKennie embraced compatriot and USMNT teammate Tyler Adams upon his arrival at Elland Road, and their on-field chemistry will go a long way to determining if Jesse Marsch keeps his team in the top flight.

14. Terem Moffi ?? Nice

Details: Loaned from Lorient with obligation to buy for reported €30M

Only two players have scored more goals in Ligue 1 this season than Moffi – one of them is Kylian Mbappe. Any time you’re in the same conversation as the Paris Saint-Germain superstar, you’re doing something right. The Nigerian striker, 23, was a consistent scorer for multiple seasons at Lorient. He was ready for the next step in his career and found it at Nice, the ambitious club with aspirations of a rapid ascension under new owners Ineos. No team in France’s top half of the table has scored fewer goals than Nice, who hope their marquee January acquisition can hit the ground running.

13. Pablo Sarabia ?? Wolverhampton Wanderers

Details: Signed from Paris Saint-Germain for reported €5.3M fee

The lowest-scoring team in the Premier League with a pitiful 12 goals in 20 matches, Wolverhampton needed someone who knows how to find the net. Checking that box for such a nominal fee is just excellent business. Sarabia enjoyed a prolific loan spell with Sporting CP last season but, understandably, found minutes hard to come by at Paris Saint-Germain this campaign, so Wolves seized a prime market opportunity. The 30-year-old also links up with a familiar face at Molineux, as he’s worked with manager Julen Lopetegui on two previous occasions – once with Spain’s Under-19 team that won the European Championship in 2011 and then again, albeit very briefly, at Sevilla.

12. Memphis Depay ?? Atletico Madrid

Details: Signed from Barcelona for reported €3M fee

Atletico Madrid’s tradition of signing veteran forwards from Barcelona continued last month with Depay’s arrival. The Dutch striker follows in the footsteps of David Villa and Luis Suarez, who both won the league title in the Spanish capital after entering the twilight of their respective careers. Expecting Depay to enjoy similar success seems far-fetched considering Atletico’s struggles this year and the gap to league leaders Barca. But the bargain fee Barca accepted after falling out with the 28-year-old makes this a solid signing for Atleti, who recognized and seized an opportunity to improve their squad after Joao Felix’s departure.

11. Leandro Trossard ?? Arsenal

Details: Signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for reported £27M fee

The Belgian winger wasn’t Arsenal’s first choice to bolster an injury-riddled attack, but the Premier League-leading Gunners could’ve done a lot worse than Trossard. Although the 28-year-old was essentially Plan B after Arsenal reportedly missed out on Mykhaylo Mudryk, he offers Mikel Arteta another attacking weapon and – more importantly – depth. Also, considering that teams like Chelsea were happy to pay insanely high fees for everyone and anyone, Arsenal’s shrewd deal with Brighton could go down as a steal if Trossard helps the north London club win the Premier League for the first time in 19 years.

10. Marcel Sabitzer ?? Manchester United

Details: Loaned from Bayern Munich until the end of the season

This move wasn’t in the works for long, but after Christian Eriksen suffered a serious injury during an FA Cup fixture, Manchester United quickly searched the transfer market for a replacement. The Red Devils reportedly inquired about Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans before brokering a low-risk loan deal for Sabitzer. His ability to drive his team up the pitch, leadership skills, and versatility could prove to be valuable assets for Erik ten Hag’s team.

9. Yann Sommer ?? Bayern Munich

Details: Signed from Borussia Monchengladbach for reported €8M fee

Manuel Neuer’s decision to jet off for a ski trip resulted in a season-ending broken leg, which turned out to be bad news for both Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach, and led to an unexpected search for the German goalkeeper’s replacement. Bayern didn’t have to look far, though, as the Bavarians settled on Sommer, who had become a staple of the Gladbach side since joining the club almost nine years ago. In completing a deal for the Swiss international, Bayern ensured they have an experienced Bundesliga goalkeeper who will slot in immediately and provide a sturdy presence across multiple competitions.

8. Mykhailo Mudryk ?? Chelsea

Details: Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk for reported potential £88M fee

So much is unknown about Mudryk – the Ukrainian sensation who had two Premier League teams chasing after him despite his relatively little experience at the senior level at Shakhtar Donetsk. After Arsenal’s initial interest, Chelsea swooped in to win the race with a lucrative bid for the 22-year-old. What is known, though, is that Mudryk hasn’t disappointed when the spotlight has been on him. He showed tons of promise in the Champions League and offered a glimpse of the exciting talent that earned Mudryk such high praise during his debut at Anfield.

7. Malo Gusto ?? Chelsea

Details: Signed from Lyon for reported £26.3M fee

Gusto is already on a trajectory to stardom, but Chelsea fans will need to wait until next season to get a proper look at the highly rated French right-back. If Gusto, who was loaned back to Lyon for the rest of the season, continues to evolve into a top talent in Ligue 1, the Blues will have the enviable luxury of being able to choose between the 19-year-old and their other world-class right-back, Reece James. By all accounts, Chelsea could have themselves a real star in the making here.

6. Pedro Porro ?? Tottenham Hotspur

Details: Loaned from Sporting CP with obligation to buy for €45M

Tottenham rode the rollercoaster to sign Porro. The protracted deal with Sporting CP appeared on the brink of collapse roughly 48 hours out from the transfer deadline, but Spurs ultimately landed the wing-back that Antonio Conte views as an ideal fit for his squad and tactics. The Spaniard caught Conte’s eye with impressive performances against Tottenham in the Champions League group stage and could have a transformative impact with the club. Porro, still only 23, is an enormous upgrade on incumbent Emerson Royal. Conte will be hoping his arrival lifts Spurs in the same way that Achraf Hakimi did during his Inter Milan tenure.

5. Cody Gakpo ?? Liverpool

Details: Signed from PSV Eindhoven for reported potential £50M fee

Gakpo is one of a few World Cup stars who earned a big transfer in January. Although Liverpool aren’t in the best shape right now – they’re ninth in the Premier League table, 10 points adrift of the Champions League places – they have a proven track record of improving young players and playing adventurous, attacking football. Gakpo, who scored nine goals and assisted 12 times over 14 Eredivisie outings before his move, should fit right in.

4. Enzo Fernandez ?? Chelsea

Details: Signed from Benfica for reported £106.8M fee

The absurdity of the January transfer market was perhaps best illustrated by Chelsea’s relentless pursuit of Fernandez. Time after time, Benfica rejected the Blues’ advances before succumbing and losing the war of attrition to a team that refused to take no for an answer. But the Portuguese side’s stiff bargaining tactics resulted in a massive return on investment for the Argentine World Cup winner, who only joined Benfica last summer from River Plate for €10 million. By the time the dust settled on another frantic winter signing period, Chelsea’s spending in January topped €300 million after paying a British record fee for a player who, in all likelihood, probably wasn’t even on free-spending owner Todd Boehly’s radar before the World Cup.

3. Azzedine Ounahi ?? Marseille

Details: Signed from Angers in deal reportedly worth up to €10M

In a matter of 18 months, Ounahi dragged himself from obscurity in France’s third tier to becoming a standout player on the world’s largest stage. The midfielder wowed World Cup viewers with his close control, composure, and incredible stamina during Morocco’s run to the semifinals, making the fee that Marseille paid for his services seem like a bargain. At just 22, there’s plenty of time for Ounahi to improve even more at one of France’s biggest clubs.

2. Jorginho ?? Arsenal

Details: Signed from Chelsea for reported £12M fee

Jorginho polarizes people. His detractors gesture toward his overly conservative use of the ball and relatively slow movement, while others praise how he breaks up play and rarely loses possession from the base of midfield. And surely his trophy haul with Chelsea and Italy wasn’t sheer luck? Ultimately, Jorginho’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium fulfills a need: He’ll be immediately installed as Thomas Partey’s backup and could be crucial as Arsenal navigate Europa League football while pushing for the Premier League title.

1. Joao Cancelo ?? Bayern Munich

Details: Loaned from Manchester City with option to buy for reported €70M

Cancelo upset team morale at Manchester City when he was left out of the lineup. The coaching staff felt he didn’t pay attention during tactical briefs ahead of a recent FA meeting with Arsenal, according to The Athletic’s Sam Lee and Pol Ballus. So, Pep Guardiola decided he had to go. That decision works out nicely for Bayern Munich, who now have a try-before-you-buy arrangement with one of the best full-backs on the globe.

Honorable mentions: Benoit Badiashile (Chelsea), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton), Harry Souttar (Leicester City)

After a flurry of deadline-day moves, theScore picks out the big winners and losers of the January transfer window.

Winners: Chelsea

Strictly from an on-pitch perspective, Chelsea were the undeniable winners of the January transfer window. Building on their opulent summer, the west London outfit blew everyone else out of the water, signing eight new players in quick succession and capping the frantic spree with a record-breaking deal for World Cup star Enzo Fernandez worth a staggering €121 million. Eat your heart out, Jack Grealish.

Of the eight most expensive transfers brokered across the football world in January, Chelsea were responsible for five of them, with Fernandez joining high-priced arrivals Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, and Malo Gusto at Stamford Bridge – the latter will remain with Lyon for the rest of the season. Hell, Chelsea paid a reported €11 million just to add Joao Felix on loan for the rest of the season, a sum that exceeds the entire expenditure of some of Europe’s other top clubs for the month.

In the first year under new ownership – more on that later – Chelsea have spent well over €500 million on players. An absurd spree, obviously, but not totally without merit. These were not all vanity additions. Fernandez, an elite ball progressor and midfield conductor who plays with energy and aggression, should instantly rectify the glaring issues that have plagued Chelsea since N’Golo Kante’s body started betraying him. Mudryk is one of the game’s most exciting young forwards. Badiashile could be the cornerstone of the backline for years to come. Gusto, 19, is a blossoming star.

The approach isn’t without risk – if some of these news arrivals don’t pan out, for whatever reason, the Blues will be saddled with wildly expensive players sitting on lengthy contracts who are impossible to move. But ultimately, Chelsea, languishing in 10th place in the Premier League, have a significantly better squad right now than they did on Dec. 31.

Isn’t that the whole point of the transfer window? If you have it, flaunt it.

Losers: Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali

So, about those owners …

Yes, Chelsea got better – and, crucially, much younger – during the January window, but co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali had to compromise their reputations as negotiators to facilitate that outcome.

There’s something to be said for identifying the players you want and doing whatever is necessary to sign them – as with Fernandez – but every other club in the world knows that Chelsea have no leverage at the negotiating table. Going forward, there’s no reason for other teams to accept anything less than their quoted price, in full, when locked in talks with Boehly and Eghbali. Eventually, they’ll pony up. They always do. There can be value in disrupting the market, something the pair clearly relishes, but there are drawbacks, too.

Then there was the whole matter of Hakim Ziyech’s failed loan to Paris Saint-Germain, which collapsed because Chelsea apparently botched the paperwork process three separate times. Boehly and Eghbali, dealing with the Fernandez deal, presumably weren’t the ones actually trying to frantically file those documents, but as the frontmen of the organization, the debacle still reflects poorly on them.

Winner: Premier League

All hail the almighty Premier League pound. It’s stronger than ever.

Thanks in large part to Chelsea’s uninhibited approach, Premier League clubs spent a record £815 million in January, nearly doubling the previous benchmark. Together with the £1.9 billion splashed in the recent summer window – another all-time high – teams from England’s top flight have dished out nearly £3 billion on signings in 2022-23. Some £275 million of that total was allocated on Tuesday alone. The 20 sides atop England’s football pyramid accounted for 79% of the total spending across Europe’s major leagues over the past month. These are truly eye-watering numbers.

It’s not just the perennial contenders or celebrated “big” clubs, either.

Outside of Everton, every team from Nottingham Forest – in 13th place – down to the very bottom of the Premier League table was active. West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth, and Southampton combined to spend roughly £175 million. Wolves didn’t blink when committing to a reported £43-million purchase option for Matheus Cunha; the Cherries added six new players in total; the Saints broke their transfer record for Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana. Leeds United, meanwhile, added Georginio Rutter for a club-record fee, and could pay over €40 million should the purchase option and bonuses in Weston McKennie’s deal come to fruition.

The pejorative quip from fans of other competitions that the Super League “already exists” isn’t entirely fair – the Premier League deserves credit for the way it has branded itself and earned enormous television contracts to create the behemoth that exists today – but it’s clear European football needs a course correction. The infamous Super League proposal was misguided and rightfully stopped in its tracks, but the gulf between the Premier League and everyone else is alarming.

Losers: Every other league

Teams in Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and just about everywhere else could only watch on as the Premier League flexed its financial muscle.

According to Transfermarkt, Premier League clubs were responsible for 22 of the 25 most expensive signings in January. Marseille managed to crack the list by adding Portuguese striker Vitinha from Braga for €32 million. The two outstanding transfers involved Flamengo and Tigres.

Another Javier Tebas tirade is coming soon, surely.

Transfer spending in the remainder of Europe’s biggest leagues fell to €255 million in January, down from €396 million 12 months ago. Chelsea nearly matched that with just Fernandez and Mudryk alone. A sign of the times: the largest deal in Serie A was Fiorentina’s decision to make Antonin Barak’s loan from Hellas Verona permanent. It cost the Tuscan club €8.5 million.

“It is very wild, you just have to say that,” Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said of the inequitable spending capabilities. “They are running in their own race.”

Winner: Arsenal

Arsenal, looking to capture their first Premier League title in almost 20 years, went into the January window with a defined plan to bolster Mikel Arteta’s vibrant squad. The north London side, boasting an excellent starting lineup but lacking depth in certain areas, needed a backup forward, some help in central midfield, and another left-sided – and preferably left-footed – defender.

Check, check, and check.

Leandro Trossard is an ideal complementary attacking piece at this stage in his career, and didn’t cost an extravagant fee. Jorginho, signed for £12 million, brings title-winning experience and a calm on-ball demeanour to the Gunners’ midfield. And Jakub Kiwior will allow the ever-present Gabriel Magalhaes to finally get some rest after playing every single league minute for Arsenal so far this season. At just 22, the Polish international has long-term potential, too.

The Premier League leaders now have all the necessary tools in place as they try to fend off Manchester City in the second half of the campaign.

Loser: Everton

Did Sean Dyche save some of the magic dust that served him so well at Burnley? Without any new arrivals to bolster the disjointed squad he just inherited from Frank Lampard, Dyche will need a minor miracle to keep Everton from plunging into the second tier of English football.

The Toffees, despite pocketing £45 million from the sale of disgruntled winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle, didn’t sign a senior player in January.

Worse yet, their scattergun list of targets is indicative of a spiralling club in disarray. On deadline day alone, Everton were linked with the likes of Ziyech, Conor Gallagher, Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi, and Beto. Some of those players, according to reports, flat-out rejected the move to Merseyside. Who can blame them? Everton, sitting 19th in the Premier League and tied on points with last-placed Southampton, are a mess right now.

Everton were the only Premier League club not to sign a single new player during the winter month. Good luck, Sean.

Winners: Headstrong managers

Pep Guardiola and Joao Cancelo apparently got into a heated argument over the Portuguese full-back’s lack of recent playing time at Manchester City. Not long after, Cancelo was in Germany, being unveiled as Bayern Munich’s marquee January signing. Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi, responding to Moises Caicedo’s public transfer request, proclaimed that the Ecuadorian dynamo was better off remaining at Brighton & Hove Albion for the rest of the season instead of leaving for the likes of Arsenal or Chelsea. He wanted to retain his star midfielder. Caicedo ultimately stayed put. In both cases, strong-willed managers got their desired outcome. Players have more influence than ever before, but certain coaches still retain power at their respective clubs.

Both situations are risky, for different reasons.

Manchester City are dangerously thin at full-back without Cancelo, who, at his best, is an elite attacking “defender” capable of playing both left- and right-back. He didn’t make the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in each of the last two seasons by accident. And while high-flying Brighton are inarguably better with Caicedo patrolling the middle of the park, there is a chance that their potentially historic season could be derailed if the 21-year-old is adversely affected by his request being denied. For a team riding a wave right now, avoiding any disruptions is key. Tony Bloom’s impressive track record at Brighton speaks for itself, so his decision to back De Zerbi in the matter and keep Caicedo, at least until the summer, is hard to disagree with.

Bonus winners: Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund sporting director Kehl is rubbing his hands together in anticipation right now. Fernandez costing a Premier League record €121 million on deadline day has set the transfer floor for Jude Bellingham’s impending move, which is expected to take place in the summer.

The ceiling could be much, much higher.

Kehl and the Dortmund brass can, and should, demand an exorbitant fee from any interested suitors that come calling for Bellingham. After all, the English midfielder is three years younger than Fernandez, has more experience playing in one of Europe’s top leagues, and has more international caps despite his age. By many of the metrics valued by the biggest clubs in the world, Bellingham is the more desirable player. Having seen how the Fernandez sweepstakes unfolded, why would Dortmund accept anything less than €150 million, at least, for their “irreplaceable” teen superstar?

The upcoming bidding war is going to be riveting.

Transfer deadline day is in full swing. We’re providing live, quick-hit analysis of the biggest deals – and rumors – until tonight’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.

DONE DEAL: Bayern add Cancelo ?

• Details: Loan with reported €70M purchase option (Read more)

This one came out of left field.

A testy disagreement with Pep Guardiola over a recent lack of playing time appears to be the catalyst for Joao Cancelo’s sudden, surprising move to Bavaria. Even in an era where players have more influence than ever before, an argument with a manager as powerful as Guardiola – at a club where he has been granted autonomy, more or less – is only going to have one winner. Nevertheless, this is a gamble for Guardiola and Manchester City, who are now relying very heavily on 18-year-old academy graduate Rico Lewis to maintain his current form through the end of the season. Lewis is an exciting prospect and clearly has Guardiola’s trust after his recent emergence into the starting lineup, but that’s a lot to ask of a teenager, especially for a club that is competing on three fronts and harbors serious ambitions of winning every title still available to them this season.

Cancelo has also spent plenty of time at left-back, and his departure leaves City leaning heavily on center-back Nathan Ake to cover that position. Sergio Gomez has been poor since his summer arrival from Anderlecht, Aymeric Laporte is unconvincing at full-back, and young prospect Josh Wilson-Esbrand was sent on loan to Coventry City earlier in January.

On the flip side, the move makes plenty of sense for Bayern Munich, who need a jolt to break out of their recent funk after the World Cup break; Bayern have tied all three of their post-World Cup matches, a string of results that has seen their lead atop the Bundesliga dwindle to one point. With injuries limiting Noussair Mazraoui all season, and Benjamin Pavard tipped with a summer move away from the club, Cancelo addresses an immediate need, and, if he slots in at right-back, could give Bayern one of the game’s most electrifying full-back duos playing opposite Alphonso Davies.

“He’s the optimal fit in our system with his attacking style of play and dynamism, and his mentality and experience fit very well in our team.” Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said of the move.

Chelsea optimistic about Enzo

Chelsea are making progress in their effort to sign World Cup star Enzo Fernandez. The Blues’ on-again, off-again pursuit was revived over the weekend, and there is now heightened optimism that a deal can be struck before Tuesday’s deadline, sources told David Ornstein of The Athletic. Fernandez has been granted permission to undergo his medicals in Portugal, removing that potential hurdle in case Benfica and Chelsea reach an agreement over payment structure.

Benfica have remained steadfast in their assertion that the Argentine midfielder won’t be sold unless his €120-million release clause is met in one lump sum. The fee itself isn’t an issue for Chelsea, who have not been shy about spending exorbitant amounts since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital assumed control, but it’s believed the west London side would prefer to make that gargantuan payment in several instalments.

If sealed, the move would break the British transfer record, which currently belongs to Manchester City and Jack Grealish.

Chelsea, languishing in 10th place in the Premier League, are desperately looking for midfield reinforcements due to N’Golo Kante’s ongoing injury issues and Jorginho entering the final few months of his contract (more on him below). Fellow midfielder Conor Gallagher was the subject of interest from Everton but the 22-year-old isn’t interested in the move, according to The Athletic’s Liam Twomey.

Arsenal set to sign Jorginho

The anticipated deal for Jorginho seems to have divided Arsenal’s fanbase.

One on hand, the Gunners would be acquiring a serial winner – he won the Europa League and Champions League with Chelsea, and was one of the tournament’s standout players when Italy won the European Championship in 2021 – and somebody who’s an expert at breaking up play and maintaining possession for his team.

The naysayers are quick to point out that Jorginho’s use of the ball can be rather unadventurous – something that could be a hindrance for a side that tries to quickly release Bukayo Saka and its other quick attackers – and that he’s slow by Premier League standards.

But at £12 million, doesn’t the 31-year-old represent good backup for the base of midfield? The options behind Thomas Partey are pretty shallow or unimpressive, so Jorginho could be a valuable piece to take some of the Europa League workload and cover spare minutes in the Premier League.

Amrabat trying to force move?

Transfer deadline day doesn’t really begin until an in-demand player posts a cryptic social media message that casts doubt over their future. Sofyan Amrabat is keeping that time-honored tradition alive.

The Fiorentina midfielder is a target for Barcelona, who reportedly offered a package worth up to €40 million for his services. That was rejected by the Tuscan club, which has no desire to sell the World Cup standout this month. Amrabat responded by reportedly skipping training and then added fuel to the fire with a concise Instagram post: “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” Given the circumstances, that seems pretty unambiguous.

How Barcelona could make the financials of this deal work remains a mystery, especially as the club continues to struggle to register Gavi’s new contract. How many levers are left to pull? His stylistic fit in Xavi’s midfield, on the surface, isn’t completely natural, either. Finding a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets is critical, but this feels like a desperate last-minute move more than a calculated approach, not unlike some of Barca’s dealings in recent years. Considering that Leeds United just signed Weston McKennie in a deal that could eclipse €40 million if they make it permanent, Fiorentina should absolutely hold out for something well in excess of Barca’s offer.

Transfers you may have missed

With the constant influx of big signings, rumors, and deals being called off, deadline day can be a whirlwind. Here are completed deals you may have missed amid Tuesday’s madness.

Djed Spence ?? Rennes: Spence is free. After playing a measly seven league minutes for Tottenham Hotspur this season, the 22-year-old should actually get an opportunity to play at Rennes, where he’ll spend the remainder of the campaign on loan. Let’s see if Bruno Genesio trusts Spence more than Antonio Conte.

Diego Llorente ?? Roma: Llorente was crowded out at Leeds United with Liam Cooper, Robin Koch, and January recruit Max Wober vying for game time under Jesse Marsch, so the Spanish international has joined the Giallorossi on loan with an option to buy. It’s not immediately clear where Llorente will fit into Jose Mourinho’s side, with Roger Ibanez, Chris Smalling, Gianluca Mancini, and Marash Kumbulla already squabbling over the center-back spots.

Other deals to watch today …

• Hakim Ziyech to Paris Saint-Germain
• Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain
• Pedro Porro to Tottenham Hotspur
• Hector Bellerin to Sporting CP
• Keylor Navas to Nottingham Forest
• Kamaldeen Sulemana to Southampton
• Matt Doherty to Atletico Madrid
• Nicolo Zaniolo to … anywhere