Winter transfers: Top 3 paid less than Hertha last year - Juve's U23 in Top 15

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"We are in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in financial losses over a long period of time," Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said at the end of December. "As a result, the upcoming transfer window will only be background noise." The 61-year-old was right. Dortmund kept quiet during the window, only Steffen Tigges, from BVB II was added to the first team, it was much the same everywhere else. Last winter, just at the beginning of the pandemic, clubs were more active. 

Market Value

D. Szoboszlai Central Midfield

€75.00m

In January 2020, BVB paid €21 million for Erling Haaland and Emre Can, who was initially signed on loan. Nineteen other clubs invested even more 12 months ago. In 2021 the Black and Yellows would be among the top three clubs with what they paid last winter. This year RB Leipzig missed out on the top three by just a tiny margin. By spending €20 million for Dominik Szoboszlai—he arrived from sister club Red Bull Salzburg—Leipzig finished fourth overall. Just behind Manchester United. The Red Devils paid €21 million for new signing Amad Diallo (arrived from Atalanta). 

Aside from RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen (€14.7 million for three signings) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (€10.8 million for two signings), who in Kouadio Koné signed a player with an eye on the summer market, two other Bundesliga sides are in the top 20. Bayer also invested heavily last winter by paying €35 million in fees, far below what Hertha paid for in January 2020. The club from the German capital invested €77 million under Jürgen Klinsmann. Hertha signed Lucas Tousart, Krzysztof Piatek, Matheus Cunha, and Santiago Ascacíbar. 

In 2021 the top three spenders combined paid less in fees than what Hertha invested one year ago. Last year €20 million or more was paid 17-times. With a fee of €55 million, Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes was the most expensive winter transfer. Because of COVID-19, the top clubs were more cautious when it came to spending this winter. Only five deals cost €20 million or more. The club that spent the most was West Ham United. The Hammers paid €26.4 million to sign Saïd Benrahma (€23.1m), who was previously on loan, to free up a space for an inner-English loan deal in the form of Jesse Lingard. 

In comparison: Winter spending of clubs in 2019 and 2020

Juventus' special role: Accounting tricks see two teams jump into the top 15

Once again, Juventus is one exception. The Italian serial champions manage to get two teams into the top 15 of clubs that have spent the most this winter—the first squad ranks fifth, and the U23 ranks 13th. Juventus organized deals with Genoa CFC, Olympique Marseille, and FC Lugano to improve the books of the Serie A champions. 

Market Value

N. Rovella Defensive Midfield

€18.00m

Nicolò Rovella was signed for €18 million by the Bianconeri. His contract at the Grifoni would have been up this summer. Going the other way was Manolo Portanova, Genoa paid €10 million. The U23 sold Elia Petrelli to Genoa for €8 million. In reality, €18 million were transferred from one club to another. 

Market Value

M. Aké Left Winger

€1.60m

As income, the fees can be calculated as both profits and deficits. The deficits, however, can be written off according to the length of the contracts and, therefore, have minimal impact on the books. Juventus' U23 made a similar deal with Marseille. Franco Tongya signed for €8 million at OM, Marley Aké moved the other way for the same fee. Juventus also sold Kévin Monzialo for €2.5 million to Lugano in exchange for €2.5 million and Christopher Lungoyi. Lungoyi was, however, promptly loaned back to the Swiss club. The same was the case with Rovella, who will remain with Genoa, on loan, naturally. 

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