8
RETURNING FROM CHINA
After several recent attempts to
force through a move back to
Europe, Belgian left-winger Yannick
Carrasco finally had his wish granted
by Dalian Professional, who allowed him to join
his old club Atletico Madrid on loan until the end
of the season. Another Chinese returnee was
former Watford centre-forward Odion Ighalo,
who, in a shock turn of events, swopped
Shanghai Shenhua for a stint on loan at
Manchester United.9
THE SWIFT LOAN-BACK
You have to be a savvy negotiator
to pull off this type of deal as the
selling party. Receive a good price
for a player, but retain his services
for a little longer. That was the case with Lyon
president Jean-Michel Aulas, who sold defensive
midfielder Lucas Tousart to Hertha Berlin for
€25m, then persuaded the German club to
immediately loan back the French under-21 for
six months. Not only does Aulas get the money,
he also has the time to find a replacement.6
THE SOUTH AMERICAN
CONNECTION
Hats off to Real Madrid, who fought
off Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Paris
Saint-Germain and Manchester City
for the signature of Brazilian boy wonder Reinier
Jesus. The 18-year-old Flamengo and Brazil
under-23 starlet is quite the virtuoso and Real
will be delighted to have obtained so much
potential for an affordable €30m transfer fee.
Under contract until 2026, he will see out this
season with Real’s B team, Castilla.10
THE BEST “OPTION
TO BUY”
Liverpool manager Jurgen
Klopp described Emre Can’s
mid-season move from
Juventus to Borussia Dortmund as a “win-win
situation” for the latter. The Ruhr powerhouse,
who initially have Can on loan, should benefit
from the holding midfielder’s experience,
adaptability and drive. And at the end of the
season they have the right to definitively buy him
for a more than reasonable €25m.7
THE ETERNAL WANDERER
The 35-year-old African striker
Emmanuel Adebayor shows no sign
of wanting to jump off the transfer
merry-go-round. A free agent after
leaving Turkish outfit Kayserispor, the former
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City
front man is now off to ply his trade in Paraguay,
where he will lead the line for leading domestic
side Olimpia. In almost two decades as a
professional, the Togo international has now
worn the colours of no fewer than 10 clubs.January Window
Affordable...
Reinier JesusClever...Lucas
TousartReturn... Option...Emre Can
Yannick
CarrascoTraveller...its Paraguay next for Emmanuel Adebayor