The transfer deadline day of 2021 was always going to be a more prudent one for clubs in the Premier League due to the massive financial hits taken due to Covid-19. However, there were a lot of players who moved to new destinations on Monday night. Here are the stories we found most interesting:
Okan Kabak (Schalke to Liverpool, initial loan)
The Turkish international defender has joined the reigning English champions on loan until the end of the season. However, there is also an option for the Reds to make the deal a permanent one in the summer for an initial fee of £18million that could rise to £26.5m with add-ons.
The 20-year-old has established a reputation as a bright young centre-back in Gelsenkirchen. The youngster will add some depth to Liverpool’s current dearth in central defenders.
Ben Davies (Preston to Liverpool, £500,000 initial fee)
The 25-year-old centre-back is another player brought in to ease Liverpool’s defensive problems. The 25-year-old has joined the Reds for an initial fee of £500,000, which could rise to £1.5million. Davies would have been a free agent in the summer and had reportedly been close to agreeing on a pre-contract to Scottish champions Celtic. However, he instead chose to join Jurgen Klopp’s club.
Josh King (Bournemouth to Everton, undisclosed fee)
The Norwegian striker has joined the Toffees to add to Carlo Ancelotti’s attacking options. The 29-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £1m, which could rise to £5m depending on the forward’s success on Merseyside. The 29-year-old has been linked with a moved away from the Cherries since last summer. King has six months to impress on Merseyside and earn a new contract beyond the summer.
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Takumi Minamino (Liverpool to Southampton, loan)
The Japanese international has completed a loan move to the south coast club until the end of the season. He has struggled for first-team football at Liverpool since a £7.65m move from RB Salzburg just over a year ago. Minamino’s arrival has allowed forward Shane Long to join Bournemouth, where he will fill the void left by the aforementioned King.
Joe Willock (Arsenal to Newcastle, loan)
The highly young midfielder has joined the north east outfit on loan and adds some energy to the Magpies midfield area. The 19-year-old has not been a regular for the Gunners this season but has still managed to make 16 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s team. The arrival of Martin Odegaard’s arrival from Real Madrid on loan has pushed Willock down the pecking order in north London.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal to West Brom, loan)
Another Arsenal player who has made a temporary move away from the club, joining struggling West Brom. The versatile star was in-demand on deadline day, with Leicester and Southampton also interested in signing the youngster. The Gunners were reluctant to let him join Leicester, due too the fact that they may be rivals for a European place this season. Maitland-Niles was keen on a move to play regular first-team football ahead of this summers European Championship.
Who was the biggest mover in the Premier League on winter deadline day 2021?
