A bit of a flurry on the last couple of days of the winter transfer market, but still by far the lowest number of movements ever at this time of year. Espanyol were the late movers, taking promising young forward Coutinho on loan from Inter Milan and signing two players from the bankrupt Neuchatel, ex Almería forward Kalu Uche, who actually started at Espanyol, and Víctor Sánchez, who is a local boy who began at Barça. Coutinho and Uche in particular are welcome additions for Pochettino after his three star forwards all got injured recently. Another of Coutinho's exciting youth international colleagues Henrique will be joining Granada on loan, and Villarreal (Martinucchio), Levante (Ghezzal) and Racing (Babacar) all signed strikers at the end of the transfer window. No more moves will be allowed from now until the end of the season, with the exception of replacements for long term injuries and players who are unemployed. (02.02.12)
Player (Country) | Current club | New club | Position/Comments |
Coutinho (BZL) | Inter Milan (ITA) | Espanyol | MF Promising youngster joins on loan from Inter to end of season to gain experience. |
Kalu Uche (NIG) | Neuchatel (SWI) | Espanyol | FW Ex Almería forward joins old club on contract to 2013 to strengthen attack after injuries to key strikers. |
Víctor Sánchez | Neuchatel (SWI) | Espanyol | MF Another player out of contract due to bankrutcy of Swiss club. Ex Barça & Getafe midfielder returns to home town. |
Martinuccio (ARG) | Fluminense (BZL) | Villarreal | FW Giovani too expensive in the end, so have signed unknown striker on loan from Brazilian league. May be needed if Nilmar goes. |
Henrique (BZL) | Sao Paulo (BZL) | Granada | FW Agreed to take Brazilian youth international on loan to end of season with buy out option after QPR bid fell through. Voted best player in U20 World Cup. |
Ghezzal (ARG / FRA) | Bari / Cessena (ITA) | Levante | FW Last minute signing of striker on loan to strengthen attack, where they only have Koné and Jordà. |
Nano | Levante | Shaanxi (CHN) | DF Received a good offer from China for veteran defender, and accepted to boost funds. |
Babacar (SEN) | Fiorentina (ITA) | Racing Santander | FW Signed 18 year old striker on loan on last day to replace Ariel. Fellow countryman Diop will help him settle in. |
Marcos Gullón | Villarreal B | Racing Santander | MF Some reports he had joined on loan, but seems he has signed for 18 months, with option of one more season. |
Tziolis (GRE) | Racing Santander | Mónaco (FRA) | MF Takes up offer from Mónaco, and leaves to try and help them back to first division. Fee undisclosed. |
Ariel Nahuelpán (ARG) | Racing Santander | LDU Quito (ECU) | FW Contract rescinded, and found a new home in Ecuador. Apparently South American club's record signing? |
Fran Mérida | Sporting Braga (POR) | Atlético Madrid | MF Portuguese side returned him early from loan, and was expected to move on. Simeone giving him a chance though. |
Joel | Atlético Madrid | Rayo Vallecano | GK Lost first team place to Courtois this year, so agrees loan move as cover for injured Dani. |
Rafa García | Rayo Vallecano | Xerez | DF Virtually the last player to move before window closed. |
Pablo Alvarez (ARG / SPA) | Catania (ITA) | Zaragoza | DF Have taken right back on loan to end of season to replace Jaúrez, who was let go to free up non-EU spot. |
Fernando Meira (POR) | Zaragoza | No club | MF Has agreed terms to rescind contract due to long term injury, and is concentrating on recovery. |
Arizmendi | Neuchatel (SWI) | Getafe | FW Forward returns from loan move after club went bankrupt. Not expected to feature much though. |
Albertazzi (ITA) | Getafe | AC Milan (ITA) | DF Have agreed for him to return home early from loan move after failing to impress. Didn't play one minute all season! |
Colunga | Getafe | Sporting Gijón | FW Has taken a long time, but finally got the striker they wanted on loan to end of season. Sangoy turned down offers to leave. |
Iñaki Tejada | Technical staff | Sporting Gijón | MG Assistant manager takes over after his boss Manolo Preciado was fired following string of bad results. |
Isaac Cuenca | Barcelona B | Barcelona | FW Youngster came through against some tough opposition, and has earned himself place in first team squad. |
Hleb (BLR) | Barcelona / Wolfsburg (GER) | Olympiacos (GRE) | MF Returned early from loan deal and agreed terms to rescind contract and move to Greece. |
Aki Ienaga (JPN) | Mallorca | Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) | FW Has not made much of an impact since joining last winter, and agrees to move to Korea on twelve month loan. |
Momo | Betis | Las Palmas | MF Winger has hardly played this season, so agrees to return to old club. Signs three year deal. |
Kris Stadsgaard (DEN) | Málaga | Copenhagen (DEN) | DF Played a lot last year, but hasn't featured this season, and agrees to end contract and move back home. |
Edinho (POR) | Málaga | Académica Coimbra (POR) | FW Given squad number this summer after return from loan, but hasn't played, and goes out again on loan with purchase option. |
McDonald Mariga (KEN) | Real Sociedad | Inter Milan / Parma (ITA) | MF This one's a bit sad, McDonald goes back to old club. Maybe Montanier prefers Burger King? Will be loaned back out to Parma. |
Sarpong (HOL) | Real Sociedad | NAC Breda (HOL) | MF Has hardly played under Montanier, and agrees to go back to Holland on loan to end of season. |
Acciari / Goiria | Elche / Cartagena | Girona | DF / FW Two more late signings to take total to seven this winter. Will it help them escape drop zone? |
Antonio Nuñez / Rosas / Jorge | Apollon /Khazar | Huesca | MF Have signed three well-known veterans from various parts of the World. Jorge was unemployed. |
Orfano (ARG) | Boca Juniors (ARG) | Villarreal B | DF Have completely revolucionized squad, with 7 players coming up from C team, complemented by Barrientos and Orfano from Argentina. |