The winter transfer window opened today, and will continue on until midnight on 30 th January. Without doubt the biggest news is the return of “El Niño” Fernando Torres to Atlético Madrid, the Spanish international looking to re-boot his career under Simeone after a mediocre time at Chelsea and an unsuccessful loan period at AC Milan. With financial fair-play rules in force in Spain, Atleti had to let someone go to free up space on their payroll, and Cerci will be travelling to AC Milan in a loan swap deal between the two players (Chelsea sold Torres to Milan first as part of the arrangement). Meanwhile Valencia have also moved early to tie up Argentinian international Enzo Pérez from Benfica, a player they were unable to sign in the summer as new owner Peter Lim had not completed the purchase of the club. Elsewhere Málaga’s Roqué Santa Cruz and Pablo Pérez will be moving on, and two Jonathans will be changing clubs, Pereira joining Valladolid on loan after his stay at Rayo was cut short, and Viera returning home to Las Palmas. That’s just the beginning, although the stringent fair-play rules will restrict many clubs from adding to their squads, and of course Barcelona will be unable to sign anyone after their appeal against FIFA’s transfer ban was turned down. (02.01.15)
Latest transfers detailed below. Colour coding: Green - deals completed, but still not closed, or player on trial; Blue - deals closed now, but will take place at a later date; Red - deals closed but subsequently cancelled.
Date | Player (Country) | Old club | New club | Position/Comments |
02/01/15 | Fernando Torres | Chelsea (ENG) / AC Milan (ITA) | Atlético Madrid | FW El Niño is coming home! Terms agreed for transfer to Milan, and subsequent loan swap with Cerci. |
02/01/15 | Cerci (ITA) | Atlético Madrid | AC Milan (ITA) | FW Simeone has hardly used him since summer signing from Torino, and agrees loan deal taking him back to Italy. |
02/01/15 | Enzo Pérez (ARG) | Benfica (POR) | Valencia | MF Lim gets his man at last! Couldn't sign him in summer, but have paid €25 Mio for him and signs for 4 years. |
02/01/15 | Santa Cruz (PAR) | Málaga | Cruz Azul (MEX) | FW Ex Blackburn & Man City striker accepts offer to be highest paid player in Mexico. Will sign 2 year contract. |
02/01/15 | Pablo Pérez (ARG) | Málaga | Boca Juniors (ARG) | MF Hasn't been in Gracia's plans this year, and leaves on 18 month loan with buy out option at end of period. |
02/01/15 | Borja Fernández | Atlético Kalkuta (IND) | Eibar | MF Have signed ex Getafe midfielder to end of season. Spent last 6 months playing in India Superleague. |
02/01/15 | Jonathan Pereira | Villarreal / Rayo Vallecano | Valladolid | FW Loan period at Rayo ended early, and is loaned on to end of season, with option for one more if they go up. |
02/01/15 | Jonathan Viera | Standard Liège (BEL) | Las Palmas | MF Belgians only signed him from Valencia last summer, but have agreed for him to return to home town club on loan. |
02/01/15 | Layún (MEX) | Club America (MEX) | Granada / Watford (ENG) | DF Have signed international left back on 5 year deal, but will be loned on to Watford to end of season. |
02/01/15 | Paredes | No club | Albacete | DF Ex Getafe & Zaragoza left back joins club after spending a month or so training with them. |
02/01/15 | Espín | AE Larissa (GRE) | Mirandés | DF Ex Valladolid defender rejoins Terrazas to end of season after brief period in Greece. |
02/01/15 | Xisco Muñoz | Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) | Nàstic | FW Ex Valencia & Betis forward returns to Spain after spell of over 3 years in Georgia. |