Now that the January transfer window has slammed shut, it’s time to assess the damage. Here, theScore gives its verdict on the movers and shakers from the last 31 days.
Winner: Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund may have won the entire window.
By acting quickly to sign Erling Haaland – the Norwegian prodigy who rose to stardom with Red Bull Salzburg earlier this season – Dortmund reinforced their status as Europe’s top talent incubator. Haaland chose Dortmund over a host of other clubs, including Manchester United, because he felt the German side could provide the necessary playing time to continue his development.
Dortmund did what they had to do to get the deal over the line, reportedly satisfying the player’s €20-million release clause while paying an additional €15 million to agent Mino Raiola and another €10 million to Haaland’s father. Other teams would’ve balked at those figures, but Dortmund are already reaping the rewards of their investment. Haaland scored a hat-trick off the bench during his debut on Jan. 18 and produced a brace in another cameo appearance one week later; he already has five goals in a scarcely believable 56 minutes of play.
BVB also managed to offload two players …read more