– The January transfer window was one of the quietest in recent memory with Chinese clubs stealing the limelight
– Arsene Wenger predicted one of the busiest windows ever but later admitted he was disappointed with the lack of activity
– The pulling power of the Chinese Super league sometimes made it difficult for the traditional European powerhouses to sign players
The January transfer window closed on January 31, with several unexpected transfers completed before the deadline such as Ramires, Freddy Guarin, Jackson Martinez and Alex Texeira moving to China.
Freddy Guarin has completed a move to Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC
The transfer ban placed on Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid fueled talk that the two teams could sign players to compensate for the two years that they will be unable to.
Despite this, the 2016 January transfer window was one of the quietest in recent memory; even Arsene Wenger had to admit so.
Now that the window has closed, Naij.com takes a look at those deals that were expected to happen but for some reason failed.
1. Odion Ighalo to Manchester United: Ighalo publicly courted a goal shy Manchester United in January. Despite reports of interest in the Super Eagles striker, he remained at Vicarage road.
Odion Ighalo celebrates scoring against Manchester United earlier in the season
2. Kokorin to Arsenal: Kokorin said it, his agent said it, even Wenger suggested it would happen but Kokorin did not leave Russia for England. It seemed Wenger would push for the Dinamo Moscow striker to cover for Danny Welback but the early return of Alexis Sanchez changed Wenger’s thoughts.
Dynamo Moscow’s Alexander Kokorin celebrates a goal scored against Krasnodar in the Russian Football Premier League
3. Alex Texeira to Liverpool: The one that seemed all but certain to happen. Texiera did not move to Liverpool from Shaktar Donesk because Liverpool did not want to pay the $60m which the Chinese club Jiangsu Suning did and he moved to China.
Alex Teixeira
4. Yaya Toure to any club: For the past two years Yaya has had a rocky relationship with Man City and the English press. It seemed he would finally move but he remained. His agent has, however, said that Pep Guardiola’s impending arrival means his client will move in the summer.
Yaya Toure
5. Nolito to Barcelona: Nolito is a Barcelona academy graduate who left the club some six years ago. Barcelona were looking to sign the left sided attacker to replace Pedro who left in the summer but Celta Vigo rejected Barcelona’s $13m offer.
Celta Vigo’s Nolito
6. Hazard to Real Madrid: Due to his poor form and a new coach at Real Madrid, it seemed Hazard would join Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric in swapping the Premier League for the Bernabeu but he remained. This is one move that could happen in the summer.
Eden Hazard
7. Mbaye Niang to Leicester City: The Foxes were looking for more firepower to keep their title hopes alive and went in search of some players who never arrived, one of whom was AC Milan’s Niang. The youngster said he never though of leaving the Rossoneri.
Mbaye Niang of AC Milan looks on during the TIM Cup match between AC Milan and FC Crotone. (Photo: Getty Images)
8. Ahmed Musa to Leicester City, Man Utd: Another who was chased by Leicester but never left for the table toppers. Manchester United were also looking to sign fast attackers and Musa’s name cropped up but the Super Eagles skipper seems set for a long stay at CSKA Moscow.
Ahmed Musa
9. Loic Remy to Leicester City: Remy is out of favour at Chelsea with Diego Costa clearly ahead of him. The Blues even signed Alexander Pato which was a sign that he was allowed to leave but Leicester City did not want to pay over the odds for the Frenchman.
Chelsea’s Loic Remy
10. Saido Berahino to Tottenham: For the past 12 months, Berahino has been linked with a move to Spurs who have only one recognised out-and-out striker in Harry Kane. The Englishman did not move and he is clearly not in Tony Pulis’s plans.
Tottenham had two offers for Berahino rejected
Another move that could happen in the summer.
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