Nine done deals you might have missed this week from ex-Liverpool ‘keeper to Man United reunion at Boca Juniors | OneFootball

There’s a lot of football going on across Europe right now with all major leagues back up and running.

So fans are naturally focusing mostly on what’s happening on the pitch. But, of course, it’s also the January transfer window. Between games, fans are dreaming up their ideal transfers and hoping their clubs are active in the window.

This week alone we saw a massive move take place with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joining Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli. But the size of that deal means a lot of other transfers may have gone under the radar — as well as the amount of matches to focus on.

That’s where we come in, with some of the biggest done deals you might have missed this week.

Donyell Malen

To: Aston Villa

Kvaratskhelia’s move to Napoli was the biggest of the week, but the second has to be Donyell Malen signing for Aston Villa. And even then it feels like it got lost amongst the Premier League action and other transfer stories. Malen scored three goals in 14 Bundesliga games this season but eight of those appearances came as a substitute. He’ll be ineligible for Villa’s final two Champions League league phase games, with no squad changes allowed until that stage is done.

Romain Esse

For the second January running, Crystal Palace have looked to the Championship to bolster their squad. Last season it was Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers, and what a move that was. This year, they’ve raided Millwall for Romain Esse. The teenager is an exciting attacking player, featuring heavily on the wing for Millwall this season. He was directly involved in five goals in his 24 league games, while also completing 51 take-ons — the second-most in the Championship.

James Rodriguez

The name’s Bond, James Rodriguez. The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner and Puskas Award winner had been plying his trade in La Liga with Rayo Vallencano this season. Not that he was playing too often. The 33-year-old managed just six league appearances amassing 136 minutes, with another 69 in the Copa del Rey. But the former Everton, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder is on the move again. He’ll now be playing in Mexico with Club Leon, the 11th club he has represented in his senior career.

Andre Gray

From the Championship to the Turkish Super Lig won’t be a route many take. But Andre Gray has made that switch. This isn’t Gray’s first time playing out of England, with previous spells in Greece with Aris Saloniki and Al-Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. He joined Plymouth Argyle in October after a brief spell without a club and played 13 games for the Pilgrims. During that time, Gray scored three goals and provided one assist. But he has now left Home Park, signing for Fatih Karagumruk on an 18-month deal.

Loris Karius

Loris Karius had been without a club for six months, leaving Newcastle United in the summer. The German goalkeeper was a backup option at St James’ Park, rarely used after leaving Liverpool. Of course, Karius will mostly be remembered in England for his time at Liverpool which includes an unfortunate showing in the 2017-18 Champions League final. Karius is now back in his native Germany, signing for Schalke who are currently struggling in the 2. Bundesliga.

Ander Herrera

Boca Juniors are building a throwback Manchester United squad. Ander Herrera is the latest to move to the Argentinian club, joining former Man United team-mates Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero, as well as Edison Cavani. Herrera and Cavani weren’t at Man United at the same time, but they were team-mates for one season at PSG. Herrera had been playing with Athletic Club for a second spell, and spent two years back in Spain. But he wasn’t used too often in the first half of the 2024-25 season, which saw Athletic happy to let Herrera leave.

Max Aarons

To: Valencia (loan)

Max Aarons has struggled for gametime at Bournemouth this season. He’s had to watch on as Adam Smith continues to hold onto the spot as starting right-back. It’s a shame as he had started last season well for Bournemouth before falling out of the team due to injury issues. Aarons remains on the books at Bournemouth but will be spending the second half of the season on loan at Valencia, an interesting move.

Woyo Coulibaly

From: Parma

Another incoming in the Premier League this week was Woyo Coulibaly joining Leicester City. The Foxes are fighting relegation this season and have decided to bolster their defence. They’ve generally struggled at right-back this season due to Ricardo Pereira’s injury, putting a lot of pressure on James Justin. Coulibaly comes in to provide depth, and he played 14 Serie A games for Parma in the first half of the season. He’s also able to play at left-back.

Andreas Skov Olsen

Andreas Skov Olsen is a name people may recognise more from international football, having made 37 appearances for Denmark so far. In terms of his club football, Skov Olsen moved from Bologna to Club Brugge in 2022 and has racked up over 100 appearances for the Belgian club. This season alone, Skov Olsen has scored eight goals in 19 league appearances, and also featured six times in the Champions League. But the Dane will now be testing his strengths in the Bundesliga, joining Wolfsburg on a four-year deal.

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