PSG, Italian giants are biggest movers in Europe’s winter transfer window

PARIS: Big-money transfers were few and far between on continental Europe during the winter transfer window, as clubs in Spain, Germany, Italy and France had a quiet month with only a few exceptions.

AFP Sport rounds up some of the key moves: Spanish clubs do not tend to splash their cash in the winter transfer windows and this season’s was even quieter than usual. Real Betis loaned Manchester United winger Antony until the end of the season, with the Brazilian aiming to reignite his career in Seville after it stagnated at Old Trafford.

Elsewhere, former Barcelona midfielder Arthur moved on loan to Girona from Juventus, also hoping to find form back in Catalonia, and Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic headed to Las Palmas also on a temporary basis.

The Bundesliga’s incoming winter transfer window was quiet too, with the notable exception of RB Leipzig, who smashed their transfer record to make Xavi Simons’ loan from Paris Saint-Germain permanent for 50 million euros ($52 million).

Bayern Munich’s main deadline-day news was goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s one-year extension, with their reported pursuit of Chelsea winger Christopher Nkunku falling through. Reluctant to lose wantaway forward Mathys Tel, the German giants sent the young Frenchman to Tottenham Hotspur on a six-month loan. Eintracht Frankfurt brought in Elye Wahi from Marseille for 25 million euros to replace Omar Marmoush, now with Manchester City.

Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen reacted to their injury woes by bringing in Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia and Mario Hermoso from Roma, both on six-month loan deals. Struggling Borussia Dortmund, who sit 11th in the Bundesliga table, brought in Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on a loan deal and signed Sweden left-back Daniel Svensson, but a deadline day move for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki collapsed. In Italy, AC Milan and Juventus reacted to poor starts to the season by making swoops in the January window.