January’s transfer deadline day was notable for one major big money deal and another that didn’t materialise, all wrapped around a night of Premier League football.
Here’s our summary of the main forays into the market, with a brief assessment of their likely impact for Fantasy Football managers.
Further, more in-depth Scout Reports on the key assets will follow over the next week.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal
Arsenal broke their club record transfer to deliver the biggest deal of the day, with Aubameyang’s move to the Emirates Stadium covered in detail in our earlier Scout Report.
There is no question that the capture of the Gabon striker is likely to have the biggest impact on the remainder of our Fantasy seasons.
Aubameyang is a prolific marksman of the highest order, boasting 141 goals in 213 games for Dortmund, including 21 in 24 matches in all competitions this season before arriving in North London.
A potential debut could arrive against Everton in Gameweek 26, with the new signing potentially causing a shift in Arsene Wenger’s formation.
It remains to be seen how Aubameyang’s arrival impacts on Arsenal’s former record-signing Alexandre Lacazette. It is expected that the Frenchman could either make way, or shift to a wide support role allowing Aubameyang to step up as the lone central striker. Significantly, Lacazette could also surrender penalty kicks.
Olivier Giroud & Emerson Palmieri to Chelsea
Giroud’s departure was a makeweight in that deal, with the Gunners recouping a reported £17.5 million of the Aubameyang fee.
Chelsea will be optimistic on getting value for money given Giroud’s Premier League pedigree.
In Fantasy terms, the Frenchman has rarely figured in our plans with his security of start always in doubt under Arsene Wenger. That could change at the Blues, though it remains to be seen how Antonio Conte will set up the pecking order with Alvaro Morata.
The Spanish signing has struggled to convince, with Conte citing a back injury for Morata’s latest struggles. Giroud’s experience and proven goalscoring record could see him establish regular starts and that would certainly make his 8.2 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fee of interest.
Giroud was presented to the Stamford Bridge faithful against Bournemouth on Wednesday night, along with Emerson Palmieri – a reported £17.6 million capture from Serie A side Roma.
A versatile left-sided player, Palmieri’s role – first and foremost – will be to finally give Conte an option to rest and rotate Marcos Alonso.
The 23-year-old looks to be a signing for future seasons and seems unlikely to oust Alonso for now. However, he certainly provides a more viable rotation option – something that hasn’t been concern since Alonso became established in Conte’s line-up.
Didier Ndong to Watford
The Hornets moved to snap up Sunderland’s club record signing on a season-long loan deal.
Part of the Black Cats squad relegated last season, Ndong is a combative midfielder who is very unlikely to factor in our thinking.
Badou Ndiaye to Stoke City
Another midfield signing, Ndiaye arrives from Galatasaray for a fee of around £14 million.
A dynamic box-to-box midfielder, he delivered 18 goals in 75 appearances for Turkish club Osmanlispor before joining Galatasaray. He’s found the net just once in 17 appearances since.
Ndiaye will presumably be considered a first choice selection for new manager Paul Lambert, with a role alongside Darren Fletcher in the engine perhaps his most likely destination.
Lucas Moura to Tottenham Hotspur
A more significant midfield signing, Spurs may well have pulled off a major coup by acquiring the Brazilian winger for a fee of £25 million from Paris St-Germain.
He cost them £33.5m from Sao Paulo four seasons ago and provided 46 goals and 50 assists over 229 appearances. However, he was considered surplus to requirements this season, having been limited just six outings from the bench.
A traditional winger, blessed with pace, Moura provides a new option for Mauricio Pochettino which will most likely put Son Heung-min’s regular role under threat.
He is eligible for the Champions League knock-out stages, so provides an option there, but it remains to be seen just how many Premier League opportunities he’ll be given.
Pushing for a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad, the 25-year-old is unlikely to be content to settle for another stint on the bench having suffered that fate in Paris.
Islam Slimani to Newcastle United
A crucial signing for the Magpies and potentially one that could interest Fantasy managers down the line.
Priced at just 6.6 in FPL, the Algerian will surely become established as Rafa Benitez’s first choice striker and finally earn regular football.
He has been a frustrated figure at Leicester City, having been limited to 13 starts in his debut season. However, he scored seven goals from 23 appearances and hinted that he could deliver if given an extended run in the side.
Benitez will give him that chance, with Slimani set to spearhead Newcastle’s survival bid.
The Magpies also signed Slovakian international goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka on loan from Sparta Prague, a move that looks likely to relegate Rob Elliot further down the pecking order.
Andre Ayew to Swansea City
Ayew returns to the Liberty Stadium and, intriguingly, will now be re-united with brother Jordan in the Swans forward line.
Presumably, this is the thinking behind the Welsh club breaking their club record deal and splashing £18 million on their former player.
Classed as a midfielder and now priced 6.8 in FPL, Ayew could present an option, though ironically it is his younger brother who will likely undermine any potential.
Priced at just 5.2, Jordan Ayew has been in outstanding form since being handed a central role up front, scoring four goals from seven starts.
It remains to be seen if Andre’s arrival disrupts his form or helps Jordan flourish further.
Swansea have also swooped to snap up Leicester City stalwart Andy King on loan – he is priced at just 4.2 in FPL and could, therefore, attract some attention should he cement a starting role.
Jordan Hugill to West Ham United
The Hammers brought in a much-needed late recruit by acquiring Preston North End striker in a deal said to be worth £10 million.
Hugill arrives having fired 30 goals in 114 appearances for Championship side, including eight goals in 27 league matches this term.
A target man who can hold the ball up and bring others into play, Hugill looks to be suited to a lone striker role and will give David Moyes a short-term option while Marko Arnautovic sidelined.
However, unless he makes an immediate impact, Hugill would seem unlikely to threaten the Austrian’s starts or role as West Ham’s striker once he is back in contention following a hamstring injury.
Alexander Sorloth to Crystal Palace
Another striker signing, the Eagles have reportedly paid Danish club FC Midtjylland £9 million to bring in the Norway international.
An impressive 15 goals in 26 matches this term suggests that the 22-year-old offers some potential, though it is expected that he will merely provide back-up for Christian Benteke initially. Standing six foot four inches, Sorloth is certainly cut out to fulfil a similar target man role.
Intriguingly, he has immediately been handed the number nine shirt at Selhurst Park.
