Transfer Deadline Day: Chelsea Signs Fernandez in Record Deal, Jorginho Joins Arsenal

With Enzo Fernández, Jorginho and João Cancelo on the move, an eventful winter transfer window came to a close Tuesday.

After another hectic month in the transfer market, the winter window has now come to a close. 

It has been a record-breaking transfer window for one team in particular with Chelsea setting a new mark for winter transfer spending just months after setting the summer transfer record. And the Blues put the cherry on top by signing top transfer target Enzo Fernández from Benfica for a British record £105 million ($129.2 million). 

It has already been an eventful transfer window for the U.S. men’s national team. Star midfielder Weston McKennie completed a stunning move from Juventus to Leeds United, where he will join a host of familiar faces. American international Konrad de la Fuente appeared set for a loan move to Championship side Hull City but the paperwork for the 21-year-old Marseille winger, currently on loan at Olympiakos, wasn’t filed on time. 

Meanwhile, Barcelona is reportedly on the verge of sealing a move for LA Galaxy right back Julián Araujo. The deal being discussed would send the 21-year-old Mexican international to the La Liga giants for around $4 million, per MLS Soccer’s Tom Bogert. However, the deal needs MLS approval and has yet to go through. 

João Cancelo, Keylor Navas and Jorginho were some of the most prominent names to make deadline day moves, but the most bizarre story comes from a botched loan deal between Chelsea and PSG. The French side reached an agreement to sign Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech on loan, but the deal was reportedly called off after the paperwork was mishandled and wasn’t sent in on time.

Here were the most notable moves to cross the finish line on deadline day:

McKennie, Fernández and João Cancelo were all in the transfer headlines on Deadline Day.  / IMAGO

MOST NOTABLE TRANSFERS

Enzo Fernández (Benfica to Chelsea)

After a month-long transfer saga, Chelsea reached an agreement with Benfica over a move for the Argentina midfielder. The 2022 World Cup Young Player of the Tournament had a release clause of £105 million, which set a new British transfer record during a record winter window for the Blues.

Weston McKennie (Juventus to Leeds)

The U.S. men’s national team star secured a loan move to Leeds United after two and a half seasons with Italian giant Juventus. At Leeds, the 24-year-old will join USMNT teammates Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams as well as American manager Jesse Marsch. The deal is a loan through the end of the season with an option to buy in the summer that is reportedly worth around $40 million.  

Jorginho (Chelsea to Arsenal)

Arsenal has made a surprise move for the Chelsea midfielder, and it looks like a bargain. The 31-year-old Italian international was in the final six months of his contract and had seen his playing time at Stamford Bridge dwindle, and now joins the title favorite in a move that could cost up to £12 million.

João Cancelo (Man City to Bayern Munich on loan)

The fullback has seen his playing time in the Premier League dwindle and has now orchestrated a surprising deadline day move to another European giant. His deal reportedly includes an option to make the loan permanent in the summer for around €70 million.

Marcel Sabitzer (Bayern Munich to Manchester United on loan)

The central midfielder joins Manchester United after Christian Eriksen was ruled out for months due to an ankle injury. United waited until the last minute, announcing the move for the 28-year-old Austrian international just after midnight local time.

Keylor Navas (PSG to Nottingham Forest on loan)

In one of the days more surprising moves, the Costa Rican captain has signed with Nottingham Forest on loan through the remainder of the season. After stints with Real Madrid and PSG, the 36-year-old keeper will now try his hand at the Premier League. 

Anthony Gordon (Everton to Newcastle)

After being linked with Chelsea throughout much of the year, the 21-year-old forward has completed a massive $49.5 million move to Newcastle, becoming the club’s second most expensive signing ever. 

Pedro Porro (Sporting Lisbon to Tottenham)

Spurs got its man in the 23-year-old right back, although it took a while. After seeing the deal fall through yesterday, Tottenham will bring the Spanish international in on loan before reportedly paying a €45 million fee in the summer. 

Hector Bellerin (Barcelona to Sporting Lisbon on loan)

The former Arsenal fullback has now left Barcelona for Portugal. Sporting Lisbon secured a loan deal through the end of the season after making just three La Liga appearances for Barça this season. 

Matthew Hoppe (Middlesbrough to Hibernian on loan)

In an unexpected move, the American forward makes his third move in the past year and a half. After joining Boro from Mallorca in the summer, Hoppe made only six Championship appearances this season and will now look for more playing time in the Scottish Premiership. 

Scottish side Hibernian announced a loan move for U.S. forward Matthew Hoppe in epic fashion

(via @HibernianFC)pic.twitter.com/c6g6asvIoi

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) January 31, 2023

Matt Doherty (Tottenham to Atlético Madrid)

Earlier in the day, the Irish international was released from Spurs when his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Then, Doherty signed with Atlético on a free transfer through the end of the season. 

Cédric Soares (Arsenal to Fulham on loan)

Fulham secured a loan move for Arsenal defender as the Portuguese fullback had made only four appearances for the Gunners this season.

Harry Souttar (Stoke City to Leicester City)

Leicester City has pushed a deal for the center back over the line in a £15 million move. The 24-year-old was a standout player during Australia’s World Cup run to the knockout stages in Qatar and will now bring his six-foot-six frame to the Premier League. 

Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes to Southampton) 

The Ghanaian international arrives at Southampton for a club record £22 million. Despite only scoring once in 14 Ligue 1 games this season, there are high hopes for the 20-year-old forward. 

Paul Onuachu (Genk to Southampton) 

The six-foot-seven Nigerian striker, who has scored 17 goals in 22 games this season, heads to Saints on a busy day for the Premier League side. 

Ilya Zabarnyi (Dynamo Kyiv to Bournemouth)

Bournemouth has made a move for the exciting Ukrainian center back. The 20-year-old was linked with Spurs and Aston Villa before the Cherries sealed the transfer on deadline day.

Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle to Nottingham Forest)

The former Liverpool midfielder leaves Newcastle after seven seasons and more than 200 appearances for the club. The midfielder joins a Nottingham Forest side that has made plenty of signings in its first year back in the Premier League.

Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal to Crystal Palace on loan)

Crystal Palace has secured a loan move for the Arsenal midfielder. The Belgian international has made 15 appearances across all competitions this season for the Gunners and now joins Patrick Vieira’s side. 

Saša Lukić (Torino to Fulham)

Fulham has completed its first signing with a deadline day move for the Torino midfielder. Lukić featured in all three of Serbia’s 2022 World Cup matches and has made more than 162 appearances in seven seasons for Torino. 

Diego Llorente (Leeds to Roma on loan)

After all of the spending this winter, Leeds United has sent center back Diego Llorente to AS Roma on loan, where he will bolster José Mourinho’s defense. The loan has an option that can make the move permanent this summer. 

Bryan Gil (Tottenham to Sevilla on loan)

Spurs has loaned out the Spanish winger to Sevilla for the remainder of the season. After making 11 appearances for Tottenham this season, the move to Sevilla will be the second loan that the 21-year-old has undertaken since arriving in north London in 2021.

PRICIEST MOVES OF THE WINTER

(All values obtained via Transfermarkt and converted to USD)

1. Enzo Fernández (Benfica to Chelsea, $129.2 million)
2. Mykhailo Mudryk (Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea, $76 million)
   
   
3. Anthony Gordon (Everton to Newcastle, $49.5 million)
   
   
4. Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven to Liverpool, $45.6 million)
   
   
5. Benoît Badiashile (Monaco to Chelsea, $41.3 million)
   
   
6. Noni Madueke (PSV Eindhoven to Chelsea, $38 million)
   
   
7. Malo Gusto (Lyon to Chelsea, $32.6 million)
   
   
8. Georginio Rutter (Hoffenheim to Leeds, $30.4 million)
   
   
9. Vitinha (SC Braga to Marseille, $27.2 million)
   
   
10. Jakub Kiwior (Spezia to Arsenal, $27.1 million)
    
    
11. Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes to Southampton, $27.1 million)
    
    
12. Leandro Trossard (Brighton to Arsenal, $26.1 million)
    
    
13. Ilya Zabarnyi (Dynamo Kyiv to Bournemouth, $24.7 million) 
    
    
14. Dango Ouattara (Lorient to Bournemouth, $24.5 million)
    
    
15. Danilo (Palmeiras to Nottingham Forest, $21.7 million)
    
    
16. Joâo Gomes (Flamengo to Wolverhampton Wanderers, $20.3 million)
    
    
17. Paul Onuachu (Genk to Southampton)  
    
    
18. Harry Souttar (Stoke City to Leicester City, $18.5 million)
    
    
19. Jhon Durán (Chicago Fire to Aston Villa, $18 million)
    
    
20. Gerson (Marseille to Flamengo, $16.3 million)
    
    
21. Victor Kristiansen (Copenhagen to Leicester City, $15.2 million)
    
    
22. Carlos Alcaraz (Racing Club to Southampton, $14.8 million)
    
    
23. Álex Moreno (Real Betis to Aston Villa, $14.7 million)
    
    
24. Andrey Santos (Vasco da Gama to Chelsea, $13.6 million)
    
    
25. Fernando Gorriarán (Santos laguna to Tigres UANL, $13.3 million)
    
    
26. Danny Ings (Aston Villa to West Ham, $13 million)