As eluded to in the last transfer window update, the January window is never as action-packed as the summer equivalent. That doesn’t mean that we don’t get interesting transfers and as the window enters its closing days, one would expect panicking and impulse buys to create some surprise stories. Before then, we should take stock of some of the notable moves that have happened in the last two and a half weeks.
Bayer Leverkusen sign Borja Iglesias
Bayer Leverkusen’s 0-0 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach this weekend was deeply frustrating, particularly since Leverkusen had all the chances they wanted and still couldn’t score. The long-term absence of Victor Boniface presents a huge problem for Leverkusen and within minutes of their goalless game ending, they announced the signing of Borja Iglesias from Real Betis, the timing couldn’t have been better. Iglesias (or Panda as he’s otherwise known) is on loan until the end of the season and for Alonso, is the perfect replacement for Boniface. He’s been a great striker for Real Betis since he started to find his feet at the club in 2020/21, but this year has seen limited first-team opportunities and no goals in La Liga. Why is hard to say, the quality still seems to be there and it’s why he should be able to get back to form for Die Werkself.
Bayern bring Boey to Bavaria
I’ll be honest and say I’ve never heard of Sacha Boey, but Bayern Munich have decided to bring the Frenchman to Bavaria after failing to sign Kieran Trippier and Nordi Mukiele. He’s technically a third choice for the side, but his fee tells a different story. €30 million is a club record for a winter transfer, one that doesn’t imply that he’s going to be learning in the second team. It should be stressed that this fee is disputed, it’s what selling club Galatasaray have claimed, but Bayern say it’s below that figure and may only rise to that based on performance incentives. Still, the figure won’t be too far off and it leaves us asking if Boey is the right move. It’s always hard to predict how a player will make the jump, the Turkish league is not the same as the Bundesliga and Boey will undoubtedly need time to adapt. However, it is fair to say that he’s been a good player for the Istanbul side over his 83 appearances for the club, and at 23, he should get better, unlike the veterans Bayern were trying to sign instead.
Is David Jurásek any good?
Hoffenheim have a new left-back, with David Jurásek joining on loan from Benfica with a purchase option of €11 million. Since the departure of Angeliño, Hoffenheim have needed a new left-back but have often opted to play with a back-three. From that stance, the Jurásek addition is a good one. However, he is a player that comes with some question marks, particularly for those who don’t watch the Primeira Liga. After a great season for Slavia Prague in 2022/23, the Czech moved to Benfica for €14 million. That he’s close to leaving already says a lot, he’s made just six appearances in the league and there’s nothing to suggest that he’s contributed. Jurásek was meant to be the replacement for Alejandro Grimaldo after his departure to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, but he’s clearly not been able to establish himself in the first team. Was it a case of right-player, wrong-time, or wrong-player? I guess we’ll find out based on how he does in Sinsheim.
Freiburg sign Florent Muslija
Definitely the signing I’m most excited about, Freiburg have signed Florent Muslija from 2. Bundesliga side Paderborn. Muslija has been one of the best players in the second tier this year, and his goal from beyond the half-way line against St. Pauli will be remembered for a long time. Outside of that, he has eight other goals so far and he’s arguably been the driving factor behind his now former side sitting in 7th. Freiburg’s signings recently have been hit and miss, but Muslija is a versatile player who should be able to contribute to the first team immediately, making this a good move for just €1.1 million.
Sheraldo Becker out, Chris Bedia in
One in one out for Union Berlin. Sheraldo Becker has left for La Liga side Real Sociedad for €3 million. Becker was never an out-and-out goalscorer for Union, but this year has been a disaster for him. After 12 goals last season, he scored just three in eighteen this year: a brace against Braga, one in the Pokal against fourth-tier Astoria Walldorf, and none in the Bundesliga. The Urs Fischer system that he was so successful in stopped working at the beginning of the season, and it’s why both men have now moved on. He’s started his Real Sociedad career well with a goal against Celta Vigo on debut in the Copa del Rey. Within minutes of the sale, Union had announced his replacement, Chris Bedia signs from Swiss club Servette for €2 million. Bedia has been great for the Super League side in the last two campaigns, 12 in 25 last year and 16 in 29 this year. Again, there’s always a question about how a player like him manages the jump up, but there are reasons to be optimistic for Union.
Can Sebastian Andersson re-find his form?
It’s safe to say Nürnberg’s attack has not been great so far this season. As of point of publication, their 27 goals scored in the league is the fifth worst of any side. Der Klub’s attempt to fix this is to sign free agent Sebastian Andersson. The former Kaiserslautern, Union, and Köln man was released by the Billy Goats this summer and has waited for a club since. His 6 goals in 42 Bundesliga games for Köln isn’t great, but of course the 2. Bundesliga is a different kettle of fish to the top-flight. I’ve been sitting on this article for a while and since his signing, the Swiss striker has already played two games. If he continues to play like he has in his first two, this signing will go down as a disaster, hopefully he turns it around.
Schalke re-sign Darko Churlinov
Darko Churlinov is the second-tier version of Jadon Sancho. He has returned to Westphalia on loan after a stint with Schalke in 2021/22 where he played well and his team were champions (so not entirely like Sancho). He then moved to Lancashire, in this case Burnley and his performances took a notable dip. In another league-winning season, this time in the Championship, he played seven league games and didn’t score. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he hasn’t featured for The Clarets and a move back to Germany became a good option for the winger. He’s already scored, on his debut against Kaiserslautern, meaning he’s scored 50% of the two he scored in his first stint, it should be a move that works for both sides.
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