THE rumour mill is in full swing now the January transfer window is well and truly open.
But clubs will need to be careful how they splash the cash and avoid any winter panic buys.
Nicolas Pepe has failed to justify his £72m price-tag at ArsenalCredit: Getty
In the summer, a host of clubs – including Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle – were guilty of overspending.
Now over halfway through the season, we’ve taken a look at the worst signings of the 2019-20 season, so far.
NICOLAS PEPE
From: Lille
To: Arsenal
Fee: £72million
DESPITE showing flashes of brilliance – including his two late free-kicks in the Europa League against Vitoria Guimaraes – Pepe certainly hasn’t lived up to his £72m price-tag.
Arsenal did well to negotiate a deal to spread that fee over five years.
But three goals in 18 Premier League appearances is not even close to what fans had hoped for.
The fact he has failed to tie down a regular starting spot under three different bosses this season is also telling…
EDEN HAZARD
Eden Hazard has struggled to replicate his Chelsea form at Real MadridCredit: Getty
From: Chelsea
To: Real Madrid
Fee: £150m
SLAMMED for being nearly a stone overweight, struggling for goals and now battling injuries, it’s been a season to forget for Hazard.
Long tipped with a “dream” move to the Bernabeu, the Belgian enjoyed arguably the best season of his career in 2018-19 at Chelsea.
But his dream has become a nightmare, scoring just once in 13 games for Los Blancos with his form and confidence disappearing.
TANGUY NDOMBELE
Tanguy Ndombele has struggled to nail down a starting spot at SpursCredit: Alamy Live News
From: Lyon
To: Tottenham
Fee: £55m
DESPITE being Spurs’ record signing, Ndombele has failed to settle into life in North London.
The former Lyon star has been in and out of the team all season, with Moussa Sissoko often preferred in the heart of midfield.
Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Giovani Lo Celso and Harry Winks have all been tried in his role which is a concern for fans given how expensive he was.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT
Matthijs De Ligt has struggled since joining JuventusCredit: Getty
From: Ajax
To: Juventus
Fee: £67.5m
REGARDED as the best young centre-back in the world thanks to his sensational form with Ajax, De Ligt was chased by seemingly every major club last summer.
Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were the three finalists for his signature – with the Italians coming out on top.
Midway through his debut season in Serie A and he’s already being linked with a move back to Ajax after struggling desperately for form.
In a scathing indictment of his Italian nightmare, some fans have branded him the “Dutch Phil Jones”.
JOELINTON
Joelinton has scored just once this season after costing Newcastle £40mCredit: Getty
From: Hoffenheim
To: Newcastle
Fee: £40m
YOU know you’re struggling for form when fans claim they’d rather have a slice of bread up front than you…
But that’s exactly what furious Newcastle fans have said about their club-record signing.
For years, the Toon faithful have been desperate for a big-money signing to get them back to the top half of the table.
After finally seeing club chiefs loosen the purse strings, fans have been left bitterly underwhelmed by Joelinton – who’s scored just ONE goal in 22 matches this term.
KIERAN TIERNEY
Kieran Tierney has struggled with injury throughout the seasonCredit: Reuters
From: Celtic
To: Arsenal
Fee: £25m
THE Scottish left-back arrived at the Emirates with fans believing he was the missing link.
But a spate of injuries has limited Tierney to just five Premier League appearances this term.
Working with such a limited budget in the summer, splashing £25m on an injury-prone player – who was crocked at the time of signing – was certainly a risk for Arsenal and the criticism has to be aimed at them, not the player.
This move ceratinly hasn’t paid off for them… yet.
JOAO CANCELO
Joao Cancelo has barely played for Man City since his summer moveCredit: AP:Associated Press
From: Juventus
To: Man City
Fee: £60m (£25.8m + Danilo)
DESPITE costing a total of £60m – when you consider Danilo was valued at £34.2m in the player-plus-cash deal with Juve – Cancelo has failed to shine at the Etihad.
The Portugal ace has made just seven appearances in the league this term, with Kyle Walker preferred at right-back by Pep Guardiola.
MOISE KEAN
Moise Kean has struggled to find his feet since quitting JuventusCredit: Reuters
From: Juventus
To: Everton
Fee: £36m
ONE of the hottest prospects in European football after bursting on to the scene with Juventus, Kean has struggled to find his feet in England.
Suffered the humiliation of being subbed as a substitute himself under Duncan Ferguson, nothing has epitomised his time in England more.
At £36m, Everton fans would have hoped for more from the Italian – with ZERO goals in 20 games – but there are signs he may be turning a corner under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
LUKA JOVIC
Luka Jovic has mustered just a single goal for Real Madrid in 2019-20Credit: Getty
From: Benfica
To: Real Madrid
Fee: £52.4m
HIS red-hot form on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018-19 saw Real Madrid come knocking as they went on a mad summer spending spree.
However, Jovic has scored just ONE goal in 17 games for Los Blancos and hasn’t found the net since October.
At £52.4m, the Serbian goes down as one of the biggest flops on this list.
Ajax attempt to get Matthijs de Ligt back on loan after disastrous spell at Juventus following £75m transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
