What we learned on transfer deadline day as Man Utd make priorities clear and Chelsea take risk
The January transfer window of 2024 will not live very long in the memory.
For a bit of context, Chelsea spent more this time last year to land Enzo Fernandez than every Premier League club did on Thursday. Less than £100million was laid out as the day, which often threatens fireworks, hardly had its spark lit.
The whole month was largely underwhelming with top clubs opting against making any major moves. There was talk of some potential movement - Arsenal were in need of a striker but failed to act on that. Manchester United welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe into the fold, but he will wait until the summer to flex his muscles.
Newcastle, who want to remain compliant with the league's financial rules, considered selling but no one ended up leaving St James' Park. Tottenham bought Timo Werner back to the Premier League, but he was possibly the most high profile mover, which in itself says a lot.
It seemed as though few clubs responded to the calls to add in certain areas. Almost every manager seems ready to stick with his pack, unwilling to shuffle at the midway point of the season. The status quo remained all the way until the end of deadline day, when clubs could be forgiven for making a late call.
Those in the relegation scrap, the likes of Sheffield United, were calculated in their moves. Ben Brereton Diaz had already been brought in and Mason Holgate added to that, but both men arrived on loan with the Blades opting against throwing millions at a survival bid.
Luton Town and Burnley were similarly coy. The Clarets landed Chelsea's David Datro Fofana on loan and also bought in some French recruits.
At the top, any suggestions that the top six and those around them needed reinforcements were largely ignored. Newcastle are set for a
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