The January market was definitely full of surprises.
There was no shortage of major investments, top clubs and top players involved, sudden twists but also real projects implemented by a club like Chelsea which anticipated part of the summer transfer window... already in January.
The clubs have spent high-level figures especially in England, while the situation has remained under control in Spain, France, Italy and Germany with limited spending and programming postponed to next June when there will be changes as always.
And now what will happen to the summer market?
Predicting some transfers is almost impossible, too soon because the most important variables can change between now and June: football directors, managers, players with new agents, there's plenty of time to study the strategies for 2023/2024 even if there are those who have already started doing it.
In Spain, Real Madrid have prepared an Endrick deal for 2024 and await the decisions of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos on the situation of their expiring contracts next June.
Atletico Madrid has already completed a purchase: Caglar Soyuncu could sign as a free agent in the coming weeks, the green light is imminent.
Barcelona, on the other hand, as always, will be active on many fronts, from the new right back to midfield, awaiting the decision of Sergio Busquets who has an offer from Inter Miami for a new experience in MLS.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain have already prepared a Milan Skriniar deal on a free transfer: the centre-back will leave Inter in June and has already signed a four-year contract with PSG, but the club's programming will not end here.
Obviously it will also depend on how this second part of the season goes, especially in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich will be one of many clubs involved in a great race looking for a new striker: many top clubs in Europe are looking for a new center forward, from Manchester United to Chelsea with Bayern looking for that type of player.
There will be a big summer battle between all these clubs as they search for the right striker, waiting to figure out who might be available on the transfer market and who will stay at their club.
Jurgen Klopp wants to keep Roberto Firmino, talks are ongoing to extend his contract. Liverpool are offering a short-term deal to Brazilian striker. 🔴🇧🇷 #LFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 7, 2023
"We’re on the right track. We’re having really good talks with Liverpool", his agent Wittmann also told Sky days ago. pic.twitter.com/5h1BDM7tzv
In fact, Tottenham are hoping to be able to extend Harry Kane's contract, new contacts are already scheduled to get it done before the summer; Napoli now don't even want to negotiate for Victor Osimhen because they are 100% focused on the second half of the season.
Will there be Benjamin Sesko or Dusan Vlahovic on the market or will they stay where they are? What will become of Romelu Lukaku, currently on loan at Inter from Chelsea until June? We will see.
Much of the 2023 summer transfer market will go through the attackers, a real hunt for the number 9 that will involve many clubs.
While many others will compete on the midfielder: Jude Bellingham is the most requested, Liverpool are constantly insisting with Jurgen Klopp who hopes to be able to sign the English midfielder while Manchester City and Real Madrid have not yet given up.
All these clubs are looking for a new midfielder, the same could also be done by Manchester United and Newcastle who will try some moves as well as Barcelona in Spain if both Busquets and Kessié were to leave.
A domino between midfield and attack, the real key to a summer market that can be crazy... like and more than the one in January.
