January transfer window 2022: how does it work for football clubs?

It's often a time when clubs decide to make investments as maybe their summer signings did not work out. Other clubs will decide to stick with the tried and tested.

The January transfer window is almost upon us, with fans around the world hoping their club can conjure up the finances to help secure a new fan favourite. The January transfer window opens on Saturday January 1, 2022 and will close at 6pm US (ET) / 3pm US (PT) on Monday January 31. LaLiga and Serie A will begin trading on Monday January 3, 2022.

It can be a long winter for many football fans. Your team could be in a relegation battle, way off the European places or even in a title race. January can be a time when a new face comes in to freshen things up a little. The global pandemic has seen many clubs badly hit financially and as a result this coming transfer window will likely involve more loan deals than anything else.

Window of opportunity

January gives clubs the opportunity to shake things up within their squads. Players may want to leave to get game-time elsewhere or develop and grow in new surroundings. It's often a time when club owners decide to make shrewd investments as maybe the summer signings did not work out as previously planned. And some clubs will be content with how their season is going and decide to stick with the tried and tested. You also have players who are surplus to requirements at their clubs. But even in those cases some managers will be reluctant to let those players go for fear of being left short in the second half of the season, especially if direct replacements can't be found in such a short space of time. The bulk of transfer spending takes place during the summer months, with more time to plan and new objectives in place.

Newcastle expected to spend

Newcastle United are one club that we have analysed ahead of the new transfer window. It's an exciting time for Toon fans with their new owners and they will more than likely purchase a couple of players over the four-week window. Eddie Howe's side will be pleased with their performance in the 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United on December 27 and it will be curious to see which new faces will arrive at St James' Park as they bid to escape from a relegation battle.

Don't panic if your club hasn't signed anyone in the first three and a half weeks of the window. Many deals will take place at the eleventh hour of the final day and this adds to the excitement and panic on January 31. Some clubs have changed management in recent weeks and months. Ralf Rangnick has joined Manchester United and it remains to be seen if he will add to his squad as he looks to take United back into the Champions League places this season.

Ferran Torres joins Barcelona

So it's not all doom and gloom after Christmas. Barcelona fans received an early gift this year when Ferran Torres agreed to join the Camp Nou outfit from Manchester City until 2027. New boss Xavi is not long in the door and already has a key part of his squad signed up before January. Torres trained with Barça for the first time on December 28. He spent just over a year with City and felt it was an opportunity he couldn't turn down when Barcelona came calling. Here at AS USA, we will keep you up to date with all the ins and outs of the January transfer window over the next month.