Benzema, Lookman, Gruda and more: the biggest Deadline Day deals | OneFootball

Deadline Day is already over again, and transfers are no longer allowed in the major European leagues. But which deals actually happened yesterday, and what might you have missed in all the commotion? We’ve summarized the biggest deals for you once more. 

Brajan Gruda to RB Leipzig

One of the biggest surprises of Deadline Day was pulled out of the hat by the Saxons. Brajan Gruda has been loaned from Brighton & Hove Albion for half a year and will wear the number 10 shirt. Let’s see if the DFB gem can use this opportunity to recommend himself for the 2026 World Cup. After all, Gruda still knows the Bundesliga very well from his time at Mainz.

Sheraldo Becker to Mainz 05

The Rheinhessen have secured another Bundesliga returnee. In the relegation battle, Mainz reacted to the injury of Benedict Hollerbach by loaning Sheraldo Becker from Osasuna. For the striker, it will be a reunion with Urs Fischer, under whom he already played at Union (2019 to 2024). With the Köpenickers, he played in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, among others. 

Felipe Chavez to 1. FC Köln

The Billy Goats also strengthened their squad on Deadline Day. Felipe Chavez joins from FC Bayern. The 18-year-old attacking gem has been loaned, with a purchase option included. 

Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal

Let’s leave the Bundesliga for a moment and look to Saudi Arabia. There, Benzema had major trouble with his former club Al-Ittihad. According to media reports, he was not satisfied with his old employer’s contract extension offer, which is why he moved to Al-Hilal. His new club is said to have paid 25 million euros. With this, Benzema sets a new transfer record for a footballer over 36, previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo (17 million euros). 

Aarón Anselmino to Racing Strasbourg

Borussia Dortmund didn’t sign anyone on Deadline Day, but they were probably still surprised by this deal. After Chelsea brought Anselmino back, he was immediately loaned out again. He will join Racing Strasbourg until the end of the season.

Jeremy Jacquet to Liverpool FC

One of the most expensive deals of the winter will only take effect in the summer. The Reds are signing the center-back from Stade Rennes for 60 million euros (plus 12 million in bonuses), but he will only join the Premier League club after the season. Jacquet has signed a contract until 2031. 

Jørgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace

55 million euros for a striker who has only scored one league goal this season? That can only be a Premier League transfer. Strand Larsen moves from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Oliver Glasner’s team. This was supposed to compensate for the departure of Jean-Philippe Mateta, but since the move to Milan fell through, the Premier League club is now doubly staffed in attack.  

Bryan Zaragoza to Roma

Zaragoza moved from his loan club Celta Vigo to AS Roma on Deadline Day, also on loan. Since he couldn’t establish himself with the Spaniards, he’s now making a new attempt in Serie A. In the summer, it will be decided whether he returns to Bayern Munich. 

Ademola Lookman to Atlético

Speaking of Italy: Zaragoza will no longer meet Lookman there, as he left Atalanta on Deadline Day and is going the opposite way. He will play for Atlético for the rest of the season. According to media reports, the former Leipzig player cost 35 million euros (40 million with bonuses). The Saxons are also set to profit, receiving 15 percent of the transfer fee, which would be 5.25 million euros.

Ryan Naderi to Rangers

The sums in Germany’s 3rd division are far from these heights, but there was still a record deal in this transfer window. According to ‘Sky’, Naderi moves from Hansa Rostock to Rangers for 5.5 million euros. With bonuses, the sum could rise to 6 million euros. The previous record was set by Hendry Blank, who moved from Borussia Dortmund II to RB Salzburg for 4 million euros in winter 2024.

Mërgim Berisha to Kaiserslautern

Because Ivan Prtajin suffered a serious injury, the Red Devils made another move on Deadline Day and secured Berisha from TSG Hoffenheim. According to ‘Sky’, Hoffenheim is not demanding a transfer fee for Berisha. Instead, they are to receive a high share in the event of a future sale. 

Junior Adamu to Celtic Glasgow

The striker is moving from Freiburg to Scotland on loan. Celtic has also secured a purchase option. 

Josip Brekalo to Hertha BSC

The Berliners also made a move yesterday. The Croatian international comes from Spanish top-flight club Real Oviedo. Brekalo has signed a contract until the end of the season, but there is also an option for another year.

Luca Netz to Nottingham Forest

Meanwhile, there was a departure at Gladbach. Netz moves to the Premier League to Nottingham Forest. According to the ‘Rheinische Post’, the Foals receive a transfer fee of 2.5 million euros. 

Skelly Alvero to SC Amiens

Werder Bremen, on the other hand, has finally gotten rid of its transfer flop. Alvero is moving to France on loan, but there is reportedly no purchase option. The Green-Whites paid five million euros as a transfer fee in 2024, but he has yet to justify it. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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