25/04 - 20:00
We’re now well into the January transfer window with clubs across the country looking to add the missing pieces to their squad as the season hots up. There are likely to be a lot more dealings before the 11pm deadline on the 31st of January, but Playmaker’s Tad Chenery takes you through some of the deals that have caught his eye so far.
Amad Diallo – Atalanta to Manchester United
The 18-year-old may have only made four first team appearances for Atalanta in Italy but has already scored and made his Champions League debut. After signing for Solskjaer’s side in early October 2020, Diallo stayed in Italy for the first half of the season but is now ready to set Old Trafford alight.
With title aspirations and a strong run in the Europa League still alive, strength in depth is going to be required and that’s exactly what fans will be hoping they have in young Amad Diallo.
Phillip Zinckernagel – Bodo/Glimt to Watford
The winger scored 19 goals and supplied 18 assists as his former side won their first top-flight title.
After running down his contract, Watford swooped in to bring the 26-year-old to Vicarage Road on a free transfer. With speculation still looming over the head of Ismaila Sarr, the Hornets may have already brought in his replacement.
Capable of playing off both wings, the Dane will hope to give Watford the extra firepower needed as they look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Ben Whiteman – Doncaster to Preston
After joining from Sheffield United in January of 2018, following a successful loan spell at the club, the 24-year-old helped his side to two promotion pushes, one which ended in play-off heartbreak. With Donny currently fourth in the table, he moves to Deepdale with the hope of filling Ben Pearson’s shoes. Pearson, who himself has been a stalwart member of North End’s midfield, has refused to sign a new contract at the club and has been frozen out by manager Alex Neil.
Capable of being effective in both boxes, the stage seems set for Whiteman to prove his worth in the Championship.
Charlie Austin - West Brom to QPR (loan)
Still only 31, it seems silly that a team in West Brom’s position would allow a proven scorer to leave, but manager Sam Allardyce oiled the wheels of Austin's move back to West London.
After scoring against Luton in his first game back in a Hoops shirt, Austin will be hoping to fire The R’s away from danger.
Max Watters – Crawley to Cardiff
After starting his career in non-league, Doncaster took a gamble on signing him from Ashford United in 2018. After an unsuccessful spell at the club, which included no goals and four loans, Watters was released.
After a number of trials at several National League sides, Crawley offered him a one-year deal. The rest is history.
The 21-year-old scored two goals on his debut and completed a move to Cardiff after scoring 13 goals in just 12 League Two starts for the Red Devils.
After a run of five losses in a row, Watters could well be the man to change the Bluebirds' fortunes.
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NameMax James Watters Born/Age1999-03-23(25 -yrs-old) Nationality England PositionForward (Striker) | |
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