Arsenal moved late to strengthen its fragile defence on an otherwise quiet transfer deadline day for the Premier League’s top teams, with the clubs battling against relegation proving to be the most active on Thursday.
Spain left back Nacho Monreal joined Arsenal from Malaga for a reported fee of 8.3 million pounds (HK$105 million) in the final moments of the January window.
“He is a technically gifted player, a good crosser in the final third and strong in the air,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “Monreal will add quality to our squad.”
Last-place Queens Park Rangers was the biggest mover, signing defender Christopher Samba from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala for a reported club-record fee of 12 million pounds and Tottenham midfielders Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend on loan.
“Chris is just what we need,” QPR manager Redknapp said of Samba, who used to play in the Premier League with Blackburn. “He’s a monster ... This is an unbelievable signing.”
However, Redknapp failed in his bid to recruit a striker, with Peter Crouch not made available by Stoke and Peter Odemwingie denied a move to QPR by West Bromwich Albion.
In bizarre scenes, Nigeria striker Odemwingie drove to London from central England in an attempt force a move, only for West Brom to release a statement saying he had been denied permission to talk to QPR. In the end, Odemwingie was barred from even entering the Loftus Road ground.