With huge fees involved and some high profile players on the move, the Premier League’s transfer activity inevitably caught the eye. But in the Championship some interesting low-key deals were completed during January, as managers looked to set their teams up for the rest of the season.
Tim Cahill – Millwall
It was a signing with great emotional appeal. Cahill made his name at Millwall as one of the Football League’s best-attacking midfielders before leaving for Everton in 2004. Fourteen years on, and after spells in America, China and Australia too, he’s finally returned to The Den on a free transfer until the end of the season. Cahill’s arrival has excited supporters and his experience, leadership skills and goalscoring touch make him a tremendous asset.
Benik Afobe – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves already looked destined for promotion to the Premier League, but any lingering doubts will have been allayed by the signing of Afobe. The striker was exceptional for them last time around, with 22 goals in 46 league game sparking a £10million move to Bournemouth. He’s currently on loan from the Cherries for the remainder of the season but could be convinced to return permanently if the Championship leaders go up as expected.
Matt Targett - Fulham
Signing a talented young left back when you already have one could look like an act of pure greed, but it’s a smart bit of business from Fulham. Targett’s arrival on loan from Southampton will free Ryan Sessegnon to play further up the pitch on a regular basis. In his last two games he’s grabbed four goals, and Targett’s energy and willingness to overlap can only help matters. Fulham are hitting form at the right time and could still challenge for automatic promotion.
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Louis Moult – Preston North End
The departure of Jordan Hugill to West Ham on deadline day was a blow, but hardly unexpected. The bustling target man had been attracting attention from other clubs for a while and made clear his desire to continue a meteoric rise from non-League when handing in a transfer request back in August. Louis Moult joined from Motherwell for £500,000 at the beginning of January and has had chance to bed in. The onus will be on him to replace Hugill’s goals and all-round contribution.
Ben Marshall – Millwall
If Wolves’ squad wasn’t so well-stocked with tricky attackers, they wouldn’t have been quite so willing to let Marshall go. The 26-year-old has played just six times in the league this season, his last appearance coming as a substitute against Fulham in November. Capable of playing wide right, or cutting in from the left, his ability isn’t in doubt. He represents another canny addition as Millwall look to shore up their Championship status.
