Transfers and gossip up to February 3rd
We catch up with some of the transfers and gossip up to February 3rd, with the help of reputable sources.
Following the media’s many transfers and gossip stories can be tiresome. The majority either fall through or have been tactically planted by one of the parties involved. Yet those that do come to fruition can have a huge effect on a range of Fantasy games.
Here are a few of the more interesting rumours from the last few days.
TRANSFERS AND GOSSIP
DONE: Patrick Dorgu (from Lecce to Man United)
It’s been a tough start for Ruben Amorim since taking over at Man United. Just five wins from 15 league matches, with Sunday’s meeting with Crystal Palace being their fifth home defeat in six.
By trying to implement his favoured 3-4-3 system as a club whose players don’t particularly suit it, there’s a real mismatch and patience will be needed before passing judgement on his appointment. First through the door is 20-year-old Patrick Dorgu, linked heavily with both the Red Devils and Napoli throughout January.
Reported as a left wing-back, he’s actually often been playing as a right-sided forward for Serie A side Lecce. One of many good players to have come through FC Nordsjaelland’s academy, the Dane moved up to the Giallorossi first-team in 2023/24 and has since scored five goals in 57 games – three of which in the first half of this campaign.
That showcases some attacking instincts that could be worth buying in FPL before Gameweek 27 and 29 matches versus Ipswich and Leicester, should he be added as a defender. Arriving for a fee of £25m, Dorgu scored with his first touch on last September’s Denmark debut.
DONE: Marcus Rashford (from Man United to Aston Villa, loan)
Meanwhile, exiting the club is fading star Rashford. Having spent all his career at his hometown club, it was a shock to the system seeing the 27-year-old unveiled in someone else’s colours.
Having let Jhon Duran go, the versatile forward represents a very risky loan move for Aston Villa. A miserable 2024/25 has continued his decline, netting four goals in his previous 21 league appearances but Amorim hasn’t given him a single minute of action since December 12th in the Europa League.
The hope for Villa fans is that Rashford has something to play for – an optional permanent deal costing £40m. If the 27-year-old can provide the burst that accelerates them into a Champions League spot, he’d be worth the risk.
Costing £6.6m in FPL, Villa could play twice in Double Gameweek 25 but it’s likely too early to expect significant minutes.
RUMOUR: Eli Junior Kroupi (from Lorient to West Ham)
Desperately short on strikers, West Ham look set to loan Evan Ferguson from Brighton. In addition, they join Bournemouth and Tottenham in being linked with Kroupi, an 18-year-old French forward valued at around £30-35m.
The wonderkid made his professional debut for Lorient in 2023 aged 16, scoring three times last season as they were relegated. Playing mostly up front in Ligue 2, he’s bagged nine goals despite just 12 starts.
RUMOUR: Paul Onuachu (from Southampton to Trabzonspor)
Even though he played all 90 minutes at Ipswich on Saturday and scored the winner, this 6ft 7in centre-forward is being linked with a return to Trabzonspor. He experienced a successful loan at the Turkish side last season, delivering 17 goals and four assists in 25 outings.
However, their club President has spoken out at his frustration that Southampton might’ve changed their mind about selling. Having also scored in his Gameweek 22 cameo, Onuachu had eight shots against West Ham on Boxing Day. It’s the joint most for any individual in a single 2024/25 Premier League match.
Therefore, it’s worth keeping tabs on if he stays and whether the Saints buy another forward. Should they not, he’s a £4.9m FPL enabler that could unlock money for managers wanting to commit to a 3-5-2 formation.
