The January transfer window is concluded in most leagues around the world, making Monday an eventful day for the market even if it was not a particularly memorable transfer window. Earlier in the day we covered transfers involving Moroccan rising talent Adam Aznou, Libyan midfielder Ali Al-Musrati and Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
Regarding Africans playing abroad, English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers were the most notable movers and shakers. Zimbabwe national team midfielder Marshall Munetsi and Burkina Faso defender Nasser Djiga will be heading to the West Midlands of England after completing the most notable transfers of their careers.
Munetsi arrives from French Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims on a deal that is estimated to be for a €18 to €20 million fee. The 28-year-old former Orlando Pirates central midfielder arrives after five-and-a-half excellent seasons with Reims and will be expected to be ready to play a prominent role as Wolves attempt to fight off relegation.
Djiga, the 22-year-old Burkinabe central defender, continues his rapid ascension with a €12 million move from Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade. The player developed at Bobo-Dioulasso club Vitesse FC starred for Burkina Faso at the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Mauritania before moving to Swiss club Basel and then Red Star where he competed in the UEFA Champions League this season as well as last season.
Among the other notable moves, DR Congo national team attacker Elia Meschack completed a loan from Swiss giants Young Boys to join Moses Simon and Mostafa Mohamed at FC Nantes in Ligue 1. The former TP Mazembe superstar arrives until the end of the season with FC Nantes having the option to purchase the 27-year-old Kinshasa native for €3 million according to L'Équipe.
Algeria and AC Milan midfielder Ismaël Bennacer also moved to France with an option to buy. The 27-year-old is off to Olympique Marseille for a €1 million loan fee with Marseille having the opportunity to purchase Bennacer permanently for €10 million.
Stade de Reims will replace Munetsi with Ivorian defensive midfielder Mory Gbane after the 24-year-old former Stade d'Abidjan player's signing was confirmed for €5 million from Portuguese top flight side Gil Vicente. Former Ghana midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp moved on loan to Celtic from Premier League club Crystal Palace while Nigerian forward Emmanuel Dennis joins EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers from Nottingham Forest.
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