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Raphinha and Nunez among the 10 biggest deals that DIDN’T happen in the January transfer window

Raphinha Leeds vs West Ham Jan22

The window came to its usual frenetic conclusion as Premier League teams left it until the final hours of January to get their business done - or not. Planet Sport looks at the players missed out on.

You've had half a season to assess your squad - half a day in Frank Lampard's case - and the whole of January to land key men. Yet, still some Premier League clubs saw their top targets evade their grasp.
Planet Sport looks at those players, the teams that were tracking them and what went wrong.

Dusan Vlahovic missed by...Arsenal

The Serbian striker has emerged as one of Europe's top strikers in the last 18 months and he was linked with a host of clubs.

Arsenal were in for him as they recognised their best chance to land him was January. The club pushed hard and Fiorentina were happy to accept the offer from the Gunners.

However, Vlahovic made it clear he would not be forced into a move and he would choose his next club. And to Arsenal's annoyance it was not them but Juventus he opted for.
While it could be argued they were never in with a realistic chance of signing him, if Vlahovic performs as many suspect, the fans will be rueing this one for many years to come.

Adama Traore missed by...Tottenham Hotspur

The Spanish star was a long-term target for Spurs, with Antonio Conte looking to convert Traore into a wing-back. And Wolves were ready to sell.

Talks progressed and it is understood Tottenham even agreed a contract with the player. However, the two clubs could not agree a deal, despite being in talks for nearly two weeks.

Spurs' inability to agree terms allowed Barcelona to swoop in and take him back to Camp Nou at the behest of new boss Xavi, who has known the player since they were together at the club.

Darwin Nunez missed by...West Ham United

Uruguayan international Nunez emerged as a late target for West Ham, with David Moyes' side making a move just a few days ahead of the deadline.
One of the top strikers in Europe, Nunez looked an ideal fit for West Ham who wanted an additional striker to bolster their top-four hopes.
They lodged a bid of around £50million, but with the player away on international duty and Benfica unable to find a replacement, the deal was destined to fail.

Julian Alvarez missed by...Manchester United

Argentine forward Alvarez did move in January as Man City confirmed his arrival from River Plate in a deal costing around £20million - his true market value is more than double that but a release clause prevented River Plate asking any more.
City headed the chase for much of the window, but United were interested.
Their need wasn't so great, however. But following Mason Greenwood's arrest and subsequent suspension from the club, the Alvarez deal starts to look like an opportunity missed.

Kieran Trippier missed by...Manchester United

Manchester United had been looking long and hard at Trippier and almost signed him last summer.
The England defender showed in the Euros he could play on the left or right and was available from Atletico Madrid but United did not compete when Newcastle brokered terms.
The Red Devils' full-back situation remains one of their weakest spots and reports suggest Ralf Rangnick has made his feelings clear to the board.
With Trippier slotting in well at his new club, it could be a costly own goal from United.

Diego Carlos missed by...Newcastle United

Newcastle will argue that they did get a central defender in January in the shape of Brighton's Dan Burn.
But there is little doubt they had more lofty ambitions and Brazilian Diego Carlos was the man they wanted. He wanted to make the move, but Sevilla stood firm.
The only way Newcastle could have got him was paying his release clause, but the world's richest club refused to pay the £66million.
Will they live to regret it? Quite possibly.

Hugo Ekitike missed by...Newcastle United

The French starlet likened to Kylian Mbappe emerged as a target for Newcastle in the middle of the month and a deal with Reims was close only to stall.
Newcastle returned to the table a day before the deadline and made a breakthrough.
However, by this time Ekitike was unsure and with less than 24 hours to decide, he opted against the move.
With only Chris Wood signed, the Magpies look very short in the forward department.

Jesse Lingard missed by...Newcastle United

Newcastle United missed out on a few, but perhaps not landing England international Lingard was their biggest of all.
Again, Newcastle tried their best. They made numerous offers and Lingard wanted to make the switch to St James' Park.
However, on deadline day the news came through that Manchester United had pulled the plug on the deal - much to Newcastle and Lingard's annoyance.

Luis Diaz missed by...Tottenham Hotspur

The Colombian star emerged as a real candidate for Tottenham and they lodged a bid of close to £40million.
Spurs fans were delighted to be in for him but worried when the deal was not pushed through and it turns out they had every right to be. Liverpool swooped and quickly wrapped up the signing.
We have yet to see Diaz in action but it's safe to say this is a deal that Spurs will rue missing out on for quite a while.

Arthur missed by...Arsenal

The former Barcelona man is a huge talent, but since arriving at Juventus things have not gone as planned and so Arsenal came calling.
The Gunners were close to an 18-month loan deal only for their board to pull the plug - which meant the club failed to bring anyone in on deadline day.
A truly miserable January for Arsenal, made worse knowing they could have landed a huge talent such as Arthur.

Raphinha missed by...West Ham United

The Leeds United winger is one of the Premier League's top talents and it is no surprise someone came in for him, although a bit surprising that West Ham were that club.
Again West Ham decided to wait until later in the window, launching a £50million bid - but it always looked doomed to failure.
It is understood the Brazilian was keen to make the move, but it was just too late in the day for the signing to be completed.
The Hammers won't be given such a free run next time.

READ MORE: Fantasy football: Should you make room for January movers Diaz, Alli and Van de Beek?

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