Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1068299
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 JANUARY 2019 SPORTS THE first month of the year is a busy time for football clubs around the world as they look to strengthen their squads ahead of the second half of the season. For many clubs, a success- ful transfer window can de- termine whether they reach their ambitions for the sea- son. Clubs, especially those do- ing well, weigh the benefits of having more depth in their squad against the risk of up- setting their team's harmony. For clubs that are struggling however, the transfer window could be a golden opportuni- ty to turn things around. One week into the transfer window, local club Birkirkara have already been active on the market. The Stripes start- ed by securing the services of Bosnia Herzegovina mid- fielder Muamer Svraka. In addition to Svarka, Birkirkara have also secured the signature of Clayton Fail- la, a well-known personality in Maltese football who will now ply his trade with the stripes following a short spell at Floriana. The deal will see Birkirkara defender Edward Herrera sign for Floriana. Birkirkara also terminated the contract of Nigerian mid- fielder Uchenna Umeh, who struggled to find space in the first team this season. His contract was terminated by mutual consent. However, the most high- profile signing by the club this year will surely be John Arne Riise, who will be join- ing the club as sporting direc- tor. The Norwegian left-back won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool back in 2005 in a dramatic final against AC Milan. Riise also had spells at Monaco, Roma and Fulham over the course of his career. Riise will reportedly be working directly with the club's technical director, Michael Valenzia and senior team manager Jeffrey Farru- gia. Meanwhile, Balzan lost Alex Da Paixao Alves, a key member of the squad after Brazilian forward decided to continue his career in Saudi Arabia. Balzan have also added an- other foreign player in their books in the form of Bosnian defender Aleksandar Kosoric. Floriana have had a disap- pointing campaign so far and currently find themselves languishing in ninth place. The Greens are hoping the transfer market can help them turn things around. Apart from Herrera, Guido Ugolotti's side signed two Ar- gentinian midfielders: Ezequ- uiel Casani and Ulisses Arias. Gzira also decided to make some alterations to their squad. Conscious of the fact that it will be some time be- fore Amadou Samb returns from injury, the Maroons have signed Cameroonian striker Justin Junior. With almost a month left before the transfer market closes, there is still ample time for more signings by lo- cal clubs. As for international foot- ball, there are reports that Chelsea could be set to swap Spanish striker Alvaro Mor- ata with AC Milan forward Gonzalo Higuain as Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri is ea- ger to reunite with the striker who he coached at Napoli. Higuain has had struggled for form since moving from Ju- ventus in the summer. The Turin club will need to give their go ahead to any po- tential move since Higuain is still on their books. There is speculation that Milan's rivals Inter are inter- ested in signing Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid on a free transfer. The Uruguayan defender will be out of contract in the summer with Inter reported to be monitoring the situa- tion closely. Barcelona have secured the services of French midfielder Adrien Rabiot who will join the Catalan giants on a free transfer. In England, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochetti- no has already indicated that he is not anticipating any Jan- uary arrivals at Tottenham. Similarly, and somewhat surprisingly, Manchester United are also not expecting any January signings. Despite Jose Mourinho repeatedly stating that the United squad required strengthening, care- taker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has made it clear that unlike his predecessor, his is very happy with his squad. Other major clubs such in- cluding Juventus, Real Ma- drid and Bayern Munich are reported to be following a number of players who could move before the transfer market closes. January transfer window roundup John Arne Riise (second from right) signing his contract as sporting director for Birkirkara Edward Herrera Clayton Failla