Transfer window slams shut

Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari has joined AC Milan from rivals Inter as the January transfer window closed on Tuesday.

The end to last year’s January window saw high-profile and big-money moves for Andy Carroll, to Liverpool, and Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

While it was a quieter finish this time around, Muntari, 27, crossed the Milan divide and has been given a deal until the end of the season.

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri was delighted to add Muntari and believes he has plenty to offer.

“I met Muntari when I was collaborating with (Giovanni) Galeone at Udinese and I saw him at work there for three or four months. I think he is a player who hasn’t lived up to his potential until now,” Allegri said.

“He’s a technical player, strong and dynamic and will surely be a good signing for Milan.”

Muntari will join his new team-mates when he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana are on the verge of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Inter also lost Thiago Motta, who joined big-spending Ligue 1 leaders Paris-Saint Germain.

To compensate for the loss of the two midfielders, Inter Milan signed Colombian Fredy Guarin, initially on loan, and Sampdoria’s Angelo Palombo.

Brazilian defender Juan has also joined Claudio Ranieri’s men.

Both Milan clubs were in a race to sign want-away Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez, but he will remain at Etihad Stadium.

In other moves, Fulham snapped up Australian Ryan Williams from Portsmouth on a two-and-a-half year deal, while Bolton signed Watford striker Marvin Sordell.