Let’s be honest for moment. We all love Football Manager and as much as we can say we love sorting those intricate tactical details and getting our youth system set up, the reality is that we all love navigating our way through the transfer market and fine tuning our squad.
So we here at 3AddedMinutes thought it might be nice to see how the world’s greatest management simulation believes the January transfer window will play out. Firstly, before we get into the ten high-profile transfers that take place, we have to set the scene with how life in the Premier League looks in this virtual world.
Manchester City lead the way with Erling Haaland’s 22 goals in 23 appearances playing no small part in giving Pep Guardiola’s side a three-point lead over nearest rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. Chelsea are holding off Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham for the fourth and final Champions League spot, Eddie Howe is under pressure at 12th placed Newcastle United and Erik ten Hag’s first season at Manchester United is something of a disaster as the 13-time Premier League champions sit in 16th, two points and two places above the relegation zone.
So, there should be some surprise that none of the top ten transfers involve anyone joining the most unexpected battle against the drop, with Chicago Fire midfielder Federico Navarro the only new arrival at Old Trafford. So, without further hesitation, here are the top ten deals predicted by Football Manager 2023...

5. Ricardo Horta - Braga to Arsenal (£25.5m)
Creativity and goalscoring threat out wide for Arsenal as they completed a move for Braga winger Horta in the first few days of the window. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

6. Roberto Firmino - Liverpool to Bayern Munich (£26m)
With some serious money spent on the likes of Merino and Skriniar, it seemed natural Liverpool would allow some players to leave. Firmino was one player to depart as he reunites with Sadio Mane at Bayern Munich. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

7. Juan Foyth - Villarreal to Manchester City (£36m)
It’s another player returning to the Premier League as former Spurs defender Foyth heads to Manchester City for a fee of £36m. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

8. Piotr Zielinski - Napoli to Newcastle United (£40m)
Newcastle are reportedly looking to boost their midfield options in the real world and they have already done that in the virtual one with a move for Poland international Zielinski. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

