Smokescreens or panic buys, everyone's favourite ciggy weilding sporting director was at it again.

In recent years, we've come to expect significant transfer movement but not so much in the mid-season January window. Two years ago Zdenek Zeman was awarded with Vasilis Torosidis, and he was sent packing before he ever had a chance bring him into the squad. Rudi Garcia has been treated a little better, perhaps deservingly so. Last winter, Walter Sabatini brought in Rafael Toloi, Michel Bastos & Radja Nainggolan while saying goodbye to Nicolas Burdisso, Marquinho & Michael Bradley.

This January has been little different. This time it's likely down to a mixture of an injury crisis, a steady dip in form since November and a final push for the (or perhaps, a) title. Just as there have been new additions, we have once again said goodbye to another set of players.

Borriello, Jedvaj & Destro

Arrivederci. Goodbye. To some, good riddance. Marco's expensive career at Roma finally seems to have come to an end. He's had a few great moments since joining from Milan, but nothing to warrant the salary Roma signed him for. We've tried to offset his wages with numerous loan deals but now he's finally gone. Tin never really had a chance here and was settling incredibly well at Bayer Leverkusen. It was natural a deal would come through. Mattia...well, Mattia's been well discussed on Chiesa di Totti. He might return, he might not (I'm leaning towards he won't) but he'll get the playing time he wants at Milan. I guess we got rid of Urby, too. Later, Urby. Somma & Pettinari have been sent to Empoli & Pescara, respectively.

Newcomers

First off, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, you're here to stay! His loan move is now permanent. Roma also picked up three youngsters in Pepin, Kevin Mendez & Nemanja Radonjic  who won't likely be doing much for Roma in the short term. Three additions who might, however, are Nicolas Spolli, Seydou Doumbia & Victor Ibarbo.

Seydou Doumbia

• Details : 14.4 million Euro purchase, potential bonuses up to 1.5 million Euros.
• Why? : Out with the young and in with the old. He brings different characteristics that may improve the attack.
• Smokescreen : First there was Luiz Adriano, then there was Konoplyanka. Now there's Doumbia.
• What they're saying : Destro replacement.
• What Roma's saying : Destro replacement. Proven prolific goalscorer.
• What he's saying : Not much yet. Enjoying a good cup run in the AFCON.
• Summary : He's Destro's replacement. He brings different attributes than Mattia and for Roma's sake, it will lead to better results. With some luck, maybe he'll give the club the same boost Radja did last year.