The best January transfers
This article will explore the best signings in the January Transfer Window.
Is it a good time to sign players or not?
Seamus Coleman
There will be players on this list with a higher profile but very few that work out at better value for money than Coleman. Everton signed him from the Irish side Sligo Rovers in 2009. He has eclipsed 350 first-team appearances for the Merseysiders and has captained the team in recent times. The player has been an excellent servant for the Blues and has shown there is no shortage of talent across the top flight in Ireland.
Patrice Evra
In December 2005, French sources revealed that Manchester United was interested in signing Evra. Despite rumours that Monaco had reached a transfer agreement with Internazionale. On the 3rd of January 2006, Evra revealed he preferred to move to England to join Manchester United. He finally moved to Old Trafford a few days later. Despite a difficult start, Evra became a fan favourite with Manchester United supporters.
Nemanja Vidic
Another defender that United signed in 2006. Vidic was a relatively unknown central defender when he joined the club from Spartak Moscow in 2006. The Serbia international won five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time at the club.
Virgil van Dijk
Is this a good time to sign defenders? Van Dijk totally transformed Liverpool's defence after his £75million switch from Southampton. Their massive investment in the Dutch defender in January 2018 lifted the Reds from being a regular top-four contender into a back-to-back Champions League finalist and registering successive seasons in excess of 95 league points.
Your @EASPORTSFIFA Team of the Year Defender 🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 19, 2023
Congratulations, @VirgilvDijk 👏 pic.twitter.com/gglXL6oPYU
Branislav Ivanovic
In January 2008, Chelsea confirmed that the club had agreed terms with Lokomotiv Moscow for Ivanović's transfer, having beaten competition from the likes of Milan, Ajax, Juventus and Internazionale for his signature. Despite not making a first-team appearance for Chelsea during the 2007–08 Premier League season under manager Avram Grant, Ivanovic would become a key player at Stamford Bridge.
Kieran Trippier
Trippier signed for Premier League club Newcastle United on 7 January 2022 on a two-and-a-half-year contract for a fee of £12 million plus add-ons. This is looking like a complete bargain. He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Cambridge United in the FA Cup. Despite this difficult start, the Bury-born attacking defender has started to shine in Newcastle.
He has recently signed a new contract with the club and there is a good chance that he finishes his career with the club.
Andy Cole
You have to go back a few years for this signing. On 10 January 1995, Cole was sold in a shock deal to Manchester United for a deal worth £7 million – £6 million cash plus Keith Gillespie going in the opposite direction, setting a new record for the most expensive British transfer. He eventually became a key player at Old Trafford. A couple of weeks later, Cole was needed as Eric Cantona's suspension meant he was integral to MUFC as they missed out on a second successive double.
Cole scored some memorable goals during his time in the Premier League. Watch the best of them in the video below.
Will any January 2023 signings have a similar impact?
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo officially joined Liverpool at the start of the January transfer window and his contract will potentially run until the summer of 2028.He arrived following an impressive 2022 World Cup in which he scored three goals as he helped his side reach the quarter-finals.
Transfer News: Liverpool agree deal for Gakpo (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Mykhaylo Mudryk
The Stamford Bridge side secured this signature at the expense of Premier League rivals Arsenal who had been long-term admirers of Mudryk and initially looked in pole position to sign him.
Transfer News: Chelsea sign Mudryk (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
