5 January signings who will become mainstays at their new clubs

#2 Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)

Manchester City activated Laporte's release clause in January

There has been no stopping Manchester City this season. They are within touching distance of the league title and are in the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League as well. All this did not stop Pep Guardiola from shelling out a club record £57 million for Aymeric Laporte in January.

The player had caught the eye of many clubs prior to the transfer but ultimately Manchester City won the race. Despite being only 23 years old, the player has made over 250 appearances which is remarkable. He will be hoping to earn his first call-up to the France national side for this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Good in the air and excellent on the ball, he is exactly the kind of defender Guardiola craved for. He is quick as well as agile and has the potential to become one of the best in the world. With Vincent Kompany being unable to play week in and week out, Laporte's services will be crucial to City in the coming years and he is all set to prove himself in England.

Video: Laporte in 2017/18