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January is the less exciting of the two transfer windows, but it has seen some unusual deals happen. Many clubs cannot get the players they want in mid-season but have secured some good replacements on loan.
Some players are so successful with their temporary clubs that they earn a permanent contract with them. Thierry Henry and David Beckham are a few big stars who have had successful loan spells in January over the years. Here is a list of the top 5 loan deals of this transfer window:
5. Luuk De Jong to Newcastle United
Alan Pardew tried to sign De Jong in 2012 from Eredivise club FC Twente, but he was ultimately sold to German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach. The Newcastle boss has now managed to get him man on loan until the end of the season.
The Magpies, who have just lost star player Yohan Cabaye, sit at eighth in the Premier League signed De Jong in a bid to add some more firepower up front in order to push for a higher place in the league. The 23-year-old is an extremely talented striker and scored 39 goals in all competitions for Twente before leaving for Germany.
At Borussia Monchengladbach the forward lost his brilliant scoring touch and only managed to find the back of the net 6 times in 36 games. Newcastle will hope the Dutchman regains his sparkling form once again and form a fruitful partnership with Loic Remy who is a big hit for Newcastle since joining them on loan from Queens Park Rangers this summer.
4. Kim Kallstrom to Arsenal
Kallstrom is an experienced midfielder
Arsene Wenger complete a shock loan move for Spartak Moscow’s Kim Kallstrom in order to fill the gap left by Aaron Ramsey who is out for at least six weeks due to an injury. Wenger has been monitoring Kallstrom since 2005 and finally got his man on deadline day.
The 31-year-old was a key player in Sweden’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign scoring 3 goals including one against Netherlands which helped his country qualify for the competition.
The Sweden international can be an asset to Arsenal as he is an extremely versatile player who can operate in a number of positions including on the left, out wide, a deep lying playmaker’s role or an attacker. Kallstrom is also known for his mean freekicks which can help Arsenal come out of some tough situations.
3. Tom Ince to Crystal Palace
Ince is a talented winger
Tony Pulis really knew what he was doing when he opted to take Ince on loan for the rest of the season. The 22-year-old was a part of Liverpool’s academy but was sold to Blackpool after making just 1 appearance for the Merseyside club. Ince made an instant impact at Blackpool scoring 31 goals in 100 games before joining Crystal Palace for the rest of the season.
Palace have been battling relegation this season and could use a player of Ince’s talents in order to survive. Palace have never been able to get a suitable replacement for Wilfried Zaha, who was a key player for them before moving to Manchester United, but may have struck gold with the capture of Ince.
The England Under-21 international has scored 3 goals in 12 appearances for his country which shows just how talented he is. It is clear that Ince belongs in the Premier League as he is capable of playing at the highest level and will hopefully shine with Palace.
2. Clint Dempsey to Fulham
Dempsey and Fulham are familiar with each other
Dempsey first joined Fulham in 2007 for $4 million which was the highest fee paid by a foreign club for an MLS player. The 30-year-old justified Fulham’s investment in him and scored 60 goals in all competitions for the London club. The United States international is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder and can drop back in order to create goals for this team-mates.
Even though Dempsey is with Fulham for just two months he is capable of helping the Cottagers move higher in the Premier League. Dempsey is just the player Fulham need in their fight against relegation.
Wilfried Zaha to Cardiff City
Zaha has featured just twice for United
Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer secured the loan deal of Zaha from former club Manchester United in a bid to help his side resist relegation. Zaha has featured just twice for United this season in spite of impressing on the clubs pre-season tour.
Cardiff, who sit at the bottom of the Premier League, is the perfect place for Zaha as he can use his impressive skills to help the Welsh club out of their predicament much like he did with former club Crystal Palace. The 21-year-old’s success at Cardiff can help convince David Moyes to give him a first team spot next season.
