Top 5 best value-for-money deals this January

The January transfer window has shut, bringing an end to the endless hype, far-fetched rumours and disappointment when your club fails to attract the superstar names reported by various media outlets. It also means that Harry Redknapp can wind up his car window, stay warm and say goodbye to the relentless press, all eager to obtain the latest exclusive interview.

Large sums of money exchanged hands between some of Europe’s most prosperous chairmen last month, in the hope that a large transfer would guarantee movement up the table. While other, less fortunate owners, were left to ponder what might have been, relying on their managers’ prudence to secure shrewd acquisitions in the loan market, fearful of overspending due to the club’s fragile and insecure financial status.

But who scooped the best deals? Join me as I don my spectacles and bow tie for a spot of bargain hunting. Yes? Yes!

Lewis Holtby

Before Lewis Holtby’s move to Tottenham Hotspur on 28 January 2013, only Jefferson Farfán (51) had created more chances for Schalke during the 2012/13 Bundesliga campaign, therefore the 23-year-old’s move to North London was seen as a shrewd piece of business from André Villas-Boas.

Indeed, the inventive German midfielder began in confident fashion, picking up two assists in 11 of the remaining 15 Premier League fixtures.

However, the lucrative sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid paved the way for a whole host of creative attacking midfield players to stroll through the doors of White Hart Lane, severely limiting Holtby’s playing time.

If René Meulensteen can utilise Holtby within his preferred central role, supplying the ammunition for the likes of Darren Bent and new acquisition Konstantinos Mitroglou, Fulham may have acquired a player on loan who can help keep them in the league.

Thomas Ince

Blackpool’s top goalscorer (7), most creative player (51 chances) and second best player (Performance Score of 513) throughout the current Championship season.

Make no mistake about it, Crystal Palace have done fantastically well to capture Thomas Ince on loan – although a substantial fee was probably paid as part of the transfer.

Tony Pulis now has the luxury of fitting the former England Under-21 international into his side alongside other January signing Joe Ledley, with both players offering extra dynamism, guile and passing accuracy throughout the attacking third.

Wilfried Zaha

One player that Cardiff City have sorely needed within their ranks following their promotion to the Premier League, has been a midfielder with the confidence and natural ability to surge past opposition players on a regular basis.

But, with the deadline day loan signing of Wilfried Zaha, the Bluebirds have acquired a player brimming with those valued characteristics.

The former Crystal Palace youth player has failed to force his way into the Manchester United first team since his arrival last summer, due in part to David Moyes’ topsy-turvy start to life at Old Trafford.

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old still has an abundance of admirers, and if Ole Gunnar Solskjær can extract Zaha’s raw ability, alongside new arrival Kenwyne Jones, Cardiff should have greater and varied options when constructing the attacking line.

An assist on his debut (Cardiff City 2 – 1 Norwich City) was certainly a good start.

Ignacio Scocco

Ignacio Scocco signed for Gustavo Poyet’s Sunderland on 27 January for a reported £3million, departing Brazilian side Internacional after only seven months.

While not a household name in Europe, the 28-year-old Argentinian could be a shrewd signing for the Black Cats if his previous goalscoring exploits at Newell’s Old Boys are anything to go by.

Playing for Newell’s during the 2012–2013 season – current Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino’s spell in charge – Scocco won the national Clausura title, in addition to reaching the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.

His technical brilliance, direct running and powerful shot enabled him to spearhead a rigid, intense pressing and rapid transitional system – a philosophy implemented by Martino, having been a leading figurehead in Marcelo Bielsa’s Newell’s side throughout the early 90s.

Scocco finished the successful season with 24 goals in 33 league appearances; a total that Poyet, and the Sunderland faithful, would love to see repeated next season.

Mohamed Salah

When has £11million been a bargain? Well, Chelsea’s acquisition of Mohamed Salah could be regarded as a cheap deal in the forthcoming years if the ex-Basle midfielder adapts to London life, and José Mourinho’s strict demands.

The Egypt international has the attributes to be a top player – electrifying pace, direct running and trickery – and given the improved training facilities on offer at Chelsea, when compared to his former clubs, Salah should continue to flourish for years to come.

Cheaper than Nemanja Mati?. Cheaper than Kurt Zouma. And cheaper than Eden Hazard, Oscar, Willian and André Schürrle. Yet Salah could prove to be just as valuable.