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The January transfer window is finally closed. The Premier League clubs have spent a lot of money in January as a number of high-profile deals went through. Some of the top Premier League clubs broke their transfer records. It was one of the busiest winter transfer windows of all-time.
We have witnessed one of the biggest swap deals in football history. According to an analysis by Deloitte's Sports Business Group, Premier League clubs spent a January transfer deadline-day record £150m on Wednesday to take their overall outlay for the month to £430 million.
On that note, let’s rank the top Premier League clubs based on their January transfer business.
#6 Liverpool
Barcelona signed Coutinho for an initial fee of £106 million that could reach £142 million with bonuses. The Brazilian has agreed to a five-and-a-half-year deal worth £12.1 million a season.
Earlier in the window, Liverpool sealed a world record £75 million deal for Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk. It shattered Liverpool’s previous club record transfer and van Dijk became the costliest defender in the world.
The 26-year-old Holland international was one of the best defenders in Premier League and signed a contract worth £180,000-a-week until 2023. Though it strengthened Liverpool’s defence, the departure of Coutinho has left a big hole in their attack.
Also, Daniel Sturridge left the club to join West Bromwich Albion on a loan deal until the end of the season and it leaves Liverpool with only Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings as their recognized strikers.
#5 Tottenham Hotspur
Daniel Levy generally does not like to do business in the winter transfer window. His last transfer activity in January was in 2015 when Deli Alli arrived from MK Dons.
Lucas Moura was Tottenham's only winter transfer window signing. He moved to London in a £25 million five-and-a-half-year deal.
The 25-year-old has made only six appearances for Paris Saint-Germain this season. The Brazilian’s playing time at PSG was curtailed following the arrival of Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe.
Mauricio Pochettino wanted to add a quality winger to his attacking line and Moura fits the bill perfectly. Given the nature of inflation in the transfer market, Moura’s deal could prove to be a bargain for Tottenham.
#4 Manchester City
The Citizens were left stunned as Manchester United knocked them out of the Alexis Sanchez race. The Blues were not ready to meet the demands of the Chilean and his agent while the Red Devils were happy to comply.
Having lost their long-term target, Manchester City completed the signing of Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte. City activated his £57.2 million release clause in a deal that made him their record signing. He is Guardiola’s sixth signing of the season.
The 23-year-old Frenchman is a left-footed defender, known for his calmness, intelligent positioning, and passing ability. It was a shrewd piece of business from Pep Guardiola, given he had only two quality defenders up until now to play at the heart of the defence.
They made a last-ditch attempt to sign Riyad Mahrez but Leicester City’s valuation of the player put them off. On the other hand, Mangala moved to Everton on a loan deal.
#3 Chelsea
The Pensioners were busy throughout the transfer window. Antonio Conte’s squad was criticized for lack of depth and they tried to address that problem in January. They signed Ross Barkley from Everton for £15 million on a five-year deal. The England international hasn’t played a minute of football for Everton this season.
Then came Olivier Giroud. Chelsea has signed the Arsenal striker on an 18-month deal for around £18 million. The 31-year-old’s arrival paved the way for Michy Batshuayi’s Borussia Dortmund loan deal.
Chelsea completed their signing spree with the acquisition of Emerson Palmieri. The 23-year-old Roma left-back signed a four-and-a-half year in a £17.5 million deal which included £5.2 million in bonuses. The Brazilian is expected to play second fiddle to Marcos Alonso. On the other hand, Kennedy left the club on a loan deal to play for Newcastle.
#2 Manchester United
Manchester United pulled off one of the best deals of the January transfer window. Alexis Sanchez was all set to move to Manchester City but United stunned their rivals with an offer that Arsenal could not refuse.
It was thought to be a very complex swap deal but the interest from all parties made the deal happen. United signed Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way in a straight player swap with no fees involved.
Alexis Sanchez will earn a Premier League record wages of £350,000-a-week after tax on a four-and-a-half-year deal. It’s a stunning piece of business from Jose Mourinho, given the Chilean is not cup-tied for the UEFA Champions League.
He is one of the best midfielders in the world right now and will definitely add creativity and goals to United.
#1 Arsenal
Though the Gunners are struggling on the field, they did well in the transfer market. The Alexis Sanchez transfer saga is over. Arsenal did well to bring in Henrikh Mkhitaryan as a part of Alexis Sanchez deal.
One other big name also arrived at the Emirates this January. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moved to Arsenal in a £56 million deal. Wenger had 2 bids for Aubameyang rejected by the German club before agreeing to a club record fee. The 28-year-old has scored 141 goals in 213 games for Borussia Dortmund, including 21 in 24 this campaign.
Also, the Gunners have completed the signing of Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos for £2.2 million from PAS Giannina.
Also, three other big names have left the club. Theo Walcott moved to Everton in a £20 million deal while Olivier Giroud left the club on deadline day. The Frenchman moved to Stamford Bridge in a £18 million deal. Francis Coquelin also left the club on a permanent deal to Valencia.
One other source of good news for Arsenal is that Mesut Ozil has signed a new long-term contract with the club. All in all, Arsenal got what they wanted in the January transfer window.
