'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The winter transfer window was an exciting time for fans of the English Premier League. Some of the biggest names in football left for greener pasture.
The likes of Philippe Coutinho moved to FC Barcelona in a move that had been in the making for months, while others waited until transfer day to make their move.
With that being said, let’s look at the five best signings throughout the English Premier League over the winter transfer window:
#5 Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain to Tottenham Hotspur)
There is no denying that Moura is one of the best attackers in the world today when he is at his best, so there were plenty of happy Spurs fans when he signed with Tottenham. Moura has not seen too much of the field this season at PSG, as the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani steal the limelight, so a move like this will help all parties.
Tottenham have found themselves a brilliant player who can dive deep into the box, as well as set them up with ease for the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane. He hasn’t appeared just yet in the league for the Spurs since his signing, but look for Lucas to make a huge impact the minute he steps onto the field.
#4 Olivier Giroud (Arsenal to Chelsea)
A triangle played out during Giroud's transfer. Borussia Dortmund seems to want Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea, and Chelsea were only willing to give them Batshuayi if Arsenal gave Chelsea Giroud. Also, Dortmund would only have sanctioned the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deal if they got Batshuayi.
At the end of it all, Olivier Giroud’s £18 million move from Arsenal to Chelsea was finalized. The centre-forward who had been at Arsenal for over five years had expressed his excitement on joining the champions of England for the remainder of this 2017/18 Premier League season. The 31-year-old Giroud has a total of 105 goals across all competitions, over the past five-and-a-half seasons.
Chelsea fans must be elated to have the Frenchman join the club, as they can definitely use another reputable goal scorer after Diego Costa’s departure.
#3 Theo Walcott (Arsenal to Everton)
Can Theo Walcott spark something special at Everton?
Everton needed someone to support Wayne Rooney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the scoring department, and Theo Walcott is just that man. He had an assist in his first game for Everton to go along with his brace against Leicester City within his first four games.
While he hasn't got a whole lot of playing time in the Premier League this season with Arsenal, Walcott was tearing the pitch up in the UEFA Europa League. In the five games that Walcott played, he has scored three times and set up another couple of goals.
Sam Allardyce had to find a man who could support his current guns, as well as complimenting the revival of Oumar Niasse. Walcott can do both, as well as potentially being another weapon that can send the Toffees flying up the ladder once again.
#2 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal to Manchester United)
Alexis Sanchez is now a Red Devil
The former Arsenal frontman swapped red jerseys as he went from Arsenal to Manchester United. There was plenty of speculation about where he would go, with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City also reportedly requesting for his services. This was after City had him within their grasp during the summer, before the deal eventually fell through.
We all know that Sanchez can be a game changer within a matter of moments, even with him having a poor year (by his standards). Sanchez opened his United account with a goal in their 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town, and will look to keep putting them away as he tries to help keep United within the coveted Champions League spots.
He also has that number seven, which tends to be either a blessing or a curse. Only time will tell which it will be in Sanchez's case.
#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal)
Arsenal's latest piece of weaponry
Borussia Dortmund sold Aubameyang to the North London giants as part of a huge merry-go-round of deals just before the transfer window slammed shut. The former Dortmund striker was having a whirlwind season, having scored thirteen goals in just sixteen appearances during the Bundesliga season.
Arsenal got rid of Alexis Sanchez, so they had to find a direct replacement.
Aubameyang has only played two Premier League games for Arsenal to date, scoring against Everton on his debut, before playing the full game against Tottenham.
His four goals in the UEFA Champions League with Dortmund should also translate into success in the UEFA Europa League, assuming he gets sufficient playing time.
One thing's for sure though. There are going to be plenty of eyes on the Gabonese striker to see how he settles in England.
