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Crazy. That's the only one word that can accurately describe the recently concluded January transfer window. When three of the biggest clubs in the world - Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal break their transfer records in a month, you get an idea of how much work happened in the month gone by.
Most of the players who wanted a move got their way (sorry Riyad Mahrez) as the clubs made the most of a month's time to get their weaknesses sorted out. Now that the transfer market is closed, it's time to analyze the big name signings that happened in the month of January. Here are the top five signings that made headlines and changed complexions around Europe:
#5 Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool)
Liverpool managed to secure Jurgen Klopp's top transfer target on New Year's Eve and they announced the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk. The former Southampton finally got his dream move after a series of transfer requests, hidden courtship, a public apology and £75 million. Though his price (the most expensive defender of all time) was discussed at lengths, for Liverpool, it was all about the abilities that Van Dijk will bring to the table.
He instantly makes Liverpool's defence plug a huge hole in their backline, gives them a leader that they were craving since the times of Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher, a central defender that can play out from the back and be a threat during set pieces.
Van Dijk had a dream debut for the Reds where he scored the winner against Everton in the FA Cup but the joy was short-lived as two back to back defeats against West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City have somewhat dampened the mood around the club. Nonetheless, Van Dijk was a blockbuster signing by Liverpool who made their team better with his arrival.
#4 Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal)
Arsenal went from having a "destabilizing January" as stated by Arsene Wenger to a sensational transfer window in a matter of days. From losing Alexis Sanchez after a long drawn saga to securing the services of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal have shown intent.
Particularly, the arrival of Aubameyang has brought a sense of excitement back to the club (though it has been brought down by a notch or two by the defeat to Swansea). Alexis Sanchez guaranteed goals for Arsenal and the Chilean scoring a third of their goals since the 2014/15 season is a testament to that fact. It now falls on the shoulders of the Gabon man to fill the gap left by Sanchez.
Aubameyang is a player who can be considered as one of Europe's most clinical strikers. The Gabonese international has already scored 21 goals this season, despite not being in good terms with his former club.
He can stretch defences, score with aplomb and has all the qualities to make Arsenal fearsome again. And with Mkhitaryan and Ozil to feed him, expect the Bundesliga bad boy to get among the goals quickly.
#3 Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to FC Barcelona)
£142 million. The price that finally made Liverpool agree to sell Coutinho to FC Barcelona. The Catalans tried every trick in the book to tap the player whereas the Brazilian also did everything in his power to force away a move. Finally, a conclusion was met with Liverpool getting a humongous value for their most talented player.
Losing a key player during the key part of the season may have irked the majority of the Liverpool fans but keeping an unhappy player in the squad and the lure of a Premier League record bid was too good for the Reds management to turn down. Though Coutinho cannot play in the Champions League for Barcelona this season, he will strengthen their chances of winning all the domestic accolades.
Coutinho was supposed to lessen the blow of Neymar's loss in the summer. Though it happened six months late than expected, Coutinho will make Barcelona a much stronger outfit. He fits their style of play and his ability to influence games from deeper midfield will free up Messi to be more involved in the goalscoring aspect.
Whereas, about Coutinho's transfer fee, Barcelona faithful can see it as a cost that the club had to incur to replace a stellar figure like Andres Iniesta.
#2 Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola broke the bank (again) to sign Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for a club record sum of £57 million. Though this transfer did not catch the attention like it did for the Aubameyangs and the Sanchez-s of the world, it can prove to be the most impactful signing of them all in the coming years.
Still aged 23, Laporte was considered as one of the best in La Liga until his move to City. People in Spain have likened him to be a left foot version of Carles Puyol. That's as big a compliment as it gets for a centre-back! For City, he gives Guardiola another brilliant option to start his attack from the back, a left-footed defender who can open up spaces and can see a pass, not many from his position can.
Judging by his debut against West Brom, Laporte took no time to adjust to the demands of the English game and though it is only one game, Laporte's first outing in the Premier League was a roaring success. He has all the weapons in his artillery to become Guardiola's first man in defence and can repay the huge price paid for him in a matter of years.
#1 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal to Manchester United)
Amidst all the discussions about Alexis Sanchez's high wage structure, his reported signing on fee and the agent fees, one thing that was often ignored in this transfer window was that the acquisition of the Chilean made United a much better team than it was before.
Sanchez is a born winner, having a mentality pretty similar to that of Jose Mourinho. He can also be called a perfect Mourinho player - having the capability to win a game with a flash of brilliance and he is always willing to give that extra yard on the field. United have got a true world class player this January who has all the tools to make the club ready to compete on all fronts.
Looking at how this season has panned out, Jose Mourinho needed a player that can help him get close to Pep Guardiola and Alexis Sanchez can prove to be exactly that, a player who can help the Special One in toning down the noisy neighbours.
