Top 5 signings of the January transfer window

#3 Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to FC Barcelona)

Andres Iniesta's long-term replacement

£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.