The January transfer window has traditionally been an opportunity for soccer teams to find a stop gap solution for their squad with a view to doing to completing key signings in the summer window. The most high-profile winter transfer until this year was Fernando Torres who moved from Liverpool to Chelsea for a then record breaking free of 50 million GBP. However, this window has broken the norm with many superstars switching sides for eye watering money. With the January transfer window coming to a close, let’s have a look at the top signings made this winter.
Alexis Sanchez
With six months left on his contract, Arsenal have decided to finally cash in on Sanchez before he left for free in the summer. It was obvious that Sanchez wasn’t going to renew his contract and this reflected in his performances on the pitch with just 7 goals this season. The deal will see Henrik Mkhitaryan move to Arsenal in a straight swap. Sanchez has been Arsenal’s best player for the past few seasons and we’ll have to wait and watch to see if he can replicate his previous form in a Manchester United shirt.
Henrik Mkhitaryan
While certainly not a direct replacement for Sanchez, in terms of quality or position, it’s the best deal that Arsenal could have got under the circumstances. Mkhitaryan has been poor this season being singled out for criticism by former manager Jose Mourinho and will be looking for trust and confidence from his new manager Arsene Wenger. He had admitted his desire to play for Arsenal as early as 2009 and said he looked forward to ‘finally’ play offensive football in a dig at Mourinho. He certainly has the talent but it remains to be seen if he can rediscover his Dortmund form.
Philippe Coutinho
The most expensive winter signing ever, Coutinho certainly has a price and reputation to live up to. After a long-drawn transfer saga which had stretched on since the summer, Barcelona finally got their man, paying 142 million GBP to Liverpool to acquire his services. Coutinho has easily been Liverpool’s best player since Luis Suarez left for Barcelona in 2014. But since the summer he had his eye set on Barcelona with the rumor mill saying he refused to initially play for Liverpool when the season began. He made his full debut against Alaves and has taken on the departing Javier Mascherano’s shirt number 14.
Virgil Van Dijk
Liverpool went shopping at their favourite shopping centre (Southampton) again and paid 75 million GBP to acquire Van Dijk, their most expensive signing ever. Van Dijk was courted by all of the premier league’s top teams but chose to move to Liverpool where his ability is sorely needed. He got off to a dream start by scoring on his debut against arch rivals Everton and played a starring role in the defeat of Manchester City. But losing against West Brom and Swansea has introduced him to the Liverpool way of life and it remains to be seen whether he can turn their defence woes around or will he too be off to Barcelona in a couple of years.
Diego Costa
After a summer where Costa was told by Antonio Conte over text message that he wasn’t “in his plans” anymore, Costa was finally unveiled by Athletico Madrid. Athletico are second in the league by a big margin and are already out of the Champions League are in dire need on inspiration on the pitch. Costa’s transfer had been agreed upon in September for 57 million GBP but he was unable to play for them due to the transfer ban imposed upon Athletico for signing minors. Costa returns to Athletico who he left in 2014 after firing them to their first league title in 18 years.
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