The January transfer window is in full swing and fans across the country are glued to the transfer rumour mill surrounding their clubs, as players and agents across Europe having their private jets on standby.
Title challenges, European qualification and relegation battles have been defined by one piece of transfer business in January and here are some of those players who proved to be money well spent.
Traditionally, the New Year is a difficult time to make big moves with managers often preferring to make a couple of tweaks and dip into the loan market if needed. However, the transfer window continues to conjure up plenty of surprises with big money moves, transfer requests, work permits and much more – not to mention the thrill and sheer frenzy that we all know and love, Transfer Deadline Day!
Managers across England know too well that for every Luis Suarez there is an Eric Djemba-Djemba. Here are six of the best January arrivals to have graced the Premier League. To purchase your football tickets click here – Football Ticket Pad.
Patrice Evra – Monaco to Manchester United – January 2006 – £7m
The Frenchman took time to settle into life at Old Trafford, but went on to establish himself as one of the best left backs to have played in the top flight of English football. During his eight years in Manchester, he won five Premier League titles and a Champions League medal on his way to establishing himself as a United legend before leaving to join Juventus in the summer of 2014.
Luis Suarez – Ajax to Liverpool – January 2011 – £22.5m
Without doubt, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League and one of the best January signings in history. The Uruguayan was endeared by the Anfield faithful and nearly steered Liverpool to Premier League glory in 2013/14. Despite never winning the Premier League title, he was a huge hit on Merseyside and became a Liverpool legend during his four seasons at Anfield, scoring 82 goals in 133 matches for the Reds.
NemanjaVidic – Spartak Moscow to Manchester United – January 2006 – £7.2m
The Serbian central defender will go down as one of the best to have played in a Manchester United shirt and he formed a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand during his time at Old Trafford. Vidic spent eight years at United, captaining the side for three seasons and winning five Premier League titles, three League Cups and a Champions League under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mikel Arteta – Real Sociedad to Everton – January 2005 – £2m
Arteta became a firm favourite for the Toffees during his six year stint at the club. The Spaniard proved to be an absolute bargain for David Moyes at £2 million following a successful loan spell at the club. In his first season he helped the club secure Champions League football with a fourth-place finish in the Premier League. He became one of the most creative midfielders in the top flight and scored 27 goals in 162 matches for the club. The Blues legend also won the Sky Sports ‘Midfielder of the Year’ in 2007 as Everton secured a place in the UEFA Cup.
Christophe Dugarry – Bordeaux to Birmingham City (loan) – January 2003
Birmingham City were in a relegation fight and needed a hero to save them from the drop. Step forward, Christophe Dugarry. The Frenchman made an immediate impact with five goals in his last six games to write his name in Birmigham City and January transfer folklore as the Blues staved off relegation. Dugarry’s goals helped propel Birmingham from the relegation zone to 13th in the Premier League to epitomise the success of the loan market. Dugarry later signed a two year deal with The Blues after a fruitful loan spell.
Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution to Fulham – January 2007 – £2m
Dempsey established himself as one of the best American’s to play in the Premier League and had a memorable five years at Craven Cottage. Dempsey fired Fulham to safety in his first season and went on to net an impressive 50 Premier League goals in five seasons at Fulham with a particular highlight helping the club reach the Europa League final in 2010. Dempsey left Fulham for Tottenham Hotspur in 2012 for £6 million before returning to ‘The Cottage’ on loan in 2014.
