The January transfer window highlights the mid-way point of the season, where clubs all over Europe and in the Premier League can strengthen their squads as they aim to achieve their campaign objectives.
It isn’t a window where a great deal of business is done, but a few signings here and there can always prove to be the difference.
The summer window is where you would expect to see the very best transfer dealings take place, but that’s not to say that January hasn’t produced some incredible bits of business in the past.
Luis Suarez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Fernandes are just a few of the names who have set the English top flight alight in recent times, but who could be next?
Here is a starting XI of the Premier League’s best ever January transfers, as a reminder of what this winter window can bring.
Who has been the January transfer window’s best ever signing? Have your say in the comments section below.
Goalkeeper - Asmir Begovic (Stoke City, 2010)
When Stoke City signed Asmir Begovic from Portsmouth at the end of the January transfer window in 2010, it proved to be quite a coup.
The Bosnian went on to make 172 appearances in five-and-a-half-seasons for the Potters as their number one and won the club’s 2012-13 Player of the Season Award, while he went almost two years without missing a league game before an injury in 2013.
It’s also worth remembering that he scored from a goal kick after just 13 seconds against Southampton at the Britannia Stadium that same year, subsequently earning himself a place in the 2015 Guinness World Records for the 'longest goal scored in football'.
Right back - Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea, 2008)
Chelsea probably didn’t imagine just how influential and incredible the signing of Branislav Ivanovic from Spartak Moscow in January 2008 would be for them - and for just £9m as well.
The Serbian racked up 261 Premier League appearances for the Blues in a trophy laden career at the Blues, helping himself to three Premier League titles, three FA Cup ’s, one Champions League and one Europa League, to name a few.
His solid displays at the back, as well as the ability to play at centre-half, made Ivanovic one of the Premier League’s best ever defenders, while he also wasn’t afraid to chip in with a goal or two either.
Centre back - Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd, 2006)
It’s hard to believe, but Nemanja Vidic arrived in the same window as Patrice Evra in what can only be described as sensational business from Manchester United that year.
Signing for around £7m from Spartak Moscow, the Serbian defender made 300 appearances across all competitions for United over a nine-year stay, and formed one of the best centre-back partnerships with Rio Ferdinand.
That partnership and his own individual displays contributed to five Premier League titles and the 2007-08 Champions League, along with two Premier League Player of the Season awards and four PFA Team of the Year nominations.
Centre back - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, 2018)
It has become a bit of a recurring theme that Liverpool seal some incredible business in the winter window, especially after signing current centre back Virgil van Dijk from Southampton ahead of January 2018.
The Dutchman has become a catalyst at the back for the Reds and one of the world’s best in his position, which has been complemented by a Premier League title, a Champions League title, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup since his arrival.
Van Dijk is nearing 150 appearances for the Reds, whilst he was also the runner-up for the 2019 Ballon d’Or, losing out to Lionel Messi for the title and failing to become the first defender to win it since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.
Left back - Patrice Evra (Man Utd, 2006)
Man Utd secured one of the signings of the Premier League era when they bought Patrice Evra from French side Monaco for £5.5m in 2006.
Evra became a legend at Old Trafford and under Sir Alex Ferguson, he won five Premier League’s and one Champions League, whilst amassing 379 appearances for the club until his 2014 departure to Juventus.
The Frenchman wrote himself into Premier League folklore and to this day, remains as one of the best left-backs the top flight has ever seen.
Centre midfield - Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd, 2020)
Bruno Fernandes is the latest permanent signing in the January transfer window to have lit up the Premier League, following his move from Sporting Lisbon to Man Utd on January 30, 2020.
The Portuguese star hit the ground running almost immediately after his move and helped to turn United’s form around in 2019-20, whilst becoming the Europa League’s top scorer that season, before he bagged himself 28 goals in all competitions in 2020-21.
A place in the 2020-21 PFA Premier League Team of the Year and four Premier League Player of the Month awards have followed since, as Fernandes continues to perform for his club into the current season.
Centre midfield - Nemanja Matic (Chelsea, 2014)
After originally leaving Chelsea for Benfica in January 2011 as part of a deal for the Blues to sign David Luiz, Nemanja Matic returned to Stamford Bridge three years later for £21m.
In his first start for the club, he was named Man of the Match against Manchester City and went on to become an integral part of the squad that won the Premier League in 2014-15 and 2016-17 as he evolved into one of the division’s best holding midfielders.
He totalled 151 appearances for Chelsea during his second spell, before leaving for Man Utd in 2017.
Centre midfield - Jesse Lingard (West Ham, 2021)
Perhaps controversial, yet there is no denying the impressive impact that Jesse Lingard had after his arrival at West Ham United last year.
Although it was only a loan move and he returned to Man Utd at the season end, Lingard’s performances made him an excellent January signing and he will be remembered for helping the Hammers to European football for this season.
The 29-year-old rediscovered his form in east London and produced nine goals and four assists in 16 appearances for David Moyes’ side, and managed to win the Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month for April 2021.
Right wing - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal, 2018)
Arsenal broke their transfer record to secure the services of Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a reported £56m on January 31, 2018, and his goals soon followed.
The Gabon international has notched 92 times in 163 games for the Gunners since his arrival and helped them to secure the 2019-20 FA Cup.
While recent events have tarnished his reputation at the club, there is still no doubt that Aubameyang is one of the best Premier League transfers in the January window.
Striker - Luis Suarez (Liverpool, 2011)
On January 31, 2011, Luis Suarez signed for Liverpool from Ajax in a deal worth £22.8m on a five-year-deal, and the rest is history.
Suarez took the Premier League by storm and arguably became one of the best ever strikers to play in the English top flight, as he scored 69 goals in 110 league appearances for the Reds, and helped them to win the League Cup in his first season.
Despite no other club accolades, it was his performances on the pitch which made him a legend at Anfield, and he went on to win Liverpool’s Player of the Season in 2012-13 and the same again in 2013-14, along with the Premier League Player of the Season and the Premier League Golden Boot with 31 goals.
Left wing - Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool, 2013)
On January 30, 2013, Liverpool secured another bit of incredible transfer business with the £8.5m coup of Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan, with the Brazilian midfielder going on to make over 200 appearances for the club.
54 goals also followed, as Coutinho’s technical ability really shone through during his playing days at Anfield, while he also made it into the PFA Team of the Year for the 2014-15 season.
A forced move to Barcelona in 2018 left a bit of a sour taste, but Coutinho remains one of the best signings in Liverpool’s history and the January transfer window.
