January Transfer Window - Stats, Flops, and Top-Five Signings

This month’s January transfer window started off slowly, however it eventually kicked into full gear as a whopping  £127.5 million was spent in the premier league alone. The January transfer window is a chance for clubs all around the world to revive their season, replace an injured player or add to the club to help push on for a high finish. This season saw this done with the top clubs around the world, and more specifically Europe, sign the ‘big name’ players to increase their title chances.

1) Robert Lewandowski from Dortmund to Bayern Munich
Although Lewandowski won’t be joining Bayern Munich until the end of the season, this transfer is arguably the biggest and most important of the window. The Polish international is highly rated across Europe having helped Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last year, and all the big clubs wanting him this January. He signed a pre-contract deal with Bayern Munich in the early days of January, which means he will be joining Munich at the end of the season when his contract expires. Bargain!
Fee: £0 (Pre-contract)



2) Juan Mata from Chelsea to Man United
Juan Mata is one of Europe’s finest playmakers and so this deal was a shock to everyone. Mata had found life at Chelsea frustrating with new manager Jose Mourinho not playing him often, however, no one expected to see the 25 year old Spaniard leave to arch rivals Manchester United this January. The deal was the most expensive of the window and brought shock to all fans. Could this be the transfer that revives Manchester United’s title hopes?
Fee: £37.1million



3) Nemanja Matic from Benfica to Chelsea 
After only leaving Chelsea 3 years ago as part of a swap deal for David Luiz, Nemanja Matic has made an extraordinary return to the club, at the fee of £21 million, agreed on January 15th confirmed by Chelsea themselves. Matic is regarded highly by the Benfica fans after he helped them get through to the Europa League Final in 2013, which, funnily enough, they lost to Chelsea. He will certainly bring skill and pace to the Chelsea side, as well as being a justifiable replacement for Juan Mata.
Fee: £21 million

4) Yohan Cabaye from Newcastle to Paris St. Germain
The French central attacking midfielder joined PSG in the closing moments of this months transfer window. Cabaye has followed in the footsteps of the likes of Beckham in joining the French champions from an English club and he is sure to fit in with his French teammates Matuidi, Menez and others.  The 28 year old was involved in of the biggest deals of the window and his former rivals are sure to be happy that the skillful midfielder has left.
Fee: £20m




5) Adel Taarabt from QPR to AC Milan
After spending a short period on loan at Fulham during the first part of the season, QPR recalled the Moroccan magician back only to loan him back out again, but this time to a Italian giants Milan.  The 7-time Champions League Winners have signed their man to help them push on for the Serie A title. With the two-footed attacking midfielder, can AC Milan win an 8th Champions League?
FEE: LOAN

 




 

Transfer FLOPS of the Window:

Kim Kallstrom: Spartak Moscow to Arsenal
The Swedish 31 year old joined Arsenal on deadline day on a loan deal until the end of the season. Just days later in his first training session with his new club he picked up a back injury which will keep him on the sidelines for at least 2months! FLOP!
Fee: Loan deal



Emmanual Frimpong: Arsenal to Barnsley
The young Ghanian midfielder joined Barnsley for an undisclosed fee from Arsenal on deadline day. A few days later when making his debut for Barnsley, Frimpong was given a straight red card for a bad tackle leaving him banned for the next 3 games! FLOP!
Fee: Undisclosed (expected to be around £800,000)