Top 10 European transfers in this January window
The winter window worked wonders for several clubs and saw unusually high profile deals.
The January transfer window, although legit, have received stick from managers and pundits throughout the world since long. There have been many scenarios where the selling club has shown discontent with the proposal of selling one of their star performers, based on the issue of a replacement in the midst of the season. Although this season's winter transfer window did not come early but came bearing gifts for many sides - both managers and fans alike.
This transfer window saw some of the biggest names in the world football changing colors. Alexis Sanchez found his way out of Arsenal, FC Barcelona managed to rope in long-term target Phillipe Coutinho and many more. Who else went where?
10. Adrien Silva to (Sporting CP-Leicester City)
Watch: Adrian Silva makes his debut for Leicester City
Portuguese international Adrien Silva joined Premier League side Leicester City FC in a £22million deal. Although Sporting CP and LCFC agreed for the deal back on 31st August 2017, but FIFA withheld his deal until the winter transfer window because the FA received his transfer documents 14 seconds after the deadline day ended in the summer. Taking a sly dig at FIFA, Silva decided to wear jersey No. 14 for his new club to honour the infamous event.
Indeed, Silva’s introduction to the Premier League could not have been any better.
9. Javier Mascherano leaves for Chinese Super League (Barcelona-Heibei Fortune)
In an emotional farewell, Argentine veteran Javier Mascherano pulled down curtains to his FC Barcelona career as he joined Chinese Super League side Heibei Fortune in a £8.7million deal.
8. Theo Walcott leaves Arsenal after 12 long years (Arsenal-Everton)
Walcott was Arsenal's longest serving player when he signed for Everton
Arsenal’s longest serving player Theo Walcott signed for Everton FC in a £20 million deal. With a career marked by injuries, he found it hard to earn enough game time despite scoring 108 crucial goals during his 12-year stay.
7. Lucas Moura to Tottenham Hotspur (Paris Saint-Germain-Tottenham Hotspur)
Lucas Moura completed his move to the Premier League after Tottenham Hotspur agreed on a £23 million deal for the 25-year old PSG winger. Although Jose Mourinho was interested to bring in the Brazilian to Old Trafford, but the arrival of Alexis Sanchez calmed down their pursuit.
6. Emerson Palmeiri to Chelsea (AS Roma-Chelsea)
Another Brazilian to join the PL was AS Roma defender Emerson Palmeiri. The left-back is believed to have cost Chelsea about £17.6 million plus add-ons.
5. Virgil van Dijk (Southampton-Liverpool)
Liverpool FC continued their raid on the Southampton’s camp as Virgil van Dijk choose to join Anfield for a £75million transfer deal – the world record fee for a defender(centre back). This is Liverpool’s 6th pick from the Saint Mary’s in 4 years.
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4. Aymeric Laporte: (Athletic Bilbao-Manchester City)
Watch: Aymeric Laporte making his debut for Manchester City
Almost sure to be PL champions, Manchester City added yet another defender to their roster. Atletico Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte became the Cityzens’ record signing after the club didnt hesitate to match his release clause of £57.2million. As it stands, Pep Guardiola has spent £448 million in 19 months, more than half of which has been on defenders.
3. Aubameyang-Giroud-Batshuayi triangular exchange
Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Arsenal resolved a tripartite man-for-man swap in the last few hours of the January transfer window.
Dortmund’s go-to man Pierre Emerick Aubameyang moved to North London to experience the Premier League with Arsenal for a sum of £60million including add-ons.
Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud moved clubs to join city rivals Chelsea in a deal believed to be around £18million. The 31-year old forward joined the Blues on a 18-month contract with option to one-year renewal.
Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi joined Dortmund from Chelsea on LOAN move till the end of the season. With the departure of Aubameyang, Dortmund would hope to have found their new Bats-man who can rescue them in the Bundesliga.
2. Alexis Sanchez-Henrikh Mkhitaryan (STRAIGHT SWAP)
The duo went opposite way from one another in the January window
One of the most debatable topics turned to reality when Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United while United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan moved the opposite way. It was earlier believed that United would have to settle for a cash-plus-player deal to acquire the services of the Chilean superstar, however, the United bosses managed to bring it down to a straight swap. For the most part of the transfer build up, Manchester City looked clear favorites to land in Alexis, but the latter snubbed this season’s title favourites. Mkhitaryan will reunite with his Dortmund teammate Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who too joined the Gunners this winter.
1. Phillipe Coutinho (Liverpool-FC Barcelona)
The Brazilian had left the Reds to join the Blaugrana recently
FC Barcelona acquired their much-sought transfer target as Brazilian star Phillipe Coutinho followed in the footsteps of Luis Suarez to take the flight from Liverpool to Barcelona. The deal believed to be around £142million makes it the second highest football transfer just below Neymar’s £200 million (€222million) switch to Paris Saint Germain last summer.
