PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are often wary of spending big in the mid-season window but this best ever January transfer XI shows good business can be done.
Bruno Fernandes and Virgil van Dijk both arrived at Manchester United and Liverpool in the January window and Arsenal and Chelsea have also benefited.
Several success stories have come from January transfers
The Gunners signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund and Blues fan favourite Branislav Ivanovic also rocked up at Stamford Bridge just after the new year.
Here SunSport reveals our best ever January transfer XI.
Martin Dubravka – Sparta Prague-Newcastle (£4m, 2018)
The Magpies’ No 1 stopper originally arrived from the Czech side on a six-month loan in January 2018.
He made his debut in a 1-0 win against Manchester United on February 11, and the now immovable Slovakian eventually signed permanently at the end of the 17-18 season.
Branislav Ivanovic – Lokomotiv Moscow-Chelsea (£9m, 2008)
The Blues beat Inter and AC Milan, Juventus and Ajax to the ever reliable and rock solid Serbian’s signature.
He initially signed a three-and-a-half year deal and went on to make 377 appearances for the West Londoners – winning three Premier Leagues, the Champions League, three FA Cups and a League Cup in that time.
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Branislav Ivanovic bagged a hat full of trophies after his January move to ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Nemanja Vidic – Spartak Moscow-Man Utd (£7m, 2006)
This Serbian was one half of perhaps the greatest Premier League centre-half partnerships of all time alongside Rio Ferdinand.
Like Ivanovic he also arrived from Russia before spending eight years at Old Trafford – playing 300 games and winning five Premier Leagues, the Champions League and three League Cups before leaving for Inter in 2014.
Virgil van Dijk – Southampton-Liverpool (£75m, 2018)
Having arrived from the Saints in January 2018, the imperial Dutchman finished runner up in the Ballon d’Or just 23 months later.
The centre-back is currently out injured but was integral to Liverpool winning their first ever Premier League title last season.
Virgil van Dijk has become one of the best players in the world since his mid-season transfer to LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
Patrice Evra – Monaco-Man Utd (£5.5m, 2006)
Another member of United’s great backline alongside Vidic and Ferdinand.
The French left-back-turned-pundit arrived the same month as the Serb and also left in the summer of 2014 bagging five Premier Leagues, the Champions League and three League Cups beforehand.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
Wilfred Ndidi – Genk-Leicester (£18.5m, 2017)
The midfielder went straight into the Foxes’ team after his arrival and played 23 games in all competitions before the end of the campaign.
He has gone on to rack up 151 appearances for the Midlands club and is often linked with mega-money moves away.
Bruno Fernandes – Sporting Lisbon-Man Utd (£55m, 2020)
Few players have had such an immediate impact on the Premier League as the Portuguese.
In just 12 months he has become United’s most important player bagging an incredible 27 goals and 17 assists in 48 games from centre-midfield.
Bruno Fernandes has become Man Utd’s most important players in just 12 monthsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Philippe Coutinho – Inter Milan-Liverpool (£8m, 2013)
The mercurial Brazilian was everything you want from a No 10.
His 54 goals and 45 assists in 201 Liverpool games earned him a mega-money £145million move to Barcelona in January 2018.
But he failed to hit the same heights at the Nou Camp no doubt leaving him wondering what might have been had he stayed at Anfield.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
Papiss Cisse – Freiburg-Newcastle (£9.5m, 2012)
The Senegalese striker endeared himself to Toon fans immediately by scoring nearly a goal a game – 13 goals and two assists in 14 games – before the end of the season.
His form tailed off somewhat and he finished his Magpies career with 44 goals in 131 games before he left for Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng in 2016.
Papiss Cisse hit the ground running at NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association
Luis Suarez – Ajax-Liverpool (£22.8m, 2011)
The Uruguayan was one Liverpool’s greatest strikers of the Premier League era.
He scored 82 goals in 133 Reds appearances, but – unlike Coutinho – his career peaked after he left Anfield when he managed 195 goals in 283 games for Barcelona.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Borussia Dortmund-Arsenal (£60m, 2018)
Some would would argue the Gabonese should not be on this list with his form having fallen off a cliff since he signed his £350,000-a-week contract in September 2020.
But the form he showed to earn the deal makes him one of Arsenal’s best ever Prem goalscorers.
The 31-year-old has 76 goals and 16 assists in 127 games in all competitions to date.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrived at Arsenal in January from Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
