The January transfer window slammed shut for another season on Tuesday evening, following a winter of record-breaking spending from Premier League clubs.
Premier League clubs spent around £780.1m on new additions, more than double last January’s investment. Chelsea were the big spenders – outspending all the clubs in Europe’s other top five leagues combined.
Here are ten of the most interesting January transfer window deals.
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
Chelsea left it late to secure Enzo Fernandez, before confirmation arrived that the west Londoners had broken the British transfer record on deadline day.
Graham Potter’s side had been in negotiations with Benfica for some time over the midfielder, who had captured the attention of Europe’s elite with a fine World Cup in Qatar. The 22-year-old was named as the tournament’s best young player as Argentina were crowned world champions.
BREAKING! Chelsea have signed Enzo Fernandez for a British record fee worth more than £106.8m from Benfica. pic.twitter.com/WKDCaOPiXQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 1, 2023
Benfica were insistent that Fernandez would not leave for less than his €120m (£106.8m) release clause, a figure Chelsea agreed to pay in the final hours of the transfer window. It continued an extraordinary spend from the club’s new owners and strategy of targeting world football’s best young talent, with Fernandez set to be at the centre of the Blues’ new-look midfield.
The deal has seen Fernandez replace Jack Grealish as the most expensive Premier League footballer of all time, while Benfica have returned a gargantuan profit on a player signed for just €15m from River Plate last summer. River Plate also made the sensible decision to include a 25% sell-on clause, earning themselves a huge windfall.
Jorginho (Arsenal)
Jorginho’s move to Arsenal cleared the path for Fernandez to sign for Chelsea, as the experienced midfielder crossed the capital to join the league leaders. Jorginho was out of contract in the summer and Chelsea opted to accept a £12m fee for the 31-year-old before his deal expired.
The Gunners turned their attentions to Jorginho after having two bids rejected by Brighton for Moises Caicedo. Mikel Arteta’s side were short of depth in central midfield and their search for a signing accelerated following an injury to Mohamed Elneny and the loan departure of Albert Sambi Lokonga to Crystal Palace.
???? "Jorginho is a midfield player with intelligence, deep leadership skills and a huge amount of Premier League and International experience. He has won in his career, but he still has the hunger and huge willingness to contribute here."
The boss on Jorginho ???? pic.twitter.com/8bsP2e2rT9
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 1, 2023
Jorginho arrives with a wealth of experience having won the Champions League, Europa League and European Championship. He could provide a calming presence as the title race heats up, with Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City and chasing a first Premier League crown since 2003/04.
The Italy international represents a different profile of player to Arsenal’s current options, but could prove a useful addition with his composure in possession. He has signed an 18-month deal at the Emirates.
Weston McKennie (Leeds)
Leeds continued their American revolution with the signing of Weston McKennie this month, agreeing a deal to sign the midfielder on loan from Juventus.
McKennie was linked with a move to several Premier League clubs, but decided on Leeds where he will link up with US teammates Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, under the management of compatriot Jesse Marsch, at Elland Road.
???? Friends Reunited! pic.twitter.com/yJaVMF1Ntb
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 30, 2023
The 24-year-old shone alongside Adams as the USA reached the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, producing an impressive performance up against Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in the goalless group stage draw against England.
Athletic, energetic and with Champions League experience, he possesses the perfect profile to improve the Leeds midfield and the club have an option to turn his loan into a permanent move at the end of the campaign.
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
Liverpool caused a surprise with the signing of Cody Gakpo early in the window, opting for an attacking addition over midfield reinforcements.
Gakpo arrived at Anfield with a fine reputation, one which had been enhanced after three goals for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar. Versatile and a goal threat, he produced 30 goals and assists in just 24 appearances for PSV this season, but has failed to make an instant impact in the Premier League so far.
???? Jurgen Klopp on Cody Gakpo:
"His defending in his position is outstanding. It's what we need. He is a sensational finisher. His shooting from distance is outstanding. Everyone will see that. Coming in as a striker in our current situation? Congratulations. He is fine." ???? pic.twitter.com/lLup86M6DG
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) January 27, 2023
In his defence, Gakpo has arrived at a club in crisis with Liverpool having won just one of six games since the turn of the new year. Key absences and a loss of confidence have contributed to the Reds’ poor form, which has seen the £37m signing underwhelm to date.
Jurgen Klopp will hope the impending returns of Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino can ease the expectation on Gakpo, with the Dutchman having not had the the patient integration that Klopp often prefers to give new signings.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Newcastle bolstered their attacking options for the second half of the season with the arrival of Anthony Gordon from Everton, securing the services of the England u21 international for a fee which could reach £45m.
Gordon becomes the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, as the third-placed Magpies look to build on a strong campaign to date and secure Champions League qualification.
What a welcome! ????????
My first few days in the Toon have been special… from the people in the city to the fans in the stadium, everyone has been so welcoming. Can’t wait to play in front of you all & cheer on the boys at Wembley!!! ???????? pic.twitter.com/6WCXgOF2y0
— AG (@anthonygordon) February 1, 2023
Gordon came through the academy at Everton and shone during a breakthrough campaign last season. However, the manner of the 21-year-old’s exit – in which he missed training and handed in a transfer request with Everton in the bottom three – has impacted his popularity at Goodison Park.
Questions will be asked about the fee given criticism of Gordon’s end product and a return of just seven goals in 78 appearances for the Toffees, but Eddie Howe will hope to mould his talents – electric speed and an ability to beat players one-vs-one – into an effective attacking option.
Harry Souttar (Leicester)
Harry Souttar’s impressive performances at the World Cup have led to a Premier League chance, after Leicester made the defender the most expensive Australian footballer of all time on deadline day.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are without a win in five league games and the Foxes’ manager has sought to fix a leaky Leicester defence with the arrival of Souttar from Stoke. The 24-year-old arrives at Leicester in a deal worth £15m, after the club beat competition from Wolves and West Ham to his signature.
Harry Souttar for Australia at the 2022 World Cup:
◉ Most clearances
◉ Most aerial duels won
◎ 80% true tackle success
◎ 67.9% duel success
◎ 66.7% aerial duel successLeicester City's new centre-back. ???? pic.twitter.com/Z0LwXCywdr
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 31, 2023
Souttar was excellent as Australia reached the last 16 of the World Cup and has been backed to make the step up to the Premier League, where his 6ft 6in frame will provide presence at centre-back. Only Bournemouth have conceded more goals than Leicester in the Premier League this season and Rodgers will hope Souttar is the solution to his side’s issues at the back.
Mykhaylo Mudryk (Chelsea)
Mykhaylo Mudryk’s move to Chelsea was one of the stories of the transfer window, as the club stole in to sign the winger when all roads appeared to lead to Arsenal.
Chelsea secured the £88.5m signing of Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, beating their London rivals to the signature of one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. The 21-year-old had starred for the Ukrainian side in the Champions League this season and became the latest big-money acquisition at Stamford Bridge.
A constant threat on debut! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Q1z4ZCxgcf
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 22, 2023
Mudryk made an impressive cameo as a substitute on debut at Liverpool, showcasing the electric speed and fleet footwork that saw him become so sought after. Chelsea are confident that the winger can excel in the Premier League, following a number of underwhelming performances from the club’s wide options.
The task for Graham Potter will be finding his best team and quickly as Chelsea look to salvage their season, following an investment of more than £300m in the January window alone.
Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
Antonio Conte’s best sides have been built on contributions from wing-back and Spurs have moved to strengthen their options this month.
Matt Doherty and Djed Spence were allowed to leave to make room for Pedro Porro, who represents an upgrade for the north Londoners at right-back. Porro has shone since signing for Sporting Lisbon from Manchester City, where he failed to make a senior appearance.
I have arrived, to work, and may there be many victories and conquests! let's go guys .???? #COYS @SpursOfficial pic.twitter.com/r4FhGIKkH7
— Pedro Porro (@Pedroporro29_) January 31, 2023
The 23-year-old has been a productive presence and has 11 assists in all competitions during the current campaign for the Portuguese side. Porro will hope a move to the Premier League can improve his chances of becoming Spain’s regular right-back, as he looks add to the debut cap he won in 2021.
Conte called for additions this month and Porro and Arnaut Danjuma appear solid signings as Spurs look to kick on and secure Champions League football.
Paul Onuachu (Southampton)
Southampton spent big in the January transfer window as the Saints backed new manager Nathan Jones.
Bottom of the Premier League table at present, the club will hope their £60m+ investment can lead to a turnaround in results. Kamaldeen Sulemana arrived in a club-record deal from Rennes on deadline day, but it is arguably the arrival of Paul Onuachu which could prove crucial to their fight for survival.
Paul Onuachu was directly involved in a league goal once every 97.1 minutes for Genk:
◉ 114 appearances
◉ 79 goals scored
◉ 7 assistsSouthampton have signed a very big bagsman. ???????? pic.twitter.com/o0kpBfwS2T
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 1, 2023
Goals are a precious commodity at the bottom of the Premier League and Onuachu arrives with a fine record from Belgian football. The Nigeria international has scored 79 goals in 114 league appearances for Genk.
Onuachu arrives in form after scoring 16 goals in 19 games so far this season and Southampton will hope fellow recruits Suleman and Miroslav Orsic can provide the chances for the forward to convert. At 6ft 7in, he will be a presence Premier League defences won’t miss.
Keylor Navas (Nottingham Forest)
Not content with a British record 22 additions during last summer’s transfer window, Nottingham Forest moved to bring in further reinforcements this month.
The headline signing is the loan capture of Keylor Navas from Paris Saint-Germain, with the three-time Champions League winner arriving on a deal until the end of the season.
Navas has been one of Europe’s best goalkeepers across the last decade and the 36-year-old arrives at the City Ground with a wealth of top-level experience.
Keylor Navas is a Red. ????
Your new home awaits. ????
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 31, 2023
Forest made their move for the Costa Rica international after an injury to Dean Henderson and it remains to be seen how the dynamic evolves once Henderson returns to full fitness. Keeping both goalkeepers content could prove difficult.
Read – Five unforgettable Transfer Deadline Day stories
Read Also – Ranking the most expensive Premier League players ever
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