The January transfer window can transform a team’s season. This has been evident in previous January windows. Liverpool managed to sign world-class defender Virgil Van Dijk for a record transfer fee, and he has arguably radically transformed the Liverpool side and has already reached two UCL Finals since joining in January 2018.
Going into the transfer window, many believed Manchester City would be the big spenders. The current Premier League champions have struggled this season, especially in the defensive unit. Arguably their best defender, Aymeric Laporte, sustained a lengthy injury and still hasn’t fully returned to the side. As well as losing Laporte, City also failed to replace club legend Vincent Kompany. To have any chance of catching frontrunners Liverpool, City needed to improve defensively.
Since the arrival of Jose Mourinho at Spurs, it was clear transfers were imminent. Mourinho has made two new additions to his squad. Both signings seem to be for future seasons, meaning Mourinho may look to stay at Spurs for a number of years. Despite both new arrivals being tipped as promising, they may struggle to adapt to the Premier League.
Firstly, Gedson Fernandes. A young central midfielder who is blessed with natural ability, he joins from Portuguese giants Benfica on an 18-month loan deal with an option to buy.
Secondly, Steven Bergwijn – a promising winger who is gifted with pace, as well as being skilful. The young Dutchman joins from PSV on a five-and-a-half-year deal, for £27 million.
Whilst teams at the top have strengthened, so have the teams further down the table. Newcastle United have made three signings who can all add much-needed quality.
Due to injury problems in the wide areas, it was key Newcastle needed to add quality and depth.
Their first signing Valentino Lazaro joined on loan from Italian giants Inter. Despite not being the best defensively, Lazaro will fit well into the current setup. This is down to Steve Bruce opting to play with three centre-backs and two wing-backs who will play box to box.
They then moved for Algerian international Nabil Bentaleb to add more quality and experience to their midfield. Bentaleb joins from German side Schalke on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Their final signing was Danny Rose from Spurs. The experienced full-back joins from the London-based side, also on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Arguably the biggest signing of the window was Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United as the Portuguese playmaker finally got his move to England. It had been widely reported that United had been tracking Fernandes for several months. It seemed the deal was all done in the previous summer but United failed to meet Sporting Lisbon’s asking price. Fernandes has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal, with the deal worth an initial £46.6 million, which can still rise to over £60 million.
Will this transfer window be the turning point for the likes of Spurs and United? Can Newcastle yet again survive in the Premier League due to their experienced reinforcements? Only time will tell.
