Football

Rating every Premier League club’s January transfer window

Sportem
Sportem
24 Min Read

Premier League clubs splashed the cash once again during the January transfer window, as England’s elite flexed their unmatched financial might.

More than £700m was spent on permanent new arrivals into the Premier League, with the division outspending the rest of Europe’s top five leagues by a huge margin.

Following the transfer deadline, we’ve rated each Premier League club’s January window.

Arsenal

Arsenal were keen to bring in new additions during the winter window as the club looked to capitalise on their unexpected position at the top of the Premier League. Few envisaged a title challenge from the Gunners last summer, but Mikel Arteta’s side have been the best team in the division so far this season and boast a healthy advantage at the top.

The north Londoners chased a deal for top target Mykhaylo Mudryk, but allowed Chelsea to steal in and sign the winger from under their noses. That situation has led to criticism of sporting director Edu, with a view that Arsenal have failed to land top targets in Mudryk and Dusan Vlahovic in recent windows. The north Londoners also failed with two bids to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

However, Arsenal responded to the setback of missing out on Mudryk with additions in key areas. Leandro Trossard arrived from Brighton to provide depth in the front three and has already shown encouraging signs, while Jakub Kiwior arrives with a fine reputation from Spezia and provides competition for Gabriel as a left-sided centre-back.

The final deal saw Jorginho cross the capital from Chelsea in a £12m deal, an unexpected transfer but one that provides depth and experience in midfield. That could prove crucial during the title race run-in. Lessons have been learnt after being left short last season.

Rating: 8/10

Aston Villa

Unai Emery brought in two new additions during his first transfer window at Aston Villa, securing deals for Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran.

Moreno arrived from Real Betis in a £12m deal to add competition for the underperforming Lucas Digne at left-back, while Duran is viewed as one for the future after impressing in MLS at Chicago Fire. The 19-year-old scored eight goals for the US side in 2022 and has already earned three senior caps for Colombia.

In terms of outgoings, Danny Ings departed to sign for West Ham in a £12m deal. Ing is the club’s leading scorer this season and had scored five goals in his last eight league games. There is an element of risk in his exit, with Duran an inexperienced and unproven replacement.

Rating: 4/10

Bournemouth

Bournemouth backed Gary O’Neill in the winter window as the Cherries sought to strengthen their squad and secure safety.

Six new faces arrived for a spend in excess of £60m, as the club’s new owners invested in the squad. Dango Ouattara arrived in a £20m deal after a breakout season at Lorient, while Antoine Semenyo is another player of promise and has joined from Bristol City.

Bournemouth then made a statement on deadline day after confirming the captures of Illia Zabarnyi (£24m) and Hamed Traore (loan with £20m obligation). Zabarnyi has been tracked by several top clubs and the 20-year-old centre-back has already won 22 caps for Ukraine, while Traore will bring dynamism to the club’s midfield.

Experienced goalkeeper Darren Randolph and Roma left-back Matias Vina (loan) completed the club’s ambitious recruitment drive.

Rating: 7/10


Brentford

Brentford have been shrewd operators in the transfer market in recent windows and added to their squad with the capture of Kevin Schade on loan until the end of the season.

The Bees will make the deal permanent for a club-record fee in the summer and the forward will sign a long-term contract in west London. Schade arrives from Freiburg and has scored four goals in five appearances for Germany at u21 level.

He will add depth to Thomas Frank’s attacking options, as uncertainty surrounds Ivan Toney with the FA investigating the forward’s alleged gambling offences.

Rating: 5/10

Brighton

Brighton’s recruitment team continue to unearth gems and the Seagulls have signed two starlets to add to their growing collection of talent.

Facundo Buonanotte – who Carlos Tevez compared to Lionel Messi in August – has signed from Rosario Central for an initial fee of £5.3m and the 18-year-old will hope to follow Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo in starring for the Seagulls after crossing from South America. Yasin Ayari – a 19-year-old midfielder with two caps for Sweden – has also arrived at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton’s senior options have been depleted following the sale of Leandro Trossard to Arsenal, but the performances of Kaoru Mitoma means confidence remains high that Roberto De Zerbi’s side can secure European football for the first time.

Keeping Moises Caicedo could be crucial to those chances, after Chelsea and Arsenal saw offers turned down for the midfielder.

Rating: 7/10

Chelsea

Where to start? Chelsea broke several records during another window of astonishing spend at Stamford Bridge.

The west Londoners spend of around £322m was more than each of the clubs in Europe’s other top five leagues combined. Mykhaylo Mudryk was snatched away from under Arsenal’s noses, Joao Felix signed on loan from Atletico Madrid, and Enzo Fernandez completed a stunning £106.8m British record move to Chelsea in the final hours of the window.

Add in deals for Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana and it was an incredible window of activity for the Blues. How Graham Potter gels the new recruits into a team is anyone’s guess, with Chelsea appearing talented, but bloated and unbalanced.

There’s no doubt star power in the squad and Chelsea’s options in midfield and the final third have received a welcome injection of quality. That said the recruitment, however exciting, appears scattergun.

Rating: 8/10

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace conducted minimal business during the window, but signed Naouirou Ahamada and Albert Sambi Lokonga to boost their midfield stocks on deadline day.

Naouirou Ahamada spent time in the Juventus academy before a breakthrough campaign at Stuttgart this season, while Lokonga will be hoping for regular minutes after struggling for opportunities at Arsenal. Despite reported interest, Palace were unable to re-sign Conor Gallagher on loan from Chelsea.

Rating: 5/10

Everton

Everton are in trouble right now and failed to bring in new arrivals during the January transfer window. In an almost repeat of last season, a new manager was appointed with little time to operate in the market and the deadline passed with no new faces.

Viktor Gyokeres, Iliman Ndiaye, Beto, Michy Batshuayi, Conor Gallagher and Anthony Elanga were all linked, while Kamaldeen Sulemana turned down the Toffees in favour of Southampton. With Anthony Gordon having departed for Newcastle, Everton end the transfer window in worse shape than they entered it.

Given the club are mired in the Premier League’s bottom three, that is not a situation that bodes well. The onus will be on Sean Dyche to bring the best from the group he has inherited.

Rating: 1/10

Fulham

Fulham’s strong start to the season means there was little pressure for Marco Silva to bring in new additions this month.

Sasa Lukic signed from Torino to improve the club’s midfield, while Cedric Soares has signed on loan from Arsenal to add depth at right-back. Anthony Knockaert (Huddersfield) and Nathaniel Chalobah (West Bromwich Albion) were allowed to leave on loan.

The Cottagers – who are seventh in the Premier League table – were unable to get a deal over the line for Sander Berge, despite interest in the Sheffield United midfielder.

Rating: 6/10

Leeds

Leeds’ evolution under Jesse Marsch continued this winter as the club brought in four new faces. Georginio Rutter has become the club’s record signing from Hoffenheim and has rich potential, with the 20-year-old lively on debut against Accrington Stanley last weekend.

Max Wober has already emerged as a fans’ favourite at centre-back, while Weston McKennie has the attributes to become another popular figure at Elland Road.

McKennie joins USA teammates Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson at the club and will form an all-action midfield with the latter after signing on loan from Juventus. Diogo Monteiro completed a solid window of recruitment and the 19-year-old defender is one for the future.

Rating: 7/10

Leicester

After a frustrating summer transfer window, Leicester loosened the purse strings to provide Brendan Rodgers with a much needed refresh.

There is understandable excitement at the arrival of Tete on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, with the 22-year-old having become Leicester’s first Brazilian player. The winger scored 25 goals in 75 league games for the Ukrainian side, before spending the first half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Lyon.

Only Bournemouth have conceded more goals than Leicester this season and defensive improvements have been sought in left-back Victor Kristiansen and central defender Harry Souttar. The latter shone at the World Cup with Australia and will provide a presence that has been missing at centre-back.

Rating: 6/10

Liverpool

Liverpool were early movers in the transfer market to secure a deal for PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo.

Gakpo scored three goals for the Netherlands at the World Cup and arrived with a fine reputation, having provided 30 goals and assists in 24 appearances for PSV so far this season. The 23-year-old has potential, but his signing caused surprise given the need for additions elsewhere.

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Midfield has been a glaring weakness for Liverpool this season and has contributed to a dismal campaign to date, with January seeing the Reds produce a wretched run of one win in six games to fall further adrift of the top four and crash out of the FA Cup.

It is evident that Liverpool’s eggs are in the basket of the summer window, when deals for Jude Bellingham and Matheus Nunes are expected to be pursued with intent. However, failing to address their problems this month could lead to a lack of Champions League football next season. How that impacts both their finances and ability to attract top targets remains to be seen.

Rating: 3/10

Manchester City

Manchester City’s decision to allow Joao Cancelo to leave on deadline day has puzzled those outside the Etihad, regardless of rumours of a fall-out with Pep Guardiola.

Cancelo – despite a dip in form this season – has been one of Europe’s top full-backs in recent campaigns. He played more league minutes than any outfield player for the Premier League champions across the last two-and-a-half seasons, but has been allowed to depart on loan for Bayern Munich.

His exit undoubtedly makes City weaker, particularly given the lack of depth at left-back. His signing will also strengthen Bayern Munich, who could prove a direct rival in City’s quest for Champions League success this season.

Rating: 4/10

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag searched the loan market for reinforcements this month, following Manchester United’s record spend last summer.

Ten Hag has overseen progress during his debut campaign and has bolstered his options as the Red Devils compete on four fronts.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit has improved the harmony at Old Trafford and while Wout Weghorst is a less glamorous replacement, the Netherlands international has a work-ethic and goal record to contribute across the remainder of the campaign.

Christian Eriksen’s ankle injury promoted a late loan move for Marcel Sabitzer, after a frustrating period at Bayern Munich. If the Austrian can rediscover his RB Leipzig best in Manchester, he will be a smart pick-up.

Rating: 7/10

Newcastle

Newcastle’s development has been ahead of schedule this season, with Eddie Howe’s team into the Carabao Cup final and pushing for Champions League football.

Anthony Gordon has arrived from Everton to improve the club’s options in the final third and while some have questioned the £45m fee, the England u21 international has raw attributes which will excite the St James’ Park crowd.

Elsewhere exciting Australian prospect Garang Kuol signed from Central Coast Mariners before being loaned to Hearts, while Harrison Ashby has signed in a cut-price deal from West Ham. Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey both departed for Nottingham Forest.

Rating: 5/10

Nottingham Forest

Not content with a British transfer record 22 signings last summer, Nottingham Forest brought in six new faces in January.

Optimism has increased at the City Ground after an improved run of results, with Steve Cooper’s side up to 13th after four games without defeat. Cooper has targeted experience, bringing in Premier League proven names in Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey, experienced Atletico Madrid defender Felipe, and three-time Champions League winner Keylor Navas.

There is also excitement around Danilo, who has signed from Palmeiras after links to several top clubs. Arsenal are understood to have tracked the 21-year-old midfielder before his move to Forest.

Rating: 6/10

Southampton

Southampton were among the highest spenders in the January transfer window, as the Saints backed new manager Nathan Jones with a raft of arrivals.

The club’s faith in youth was evidenced once again with the signings of Carlos Alcaraz and Kamaldeen Sulemana, the latter a club-record £22m purchase from Rennes. Goals have proven an issue for the Saints however, with deals for Miroslav Orsic and Paul Onuachu hoped to be the solution.

Onuachu scored 79 goals in 114 league games for Genk and how he handles the step into the Premier League could decide the club’s season. At 6ft 7in, the Nigerian will provide a powerful presence in attack. James Bree – who played under Jones at Luton – also joined in a 750K deal.

Rating: 7/10

Tottenham

Antonio Conte called on Spurs to make signings this month and the owners have backed the Italian with two eye-catching arrivals.

Arnaut Danjuma has signed on loan from Villarreal to add goal threat, following a fall-out at the Spanish side. Danjuma scored 16 goals in all competitions as Villarreal reached the Champions League semi-finals last season and has previous experience of English football at Bournemouth. He netted on his debut against Preston in the FA Cup last weekend.

Pedro Porro has also signed from Sporting Lisbon and could prove the ideal option at wing-back. Conte’s system is reliant on service from wide and Porro has 11 assists in all competitions this season. He represents an upgrade on the club’s current options, of which Matt Doherty and Djed Spence were allowed to leave in January.

Rating: 7/10

West Ham

West Ham’s search for a reliable source of goals led to Danny Ings, as the Hammers completed a £12m deal for the Aston Villa forward.

Experienced and proven in the Premier League, he will improve the options available to David Moyes as the club look to climb away from trouble after a poor start to the campaign.

Promising Brazilian defender Luizão has also signed from Sao Paulo and will replace Craig Dawson in the squad. The latter was allowed to leave for Wolves in order to be closer to his family.

Rating: 5/10

Wolves

Julen Lopetegui’s first transfer window as Wolves manager saw six additions arrive, with Matheus Cunha the headline capture from Atletico Madrid.

Goals have long been a problem and Cunha boasts pedigree, but the eight-cap Brazil international is not recognised as an out-and-out goalscorer and has failed to find the net in his first six games.

Elsewhere Craig Dawson adds experience at centre-back, while Mario Lemina and Pablo Sarabia could prove useful additions at sensible fees. Joao Gomes has signed in a £15m deal from Flamengo and was named in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year as the club won the Copa Libertadores in 2022.

Wolves’ additions have promise, but whether there is enough goals in this team remains a long-standing issue.

Rating: 7/10

Read – Ten of the most interesting Premier League January transfer deals

Read Also – Ranking the most expensive Premier League players ever

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