The winter transfer window is finally closed and Premier League clubs are now all equipped for the final sprint of the season. A few clubs relied on short-term loan deals to replace their injured players in the second half of the season. But a number of clubs have strengthened their squad for the final 13 matches of the season and possibly for the start of the next season. With that in mind, let us take a look at top five transfers of the January transfer window:
5. Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield to Brighton|£5m)
Aaron Mooy is not new to the Premier League fans. He helped Huddersfield Town to the EPL promotion in 2016-17 and spent three seasons in the top tier. But after Huddersfield’s relegation at the end of last season, the midfielder moved to Brighton on loan.
Now in January, Brighton secured the permanent signing of the Australian for just £5m. Mooy has already made 18 appearances for Seagulls this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist as the club continues to fight the relegation battle. The 29-year old has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with 15th-placed Brighton, who are just two points clear of the relegation zone.
4. Jarrod Bowen (Hull City to West Ham| £22m)
With 24 points in 25 matches, West Ham are currently 18th in the league table – on their way to the Championship! But Jarrod Bowen’s signing from Hull City on the deadline day could change the London club’s fortunes.
The forward has been in red hot form in the Championship this season with 16 goals and 7 assists in 29 games. West Ham will be expecting Bowen to continue in a similar fashion to save his new club from the relegation. The youngster is a serious goal-scorer, having scored 54 goals in the last two and a half seasons at Hull.
3. Steven Bergwijn (PSV to Spurs|£25m)
Tottenham made sure they have the resources to replace Christian Eriksen in the midfield with the signing of Dutch youngster Steven Bergwijn. The 22-year old made a name for himself at PSV Eindhoven, with his dribbling, creativity and an eye for a key pass and even a goal.
Bergwijn has been in a fine form this season with 5 goals and 10 assists in 16 league games and the youngster finished the last season with 14 goals and 12 assists in the league – Jose Mourinho has definitely got a serious player for some years to come! Bergwijn also has nine international caps to his name a glorious career ahead of himself.
PS: Bergwijn will take Eriksen’s No. 23 jersey at Spurs!
2. Takumi Minamino (Red Bull Salzburg to Liverpool|£7.25m)
It’s not like Jurgen Klopp needed addition to his current beast of a squad to secure the Premier League title any more than it already is. But the German still signed Takumi Minamino with an eye on the long-term future.
The Japanese international had scored a UCL goal against Liverpool a few months ago and the Reds were quick to notice the talent he had. Minamino is a traditional CAM, who can create goals and even score some. The 25-year old can also play as a winger if needed. And he has already shown the proof of what he can do at the highest level with two goals and three assists in the group stages of this season’s UCL.
1. Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United| £47m)
Manchester United were in desperate need of an attacking midfielder, who could both create and score goals! How desperate? The Red Devils signed Bruno Fernandes after a lot of drama on Thursday and asked him to play full 90 minutes on Saturday.
But all things aside, this is exactly what Manchester United were missing – the spark in the midfield! The player who could keep the midfield motor running throughout the game. And despite the 0-0 scoreline in his debut game, Bruno showed everyone what he is capable of and the fact that he is well and truly a level above rest of United’s midfield.
The Portuguese can make key passes in the final third, he can shoot from the long-range and is also a dead ball specialist – Everything United needed to get their season back on track. Bruno has already scored 8 and assisted 7 for Sporting in the first half of the season and he will be eager to get on the scoresheet at United as well.
