The January transfer window has now been officially closed! Many top clubs had their share in the market activity and have now beefed up, ready to get through the second half of the season.
Unlike the preceding summer transfer window which was markedly different due to the COVID-19 crisis, the January transfer window was quite like the typical mid-season market. Notably, a number of clubs had gotten deals agreed from way back in October but had to wait till the start of the year to complete such.
Now to that question of which of the numerous transfers in the 32-day transfer window were the best — the ones that are most likely to positively impact the situation of their new sides.
Here, NetBet highlights a list of the top ten signings from the window including loan and free transfers.
- Alejandro Gomez
From Atalanta to Sevilla – €5.5 million
The 32-year-old forward, who has been quite instrumental in the resurgence of Atalanta in claiming their place as a worthy Italian powerhouse, decided to end his six-year spell with I Nerazzurri and join Sevilla.
Unfortunately, the veteran playmaker left the Serie A side on a sour note as it was a fallout with coach Gian Gasperini that gave way for his transfer. Nonetheless, his experience and leadership skills will come in handy for Sevilla, who are having a characteristically strong season in the LaLiga.
- Jesse Lingard
From Man United to West Ham – Loan
The Englishman has surprisingly sparked to life at the Hammers with a dream debut performance. He was never going to get many minutes under his belt at the new-look United team under Ole Solskjaer but his career may be set for a brilliant turning point at West Ham if he can build on the performance he delivered at mid-week.
- Martin Ødegaard
From Real Madrid to Arsenal – Loan
The 22-year-old midfielder is tasked with providing competition for Emile Smith Rowe for the attacking midfield position as the North London side press on in their quest to gain traction this season.
- Krépin Diatta
From Club Brugge to AS Monaco – €16 million
The Senegalese winger recorded a fantastic start to his season at Club Brugge, registering 10 goals in 19 Belgian Pro League games. Now he’s been snapped up by Monaco and he’s already showing glimpses of what to come in the few Ligue 1 games he has appeared since his signing.
- Mesut Ozil
From Arsenal to Fenerbahce – Free
The veteran playmaker will be looking to prove doubters wrong while keeping up with his primary task of helping Fenerbahce clinch a 20th Turkish Super Lig title this season.
- Joshua King
From Bournemouth to Everton – €11 million
The Norweigian striker, who has somewhat struggled in the Championship with the Cherries this season, has been provided a chance at making it happen again in familiar terrains in the topflight following his recent move to Everton. He would provide a decent cover for the Toffees who haven’t been so lucky with injuries this season.
- Sebastian Haller
From West Ham to Ajax – €23 million
Haller has miraculously gotten his mojo back since his move to Ajax after enduring a horrid spell in the Premier League with the Hammers. He’s registered two goals and four assists in six Eredivisie games for Erik ten Hag’s men.
- Amad Diallo
From Atalanta to Man United – €21 million
Although he is yet to make his first-team debut for the Red Devils, the Ivorian youngster has already shown signs of mighty things to expect from him with after only a couple of games with the U-23 side of the club. For the record, he’s registered three goals and three assists in two appearances in the Premier League 2. How about that for a start!
Notably, his move had been agreed between all parties back in October.
2. Saïd Benrahma
From Brentford to West Ham – €23 million
The Algerian forward has been one of the most instrumental players in West Ham’s surprising success this season and it’s shock to none that the club has decided to quickly pay Brentford for his permanent signing. Notably, the Hammers had previously planned to make his loan permanent at the end of the season.
- Dominik Szoboszlai
From RB Salzburg to RB Leipzig – €20 million
The Hungarian midfielder is undoubtedly one of the brightest prospects in the world at the moment. He was quite productive for Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga over the years, and even in the Champions League, he was never too shy to showcase his talents.
Only 20 years old and with his whole career ahead of him, Szoboszlai will be looking to take the German Bundesliga by storm when he’s finally passed fit to get his Leipzig career underway in coming weeks.
What do you make of this list? Any unforgivable miss? Let us know on our twitter page. Meanwhile, if you are a football betting fan, you can trust us to supply you the best odds on transfers and the likes on NetBet Nigeria.