The January transfer window in the EPL is a pivotal period for clubs seeking to bolster their squad. The mid-season window may not be as hyped as the summer transfer window, but it’s still witnessed some incredible transfers. In this article, we’ll explore five of the best January transfers of all time in the EPL that have transformed teams.
1. Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United, 2006)
In 2006, Manchester United secured the services of Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow for a reported fee of £7 million, a transfer that would prove to be a masterstroke by then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Vidic quickly established himself as a rock at the back and linked up with Rio Ferdinand to form a formidable defensive partnership.
Vidic’s commanding presence, aerial prowess, and no-nonsense approach endeared him to the Old Trafford faithful. He quickly became one of the league’s top defenders. During his illustrious tenure at Manchester United, where he played 211 games, Vidic won plenty of silverware, including five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
2. Luis Suarez (Liverpool, 2011)
In 2011, Liverpool got the whole league talking when they signed Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez from Dutch club Ajax for a fee reported to be around £22.8 million. Before anyone knew what was happening, Suarez had taken over the EPL and was scoring with ease. He had so much skill and seemed to never miss when in front of goal.
Suarez played a huge role in Liverpool’s resurgence under manager Brendan Rodgers, guiding the club to the brink of a Premier League title during the 2013-2014 season. The Uruguayan striker won multiple Golden Boot awards and is considered one of the greatest forwards in Premier League history. In 110 appearances for Liverpool, Suarez scored an incredible 69 goals, he then went to Barcelona, where he continued to score goals with ease!
3. Patrice Evra (Manchester United, 2006)
In 2006, Manchester United made a genius move when they picked up French left-back Patrice Evra from AS Monaco for a reported fee of £5.5 million. Evra, famous for his work ethic and defensive solidity, played an instrumental role in Manchester United’s success under Sir Alex Ferguson. During his time at Old Trafford, he won multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. Evra played 273 games at Manchester United and is an undisputed club legend. He’ll always be remembered as a key part of Man Utd’s golden era. Man Utd fans are desperately hoping that the club will find another Evra soon!
4. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, 2018)
In 2018, Liverpool spent big by acquiring the Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for an earth-shattering £75 million, which was unheard of for a defender. However, the Dutchman lived up to the hype and became a feared defender at Anfield. He injected toughness into the lineup and transformed Liverpool’s defense under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Van Dijk reinvigorated Liverpool’s defense thanks to his impeccable positioning. Van Dijk’s physical presence on the pitch and aerial skills took Liverpool to a new level. At 6ft5, the Dutch defender has scored some critical goals for Liverpool throughout the years and also denied more than we can count. He played a huge role in Liverpool’s historic Premier League title triumph in 2020, which was the club’s first league championship in 30 years.
5. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool, 2013)
In 2013, Liverpool secured the services of Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan for a reported fee of £8.5 million, which turned out to be a fantastic bargain. Coutinho instantly added some much-needed flair and ingenuity to Liverpool’s midfield. The Brazilian showcased vision and ability to unlock defenses with accurate passing and audacious dribbling.
Coutinho’s mercurial talent and knack for scoring spectacular goals endeared him to the Anfield faithful, establishing him as one of the Premier League’s most electrifying playmakers. In 152 appearances for Liverpool, he scored 51 goals and set up countless more. He ended up moving to Barcelona for an insane £142m, giving Liverpool an incredible £133.5 profit!
From defensive titans to attacking maestros, from record-breaking transfers to bargain acquisitions, you never know what the January transfer window might uncover. Let’s hope your favorite EPL team makes the right move next January!
Read More: The Worst January Transfer in English Premier League History