The January transfer window is now closed, with clubs across Europe finalising deals yesterday to bolster their squads for the rest of the 2022-23 season. Most of the action during the window was provided by the Premier League clubs, who spent upwards of £500 million to grab the best talent across Europe. In contrast, Italian and Spanish clubs were more conservative with their spending, with financial difficulties playing spoilsport for major clubs.
As the clubs across Europe get ready to enter the business end of the 2022-23 season, here’s a look at the top five transfers in the January transfer window:
#5: Cody Gakpo to Liverpool
The first major signing of the January transfer window was made by Liverpool, with the Reds splurging £44.3 million for the 23-year-old in a five-and-a-half-year deal. A PSV Academy graduate, Cody Gakpo came into the spotlight during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, scoring in all group-stage games for the Netherlands in their run-up to the quarterfinals. The Dutch star joined Liverpool at a critical time, as the 2019-20 Premier League champions struggle to keep up with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal in the current season.
Liverpool had a quiet transfer window, as Cody Gakpo remains the only signing for the club mid-season despite Jurgen Klopp showing interest in other players right until the deadline day. With a string of injuries keeping out key players for the next few weeks, the Reds are likely to struggle through the rest of the season.
#4: Georginio Rutter to Leeds United
Unlike previous seasons, Leeds United broke with their tradition of remaining silent in the January transfer window. The Whites have made key additions to the squad, with Georginio Rutter and Maximilian Wober joining the club alongside Weston McKennie from Juventus on loan. The Whites paid a club-record sum of £36 million for Georginio Rutter, with the 20-year-old joining Elland Road on a five-and-a-half-year contract.
Despite his young age and relative inexperience, Georginio Rutter can become the key man for Leeds United as they face a period of transition under Jesse Marsch. With 11 goals and 11 assists in 64 games in the Bundesliga, Georginio Rutter is expected to bolster the choice of No.9s for the Whites alongside Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford.
#3: Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United
Newcastle United, who are current on a stellar streak in the Premier League, went big with the signing of Anthony Gordon from Everton. The 21-year-old winger will join the Magpies on a long-term deal, with Eddie Howe looking to bolster the team’s attacking unit. Anthony Gordon joined Everton as an 11-year-old, making his debut for the Toffees at the age of 16. In all, he scored seven goals in 65 appearances for the club over the past five years.
The Magpies have bolstered their squad since the club came under new management, with the club currently enjoying a successful Premier League season. The signings of Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby are further expected to give Eddie Howe more options to manage his team’s workload. Anthony Gordon might make his debut for the team in the coming days, well in time for the Carabao Cup final later this month.
#2: Jorginho to Arsenal
Jorginho will join the Gunners on an 18-month contract after Mikel Arteta agreed to shell out £12 million for the 31-year-old midfielder. Named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2021, Jorginho has rich experience playing in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Jorginho scored 21 goals in 143 appearances for Chelsea and has been a regular player for the Italian national team since 2016.
Arsenal turned to the veteran player after failing to secure a deal for Moises Caicedo on the deadline day. The Gunners were willing to pay £70 million for the 21-year-old, but Brighton were unwilling to let go of the Ecuadorian star unless better terms were offered. Jorginho is expected to fit right into Arsenal’s plans for the rest of the season, as the lack of a playmaker in the midfield remains their only weakness in an otherwise extraordinary Premier League season.
#1: Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea
Chelsea were the most aggressive spenders of the January transfer window, spending well over £300 million to completely overhaul their squad mid-season. With the signing of Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea have crossed the £500 million mark in transfer signings under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership.
Enzo Fernandez was a relatively unknown star in European circles until last year, playing for River Plate in Argentina. Benfica picked up the 22-year-old for just £12 million in the summer transfer window, spotting the youngster’s talent before other European clubs. With his phenomenal form in the FIFA World Cup 2022, where he was awarded the tournament’s Young Player award, Enzo Fernandez’s market value zoomed to upwards of £100 million. Benfica were the biggest winners in the deal, making a profit off the star in a matter of just a few months.
Chelsea have been busy throughout the month, signing Mykhailo Mudryk, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke apart from bringing Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid. It remains to be seen if the massive investment that Chelsea are making during the year pays off, as there is considerable work to be done at Stamford Bridge to turn around the season for the Blues.
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