January is an invaluable time for Premier League clubs to bolster their sides.
The Premier League always heats up in the second half of the season, meaning the January transfer window is an invaluable time for clubs to strengthen their sides in the final run-in.
Teams like Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are always active around this time and have picked up some absolute gems midway through the season.
This begs the question, who is the best January transfer of all time? Here are our top 12, ranked.
12: Jesse Lingard to West Ham United
Jesse Lingard was seriously struggling for game time at Manchester United, so decided to join West Ham United on loan until the end of the 2020/21 season in a bid to revive his career.
He did just that. Lingard was an instant hit at the London Stadium. In 16 games, Lingard scored nine goals and assisted five more – which is more than he ever managed at Old Trafford.
Remarkably, the deal was never made permanent – so Lingard never became an official Hammers player.
11: Seamus Coleman to Everton
This one may have not made an instant impact, but in terms of sheer value – Seamus Coleman has to make the list.
He arrived at Goodison Park for a measly £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in January 2009 and has gone on to become one of the Premier League’s best-ever right-backs.
He’s still going strong to this day, with over 400 appearances in his locker.
10: Bruno Guimaraes to Newcastle
Bruno Guimaraes is one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League right now.
Amid a dark time at Newcastle United, the takeover emerged which meant the Magpies had money to blow. They made five purchases – with the very best of the lot Guimaraes.
The Brazilian has proven he was worth every bit of the £38 million fee, and then some. He could rise higher up the list in the future.
9: Clint Dempsey to Fulham
In January 2007, Clint Dempsey signed for Fulham for £2 million, which now looks like an absolute bargain.
He became a firm fan favourite at Craven Cottage, being one of the star players in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
The American was an integral part of the team that were runners-up of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League and he was also awarded Fulham Player of the Season for both 2010–11 and 2011–12. He was the top scorer for the Cottagers in both these years. Bargain.
8: Edin Dzeko to Manchester City
One of the most underrated strikers of the Premier League era, and maybe of the 21st century, it’s Edin Dzeko.
Manchester City completed the £27m signing of Bosnian international striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg back in 2011. Flash forward four years later, he departed with two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup.
He may have been higher on this list, but his time with the Cityzen’s was cut short due to a falling out with Manuel Pellegrini. Still, his four-year tenure couldn’t have gone much better.
7: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal
Despite the sour end at the Emirates for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the electric forward from Gabon will go down as one of Arsenal’s most clinical forwards ever.
In all competitions, he scored 92 Arsenal goals in 163 appearances – a quite ludicrous record. He left on bad terms back in 2022, due to problems with Mikel Arteta.
He’ll still be remembered as a fabulous goalscorer in the Premier League.
6: Martin Odegaard to Arsenal
After joining the Gunners, initially on loan from Real Madrid, Martin Odegaard just pips Aubameyang to Arsenal’s best-ever January acquisition.
The silky Norwegian playmaker arrived with great expectations, having had the world on his shoulders as a youngster at Real Madrid. The Emirates became his safe haven, where the pressure wasn’t as severe, and he thrived under this.
Odegaard is now Arsenal captain and is looking for a Premier League title under Mikel Arteta.
5: Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes gets a spot. He joined Manchester United back in 2020, when the club severely lacked any direction.
He completely transformed that Manchester United side, scoring a ludicrous amount of goals and winning countless Premier League Player of the Month Awards.
He’s slowed down as of late, but still probably remains the Red Devils’ most important player. He’s the best signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
4: Patrice Evra to Manchester United
Patrice Evra is one of the best full-backs to ever do it in the Premier League. He arrived at Old Trafford in 2006 and went on to have a wildly successful career.
This included five Premier League’s, a Champions League and so much more. Alongside a World Cup for his country.
Now he spends his time as a pundit and ‘influencer’ – if you can call him that.
3: Luis Suarez to Liverpool
Evra’s arch-nemesis is just above him. Despite all his controversies, Luis Suarez was one hell of a player.
The Uruguayan was arguably the world’s best striker at Liverpool, moulding into an absolute monster since arriving from Ajax in January 2011.
He joined alongside Andy Caroll… who just missed out on this list!
2: Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool
Just missing out on that top spot is Liverpool’s absolute rock at the back – Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds have always gone big in the January window, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Javier Mascherano and Luis Diaz – but none are greater than Virgil van Dijk.
The towering Dutchman has been vital to Liverpool’s recent successes but does just miss out on the top spot.
1: Nemanja Vidic to Manchester United
When Nemanja Vidic joined Manchester United from Spartak Moscow in 2006, little did they know he’d be the greatest January signing of all time.
We think to sum this signing up, we just list his trophy cabinet at Manchester United – which included: three consecutive Premier League titles, and five in total, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, three League Cup medals, as well as being included in four PFA Team of the Year sides.
Nemanja Vidic, without a doubt, tops our list.
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