The Premier League had a rollercoaster ending. Well in line with predictions on liontips.com, the trophy was tightly contested to the end between Liverpool and Man City. Man City pulled off a memorable comeback, resurging from 2-0 to beat Aston Villa, snatching the title from Liverpool.

With the season ended, all focus will be understandably transferred to the summer transfer window, with millions to be spent on acquisition.

While some of the biggest – and most successful transfers – happen in the summer transfer window, do you know some January transfers have dramatically transformed the fortunes of clubs they signed for?

Let us examine some of the Premier League’s best and most impactful January transfer signings.

1.                  Climpt Dempsey (2007): From New England Revolution to Fulham

Clint Dempsey is arguably Fulham’s biggest import of the 21st century. In a deal costing £3 million, the striker linked up with compatriots Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra at Fulham in the 2007 January transfer.

Rapidly, he transformed himself into the club’s prized asset. His first goal came four months later in a victory over Liverpool, effectively sealing their stay in the premier league that season.

One highlight of Dempsey’s career was his delightful chip against Juventus, which dumped the latter out of the Europa League quarter-final, enabling Fulham to progress to the semi-finals.

During his six-season stay at Craven Cottage, Clint Dempsey notched up 225 appearances across all competitions, bagging 50 goals.

2. Jesse Lingard (2021): From Manchester United to West Ham

A Man United academy product, Jesse Lingard was finding it hard to break into the first team. Therefore a loan move was ideal for him.

During the January 2021 transfer window, West Ham was willing to take him in a season-long loan deal, and this decision turned it to be the right one.

His impact was immediately felt upon his arrival. The English midfielder scored a brace in his debut against Aston Villa. Aside from that, he was a trusted playmaker and turned up when needed, scoring match-winning goals.

Jesse Lingard assisted five times and scored nine goals in 16 Premier League games. He was undoubtedly essential in West Ham’s 6th finish that season, which earned them a berth in the Europa League.

3. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (2018): From Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal

Though Aubameyang’s final months at Arsenal are worth not remembering, we can not deny that his time with the Gunners is worthy of mention.

The Gabonese striker was Arsene Wenger’s last signing, making the club part with £55 million in a then club-record deal.

Aubumeyang proved his worth, beating Thiery Henry to become the fastest Arsenal player in history to score 50 league goals. He did this in 79 outings.

In his second season at the club, Aubameyang scored 22 goals to claim the golden boot for the season in a joint win with Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah.

His quick stride earned him the captain’s armband in 2019, and he almost singlehandedly carried Arsenal to FA cup glory in 2020.

4. Luiz Suarez (2011): From Ajax to Liverpool

It was the year 2011, and Liverpool’s main man Fernando Torres’ time at the club was winding up. Thus, a successor was needed.

Two men were brought in the same day to fill the Spaniard’s void: Luiz Suarez and Andy Carrol. Ultimately, only one lived up to the calling – Luiz Suarez.

Luis Suarez’s £22.8 million move from Ajax to Liverpool in the January transfer window turned out to be the right bargain. He hit the ground running on his debut, scoring the second goal in a two-nil victory over Stoke City.

The 2013-2014 season was his season to eternally remember. The Uruguayan was firing on all cylinders, scoring 31 goals and scooping up the Golden boot.

His goal contribution would have earned Liverpool the title that season if not for the infamous Gerrard’s slip.

However, Suarez’s time at Liverpool was a huge success. He scored a total of 120 goals in 110 premier league matches.

5. Nemanja Vidic (2005): From Spartak Moscow to Manchester United

After Arsenal Invincible’s display and Mourinho’s Chelsea’s insurgent run of fine form, Alex Ferguson needed to reassert Manchester United’s dominance in the English Premier League.

This prompted him to bring in new arrivals, one of which is Nemanja Vidic.

This aggressive defender formed an authoritarian partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the back, earnestly posing as stumbling blocks to opposing strikers.

With his contributions, Manchester United went on to win three straight league titles starting from the 2006-2007 season. In addition, they also won the Champions League cup in 2008.

The Serb was notorious for his defensive physicality, tactical awareness, and positioning. In addition, his leadership skills earned him the captain’s armband, and he duly repaid the trust in him. 

6. Jermain Defoe (2015): From Toronto FC to Sunderland FC

During the January transfer window of 2015, after just eleven months with Toronto FC, Jermain Defoe returned to the premier league with Sunderland in a swap deal with Jozy Altidore heading the other way. Upon his arrival, Defoe made an instant impact, proving a smart acquisition.

The English striker enjoyed a fruitful two-year stint with the club, scoring important goals. His most iconic goal came in a victory against Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby.

That season, Jermain Defoe helped Sunderland stay afloat in the Premier League and replicated the same feat the following season, scoring 15 league goals along the way.

Conclusion

In the English Premier League, the January transfer window has seen different clubs sign in new players to bolster their squad. However, some of these signings were outstanding for the club, ultimately a good value for money spent.

This article lists some of these good January purchases and why their time with the club was a success.