This year’s January transfer window for the Premier League was one of the most exciting ones in recent history. The year saw an influx of talented players, but also the unfortunate departure of a few. In this article, we’ll be looking at six premier league clubs that made the most impactful transactions during this window.
Arsenal — sixth in the league position
Arsenal have failed to carry their impressive run of form into the new year. They only have one win this year and have also been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s solitary aim right now is to secure a Champions League spot for next year.
However, that goal looks a tad unattainable after the transfer window. Former team captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club on a free transfer, and the rumours of the club potentially signing ACF Fiorentina star Dušan Vlahović broke down abysmally. This situation leaves Arsenal in the absence of a clinical finisher, making their attack heavily reliant on midfielders like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, who don’t provide a sufficient goal-scoring threat.
Aston Villa — 12th in the league
After a series of impressive performances in late 2021, Villa manager Steven Gerrard replicated his team’s brilliance on the pitch with moves of his own in the transfer window. He sanctioned Phillipe Coutinho’s return to the Premier League with a loan move to Villa and also signed Everton leftback Lucas Digne. The two reinforcements have visibly enhanced Villa’s quality of play, with Digne providing one assist and Coutinho scoring two goals and assisting two.
The Villa management is looking to qualify for European competitions next year, and this hope has been immensely strengthened by their moves in the transfer window.
Everton — 16th in the league
The Toffees have had a rather forgettable season so far. They have placed 16th in the league and are a mere five points from relegation. However, the January transfer window does paint a picture of hope for the club. Not only were Everton able to sign Frank Lampard as their new manager, but they also signed Tottenham wunderkind Dele Alli and secured a loan move for Manchester United midfielder Donny Van de Beek. Van de Beek joined Lampard’s Everton in the lookout for regular opportunities to play on a team’s starting lineup, in order to contest for a spot in the Dutch national team for the upcoming World Cup.
All three of Everton’s signings desperately hang on to a thread of redemption in the aims of fulfilling their unrealized potential. With the likes of Richarlison de Andrade, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Demarai Gray already on Everton’s team sheet, maybe the new recruits’ buzzing drive to succeed is just what the club needs to find its footing and start winning again.
Liverpool — second in the league
Liverpool suffered a midfield crisis last November when five of their starting midfielders were injured, after which the club struggled to control the ball in the central areas of the pitch. Their relatively thin squad depth could certainly damage their silverware hopes as the season progresses. The club, however, did not sign a midfielder this transfer window, and instead acquired the services of Colombian forward Luis Diaz on a five-and-a-half-year contract.
The move fulfils two purposes. Firstly, Diaz’s presence serves as a motivation for first choice left-winger Sadio Mané to better his performance if he is to retain his spot on the team sheet. Additionally, Diaz is only 25 years old, which means he could be a long-term prospect. Liverpool’s absentee midfielders returning from injury, plus the onboarding of Diaz, are making things look extremely positive for Liverpool on their hunt for a trophy.
Newcastle United — 17th in the league
The club, which has been battling relegation since August, recently saw a huge influx of cash following a takeover by Saudi owners. The first statement of intent from the new owners came from the signing of experienced rightback Kieran Trippier on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Next, they signed Chris Wood from relegation zone occupant Burnley. Wood was Burnley’s top goal scorer last year, and although he has failed to replicate that form this year, his presence at the helm of their attack will surely be missed.
The final period of the window saw three more signings: Villa’s Matt Targett on loan, and midfielder Bruno Guimarães and centreback Dan Burn on permanent moves. These reinforcements definitely added depth to the Newcastle squad, bolstering their chances to play in the Premier League next season.
Tottenham Hotspur — eighth in the league
Spurs have tried it all and failed. The London outfit has had the same amount of managers in the last three years as the number of goals Harry Kane has scored this season. The most recent managerial change occurred when the club hired Antonio Conte in November 2021. Conte has a glorious résumé filled with pages of undeniable success, but so did Spurs’ former manager José Mourinho. In the past, managers have tried to save this team, but the proverbial Titanic keeps on sinking.
This winter, Spurs acquired Rodrigo Bentancur on a permanent deal and Dejan Kulusevski on loan, both of whom left Juventus hoping to find success under Conte. Both players are in their early twenties and have extremely high work rates, meaning that they could fit perfectly into Conte’s system. It is too early to say whether Spurs made the right decisions this window, but if anyone can captain this ship to safety, it is undoubtedly Conte.
Notable mentions
Of course, some signings often fly under the radar. Here are some transfers that were quiet, but could make a big difference for their clubs.
Christian Eriksen joined Brentford, strengthening the ranks of the already impressive Thomas Frank outfit. Wout Weghorst moved to Burnley from the Bundesliga, in the hopes of filling the vacancy left behind by Chris Wood. Adama Traore left Wolverhampton Wanderers to join boyhood club Barcelona on loan. Finally, Julián Álvarez signed for Manchester City from River Plate Football Club, hoping to be the number nine messiah that manager Pep Guardiola has been looking for after Sergio Aguero’s departure.
