Ten Most Expensive January Signings
Clubs are pretty cautious when it comes to the January transfer window from trying to get a big signing midway to the season in savaging their season to clubs playing hardball to get more money from the transfer. Still, millions are spent during the window and with the January window closing, here are the ten most expensive January transfer signings.
Juan Mata (Chelsea to Manchester United £37m)
David Moyes made a big coup to save his job by signing Spanish midfielder Juan Mata from Chelsea for a club record fee of £37 million in January 2014. Mata was one of the most creative players during his time with Chelsea with 33 goals and 63 assists, winning the Champions League in 2012. However, after falling out with José Mourinho, Mata left London for Manchester where he has made 208 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 44 goals.
Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar Donetsk to Jiangsu Suning £38m)
China have been putting their feet in the football world by challenging Europe's elite in the transfer window for the best talent. Linked with a move to Liverpool, Alex Teixeira was one of the first to move to the Far East when he moved from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk to Jiangsu Suning for £38m in February 2016. He is still in China scoring 45 goals in 102 appearances and at 29, it's unlikely he will play in Europe again and hasn't received a senior cap for Brazil.
David Moyes made a big coup to save his job by signing Spanish midfielder Juan Mata from Chelsea for a club record fee of £37 million in January 2014. Mata was one of the most creative players during his time with Chelsea with 33 goals and 63 assists, winning the Champions League in 2012. However, after falling out with José Mourinho, Mata left London for Manchester where he has made 208 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 44 goals.
Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar Donetsk to Jiangsu Suning £38m)
China have been putting their feet in the football world by challenging Europe's elite in the transfer window for the best talent. Linked with a move to Liverpool, Alex Teixeira was one of the first to move to the Far East when he moved from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk to Jiangsu Suning for £38m in February 2016. He is still in China scoring 45 goals in 102 appearances and at 29, it's unlikely he will play in Europe again and hasn't received a senior cap for Brazil.
Lucas Moura (São Paulo to PSG £38m)
Lucas Moura was one of the hottest properties during his time at São Paulo in Brazil with Manchester United and Inter Milan interested in the Brazilian winger. Paris Saint-Germain won the battle for his services with £38m in January 2013. PSG's most expensive signing at that time. After 230 appearances for the Parisians and winning 4 Ligue 1 titles, Moura moved to Premier League side Tottenham in January 2018 for £25m.
Lucas Moura was one of the hottest properties during his time at São Paulo in Brazil with Manchester United and Inter Milan interested in the Brazilian winger. Paris Saint-Germain won the battle for his services with £38m in January 2013. PSG's most expensive signing at that time. After 230 appearances for the Parisians and winning 4 Ligue 1 titles, Moura moved to Premier League side Tottenham in January 2018 for £25m.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea 50m)
On January 2011, at the end of the transfer window, Fernando Torres become the most expensive signing in British football after a £50m move to Chelsea from Liverpool. A prolific goalscorer at Anfield with 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances, Torres was unable to replicate his form at Stamford Bridge with just 45 goals in 172 games for the Blues. He did win the Champions League and the FA Cup, scoring a big goal against Barcelona in the semifinals to take Chelsea to the UCL Final. He now plays at Sagan Tosu in Japan.
On January 2011, at the end of the transfer window, Fernando Torres become the most expensive signing in British football after a £50m move to Chelsea from Liverpool. A prolific goalscorer at Anfield with 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances, Torres was unable to replicate his form at Stamford Bridge with just 45 goals in 172 games for the Blues. He did win the Champions League and the FA Cup, scoring a big goal against Barcelona in the semifinals to take Chelsea to the UCL Final. He now plays at Sagan Tosu in Japan.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal £56m)
The only African player on this list, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang become Arsenal's most expensive signing for a reported fee of £56m from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in January 2018. Aubameyang was tearing it up in the Bundesliga with Dortmund scoring 98 goals in just 144 Bundesliga games for BVB across four and a half seasons, becoming the Bundesliga top goalscorer in 16/17 and was Player of the Season in 15/16. He has continued his form at the Gunners with 27 goals in 43 games at the Emirates.
Diego Costa (Chelsea to Atlético Madrid £57m)
Brazilian-born Spanish international Diego Costa is renowned for his goalscoring and his temperament being a nuisance for his opponents because of his aggressive play. Winning two Premier League titles and scoring 59 goals in 120 games for Chelsea, Costa fell out with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and moved back to Spain with Atlético Madrid for £57m. He has won the Europa League in 2018 with Atlético but has struggled this season scoring just one goal in 11 La Liga games with Atléti this season.
The only African player on this list, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang become Arsenal's most expensive signing for a reported fee of £56m from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in January 2018. Aubameyang was tearing it up in the Bundesliga with Dortmund scoring 98 goals in just 144 Bundesliga games for BVB across four and a half seasons, becoming the Bundesliga top goalscorer in 16/17 and was Player of the Season in 15/16. He has continued his form at the Gunners with 27 goals in 43 games at the Emirates.
Diego Costa (Chelsea to Atlético Madrid £57m)
Brazilian-born Spanish international Diego Costa is renowned for his goalscoring and his temperament being a nuisance for his opponents because of his aggressive play. Winning two Premier League titles and scoring 59 goals in 120 games for Chelsea, Costa fell out with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and moved back to Spain with Atlético Madrid for £57m. He has won the Europa League in 2018 with Atlético but has struggled this season scoring just one goal in 11 La Liga games with Atléti this season.
Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City £57m)
One of only two defenders on this list, Aymeric Laporte signed for Manchester City from Athletic Bilbao for £57m in January 2018, a club record fee for the Citizens. Laporte spent eight years in Bilbao, making his name as one of the best central defenders in La Liga making 222 senior team appearances for the Basque Country. Since moving to City, he has built a strong partnership with John Stones winning the Premier League in 2018 and will be an important part for City in the coming years.
Oscar (Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG £60m)
Many in the football world were puzzled when Oscar moved from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG for £60m. At Chelsea, Oscar was highly favored by José Mourinho ahead of Juan Mata. Oscar made 203 appearances for the Blues winning the Premier League in 2015 and the Europa League in 2013. Since moving to China, Oscar hasn't set the world on fire. In a game against Guangzhou R&F, the Brazilian purposely kicked the ball at two Guangzhou players and despite not being sent off, he was banned for 8 games and was fined.
One of only two defenders on this list, Aymeric Laporte signed for Manchester City from Athletic Bilbao for £57m in January 2018, a club record fee for the Citizens. Laporte spent eight years in Bilbao, making his name as one of the best central defenders in La Liga making 222 senior team appearances for the Basque Country. Since moving to City, he has built a strong partnership with John Stones winning the Premier League in 2018 and will be an important part for City in the coming years.
Oscar (Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG £60m)
Many in the football world were puzzled when Oscar moved from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG for £60m. At Chelsea, Oscar was highly favored by José Mourinho ahead of Juan Mata. Oscar made 203 appearances for the Blues winning the Premier League in 2015 and the Europa League in 2013. Since moving to China, Oscar hasn't set the world on fire. In a game against Guangzhou R&F, the Brazilian purposely kicked the ball at two Guangzhou players and despite not being sent off, he was banned for 8 games and was fined.
Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool £75m)
Liverpool spent a club record fee of £75m to get Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018. Many believed that the Reds overspent on the centre-back but not many are taking about the fee now. Van Dijk has transformed Liverpool's defence and was integral in their Champions League run last season reaching the final. Arguing Liverpool's most important player, van Djik has made 29 appearances so far this season as the Reds are in a tight title race.
Liverpool spent a club record fee of £75m to get Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018. Many believed that the Reds overspent on the centre-back but not many are taking about the fee now. Van Dijk has transformed Liverpool's defence and was integral in their Champions League run last season reaching the final. Arguing Liverpool's most important player, van Djik has made 29 appearances so far this season as the Reds are in a tight title race.
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona £141m)
However, Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk wouldn't have been possible without the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £141m, making the thrid most expensive player and the most expensive January signing ever. Coutinho was a popular figure at Liverpool, scoring 54 goals in 201 appearances. Since moving to the Nou Camp, the Brazilian won La Liga and the Copa del Rey in 2018 but has struggled with the Catalans this season after being left out by Ernesto Valverde.
However, Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk wouldn't have been possible without the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £141m, making the thrid most expensive player and the most expensive January signing ever. Coutinho was a popular figure at Liverpool, scoring 54 goals in 201 appearances. Since moving to the Nou Camp, the Brazilian won La Liga and the Copa del Rey in 2018 but has struggled with the Catalans this season after being left out by Ernesto Valverde.
Comments
Post a Comment