January Transfer Window: 13 Most Impactful Moves so Far

The January transfer window has seen some interesting, shocking and impactful moves in the past and this year is no different.

Various clubs have snapped up great young attacking talents or gone after more veteran players to help improve their team both now and in the future.

Some of the deals on this list may be loans, but they could very well have a strong impact on how a team does during the remainder of the season.

Players are not expected to single-handedly change a team's fortunes, but they will have a strong effect.

Here are some of the most impactful moves in this January transfer window.

Marco Reus: From Borussia Mochengladbach to Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund signaled its intent for next season with this signing. Marco Reus may not be able to help the team for the remainder of the season, but his impending arrival certainly sets Borussia Dortmund up as a very formidable team.

So far, the team has been able to keep hold of its biggest stars, and adding Reus may be a masterstroke that helps them keep said stars.

In the best case scenario, Reus will team up with the likes of Mario Gotze, Shinji Kagawa and Robert Lewandowski for a very dangerous attacking force.

The worse case scenario, Reus comes in as a replacement for one of those players.

Either way, Reus will be a big part of Dortmund's continued resurgence in Germany and Europe.

Eduardo Vargas: From Universidad De Chile to Napoli

Napoli is another team that adds a great young attacking talent who will increase an already potent force.

Eduardo Vargas signed for Napoli before the January window and has since joined the club. Napoli beat out some very tough competition to sign the talented Chilean, and they will hope his addition will help the team climb up the Serie A table.

Just as with Borussia Dortmund, Napoli's major attacking stars have attracted a lot of attention and Vargas' arrival will add quality depth.

Josh McEachran: From Chelsea to Swansea City (Loan)

Swansea signed some pretty good help for the remainder of the season in the form of Chelsea loanee, Josh McEachran.

McEachran is no star, but he is highly thought of at Chelsea and has a great amount of talent. He may play a very big part in Swansea City's efforts to stay in the Premier League this season.

The player himself noted how he liked the teams style of play, and given his talent he could fit right in and be productive.

A solid half-season for McEachran will give him good experience and could be very beneficial to him and his future at Chelsea.

Papiss Demba Cisse: From Freiburg to Newcastle

Newcastle grabbed a really good signing who can help them finish in a European spot at the end of the season.

Papiss Demba Cisse will not only help the team increase its goal tally—which should, hopefully, result in more wins—he will also have an impact on the how Newcastle looks next season.

Cisse's Senegalese countryman, Demba Ba, has been lighting up the league so far this season and may be compelled to stay to form what could be a very devastating partnership.

If Cisse's productivity helps the team attain a European spot next season, the club may be able to attract some more solid players to strengthen the team over the summer.

Cisse's move could have a very positive impact on Newcastle if all goes well.

Carlos Kameni: From Espanyol to Malaga

Carlos Kameni has not played a minute so far this season, for whatever reason, but Malaga still signed a very solid player.

Malaga's goal-scoring output has been that good but their defense has been worse. Malaga is a club with high aspirations this year, and you need a solid goalkeeper to do well—they will get that with Kameni.

Kameni is a very experienced La Liga keeper, and at his best he could help his new team get amongst the European spots it desires.

The Cameroonian keeper may not exactly be world-class, but he is surely a better option than Malaga's current options, especially considering they have the third most goals allowed total in the league.

Gary Cahill: From Bolton to Chelsea

Gary Cahill did not have the best start to the season by any means, but now that his transfer saga is complete, Chelsea have picked up a very important signing.

With players like Alex heading out the door, Cahill gives Chelsea depth and a future starting defender in the central defensive position.

In terms of goals allowed, Chelsea's defense isn't actually very bad, but they have been a lot better in the past. Cahill can help improve that this season and beyond.

In the end, Chelsea gets an experienced Premier League defender and an England international who will improve the team and help in the challenge for silverware this season.

Thierry Henry: From New York Red Bulls to Arsenal (Loan)

To be honest, I hesitated with this one even though I like both Thierry Henry and Arsenal. Thierry Henry will only be with the club for about two months, so what impact can his signing really have?

Well, he has already shown his stuff with the winning goal over Leeds, and his impact in the dressing room cannot be understated.

Considering that the Leeds game is the only game Arsenal has won in January might say something about the Frenchman's inclusion.

He only has a handful more games to really make an impact, but he has shown he can do it—and if there is one team that needs the lift right now it is Arsenal.

Paul Scholes: Retirement to Manchester United

Here is another club legend who could have a big impact on his team's fortunes.

Paul Scholes has already had an impact since his return to Manchester United. He scored the opening goal in the team's win over Bolton, and he had a part to play in the lead to Danny Welbeck's winner against Arsenal.

Scholes has been brought in to help strengthen a depleted Manchester United midfield, and he has done a good job of it so far. Unlike Thierry Henry, he will have the whole remainder of the season to contribute.

Scholes will undoubtedly have a major part to play in the remainder of the season as Manchester United look to keep the pressure on their city rivals Manchester City and challenge for silverware elsewhere.

Jose Antonio Reyes: From Atletico Madrid to Sevilla

Jose Antonio Reyes recently returned to Sevilla, the club where he first made his name. While Atletico Madrid has been climbing up the La Liga table, Sevilla has been going the other way.

Sevilla is in need of creativity and goals to catch up with the league leaders, and Reyes can provide that when playing his best.

The landscape in the top half of the La Liga table is very interesting at the moment, with teams like Levante, Osasuna and Espanyol in fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.

Sevilla may hope that Reyes' return to his old hunting grounds will bring the best out of him and help throughout the season.

Maxwell: From Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain

This move could have a big impact on both teams involved. Barcelona has lost defensive depth, an area which many have already felt more help was needed and not less, while Paris Saint-Germain has gained a very experienced defender.

The loss of Maxwell alone may not have a significant effect on the rest of Barcelona's season, but it is an interesting move from the club.

Paris Saint-Germain signed a defender who is very experienced and will help the team in keeping up its league-leading defense as well as provide a cool head for European play next year.

Gilardino: From Fiorentina to Genoa

This move is interesting and could have a big impact on how either team ends their season. Gilardino wasn't really performing for Fiorentina during the first half of the season, but surely the team could have tried to keep him until the end of the year.

Interestingly enough, Fiorentina has since gone ahead to sign a player that has not played a single game half this season.

Gilardino will team up with Rodrigo Palacio and to help push his team further up the table.

Fiorentina, on the other hand, will be left with one less potent attacking person, and an incoming player who has more than likely seen his best days.

Marco Borriello: From Roma to Juventus (Loan)

Juventus is atop the Serie A standings and wants to remain there. The Turin club signed Marco Borriello on loan in a bid to boost it's attacking options.

Alessandro Matri has been the club's only on-form forward so far this season, and Borriello is expected to be productive and compete with him for a starting berth.

Roma's manager, Luis Enrique, isn't too hard done by the deal, stating, "Marco is a great player, I have always said that and I will repeat it. I had to make choices and our paths separated."

Juventus may have found another player for Pirlo to send through on goal—and hopefully a player that will keep them ahead of their competitors.

Emmanuel Frimpong: Arsenal to Wolves (Loan)

Wolves' signing of Emmanuel Frimpong on loan will be big for both player and club. Wolves may be locked in a relegation battle for the remainder of the season and could use some help in midfield.

Frimpong had some good moments in his appearances for Arsenal earlier in the season, and the West Midlands club will be hoping he can continue that and help them stay in the Premier League.