Ranking the 30 Best January Transfers of the Premier League Era
Here are the 30 best January transfers of the English Premier League era (1992-93 to present).
The 30 transfers on this list will be subjectively ranked via a combination of:
- Impact on the field.
- How efficient the transfer in relation to the player's productivity.
- Transfer profits (if available).
30. Youssouf Mulumbu
1 of 30
Paris Saint-Germain → West Bromwich Albion (2009).
West Bromwich Albion's decision to sign Youssouf Mulumbu on loan during January transfer deadline day has provided dividends.
Into his seventh campaign for West Bromwich Albion, Mulumbu is still going strong.
This season, Mulumbu averages 2.7 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game.
29. Emmanuel Eboue
2 of 30
Beveren → Arsenal (2005).
Emmanuel Eboue may not have been the most highly rated footballer, but he helped improve team cohesion with his happy-go-lucky attitude and he was a team-first footballer.
He was an invaluable squad player for many years to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
"[Eboue is] a multi-functional player," Wenger said, per BBC Sport. "He normally plays centre-back, but he can play right-back or midfield."
28. Jonathan Woodgate
3 of 30
Leeds United → Newcastle United (2003).
The late Sir Bobby Robson said Jonathan Woodgate was "perfect" for Newcastle United.
Woodgate may not have been perfect on the field, but he was perfect if Newcastle United wanted to make quick money.
- BOUGHT: £9 million.
- SOLD: £13.4 million.
27. Charles N'Zogbia
4 of 30
Newcastle United → Wigan Athletic (2009).
Charles N'Zogbia played his best football for Wigan Athletic where he was a dual threat to score and create a goal.
Wigan's decision to sign N'Zogbia helped them stave off relegation during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 Premier League seasons.
26. Alvaro Arbeloa
5 of 30
Deportivo de La Coruna → Liverpool (2007).
If Liverpool had signed Lucas Neill from Blackburn Rovers, then Alvaro Arbeloa would not have been pursued, per Dominic Fifield at The Guardian.
Arriving at Liverpool alongside teenager Francisco Manuel Duran, Arbeloa established himself as a dependable defender.
His displays at Liverpool enabled him to get another chance to make it at Real Madrid.
25. Ryan Nelsen
6 of 30
DC United → Blackburn Rovers (2005).
Ryan Nelsen waited patiently until he was 27 years old before he ventured to Europe. Having experienced football in New Zealand and the United States, adapting to a new setting was nothing new to Nelsen.
Playing well on trial, Blackburn Rovers took a calculated gamble on him.
He was a brave, committed and tough defender, who ended up playing eight seasons at Ewood Park.
24. Asmir Begovic
7 of 30
Portsmouth → Stoke City (2010).
When Asmir Begovic was playing for Canada at the 2007 U20 World Cup, he was omitted from the "outstanding players" list by the FIFA technical study group.
The FIFA TSG opted to highlight Begovic's compatriots David Edgar and Jaime Peters instead of Begovic.
Moving from Portsmouth to Stoke City helped Begovic take his career to the next level, where he has surpassed Edgar and Peters.
Then Stoke City manager Tony Pulis got it right.
"Asmir is someone we have been tracking for some time," Pulis said, per the Press Association (h/t The Guardian). "We believe that potentially he is the best young keeper in the country."
Given that Begovic dumped Canada for Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is a surprise that he is still turning out for Stoke City when he has the talent to be playing for a better team.
23. Jermain Defoe
8 of 30
Tottenham Hotspur → Portsmouth (2008).
Jermain Defoe was a quick fix for Portsmouth that earned easy money for Pompey management.
- BOUGHT: £9 million.
- SOLD: £15 million.
Harry Redknapp's fixation with Defoe's poaching ability is why he swiftly interchanged clubs.
"This is the third club I have signed [Defoe] for," Redknapp said, per BBC Sport. "He is a proven goalscorer and I am pleased to have him here."
22. David Bentley
9 of 30
Arsenal → Blackburn Rovers (2006).
There was a point in David Bentley's career where he could legitimately claim to be one of the best set-piece takers in the Premier League.
That is the context to his open insubordination towards then-England manager Fabio Capello, according to teammate Jimmy Bullard, per Bend It Like Bullard (h/t the Daily Mail):
"Capello set up a training exercise in which he sent three players out wide to put crosses into the penalty area.
He asked David Beckham, Stewart Downing and Joe Cole to do the honours but Bents just followed them to the far side of the pitch.
"No," Capello shouted to Bentley. "Just three, you come back."
But Bentley was having none of it.
"Leave it out, send one of them back," he told Capello. "This is my game. I'm one of the best crossers in the country!"
"
Bentley's career peeked at Blackburn Rovers where he presumably played with a chip on his shoulder because he failed to make the grade at Arsenal.
In hindsight, he should never have left Blackburn Rovers.
He retired from professional football at just 29 years of age.
21. Lassana Diarra
10 of 30
Arsenal → Portsmouth (2008).
As a youngster, Lassana Diarra's ceiling was Claude Makelele.
Though, Lassana struggled to make an impact at Chelsea and Arsenal, hence his last-chance saloon at Portsmouth.
Lassana not only provided grit and strength to Portsmouth's starting XI, he also netted them a big profit.
- BOUGHT: £5 million.
- SOLD: £18 million.
20. Nicolas Anelka
11 of 30
Bolton Wanderers → Chelsea (2008).
Nicolas Anelka justified his £15 million transfer fee and was a contributor to Chelsea winning the 2008-09 Premier League Golden Boot.
But he constantly floated in and out of games.
His time at Chelsea mirrors his career in general: Could have achieved more, but got by purely based on his incredible talent.
To think at one point of his career, he was projected to be an all-time great.
In hindsight, that thought was "an act of beautiful madness."
19. Brede Hangeland
12 of 30
Copenhagen → Fulham (2008).
Then-Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who is well-travelled, took advantage of his contacts by persuading Brede Hangeland to call Craven Cottage home.
Hangeland, a 6'5" defender with an immense aerial presence, had the capability to play for a bigger club, but Hodgson got his man.
"I am delighted to welcome Brede to Fulham," Hodgson said, per BBC Sport. "I think he will prove to be a tremendous signing."
Hodgson was right.
During Hangeland's tenure at Fulham, he routinely bailed out his teammates.
18. Michael Dawson
13 of 30
Nottingham Forest → Tottenham Hotspur (2005).
Signed alongside Andy Reid, Michael Dawson—the less talented player—ended up having the better career.
"It's been my dream to play in the Premiership," Dawson said, per BBC Sport. "I can't wait to pull the shirt on and do well."
While not a world-class defender, Dawson spent nine-and-a-half years at Tottenham Hotspur.
17. Daniel Agger
14 of 30
Brondby → Liverpool (2006).
One of Denmark's best defensive prospects, Daniel Agger was backed to succeed by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
"A youngster like Danny can be worked with and he can become Liverpool's centre-back for the next 10 years," Benitez said, per BBC Sport. "Agger has the great qualities we wanted. He is good with the ball but also with his positioning."
Agger had world-class qualities, but injuries hindered him from maximising his potential.
16. Theo Walcott
15 of 30
Southampton → Arsenal (2006).
Prior to Theo Walcott's move to Arsenal, Alan Shearer, Kevin Davies and Wayne Bridge were expected to transition into elite footballers having been sold by Southampton.
While Walcott has experienced injury problems, he has flashed world-class moments from a central position, because his calling is as a No. 9, not as a No. 11.
Walcott is still only 25 years old, so he has time to become a dominant presence for Arsenal.
15. Javier Mascherano
16 of 30
West Ham United → Liverpool (2007).
The convoluted mess of West Ham United's uncertainty in Javier Mascherano on and off the field enabled Liverpool to take advantage.
Liverpool needed to clarify Mascherano's status, per Simon Austin at BBC Sport: "Liverpool have sent a letter to FIFA asking for special dispensation to sign Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano on loan from West Ham."
Mascherano showed heart, guts and was generally always in position to cut off passes.
Despite a brief tenure at Liverpool, Mascherano is rated as the 48th player who shook the Kop.
14. Nigel De Jong
17 of 30
Hamburg → Manchester City (2009).
Nigel de Jong put his body on the line week in, week out for Manchester City to the detriment of his long-term health.
Not only was he a pit bull in midfield, he was a passing outlet, able to complete 85-90 percent of his passes.
13. Christopher Samba
18 of 30
Hertha Berlin → Blackburn Rovers (2007).
Christopher Samba was not rated by Hertha Berlin management.
Arne Friedrich, Dick van Burik and Josip Simunic were all considered superior footballers to Samba, whose inability to make an impression at Hertha Berlin means Blackburn Rovers either signed him blind, or had watched him closely for several years.
Samba was a Godsend for then-Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes.
"[Samba is] quick enough, he's got a big long stride and covers the ground very easily," Hughes said, per BBC Sport. "He is upwards of 6'5" and a big powerful guy."
12. Ashley Young
19 of 30
Watford → Aston Villa (2007).
Then-Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill made it clear Ashley Young was not your typical overrated English prospect.
"Ashley is a really talented player," O'Neill said, per BBC Sport. "I have seen a lot of him and I am going to back my judgement."
This was reinforced by the profit Aston Villa made when they sold Young to Manchester United.
- BOUGHT: £9.65 million.
- SOLD: £17 million.
11. Paolo Di Canio
20 of 30
Sheffield Wednesday → West Ham United (1999).
Then-West Ham United manager Harry Redknapp was jubilant after signing talented but tempestuous Paolo Di Canio, a gifted technician who had a moment of madness for Sheffield Wednesday by putting his hands on referee Paul Alcock.
"[Di Canio] can do things with the ball that people can only dream of," Redknapp said, per Jon Brodkin at The Guardian. "I could tell you other players who've pushed referees but the referee hasn't fallen over."
From footballing ability alone, he was to West Ham United what Gianfranco Zola was to Chelsea.
10. Gary Cahill
21 of 30
Bolton Wanderers → Chelsea (2012).
Predicting "Gary Cahill will be to Chelsea what Jean-Alain Boumsong was for Newcastle United," per Bleacher Report didn't work out.
Cahill went on to have career years at Chelsea, contributing to a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League title.
Bizarrely, what was a clear weakness—passing—is arguably Cahill's best attribute.
| Gary Cahill | Bolton Wanderers 2011-12 | Chelsea 2014-15 |
| Passes Per Game | 30.9 | 43.2 |
| Pass Completion % | 74.4 | 88 |
Signing Cahill for £7 million is substantially better than spending £21.3 million plus Nemanja Matic for David Luiz, which later equated to £41.3 million when Chelsea re-signed Matic for £21 million.
9. Mikel Arteta
22 of 30
Real Sociedad → Everton (2005).
Mikel Arteta's loan to Everton in the 2005 January transfer window was only facilitated due to Real Sociedad's "financial problems," per UEFA.com.
It laid the foundations for a permanent £2 million transfer in the summer.
A midfield maestro who covered the field while also being a creative outlet, Arteta is one of Everton's greatest Premier League players, accumulating 210 appearances.
8. Clint Dempsey
23 of 30
New England Revolution → Fulham (2007).
A fighter, a hard-worker and a footballer with outstanding poaching instincts, Clint Dempsey made the jump from Major League Soccer to Premier League football.
While not as talented as compatriot Landon Donovan, Dempsey grafted and willed himself to have a successful career in Europe's top flight.
7. Emmanuel Adebayor
24 of 30
Monaco → Arsenal (2006).
Emmanuel Adebayor is one of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's most profitable transfers.
- BOUGHT: £7 million.
- SOLD: £25 million.
"At Monaco, from June to December I scored only one goal in 19 games," Adebayor said, per Sky Sports. "How come Arsene Wenger came and looked for me?"
Wenger gambled on Adebayor, whose transfer stock has dipped to its lowest, and won out.
6. Henning Berg
25 of 30
Lillestrom → Blackburn Rovers (1993).
One of Blackburn Rovers' initial foreign success stories in the Premier League era was the signing of Henning Berg.
"It was not until January 1993 that circumstances and Britain's membership of the European Union, made it more viable to sign foreign players," per Harry Berry's book The Blackburn Rovers Miscellany. "Henning Berg was one of the club's greatest players of all-time, a competitive yet technically perfect defender."
Berg won a Premier League title at Blackburn Rovers and went on to play for Manchester United.
5. Branislav Ivanovic
26 of 30
Lokomotiv Moscow → Chelsea (2008).
When Branislav Ivanovic was sitting out Chelsea games wondering why he bothered to move to a foreign country during the January transfer window, the one Chelsea player who reached out to him, was feeling blue too.
His name? Andriy Shevchenko.
"[Shevchenko] had been outside the team, he was also injured, but he wasn't just thinking about himself, he was thinking of me too," Ivanovic said, per the Press Association (h/t The Guardian). "He tried to give me confidence. He told me about the style of play in England, what I had to do as a defender and where I could improve."
It instilled hope and provided a light at the end of the tunnel for Ivanovic, who was ignored by then-Chelsea manager Avram Grant.
Post-struggles, Ivanovic has become Mr. Reliable for Chelsea.
4. Patrice Evra
27 of 30
Monaco → Manchester United (2006).
It is remarkable how Patrice Evra, a French international left-back, who started in the 2004 UEFA Champions League final for Monaco, was bought at a bargain fee of £5.5 million by Manchester United.
Again, it highlights then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's eye for a talent, when he is involved in the process, as opposed to signing a player blind, a la Bebe.
"We have been monitoring [Evra] all season and it is fantastic he is joining us," Ferguson said, per BBC Sport. "He is a good age and he is still developing as a player, which is always exciting."
After a tough initiation, Evra became one of the best left-backs to play in the Premier League, winning five league titles at Manchester United.
3. Nemanja Vidic
28 of 30
Spartak Moscow → Manchester United (2006).
Despite Spartak Moscow holding the playing rights of one of the most coveted centre-backs in Europe, there were doubts when Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson signed Nemanja Vidic.
"It appeared to the outside world that Sir Alex had dropped an almighty clanger in signing the big Serb [in January]," per Frank Worrall's book Nemanja Vidic: The Biography. "Even some fans in United's massive Red Army were questioning the wisdom of spending £7.2 million on a player who was obviously struggling at the Theatre of Dreams."
After nine seasons at Manchester United, Ferguson signing Vidic, who became one of the best centre-backs of his generation, for under £10 million went from possible transfer bust to one of the biggest transfer steals in Premier League history.
2. Andy Cole
29 of 30
Newcastle United → Manchester United (1995).
As Andy Cole began scoring goals at record pace for Newcastle United, his fame grew exponentially.
"The more goals I scored, the worse it got," Cole said, per Andy Mitten at FourFourTwo. "From the milkman to the bloke in the paper shop, everyone wanted to talk about football, football, football."
While Cole was beloved by the Newcastle fans, his relationship with then-manager Kevin Keegan was turbulent, per The Independent:
""I'm just a bit tired boss," I said.
"Well if you don't fancy it, you can [expletive] off," [Keegan] said.
[...]
The relationship healed a while after that. Keegan loves his centre-forwards, after all, and we had an amazing '93-'94, before I was sold to Manchester United in January 1995.
Asked for my top managers, the No 1 is a no-brainer: Sir Alex Ferguson. But Keegan was good too.
"
Granted, Cole and Keegan made up, but their relationship was never the same.
Understandably, Ferguson's interest would have enticed Cole.
Ferguson's motive for signing Cole was to increase Manchester United's fire-power, per Will Tidey's book Life with Sir Alex: A Fan's Story of Ferguson's 25 Years at Manchester United:
"In an attempt to keep pace with the free-scoring Blackburn Rovers' strike force of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, the so-called 'SAS', Ferguson broke the British transfer record in January to bring Andy Cole to Old Trafford.
Manchester United parting with £6 million and the younger winger Keith Gillespie to get [Cole].
"
A key member of Manchester United's treble-winning season, Cole not only won five Premier League titles, but once scored five goals in a game against Ipswich Town.
His partnership with Dwight Yorke was seemingly telepathic.
Cole is one of the greatest-ever Premier League transfers, nevermind January signings only.
1. Luis Suarez
30 of 30
Ajax → Liverpool (2011).
Then-Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli had glaring swings and misses in the transfer market, but signing Luis Suarez was a big win.
"In terms of statistics he overachieved [at Liverpool]. I never thought he'd score what he did," Comolli said, per Joe Rimmer at the Liverpool Echo. "It's not perfect, but we felt a goal in Holland was worth one-tenth of a Premier League goal."
Suarez not only reproduced his prolific scoring in the Premier League, but his 31 goals in league play last season inflated Brendan Rodgers' ability as a manager.
Without Suarez, Rodgers is on course to be fired.
Another reason why Suarez is the greatest January transfer in Premier League history is the financial profit Liverpool accrued.
- BOUGHT: £22.7 million.
- SOLD: £65 million.
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com
