The January transfer window typically has been known to be a much quieter window than the summer one as clubs only preferred to move if it's absolutely necessary for the team. Most sides preferred to stay inactive in this period as changing too much in the squad midway in the season was not viable. However, in recent years, that trend has shifted and the winter window has seen frantic activity like the one before the campaign. Especially for the Premier League clubs who have swooped in to secure talents that can instantly boost their season's ambitions often paying a premium to claim their signature. Some of them have seen massive outlays, with several record-breaking arrivals making headlines. The years of 2018 and 2023 witnessed mind-boggling transfer fees being spent in the January window. Many of these signings with huge bucks spent have been ground breaking for their club while others have been a massive flop.
In this article, we look at the top five record arrivals in the Premier League and discuss the impact they had for their respective clubs.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($70 million)
When Arsenal snatched Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund in the January window of 2018, he had already scored 21 goals for the German club in the first part of that season with an overall tally of 141 goals in 213 appearances. The Gabon international was a proven striker before he joined the Premier League and he justified his status with the club's record-breaking $70 million spent on him on deadline day by bringing his brilliance to England. The prolific striker hit the ground running immediately, scoring at an impressive rate and shared the Premier League Golden Boot in his first full season with 31 goals. Aubameyang became a fan favourite and was later appointed club captain, also striking an impressive partnership with Alexander Lacazette upfront. However, the weight of the armband seemed to take a toll on him and despite winning the FA Cup in a dire time for the club in the 2019-20 season, his tenure ended following a falling out with manager Mikel Arteta, and he left the club for Barcelona on a free transfer in 2022. Despite the sour ending, his goalscoring return for the club was terrific and at the time of the transfer, it was considered a major coup for the Gunners.
Aymeric Laporte ($71 million)
It was not only Aubameyang's move in January 2018 that proved to be a banger, Aymeric Laporte's $71 million move to Manchester City from Athletic Club though less sensational became an equally important piece of business for for Pep Guardiola's side. City met the French centre-back's release clause which made him the record defender signing in the winter window. Laporte instantly became a key figure in the backline, having already been an in-demand player before joining the club, strengthening it like never before. Being a left-footer, he brought the unique left-right centre-back partnership which was immense adding to his excellent passing ability and dominance in his position. His arrival was transformative as City went on to win five sensational Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2023 with him being a vital cog at the back. Although injuries later limited his playing time to his ultimate exit, Laporte acquisition in January proved to be an astute piece of recruitment, providing the defensive solidity needed to achieve domestic and European glory.
Mykhailo Mudryk ($76 million initially, rising to $113 million)
Chelsea under the ownership of BlueCo became known to splash insane amounts of cash on young raw talents in a project to make them future stars for the side. One of those chaotic periods came in the first winter window of the new regime in January 2023 and one of the moves made headlines. The Blues hijacked London rival Arsenal's move for highly rated Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhter Donetsk for an initial fee of $76 million with the add-ons potentially making it a huge $113 million. Mudryk grabbed everybody's attention with his sheer pace terrorizing defences even in the Champions League and finishing qualities that made him a wanted player. However, unlike other players in this list who have mainly repaid the value spent on them, the flashy winger's transfer so far has been a significant disappointment. Despite the potential, Mudryk struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League,failing to register a single goal in his first season and managing just nine goal contributions in the competition. His time at Chelsea has been plagued by inconsistency and fitness issues and if that was not enough, he has recently faced a provisional suspension due to a doping charge, further complicating his future at the club.
Virgil van Dijk ($92 million)
The attention grabbing move of the 2018 January window was neither of Aubameyang or Laporte but for a player that wasn't just a hit for his club but truly changed the fortunes of the side by becoming one of the world's best in his role. Then leaky Liverpool was in desperate need for a player that not only strengthened up the back four but also proved to be a leader figure in the dressing room. So they turned to Southampton's pedigree centre-back Virgil van Dijk whose arrival at Anfield cost the Reds a solid $92 million, record spend for a defender in the winter window and what a bargain it was. Silencing the criticism of the price tag on him, Van Dijk became the bedrock of a previously leaky defence, providing leadership, aerial dominance, and composure on the ball. Most importantly, the Dutchman transformed a struggling Liverpool side to serial winners as they once again became the top brass of English football. He contributed immensely to the Red's success in their two Premier League titles in their history, won in 2020 and 2025 and the Champions League in 2019 among other collections of silverwares. Van Dijk was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year and finished second in the 2019 Ballon d'Or, an incredible achievement for a defender while also being regarded by many as the most successful January signing in Premier League history.
Enzo Fernández ($142 million)
However, no other transfer came close to the British transfer record fee that was spent in January 2023 by Chelsea on Enzo Fernández from Benfica in the same window they brought Mudryk. The Argentinian midfielder joined the Portuguese giant only in the summer of the previous year but the sought after talent increased his valuation with an exceptional 2022 World Cup with his nation where he won the title and also received the Best Young Player award of the tournament. That made him the one of the hottest properties with the Blues wasting no time in securing his move fresh off from the event in Qatar by splashing a mouthwatering $142 million fee on the deadline day of the 2023 winter window. That price tag was spent for Fernández to become the face of the youthful talented Chelsea team and hence received the captain armband at such a young age. He was expected to anchor a new-look midfield and immediately transform Chelsea's fortunes. While he has been a consistent starter and an important player for the club, the expectations on Enzo to be the player to elevate the club back to its elite level didn't quite fulfill. However, it was more down to the Blue's strategy and overall inconsistent team performance that takes the big blame here. The massive price tag has often been a point of discussion whether the investment has fully paid off in terms of tangible success. But Fernandez's individual talent is undeniable and he has been Chelsea's clutch player at times, winning the Conference League and the maiden Club World Cup with the team being a key contributor, with a long career in front of him.
