As we move towards the summer transfer window, we look at the best winter transfers completed in January.
GK: Matt Ryan- Brighton to Arsenal (loan)
Goalkeepers don't always move around a lot in January, and few, if any, of those who have transferred in that month will do so for daily game time. At the very least, Ryan was a much more dependable backup choice at Arsenal than Alex Runarsson. Even with the backup option, Matt Ryan played 14 league games for the Gunners, conceding 21 goals and getting 3 clean sheets.
CB: Fikayo Tomori- Chelsea to Milan (loan)
The departures of Leo Duarté and Mateo Musacchio from AC Milan created a vacuum that the highly respected Chelsea’s stopper was more than capable of filling. He started 22 times for the Rossoneri's scoring 1 in the league.
CB: Timothy Fosu-Mensah- Manchester United to Bayer Leverkusen
The dynamic defender's opportunities at Old Trafford were always minimal, but with Leverkusen in need of centre-back strength, he should have got more opportunities to prove what a promising player he is. He started 7 times for the German side in his stint.
CB: Ozan Kabak- Schalke to Liverpool (loan)
The Premier League champions were in dire need of a centre-back and were able to secure two on deadline day, the most exciting of which was the 20-year-old, who should be forgiven for his struggles in a disastrous Schalke side. He started 13 times for the last year PL winners and played a part in getting them back to the UCL.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai- Salzburg to RB Leipzig
Given that it was revealed in December, but it is officially a January contract, it is possible to forget about this offer for one of Europe's best prospects. Leipzig has done it again yet another great piece of business for the future. Luck didn’t favour the bold Dominik as he suffered an Adductor problem and thus couldn’t play a single minute for the German side this season.
CM: Martin Ødegaard- Real Madrid to Arsenal (loan)
It's perplexing that Real Madrid took the young Norwegian back from Sociedad, where he had been flourishing, only to relegate him to the bench. He was loaned out to Arsenal where he had an okay season scoring 2 and assisting 2 in 20 games for the club
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CM: Alejandro Gómez- Atalanta to Sevilla
It's a tragic, terrible way for Atalanta's fable to come to a close for one of their best players ever. Sevilla, on the other hand, benefits from La Dea's defeat. He played 23 times for the Spanish side since then scoring 3 and assisting 1. Not that bad for the first season in a new league
CAM: Mesut Özil- Arsenal to Fenerbahçe
We haven't seen anything of him recently, so it's easy to forget what an amazing player the German can be when he's on the form. He'll be revered in Istanbul, and it might be the ideal setting for him to relaunch his glistening career, in the long run. He played 11 times this season for the Turkish club, assisting 1 goal.
ST: Luka Jović- Real Madrid to Eintracht Frankfurt (loan)
Upon his transfer to Frankfurt, he's immediately hit the ground running, fitting in like a glove. This clever piece of business should be put into effect for everyone's sake. Certainly, Jovic isn’t his best with Madrid and this might be good for his career. He played 18 times and scored 4 and assisted 2.
ST: Moussa Dembélé- Lyon to Altético Madrid (loan)
Diego Simeone had his striker wish – and a nice one at that. He didn't get much playing time, getting only 5 matches behind the likes of Suarez and Joao Felix but he's a deadly finisher who can make a huge difference if called upon.
ST: Sébastian Haller- West Ham to Ajax
The Hammers had given up way too soon on their marquee signing. Only time will tell if, in Amsterdam, he'll be a major success or not. He has already left his mark this season by scoring 13 goals and assisting 7 in 23 matches.
