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This was a much busier January window than we have come to expect and while business was done all over Europe, Premier League clubs in particular, dominated the market in spectacular fashion.
Teams across Europe strengthened for several reasons. Some did it to refresh their squads, some to push for honours, while others did it to stave off the threat of relegation. In this piece, rank the top 5 transfers of the January transfer window.
In this piece, rank the top 5 transfers of the January transfer window, in descending order.
5. Benoit Badiashile - AS Monaco to Chelsea
The addition of talented young centre-back Badiashile has got lost in the flurry of Chelsea's transfer activity.
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Nevertheless, Badiashile emerged as one of Europe's most exciting defensive talents at Monaco and the Blues have signed the 21-year-old at a bargain price (£35m) given his potential. Badiashile has the potential to be a cornerstone of Graham Potter's Chelsea project.
4. Yann Sommer - Borussia Monchengladbach to Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer's injury could have derailed Bayern's stuttering campaign with the unreliable Sven Ulreich poised to deputise in the great goalkeeper's absence.
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However, the German giants were never going to let that scenario play out, and they instead moved quickly to bring in an emergency replacement. As contingency plans go, the signing of Sommer may well be the best solution Bayern could've hoped for.
The Swiss stalwart has long been considered one of the Bundesliga's finest shot-stoppers and his proficiency between the sticks means they will not miss their skipper too much.
3. Azzedine Ounahi - Angers to Marseille
The young Moroccan rose to prominence at the end of 2022 as he enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign with the Atlas Lions.
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The elegant Ounahi starred in Morocco's journey to the semi-finals. A January move beckoned for the 22-year-old, and he had multiple options at his disposal.
However, he opted to remain in Ligue 1 and join Igor Tudor's Marseille, who had just sold Gerson to Flamengo. It's another stepping stone for the midfielder, who may well be on the move once more should his World Cup form perpetuate in the French top flight.
2. Joao Cancelo - Man City to Bayern Munich
While there had been murmurs of discontent from Joao Cancelo's camp, this was a move that surprised absolutely everybody. The Portuguese full-back had become a bit-part player for Pep Guardiola after the World Cup and his frustrations over a lack of game time reportedly culminated in a 'training ground bust-up' between player and coach before the FA Cup clash with Arsenal.
While some have questioned City's decision to let a talent like Cancelo, who played such a key role in their title success last season, depart, nobody is second-guessing Bayern's willingness to secure the player on an initial loan deal until the summer.
Cancelo can only be described as a unicorn. He can perform a variety of functions and do almost everything with the ball at his feet. The 28-year-old may well be the spark Bayern need following an indifferent run of form.
1. Mykhaylo Mudryk - Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea
Chelsea moved with ruthlessness to snatch Mudryk from under Arsenal's nose. The Blues were forced to pay a mammoth fee, one that could reach £100m if certain bonuses are paid, but this kid looks like a superstar in the making.
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His brief cameo at Anfield filled supporters with hope moving forward, and there's genuine belief that 22-year-old Mudryk could salvage Chelsea's bleak 2022/23 campaign.
The winger showed off his destructive talent in the Champions League earlier this season, and he's poised to take the Premier League by storm once the Blues return to action.
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