Which club made the best January signing? Transfermarkt’s team pick their favourites

Five players shortlisted 

The January transfer window has finally slammed shut and with it a number of players have moved to new clubs with the promise of exciting new chapters in their careers. Each year hundreds of millions of Euros are spent by clubs across Europe on January recruits and this year was no exception. So which of the 2000+ transfers that took place around world football caught the eyes of our editorial team? Let’s take a look.

Obed Vargas from Vancouver Sounders to Atlético Madrid for €3m

US Area Manager Manu Veth:

Atlético Madrid were one of the busier teams this winter, spending €54 million, which ranks the LaLiga club sixth in terms of spending. Among the signings was Obed Vargas from the Seattle Sounders. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, the Mexican national team player joins Atlético Madrid in a deal worth just €3 million, plus €5m in add-ons and a significant sell-on clause. Why so little? The Sounders turned down multiple offers from Liga MX clubs in the region of €10m for Vargas, as the 20-year-old had the ambition to go to Europe. Furthermore, Vargas stated in an interview after the FIFA Club World Cup match against Atlético Madrid that his ambition was to join the LaLiga club. With that in mind, the Sounders were limited in their negotiation powers. For Atleti, the deal is a steal. Capable of playing as a no.6 and no.8, Vargas is one of the most talented midfielders in world football, who is a perfect fit for Diego Simeone’s football.

Dro Fernández from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for €8.2m

UK Content Manager Euan Roberston:

Dro Fernández could prove to be the bargain signing of the window. PSG snapped up the Barcelona starlet for just €8.2m, which is slightly lower than his market value of €10m. Luis Enrique believes the 18-year-old has massive potential and there’s no better major league for young players to flourish than Ligue 1. Fernandez featured for Barcelona’s first-team this season, which is a sign of his ability and there’s not many better coaches to work under than Enrique. Breaking into PSG’s star-studded midfield won’t be an easy task but Fernández could prove to be an inspired signing.

Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace to Manchester City for €23m

UK Content Manager Ben Littlemore:

It was certainly a quieter window than usual, but the deal that stood out as the best value for money has to be Manchester City signing Marc Guéhi for just €23m. Although, he is reportedly on a high wage and there were significant agent fees. But the Sky Blues have signed arguably England’s best centre-back for a very small fee compared to what we see players go for these days. Guéhi is a ready-made leader, good on the ball, a threat from set-pieces and a fierce defender. When you see other unproven CBs going for north of €50m, it looks like a great piece of business. Liverpool must be gutted. Also a shoutout to Oscar Bobb who could be a revelation at Fulham if he could stay fit, but unfortunately that’s a big if.

Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur for €40m

UK Area Manager Stefan Bienkowski:

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been nothing short of disastrous, so the club needed to pull an ace out of their sleeve in the January transfer window. And while Conor Galagher may not be the most blockbuster of names, he is exactly what Thomas Frank’s side were desperately missing. With little inspiration in defensive midfield from João Palhinha or Yves Bissouma and a long-term injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, Gallagher immediately plugs a hole in Spurs’ starting XI, while also offering some much-needed inspiration in attack. Spurs have been crying out for more playmakers to help Xavi Simon in the final third and with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski out of action, Gallagher brings an under-rated presence in the final third that was clear for all to see when he set up a late equaliser for Dominic Solanke against Man City in only his third game of the season. In a squad full of one-dimensional midfielders, Gallagher is the full package. Crystal Palace fans loved him, Chelsea fans were sorry to see him go and I’ve got little doubt that Spurs fans will come to see his €40m move to the club as a bargain in the years to come.

Rodrigo Mendoza from Elche to Atletico Madrid for €16m

UK Content Manager Joe Krishnan:

This may be a little of out of left-field. But I’ve been watching Atletico Madrid’s business with a keen eye – and the signing of Rodrigo Mendoza from Elche is a deal that will go under the radar as a shrewd piece of business. The 20-year-old has been a breath of fresh air for Elche and it’s no coincidence that Arsenal were linked with him. He looked assured with the ball at his feet at the Under-20 World Cup and that has translated in his LaLiga performances too. Atleti needed a Conor Gallagher replacement and, frankly, they’ve pulled one over Elche by paying a measly €16 million for a player who could easily quadruple that return in a year or two. As we’ve seen in the past with Rodri, Saul Niguez and Pablo Barrios, they know a talented Spanish central midfielder when they see one. I’d be surprised if he’s not knocking on the national team’s door very soon. Remarkably, Atleti managed get the paperwork over the line with three minutes to spare before the deadline, and I’m confident their efforts will be handsomely rewarded.