The biggest transfer last month was undoubtedly the swap deal between Manchester United and Arsenal for Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Both players have shown signs of promise at their new clubs – Mkhitaryan was especially impressive in racking up three assists on his Premier League debut for the Gunners – but mixed results means neither has really capture the imagination just yet.
Arsenal also brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gabonese striker who was last season’s top scorer in the Bundesliga. He racked up a goal on debut against Everton, but was anonymous against Tottenham Hotspur this past weekend. Nonetheless, his direct style and incredible turn of pace should see him thrive in England.
Over at Everton, Theo Walcott has already made a strong impression at Goodison Park, though is fellow new signing Cenk Tosun – bought for big money from Besiktas – is going to take some time to adapt to the English top flight.
Fousseni Diabate looks to be a good signing for Leicester City – especially as they will surely lose Riyad Mahrez at the end of the season – and the same can be said of midfielder Badou Ndiaye at Stoke City.
Liverpool paid a world-record transfer fee for a defender to prise Virgil Van Dijk away from Southampton, and the Dutchman already appears to be having a positive influence on the Reds, notably scoring on debut in the FA Cup and helping Jurgen Klopp’s side keep a clean sheet against his former club this past weekend.
Not all January transfers have necessarily had a great impact: Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte doesn’t look much of an upgrade over Eliaquim Mangala, Islam Slimani has been loaned to Newcastle United – who desperately need to boost their attack – but has missed two games for his new team with a niggling thigh injury, and Ross Barkley has struggled to establish himself at Chelsea – though the Blues’ recent crisis under Antonio Conte hasn’t made his arrival an easy one.