An amazing Xl of the Premier League’s best ever January signings

While Premier League teams have often been renowned for making disastrous panic buys during the January transfer window, there are a few exceptions. 

The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have all shown that you can make some brilliant additions midway through the season if you look in the right places. 

We’ve compiled an XI of high-profile players who have been bought by Premier League clubs during a January transfer window, arranged in a 4-3-3 formation. 

GK: Martin Dubravka

Very few goalkeepers seem to move during the January transfer window, but Dubravka joined Newcastle United on an initial loan deal in January 2018.

The Slovakia international did enough to earn a permanent move to St James’ Park and won their Player of the Season award in 2019-20. He’s since lost his place to Nick Pope, but he proved a vital presence between the sticks during a difficult time for the club. 

RB: Branislav Ivanovic

Despite making a slow start to his Chelsea career after arriving from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008, Ivanovic soon became a pivotal figure for the Blues. 

During his nine years at Stamford Bridge, he made 377 appearances, won nine major honours and developed a knack of popping up with goals at pivotal moments.

READ: Nine reasons why Chelsea fans will always love Branislav Ivanovic

CB: Virgil van Dijk

After missing out on Van Dijk in the summer of 2017, Liverpool bided their time and signed the defender from Southampton in a £75million deal six months later. 

The 29-year-old proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle, helping Jurgen Klopp’s side win the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, eventually completing the set with the League Cup and FA Cup last term.

Some things really are worth waiting for.

READ: The making of Virgil van Dijk: ‘Quick, strong, confident’…and a handy striker

CB: Nemanja Vidic

Vidic was a relatively unknown 24-year-old when he moved to Manchester United from Spartak Moscow in a £7million deal in January 2006. 

He soon established himself as one of the fiercest defenders in the game, forming an iconic centre-back partnership with Rio Ferdinand.

The Serbia international won five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup during his eight-and-a-half-year spell at the club. Not bad. 

READ: 15 of the best quotes on Nemanja Vidic: ‘He scared centre-forwards to death’

LB: Patrice Evra

Signed in the same…