While records were broken during a rollercoaster winter window, there were some clubs who were able to pick up what look likely to be bargains
During the January transfer window, it is notoriously difficult to get value for money. With the season already well underway, it is impossible for clubs to hide just how desperate they are to sign players – making it a seller's market.
That is not the only issue with recruiting in January, though. Coming in partway through the campaign can make it extremely difficult for new players to bed in and make an impact.
That is why the majority of clubs much prefer to get their business done in the summer. However, sometimes, their hands are forced by poor form, a change in management or injuries.
At first glance, those clubs who did make moves last month appear to have got varying amounts of bang for their buck.
GOAL runs down the 10 best value deals of the window…
Getty Images10Noni Madueke – PSV to Chelsea (£29m)
Todd Boehly moved another step closer to his dream of fielding an entire starting XI of forwards in January, bringing in Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke to bolster Chelsea's faltering squad.
All three transfers were subject to intense scrutiny, and Felix's disastrous debut against Fulham – where he was sent off early in the second half – did little to deflect criticism of his near £10m loan switch.
Although Mudryk's promising cameo in the Blues' Premier League draw with Liverpool went a long way to relieving the pressure on his shoulders, Madueke is probably the best deal from a value perspective.
A fee of £29m may seem like a lot for someone who's averaged a goal every four games in his senior career so far, but several caveats must be attached.
Firstly, there is little chance of Madueke's value crashing too spectacularly. Premier League clubs will always need signings who meet the competition's homegrown criteria, which means English players' prices are massively inflated – it's worth noting that he cost Chelsea less than recent fees paid by other sides for the likes of Michael Keane, Ollie Watkins and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Secondly, the guy clearly has talent. Blessed with a devastating combination of pace and skill, he carries the ball with exceptional confidence and never shirks his out-of-possession responsibilities.
Questions remain over his end product, but with the right guidance he can feasibly become the perfect modern winger for the Blues.
AdvertisementGetty Images9Jorginho – Chelsea to Arsenal (£12m)
It was a bit of a head scratcher when the news first broke, but the more you think about Jorginho's move to north London, the more it makes sense.
Edu's new 'sensible' transfer policy meant the Gunners were never going to overspend on Moises Caicedo – even with the Premier League title within their grasp. Signing Jorginho – who was in the conversation to win the Ballon d'Or in 2021, don't forget – for a fraction of Brighton's asking price makes far more financial sense, even if it isn't anywhere near as exciting.
Arsenal have, of course, recruited poorly from their London rivals in the past, with David Luiz, Petr Cech and Willian failing to fulfil their potential after making the switch from Chelsea.
However, arriving on a short-term contract and with the personal endorsement of Mikel Arteta, Jorginho should buck this trend. The Champions League and European Championship winner adds vital experience to a young squad and his ability to retain possession will be important when Arsenal are looking to close out games in the second half of the season.
It's a good move for Jorginho too, who could lift his first-ever league title at the end of the campaign. And if it doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world. The Italy international will simply be moved on with minimal fuss.
(C)Getty Images8Pablo Sarabia – PSG to Wolves (£4.4m)
Wolves are in trouble. Big trouble in fact.
During the first half of the season, they seemed allergic to goals, netting a pitiful 12 times in their first 19 matches – a situation certainly not helped by summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic being ruled out for the season after tearing his ACL on his debut.
That failure to find the back of the net cost Bruno Lage his job back in October, and things scarcely improved when Steve Davis was placed in interim charge of the first team.
Unsurprisingly, Wolves have prioritised attacking reinforcements during the winter window, announcing the £44m arrival of Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid on Christmas Day no less.
While that is surely an overpay, the cut-price signing of Pablo Sarabia represents much better value. Although he never looked entirely comfortable at PSG, the Spaniard knows where the back of the net is, scoring 15 league goals in 29 league appearances during a loan stint at Sporting C.P. last season.
Sarabia also hit double figures in La Liga back in 2018-19, and Julen Lopetegui will be delighted to finally have some firepower back in his ranks as he aims to steer Wolves away from the relegation trap door.
Inter Miami7Josef Martinez – Atlanta United to Inter Miami (Free)
It is hard to imagine Atlanta United without Josef Martinez, but after a glorious six-season spell – including an MLS Cup triumph in 2018 – the face of the franchise was released at the end of the 2022 campaign.
Inter Miami moved quickly to snap him up in January after Atlanta bought out his contract. Better yet, he is not even taking up one of the Herons' designated player spots, leaving them free to bring in another big name before the season starts as Phil Neville aims to lead the club to glory in what seems likely to be his final season in charge.
Although a 2020 ACL tear has clearly robbed Martinez of his explosiveness – with the Venezuelan scoring just 21 times since, after hauls of 19, 31 and 27 goals in his first three seasons – off-field controversy has also played a part in his decline.
An exit from the club which he has defined since his arrival should provide him with the right headspace to get back to his best. Considering the economics of the deal too, it must be considered one of the best transfers in recent MLS history.