The 15 Best January Signings In Premier League History: Astute Liverpool And Manchester United Deals Dominate The List

See which winter signings made out list of the best in Premier League history…

For a long time, January was known as a “bad time to buy”, because of inflated prices and a lack of quality in the market.

Recent seasons have proved this theory incorrect though, and this list is full of fantastic players picked up for bargain fees in the winter window.

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15. Ashley Young – Watford to Aston Villa

Young’s move to Manchester United hasn’t turned out as well as his move to Villa from Watford for £8m in January 2007. He was a huge success at Villa Park, and they made a healthy £10m profit when he moved to United three and a half years later.

14. Demba Ba – Hoffenheim to West Ham United

West Ham got an incredible bargain when they signed Ba for just £3.5m in January 2011, but weren’t able to reap the rewards, as they were relegated and had to let the striker go on a free.

13. Michael Dawson – Nottingham Forest to Tottenham Hotspur

Dawson established himself as one of the division’s most consistent centre-backs after moving to Spurs from Forest, as part of an £8m double deal with Andy Reid.

12. Edin Dzeko – Wolfsburg to Manchester City

Despite fierce competition and a rocky start, Dzeko has scored consistently for City since joining from Wolfsburg £27m.

11. Brede Hangeland – FC Copenhagen to Fulham

One of Roy Hodgson’s acute Scandinavian signings, Hangeland held the Cottagers together from the back for years.

10. Javier Mascherano – West Ham United to Liverpool

Mascherano couldn’t get a game for relegation threatened West Ham, but excelled for the Reds after his £18m winter switch.

9. Daniel Sturridge – Chelsea to Liverpool

Has been superb for Brendan Rodgers’ men since they picked him up from Chelsea for £12m in 2013, but also scored eight in 12 games for Bolton Wanderers after a January loan move.

8. Mikel Arteta – Real Sociedad to Everton

David Moyes made the smart move of picking up Arteta for just £2m from Sociedad, the club he’s just joined.

7. Gary Cahill – Bolton Wanderers to Chelsea

Cahill has been a rock at the Blues since they bought him from struggling Bolton for just £7m.

5. Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution to Fulham

Dempsey became an iconic figure at Craven Cottage in the Hodgson glory years after joining from the MLS for around £2m.

4. Nemanja Vidic – Spartak Moscow to Manchester United

Vidic was the rock which Sir Alex Ferguson built his second Champions League winning side around.

3. Branislav Ivanovic – Lokomotiv Moscow to Chelsea

It took Ivanovic almost a year to break into the first team at Stamford Bridge after his January move from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008, but it was worth the wait.

2. Patrice Evra – AS Monaco to Manchester United

Picked up in the same January as Vidic, Evra struggled to settle in at first, but was soon established as one of the league’s best full-backs.

1.Luis Suarez – Ajax to Liverpool

People knew Suarez was good when he signed for the Reds from Ajax to replace Fernando Torres, but nobody knew just how good.