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The January transfer window this season is still a week away from shutting and has proved to be a thrilling window thus far. The final week of the window will be hectic for many clubs across the world as they try to finalize deals.
As clubs push for deals for the second half of the season and with a few days to go, the intensity of the window could spiral to new heights. Numerous deals hang in the balance going into the final week of the window, as managers and CEO's scramble to help their clubs with quality players for the rest of the season.
Here we take a look at five of the best free transfers negotiated by clubs during the January transfer window.
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#5 Manuel Iturra (Malaga)
Former Chilean central defensive midfielder, Manuel Iturra recently completed his move from Necaxa to Malaga in the Spanish top flight. The player began his career with Universidad Chile in 2003 and spent his first seven professional years as a player with the club. In 2012, Iturra made the move from South America to Spain to join Real Murcia in Segunda Division.
A year later, he joined Malaga for the first time in his career and then switched to join Granada, where he spent two seasons. Italian Serie A outfit, Udinese signed Iturra to dictate the game at a pace he sets with his distribution skill in 2015 and the Chilean spent a season at the club before the player joined Mexican side Necaxa for a year.
The move to Malaga comes at a crucial time for the club as they languish at bottom of the table and are odds-on favourites to get relegated. The strong presence of a former player like Iturra could bring about a change in fortune for the club with stability in the middle of the field.
#4 Zinedine Machach (Napoli)
The 22-year-old French central midfielder and Napoli new signing, Machach is a promising player who has been signed by the Italian league leaders on a free transfer from Toulouse on a four-year deal.
The youngster began his career at the French club, Toulouse in 2015 and spent the next season on loan to Marseille before heading back to Toulouse for six months and moving to Italy.
The talented and fiery central midfielder could be a long-term replacement for club captain Marek Hamsik. Possessing great composure on the ball, the French player can prove to be a great signing and a lucrative investment for the club in the future.
He will act as a rotational player for the rest of the season but could soon make a name for himself with his fluent passing and creative gameplay in the final third.
Aged 22, he still has a lot to learn and comprehend about the Italian game and a challenging campaign will be the perfect start to life in Naples for the promising young player.
#3 Lassana Diarra (PSG)
Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid superstar, Lassana Diarra has been signed by PSG on a free transfer until the end of next season. The veteran central midfielder has played in some of the biggest leagues and games over the last decade and is a promising signing for PSG.
PSG have captured a superb player with a good temperament who is capable of playing at the highest level of the game. Diarra has also been capped by the French national team on 34 occasions and remains an outside contender for a spot in the French WC squad.
A skilful central player with superb game reading ability, Diarra also possess a very good passing range as well as a strong physical presence in tight areas. He could prove to be the missing link with the know-how of to handle the occasion for PSG's during their UEFA Champions League early knockout phase run-in this season.
He will add stability to Unai Emery's team in the middle of the park and will prove to be an impressive signing for the club on and off the field. With the number of stars at the club, a figure like Diarra could be vital for youngsters at the club while they grow into mature footballers.
#2 Robin van Persie (Feyernood)
A former Arsenal and Manchester United talisman, van Persie completed his move from Fenerbahce to join his boyhood club Feyenoord on a free transfer on a four-year deal. The Dutchman joins the club under manager Giovanni van Brockhorst and will look to help the team's faltering title defence.
After spending three years in Turkey, the 34-year-old Dutchman returns home and will look to keep fit, continue scoring goals and pass on valuable experience to the youngsters at the club. A skillful striker with amazing ball retention and striking ability, the Dutchman possesses a potent goal threat from anywhere within 35 yards of goal.
A clinical striker with great ability and the confidence to pull off the spectacular, van Persie still remains one the best strikers in the world, capable of outfoxing many a defender. A good move for the club and player, van Persie could be back to his sizzling best in front of thousands of adoring fans at the De Kuip.
#1 Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich announced five days ago that a pre-contract agreement had been reached with Leon Goretzka, enabling him to transfer to Bayern Munich on a free transfer, on 1 July 2018 from Schalke for a four-year contract.
Despite the player not being able to play for the club immediately, the German giants have captured and completed the signing of a promising and talented midfielder German midfielder. The German began his career in 2012, with VfL Bochum before signing with Schalke a year later.
A lean, tall, strong, powerful attacking player, Goretzka possess all the tools to be one of the best midfielders in world football. With great technique and tactical insight, the young 22-year-old is also deceptively quick and good with both his feet.
Goretzka displayed some superb performances for his country during last year's Confederations Cup and has been a target for many clubs across Europe since.
His signing is a major coup for Bayern as they continue to solidify their dominance in German and European football for years to come.
