5 top players who left Europe this January

Unlike many other January transfer windows, the 2018 one was abuzz with some high-profile transfers and multi-million dollar deals. Philippe Coutinho, Alexis Sanchez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang et al were just some of the names that made the headlines throughout the month, as transfers materialised thick and fast.

But amid all the hustle and bustle, there were a few players who didn't just make a switch but in fact, switched to a side that's non-European. These are the players who coasted off to great lengths in order to ply their trade elsewhere, as the likes of China, Qatar, and Brazil too had their say in the January transfer window.

Here are the top five players who left Europe for newer pastures.

Note: All transfer values mentioned have been obtained from Transfermarkt

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#5 Carlos Vela - Los Angeles FC (USA)

In a very bizarre turn of events, Carlos Vela opted to give up the ostentatious league of Spain in favour of the unassuming MLS where he would now play in the colours of Los Angeles.

The Mexican international was a proven quantity with Real Sociedad, where he enjoyed five and a half fruitful years and scored 73 times in 248 appearances. The 28-year old is still in his prime and could have done much worse than join the mid-table sides of the Premier League where a few possible suitors laid. However, Vela seemed to have other ideas.

The former Arsenal man sealed a €5 million move to the United States in December and joined the LA outfit at the turn of the year.

One of the greatest ever Mexican internationals to play in Europe, Vela ensured his time in the Basque Country came to a fitting end when he struck a last-minute goal in the 3-1 win over Sevilla in December.

#4 Jeremy Menez - Club America (Mexico)

Menez has left Europe

The much maligned and despised defender has chosen to distance himself from the prying eyes in Europe. And for his own good. After departing AC Milan in 2016, where he endured two controversy-ridden years, Menez then had catastrophic spells at Bordeaux and Antalyaspor that brought his career to an all-time nadir.

The Frenchman was roped in by Las Aguilas for a paltry sum of €4 million, just five days into the winter transfer window, although the club and its manager Miguel Herrera had long divulged their plans to reinforce the club's attack with some vital additions.

The Mexico City outfit had struggled in its post-season games, where they failed to score in any of the four games. Menez has now been brought in to alleviate the issues.

#3 Cedric Bakambu - Beijing Guoan (China)

Bakambu chose China over England

Villareal let one of their best strikers - Cedric Bakambu - depart, but if you consider the mind-boggling €40 million sum paid by Chinese outfit Beijing Guoan, then it's understandable.

The Congo international established himself as one of the best forwards in La Liga with 46 goals in 101 appearances with the Yellow Submarines since 2015, netting 12 times in 17 outings this season alone.

He was touted to be the next big thing from Africa, as the likes of Everton, West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were all rumoured to have expressed their interest in him.

But Beijing jumped into the mix out of nowhere and stole the wantaway striker right under their noses, making him the 12th most expensive player in the process, this transfer season.

#2 Wesley Sneijder - Al Gharafa Sports Club (Qatar)

Wisley Sneijder is now an Al Gharafa player

Sneijder's precipitous fall from grace has now seen him flee Europe as his short spell at Nice was an unmitigated disaster. The Dutch international made only five appearances in 6 months and was released on a free.

Qatari side Al Gharafa Sports Club were quick to pounce on the opportunity, as the Cheetahs, who are currently trailing sixth in the domestic standings, aim to climb higher after his acquisition.

The 33-year old made his debut on 12 January against Al Ahli Doha where he not only captained his side but also laid an assist in a 2-1 victory. The former Inter Milan man then opened his account in the AFC Champions League game to Azerbaijan outfit Pakhtakor, dispatching an early penalty.

#1 Javier Mascherano - Hebei China Fortune (China)

Mascherano left Barcelona after seven and a half years

Now, this wasn't expected. The Argentine's decision to leave FC Barcelona in January was completely out of the blue, as Mascherano avowed his desire to leave only last month. Heibei China was the first entity to make the move, and the former unreluctantly accepted.

Having seen his chances dwindle dramatically in the recent times, Mascherano felt he's "no longer the player" he used to be and is now surplus to their requirements. The fact that he made only 12 appearances this season served to accentuate his expendability to Ernesto Valverde's long-term plan, and a move elsewhere, therefore, seems fitting.

In his seven and a half year stint with the Blaugrana, the 33-year old made 334 appearances in all competition and lifted as many as 18 trophies, scoring just once.

The fee is believed to have been around €5.5 million.