5 jaw-dropping transfers that made it over the line

Many managers agree that the January transfer window is difficult to operate in. Still, many clubs managed to get players in as they push to fulfill their respective goals during the second half of the season. That in mind, here are the five of the best permanent transfers (in no particular order).

1. Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United to PSG)

Cabaye was in a great patch of form prior to his inevitable departure. He had been thriving in an advanced role just behind the striker.

It was he who scored the winner at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and he who would go on to score four more goals, bringing his total for the season to seven, including an impressive brace — which included a sumptuous free-kick — away to West Ham United, which would prove to be his last game for the Toon.

With a Performance Score of 598 points, he was Alan Pardew’s best player. Life without him hasn’t started too well, as highlighted by their disappointing 3-0 home defeat to fierce rivals Sunderland.

Pardew will be hoping that someone steps up to fill the void let by the Frenchman, or this could be a very long second half of the season for his side.

2. Nemanja Matic (Benfica to Chelsea)

It’s a case that draws parallels with that of the prodigal son. Chelsea let Matic go back in 2011 as part of a deal that saw David Luiz arrive at the club.

He went on to thrive in Portugal, boosting his reputation as a fine tackler and passer at the base of midfield. Now Chelsea have brought him back, parting with just over £20 million in so doing.

Chelsea have lacked a real ball-winner in midfield. He will need time to settle back in at the club, but once he does, he should provide a sturdy platform upon which the likes of Willian, Oscar, and Eden Hazard can shine.

3. Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos to Fulham)

Only three teams in the league have scored fewer goals than Fulham (22). The Cottagers are rooted to the bottom of the table, thanks to a 3-0 home defeat to Southampton in the latest round of fixtures.

They have really struggled this season, which has resulted in Dimitar Berbatov’s loan exit to big-spenders Monaco, who themselves have lost a striker in Radamel Falcao, due to injury.

His replacement, Kostas Mitroglou, now has to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility. A meeting with Manchester United in the Champions League was on his calendar, but he now has to prepare himself for a basement battle.

He scored 13 goals in 12 appearances in the Greek Super League, plus three in five in the Champions League. Rene Meulensteen will be hoping he transfers those numbers to English football. For Fulham’s sake, he’d better.

4. Juan Mata (Chelsea to Manchester United)

Whether United actually needed Mata or not is debatable. Many would argue that the central midfield area needed to be addressed first and foremost. But what’s done is done.

David Moyes did say Mata would be the first of many signings of that quality, but he also said that those signings would only arrive from this summer. So, the 25-year-old stands as United’s only January recruit.

United have lacked penetration in the final third on many occasions this season. The onus has largely been on Wayne Rooney and Adnan Januzaj to provide it, and while they have to an extent, the former has had injury problems, while the latter is still learning his craft.

Mata, who created the joint third-most chances in the league last season (95) and made the most assists (12), is surely capable of providing that creative spark, and he could prove crucial in their push to get into the top four.

United did well to make the most of his dire situation at Chelsea, and they’ve already started to profit from it, as the Spaniard has made an assist in each of his two appearances in a red shirt.

As the 2-1 loss away to Stoke City shows, United have other problems, but at least Mata’s record signing signals the start of Moyes’ mission to deal with them.

5. Hernanes (Lazio to Inter Milan)

Given he is a player of great quality, it’s surprising that Hernanes didn’t attract more interest in this window, despite the fact that his form hasn’t been the greatest, largely given his club’s struggles this season.

Inter, who’ve seen their form slide of late, having won just one of their last nine league games, have done well to get him.

No doubt, the Brazilian will go straight into the side and be tasked with helping to end that dismal run of form. It’ll be interesting to see how he links up with the impressive likes of Fredy Guarin, Ricardo Alvarez, and Rodrigo Palacio in the process.