Last Season’s January Transfer Window – Successes And Flops

Last January’s transfer window may not have produced a Luis Suarez, Patrice Evra or Gary Cahill, but there was plenty of good business done throughout the Premier League. Here we look at some of the more successful signings and those who have struggled to make an impact.

TOP PREMIER LEAGUE JANUARY TRANSFERS - 2016

1. Charlie Austin

£4m - QPR to Southampton

Charlie Austin’s electric form earlier this season saw him net six goals in 13 appearances before suffering a shoulder injury in early December. Despite now being out of the side for eight consecutive league games, he remains Southampton’s top scorer. The Saints have lost 51% of their Premier League games this season without Austin in the side, as opposed to just 31% with him – they will be hoping that they can get the 27-year-old back on the pitch before the business end of the season as they have struggled in front of goal without him at times.

2. Benik Afobe

£10m - Wolverhampton Wanderers to Bournemouth

Benik Afobe has contributed seven goals since joining last January – helping Bournemouth survive their first season in the top flight in the process. Despite a difficult start to the season, Afobe’s form has picked up in recent weeks with three goals since the beginning of December. Additionally, his recent decision to snub the Africa Nations Cup in favour of staying with his club in an attempt to nail down his starting spot will only further endear him to the Cherry faithful.

3. Leroy Fer

Loan - QPR to Swansea

The Swans were so impressed with Leroy Fer’s input last season they made his move permanent in the summer for an undisclosed fee. Despite Swansea’s troubles this term, the Dutchman’s individual contribution of six goals and one assist, not to mention 17 interceptions means that he has proved a worthy addition to the squad.

4. Mohamed Elneny

Undisclosed - FC Basel to Arsenal

Arsenal signed Mohamed Elneny from Basel last January to provide them with some much needed backup in central midfield. It has turned out to be a good move for Wenger as they have suffered a string of injuries to key personnel in that area, not least the likes of Santi Cazorla. Additionally, Elneny has the highest pass accuracy in the Premier League this season at 92%, contributing an assist in the process. These are comforting stats for Arsenal fans hoping their side can finally maintain a title charge this season.

5. Jan Kirchhoff

£0.85m - Bayern Munich to Sunderland

Jan Kirchhoff was vital in helping Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland side avoid relegation last season. His defensive contributions were excellent and the Black Cats badly need him back on the pitch if they are going to repeat the heroics of last season’s great escape. A string of injuries have hampered his league appearances to just seven this term, but at just £850k, he has to be seen as an astute signing.

FLOPPED PREMIER LEAGUE JANUARY TRANSFERS - 2016

1. Oumar Niasse

£13.5m - Lokomotiv Moscow to Everton

At £13.5 million, Oumar Niasse was the third most expensive transfer in Everton’s history at the time of signing. Fast forward 12 months and Niasse has headed east to link up with Hull on a loan move, after having only played five games for the Toffees. Upon taking over at the club in June, Ronald Koeman told the Senegal international he was not needed at the club after just one appearance in a pre-season friendly. He was ordered to train with the under-23s and did not see a minute of Premier League action this season before his departure.

2. Mario Suarez

£4m – ACF Fiorentina to Watford

Watford signed Mario Suarez on a four and a half year deal last January. If the rumours are true, Watford rolled out the red-carpet treatment in stealing the Spaniard away from the likes of Liverpool and Valencia, laying out a private jet for him and his wife to fly to England. However, after just six months with the Hornets, Suarez was sent back out on loan having never fully acclimatised to the pace of the Premier League. 18 appearances, no goals and no assists does not make good reading for Watford fans.

3. Emmanuel Adebayor

Free – Unattached to Crystal Palace

Having been without a club since leaving Tottenham the previous summer, Emmanuel Adebayor was seen as being a bit of a risk for Crystal Palace last January – by everyone except Alan Pardew who claimed to be “very optimistic”. His optimism was misplaced as the troubled Togolese striker contributed just one goal in 12 appearances. The former Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City striker was brought in for his goals and after failing to produce was released at the end of his six month contract.

4. Steven Naismith

£8.5m - Everton to Norwich

Steven Naismith was signed by Norwich on a three and a half year deal last January. Brought in to provide goals, it was hoped the Scotsman could help Norwich avoid relegation. Just two goals from 13 appearances was not enough to help the Canaries avoid the drop. Looking to escape, Naismith sought a move away from Carrow Road in the summer but a proposed deal to re-join his old boss Moyes at Sunderland fell through after the club and player failed to agree on personal terms. Naismith has scored four goals in the Championship this season but Norwich find themselves 18 points off the top spot.

5. Patrick Bamford

Loan - Chelsea to Norwich

In 2015, Patrick Bamford was being heralded as one of the most exciting young prospects in English football. After a great spell with Middlesbrough he was named in the Championship team of the year, scoring a total of 19 goals that season. Following an underwhelming stint at Crystal Palace, the Chelsea youngster was loaned out to Norwich City in January 2016 where he was looking to finally prove he belonged in the top-flight. Brought in to provide competition for their other recent signing, Steven Naismith, Bamford started just two games, scoring no goals. The 23-year-old has failed to make improvements in the Championship, but has been offered a lifeline this January with a return to Middlesbrough – a loan deal once more.