Notable January Transfers

January transfer window has been pretty dull this time around with nothing major happening or any big money moves happening. The “big four” have stayed away from the splashing the cash. There have been many transfers in England but the notable transfers for me have been..

• Sol Campbell (Notts County to Arsenal)

After spending five seasons at Arsenal between 2001 and 2006, Sol Campbell left for Portsmouth where he won the FA Cup. Thereafter he had a stint at Notts County which was well lets just say “not appealing enough” to the England international. Thus came the turn around and after playing for the second string side, Wenger was convinced to sign him on a permanent basis.

• Andriy Voronin (Liverpool to Dinamo Moscow )

Liverpool’s Andriy Voronin signed a three year deal with Russian club after returning to Anfield from a loan deal with Bundesliga side, Hertha Berlin. Despite making a few starts for the Reds in the absence of Fernando Torres, the Ukranian failed to impress Rafa Benitez. Good deal for Voronin and for Liverpool as well.

• Patrick Viera (Inter Milan to Manchester City)

After much talk of Viera returning to Arsenal to galvanise their defensive fatalities, the Frenchman opted to sign for money bags, Manchester City. He signed a loan deal lasting six months which can be further extended by twelve months. He follows Roberto Mancini to Eastlands as the managers’ first signing as City boss. Wonderful deal this for City.

• Andrea Dossena (Liverpool to Napoli)

After signing up from Udinese to join Liverpool for £7million, Dossena had a horrid eighteen months as he lost his place first to Fabio Aurelio and then to Insua on the left back position. He signed a four deal with Napoli worth £4million. He scored two goals in his thirty one appearances.

• Danny Welbeck (loan from Manchester United to Preston)

Manchester United youngster Danny Welbeck has been loaned out for the remainder of the season to Darren Ferguson managed, Preston. Sir Alex Ferguson has been a firm believer in sending out players on loan to gain exposure and Welbeck follows the same path which David Beckham did in 1995 when he was loaned to Preston as well. Welbeck is definitely one of those players who will have a splendid career at United as he has shown with his performances. Five goals in twenty four appearances are his stats as a United player.

• Jo (loan from Everton to Galatasaray)

Everton signed Brazilian forward Jo on a loan deal from Manchester City. This deal was further extended given his impressive performance as a Toffees player. The extension however didn’t prove fruitful as first his injury period and then his incosistent performances saw him play very little part in this seasons campaign. He moves to Turkish club till the end of the season with future yet to be decided.

• Danny Simpson (Manchester United to Newcastle United)

After a loan deal from Manchester United, Simpson and Magpies have made the deal permanent for the youngster. He signs for the Tyneside team for a period of three and a half years. With Newcastle likely to be promoted to Premiership, its a great deal for the club and the player who can build their future around each other.

• Amr Zaki (loan from Zamalek FC to Hull City)

Highly temperamental Egyptian striker has been signed by Phil Brown to bring him to the KC Stadium. He comes on for the remainder of the season after Hull payed a significant loan fee. No one doubts his ability to literally score from anywhere which he has proven during his time at Wigan Athletic but his indisciplined attitude has been his biggest problem.

• Maxi Rogriguez (free transfer to Liverpool)

This can be called as a very positive move for Liverpool as they have signed a highly experienced and Argentine international Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid for free. His contract was set to expire in the summer with Spanish side but he had fallen out of favour at Vicente Calderon. He signed a three and a half year contract with the Merseyside club to bolster their attacking options.

• Philippe Senderos (loan from Arsenal to Everton)

Everton have signed Swiss international, Philippe Senderos from Arsenal on a loan deal which would run till the end of the season. He has barely played for Arsenal this season and has not had much playing time when he was loaned to Milan last season. He has just played two Carling Cup games since his return from Italy. Here is to hoping he gets some playing time at Goodison Park.

• Giovani dos Santos (loan from Spurs to Galatasaray)

After arriving at White Hart Lane from Barcelona, big things were expected of Mexican youngster, Giovani dos Santos. However, he failed to deliver neither under Juande Ramos or Harry Redknapp. He had a loan spell at Ipswich Town under Roy Keane where he impressed the Irishman. But Turkish club beat him to Giovani’s signature as he now goes on loan till the end of the season.

• Zoran Tosic (loan from Manchester United to FC Cologne)

Manchester United have loaned out Zoran Tosic to Bundesliga side FC Cologne until the end of the season. He has had very little playing time at Old Trafford with managing just over half an hour last season and two substitute appearances this time around. Looks like its the end of the Serbians Manchester United career.

• Robinho (loan from Manchester City to Santos)

Robinho joined Manchester City on the last day of the summer transfer window of 2008. Transfer value of £32.5 million, a British transfer fee record. He had a great first season but injury at the beginning of 2009/10 season and more recently failing to secure a place in Roberto Mancini’s squad meant he had reasons to look for pastures beyond City of Manchester Stadium. It came in the form of former club, Santos who have taken him on loan until the end of the season.

• Eidur Gudjohnsen (loan from Monaco to Spurs)

Eidur Gudjohnsen had earlier played at Bolton and then at Chelsea. Thereafter he moved to Spanish side Barcelona after which he was shipped to French side Monaco. Now he has joined Spurs on a loan deal running till the end of the season to give Spurs attacking options in the midfield especially with Aaron Lennon out due to injury. West Ham were also in the running for the Iceland international’s signature.

• Chris Smalling (Fulham to Manchester United)

Manchester United have made an investment for the summer in the January transfer window by capturing young central defender, Chris Smalling from Fulham. The England under 21 international will play until the end of the season at Craven Cottage after which he would officially be a Manchester United player in July. Would definitely ensure he has a great future playing alongside the senior squad members.

• Jack Wilshere (loan from Arsenal to Bolton Wanderers)

A shocking move indeed from Arsenal’s part. Its very rarely seen that Arsenal send out their players on loan to other Premier League teams but Wilshere who is a promising young player has been snapped until the end of the season by Owen Coyle. Its interesting to see how Bolton conduct themselves as the playing style of Wilshere at Arsenal would be drastically different than what is played at Bolton.

• Younes Kaboul (Portsmouth to Spurs)

Spurs sign up Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul after the south coast side wanted to sell a big name player to help ease their financial woes and prevent them from going into administration. This means he is reunited with Harry Redknapp who had earlier managed the player during his time at Portsmouth. The fee for the transfer remainds undisclosed.

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Who has been your pick of the January transfer window? Which do you think is the biggest signing of them all keeping in mind the impact they would bring to the destined club.