EPL: Top signings in the Premier League winter transfer window; Arsenal, United get their men
The 2017-2018 winter transfer window has seen the top names being signed by the top dogs of the Premier League this season. Take a look.
The winter transfer window has finally come to an end but the paltry timing has seen the best of players come and go and the Premier League has been quite busy with the new signings they have picked up. The top dogs of the English League have grabbed the players they so desired for as a few shock signings have made their way. The busiest of all has been Arsenal. The North London club who is known for their scrooge habits have actually brought in another record club signing and is worth the dough as he was the top scorer last season in the Bundesliga. Liverpool have sold one of their biggest assets to FC Barcelona but have somehow managed to bring in the most expensive defender as well.
Here are the top signings in the winter transfer window 2017-2018 season
Liverpool - Virgil van Dijk
The Merseyside club lost Philippe Coutinho to FC Barcelona for 160 Million Euros as the Brazilian playmaker wanted out from Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. With the money in hand, Liverpool brought Dutchman Virgil van Dijk for a 100 Million Euros from Southampton, making him the most expensive defender in Europe. Liverpool's attack has been superb and pacey, but it has been their defence that has left them down many a time. With van Dijk at the back, Klopp feels a lot more comfortable and secure now as the biggest upset of the season came from the hands of Liverpool when they ended Manchester City's unbeaten streak at Anfield. Matip and Loveren's position in the starting XI has been hampered as the club record signing has been impressive, scoring on his debut against local rivals Everton. The defender has plenty to prove given the price he was bought for as Klopp's side will aim to stay put in the top four for now.
Manchester United - Alexis Sanchez
Jose Mourinho has always been the type of manager that wants to bolster his attack. Despite bringing in Romelu Lukaku from Everton for 75 Million Euros as the main forward after Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a career-ending injury last season, the Portuguese had also acquired the services of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea for 44 Million Euros, but that was not enough for Jose. Alexis Sanchez was a troubled winger in Arsenal and eagerly wanted a move away from the Emirates. The Chilean was a clear favourite to join City as he would get to reunite with his former FC Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola but it was the winger's demands which put City off the radar. Then came United, swapped Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Sanchez and the Chilean is now the highest paid footballer in the Premier League, earning a whopping package of 450,000 per week. Sanchez has featured in two games wearing the Red Devil's crest, one where he helped United win in the FA Cup round 4 with his two assists and the other when the United lost to Tottenham Hotspurs at Wembley in the league.
Manchester City - Aymeric Laporte
Pep Guardiola can never be left out of the transfer windows as this time the Spaniard has focused on building his defence as most of the key players have been ruled out due to injury. Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy have been sidelined. City immediately did not hesitate to acquire the signature of Frenchman Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for a club record signing of 57 Million Pounds. The Frenchman trained with the players for 45 minutes and was imperatively named in the starting XI against West Brom where they won 3-0. Laporte who was with Bilbao in La Liga, will win his first League trophy as City are 15 points ahead of second-placed United who lost to Tottenham Hotspurs.
Chelsea - Olivier Giroud
The Premier League defending champions Chelsea have been stuck in a rut since the new year and the search for a striker continued till they stumbled across Olivier Giroud. Arsenal wanted to offload the striker after his starting days finished since Alexandre Lacazette came in the summer window. Alvaro Morata has not delivered as the Spaniard has scored 10 goals in 18 startings. Morata's head has been lethal but so is the new signing as Giroud has been dangerous in the air, spurring and scoring many last minute winners for Arsenal. Antonio Conte has loaned Michy Batshuayi to Borussia Dortmund as they sold Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal. The Frenchman would want to prove himself keeping in mind a place in the World Cup squad.
Tottenham Hotspurs - Lucas Moura
PSG outcast Lucas Moura is now a Spur's man as the Brazilian pacer makes his way into the Premier League, joining Mauricio Pochettino's side. The Brazilian winger was no longer a part of Unai Emery's PSG side as Angel Di Maria made way two seasons ago. With teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe occupying the Brazilian's position, Moura has played five matches coming off the bench this season, scoring one goal and assisting one. Lucas can help Spurs in the Champions League as well and also keep up with the likes of Harry Kane, Deli Alli, Christain Eriksen and Son.
Arsenal - Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
No person would ever have thought about Arsene Wenger spending and bringing in two new signings before the deadline could end. It comes as a shock as the North London club have let go of three of their players - Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United, Olivier Giroud to Chelsea and Theo Walcott to Everton. The replacements come as a major impact as Arsenal swapped Sanchez for Armenian winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan and have brought in Gabon goal machine Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. The two players were at Borussia Dortmund together before Mkhitaryan joined United in 2015. Last season's Bundesliga top scorer has as well wanted out and has now reunited with the playmaker at Arsenal. The Gabon speedster was brought in for a club record signing for 55.5 Million Pounds. Not will the two new signings bolster the attack of the North London club, but it has also convinced German International Mesut Ozil to sign a new deal which was pending for a long time. Arsenal have been in all sorts this season despite bringing in Lacazette, but the signings can surely put on a different show once the team gets going.