The 2023 January transfer window has officially come to a close, and it was quite an active one, depending on which team you support of course. At the start of every year, soccer teams from around the world get the opportunity to strengthen their squad by signing players from around the world. Let’s take a look at some of the most highly anticipated transfers of this window.

It would be a crime not to start on the topic of Chelsea, as they signed eight players in the span of a little over a month, including a Premier League record signing: Enzo Fernandez. The midfielder from Portuguese league side Benfica shone for Argentina on the world’s biggest stage at the World Cup, winning the Best Young Player Award. His market value skyrocketed and unsurprisingly, he caught the attention of some of the biggest clubs out there. Chelsea were the only team willing to pay his €120 million release clause. This fee makes him the most expensive signing in the history of the Premier League. But the transfers don’t stop there for the Blues. Chelsea also picked up Ukrainian wonderkid Mykailo Mudryk for €88 million, English winger Noni Madueke for €35 million, two Frenchmen in Malo Gusto and Benoît Badiashile for a combined €60 million, young Portuguese star João Félix on a six month loan for just under €10 million, Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos and Ivorian striker David Datro Fofana for a combined €21 million. 

Sticking in London, Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal haven’t been quiet either, but quiet in comparison. The team currently sitting in 1st place in the Premier League have signed Leandro Trossard. The Belgian winger signed from Brighton & Hove Albion will set Arsenal back €27 million. They also picked up Polish center back Jakub Kiwior from Spezia for €20 million. In uncharacteristic fashion, they signed Jorginho from their own rivals: Chelsea. The Italian, a Champion’s League and Euro’s winner was signed for just €12 million.

Rounding up our coverage of the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur signed Pedro Porro from Sporting CP for €45 million. They also picked up Dutch winger Arnaut Danjuma, after hijacking the deal. It looked as if Everton FC were going to sign Danjuma, as he’d been flown to Liverpool for his medical testing. But at the last minute, Tottenham stole him away and nabbed him for €27 million. It’s not all bad for Everton though, as they were able to offload promising English winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle for a fee of €40 million. In good news for the USA, there’s going to be another American in the Premier League, as Leeds United have completed the signing of Weston McKennie from Juventus for €1.2 million, but they will have to pay €33 million if they wish to keep him at the end of the season. More great news for America ensues, as former Premier League winners Leicester City have signed Nathan Opoku directly from Syracuse University after Syracuse’s National Title winning season, in which Opoku had 19 goal contributions. And let’s not forget what could very well be the most random transfer in the entire transfer window: Keylor Navas signs for Nottingham Forest on a free transfer loan until the end of the season. The three time Champions League winner joins 13th ranked Nottingham Forest in their first Premier League season since 1998. It is safe to say that the Costa Rican will become the first choice goalkeeper immediately, benching Dean Henderson, who although has been impressive this season, will inevitably be dropped to the bench until the end of the season when Navas’ loan expires.

Moving to Munich now, as we look at Bayern’s window. Even with only 2 signings made, it is safe to say their squad will be improved. The German giants brought in Swiss goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, from Borussia Monchengladbach for €9 million, a bargain for someone of Sommer’s talent. Bayern Munich’s main goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, picked up an injury and will be out for a good while. Bayern felt as if they didn’t have a suitable enough backup already so they took the chance to sign Yann Sommer. Staying in line with Bayern’s defensive upgrades, with one of the signings of the window, João Cancelo was brought in from Manchester City. Widely regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the world, Cancelo’s versatility makes him a valuable asset to any team he plays for, and I don’t think Bayern will be an exception. He has signed on a loan deal, but if Bayern Munich want to keep him at the end of the season, they’ll have to cough up €70 million to give to Manchester City.