Winter transfer window analysis

The January window has now slammed shut, with Premier League clubs spending ~£370 million, much more than the £100 million spent in the previous winter transfer period. Manchester City made up most of that though, spending near £180m over the course of January. Most other teams looked to loan moves, for reasons such as financial fair play or finding it difficult to recruit exactly who they need, clubs being generally reluctant to sell their best players mid way through the season. Let's take a look at some clubs that managed to make player moves and give our verdict.

Manchester City

City's recruitment in the summer was minor compared to usual. With City winning the Premiership yet again, Pep Guardiola looked happy with his squad, making only moves for Ilkay Gundogan and Savio to replace the outbound Cancelo and Alvarez. However an awful run of form starting in November has looked to end the possibility of defending the title. Players started looking their age, and injuries have not helped. So come January the transfer odds were high for City to make moves. Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush were linked from the start of the window and were signed by mid Jan (for £33.6m and £59m respectively). The young defender Vitor Reis followed from Palmeiras for near £30m and on the last day Nico Gonzalez from Porto for £50 million.

Will these signings get Man City back on track? Man City's form has improved recently (bar a loss to Arsenal the previous weekend), with City currently 5th place in the league, level on points with 6th placed Newcastle, and 2 points behind Chelsea in fourth. A Champions League spot is definitely within grasp, and Pep will be looking to place as high as possible.

Aston Villa

Villa have surprised many with several high profile loan signings over the last few days of this transfer window. After a very public falling out with Manchester Utd, Marcus Rashford made the surprise loan move after deals to European teams, such as AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona failed to materialise. With Jhon Duran leaving the club for a good fee, Villa needed another forward and Rashford could be a good signing if form returns.

Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi were two other loan signings, alongside Donyell Malen who was signed for £20 million in mid Jan and the youngster Andres Garcia from Levante. These look to be decent moves adding depth to Unai Emery's squad, especially as Villa are still involved in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Manchester Utd

As already discussed, Manchester Utd allowed Rashford to move to Villa after falling out with Utd boss Amorim, but that wasn't the only outgoing at United. Antony was also deemed surplus to requirements and was loaned to Real Betis. This leaves Utd with only four up front players, Hojlund, Zirkzee, Garnacho and Diallo. There was discussion around loaning Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, but he opted from Spurs after an apparent u-turn.

There was some success in defensive areas, with the signing of a much needed wing back, Patrick Dorgu for £25m and the centre back, Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. However the injury to Lisandro Martinez, now confirmed to be a season ending suspected ACL, will dampen hopes. Although Utd do have numbers in the squad to cover this area.

Tottenham

It was obvious that Spurs required reinforcements, as the club has been hit hard by injuries. Of the 24 players to start a Premiership game only 5 have not missed a game through injury this season (not including January signing Antonin Kinsky). The goalie Kinsky was signed near the start of January for £12.5m from Slavia Prague, but Spurs left it late for two late loan deals. The defender Kevin Danso arrived on Sunday on loan from Lens, and Mathys Tel arriving late on the 3rd Feb, on loan from Bayern Munich.

Mathys Tel has been one of the most sought after players this transfer window, with the 19 year old being linked with several clubs. Initial reports suggested Tel rejected a move to Spurs, and preferred to wait for Manchester Utd, Chelsea or Arsenal. Agreements could not be reached though and Ange Postecoglou convinced Tel to reconsider, with Spurs now having an option to buy him in the summer.

Postecoglou might be somewhat disappointed not to get another player in, with talk of a bid for Marc Guehi being rejected by Crystal Palace, and Axel Disasi choosing the loan move to Villa instead. But injuries may be easing, with several players expected to return to training in the next week.