Top 50 Premiership Transfers in January

25. Giles Barnes

Teams Involved – Derby County to Fulham
Fee – Loan

Giles Barnes is a player whose talent has been recognised for the past few seasons but also one plagued by injury. He earned the Championship Player of the Month accolade in March 2007 and was named Young Player of the Year for Derby County at the end of the 2006/07 season. Remarkably, Barnes played the 2007 Play Off Final with a broken foot and still managed to set up the winning goal which catapaulted the Rams into the Premiership. His injury woes continued into the 2007/08 season, in which Derby were relegated and he limped through 22 appearances, scoring his only top flight goal in a 2-2 draw against Newcastle. He required major knee surgery which ruled him out of the second half of the 2007/08 season and the start of this campaign.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Barnes has suffered from wretched injuries over the past couple of season which threatened to ruin a potentially glittering career before he had even reached his 21st birthday. However, he looks to be getting back to his best, as two goals against Manchester United in the semi final of the Carling Cup showed, and he now has a chance to prove he can cut it in the top flight with Fulham.

24. Theofanis Gekas

Teams Involved – Bayer Leverkusen to Portsmouth
Fee – Loan

What struggling Portsmouth have signed in Theofanis Gekas is a goal scorer. The Greek international, with 12 goals in 35 appearances for his country, has scored goals consistently for the past eight years and finished as the top scorer in the Bundesliga during the 2006/07 season when he scored 20 goals while on loan at newly promoted VfL Bochum. An astounding 46 goals in 99 appearances for Kallithea was followed up with 23 goals in 41 games for Panathinaikos. He finished the 2007/08 season as Bayer Leverkusen’s top scorer with 15 goals but is out of favour with coach Michael Skibbe and is looking to resurrect his career at Fratton Park.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Gekas has been brought in to fill the goal scoring void left by Jermain Defoe’s switch to Tottenham Hotspur. He has a good pedigree and finished as the top scorer in Germany only two years ago with Bochum. The club’s Bundesliga survival was down to the goals Gekas scored and Tony Adams will hope for a repeat performance should the striker adapt to English football quickly.

23. Sebastien Puygrenier

Teams Involved – Zenit St Petersburg to Bolton Wanderers
Fee – Loan

Despite signing a four year contract with Russiant giants Zenit last summer, Puygrenier finds himself at the Reebok Stadium on a loan deal until the end of the season. The Frenchman made just nine appearances for Zenit and played in their UEFA Super Cup victory against Manchester United. During his time at AS Nancy, he was voted Fans’ Player of the Year for the 2006/07 season and a year later, was named in the Ligue One Team of the Year. Despite these accolades and years of solid displays in defence, Puygrenier is yet to win an international cap.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Puygrenier could prove to be a shrewd signing and the Frenchman too only three appearances to score his first Bolton goal, in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Trotters do not score many goals, so shoring up their defence is vital and Puygrenier looks like just the man to achieve that.

22. Ryan Taylor

Teams Involved – Wigan Athletic to Newcastle United
Fee – Undisclosed (believed to be around £2.5 million)

Highly rated Ryan Taylor made a surprise move to Newcastle United just as it seemed he was getting recognition for his performances at Wigan. The former Tranmere Rovers, who made almost 100 league appearances for the Prenton Park outfit, scored six goals in 56 Wigan appearances, four of which against Newcastle in as many successive games, including three free kicks and goals on successive Boxing Days. With that sort of record, it’s no wonder Joe Kinnear signed him on a four-and-a-half year contract.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Dead-ball specialist Taylor moved to St. James’ Park as part of the deal which took Charles N’Zogbia to Wigan Athletic. Toon fans will know a lot about him, he scored three glorious free kicks against the Magpies in two years! Signing him is one way of stopping him scoring against you I suppose. Beleagured supporters will hope he puts his talents to good use to help their club get out of the mire.

21. Hayden Mullins

Teams Involved – West Ham United to Portsmouth
Fee – Undisclosed

Hayden Mullins found his first team opportunities at Upton Park restricted to mainly substitute appearances this season and in January he moved to the south coast to assist in Tony Adams’ cause at Portsmouth. The former Crystal Palace player had been quite a regular fixture in the Hammers side until this season after almost six years at the club. He infamously missed the 2006 FA Cup Final, having been sent off a few weeks earlier. His appeal was rejected by the Football Association despite him making 42 appearances that season and being one of the Hammers best performers. Mullins was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Year in 1999.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Mullins looks a decent signing for a Portsmouth side desperate to shore up and become a more difficult team to beat. To say Mullins is an experienced players is an understatement, after making over 450 league and cup appearances for Crystal Palace and West Ham since 1998. He will add some balance to struggling Pompey and will sit back enabling speedier players such as Nadir Belhadj and Jermaine Pennant to get forward.

20. Mido

Teams Involved – Middlesbrough to Wigan Athletic
Fee – Loan

Controversial striker has made Wigan Athletic his third club in as many years after making a loan switch from struggling Middlesbrough. The Egyptian has suffered a torrid time in the North East and was twice targeted by rival Newcastle United fans with Islamophobic abuse. Despite a decent start to the season, where he netted three goals in four matches, he has played sporadically since scoring his last goal which came on 1 November. Mido enjoyed his best spell in English football during the 2005-06 season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored 11 goals in 27 Premiership appeatances. Mido scored a debut goal for the Latics, a penalty in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Mido arrived at the JJB Stadium in a deal which took Marlon King to the Riverside Stadium and Steve Bruce looks to have got the better deal. Mido shows on occasions he is a good Premiership striker and he should link up well with fellow Egyptian Amir Zaki. If Bruce can get the best out of him, then there is no reason why Wigan cannot continue their quest for a top 10 finish, despite some high profile departures in January.

19. Kevin Kilbane

Teams Involved – Wigan Athletic to Hull City
Fee – Undisclosed (believed to be around £500,000)

Kevin Kilbane swapped Wigan for Hull in January after seeing his first team chances limited at the JJB Stadium. The seasoned midfielder was out of contract in the summer but signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the KC Stadium. Kilbane is known for his versatility and can be deployed anywhere across the middle but can also play in defence, where he occupied the left back berth for the Latics for most of last season.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. If there’s one thing Kilbane brings to the table, it’s experience. The midfielder racked up over 100 appearances at each of West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Everton, most of which played in the top flight and over 80 appearances for Wigan. He has also accumulated nearly 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland in a 12-year international career. When the chips are down, you need experienced heads andthere are not many more experienced than Kilbane.

18. Zoran Tosic

Teams Involved – Partizan Belgrade to Manchester United
Fee – Undisclosed (part of a deal worth £16 million)

Manchester United beat both Arsenal and local rivals Manchester City to the signing of highly-rated Serbian winger Zoran Tosic. He arrived along with team-mate Adam Ljanjic, who was promptly loaned back to Partizan. The player was quite prolific from the middle of the park during his time in Belgrade, scoring 18 goals in 61 apperarances. He has won 12 caps for Serbia and also featured prominently for the under-21 side, scoring two goals in 12 appearances. Tosic has already been called into action for United, coming on as a second half substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in the FA Cup fourth round match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Tosic’s arrival could not have come at a better time as United are suffering a crippling injury list. At just 21-years-old he is seen as the long-term replacement for Ryan Giggs who rarely features down the left wing during his advancing years. Manager Alex Ferguson may have planned to use the winger sparingly during the remainder of the season but with Anderson, Nani, Park and Hargreaves all out injured, Tosic could be given a baptism of fire.

17. Jermaine Pennant

Teams Involved – Liverpool to Portsmouth
Fee – Loan

Jermaine Pennant is on the move yet again after failing to make a long-term impact at Liverpool in almost three seasons at Anfield. Pennant was critically acclaimed for his performance against AC Milan when the Reds were beaten 2-1 in the 2007 Champions League final but he did not progress and cement his place as a first team regular. After making just three league appearances for Rafa Benitez’s side this season and not being involved since October, Pennant joined Portsmout on loan until the end of the season.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. Pennant is a player of undoubted quality but he seems to be his own worst enemy at times. His past problems are well documents but if he can keep his head down he will be an asset. He should be more suited to a team like Portsmouth, where he will get regular football, rather than being a bit-part player at a larger club like Liverpool. Pennant played well on his Pompey debut against Aston Villa and he will be a key figure to Portsmouth’s survival in the Premiership this season.

16. Craig Bellamy

Teams Involved – West Ham United to Manchester City
Fee – Undisclosed (believed to be around £14 million)

Wales captain Craig Bellamy had been a revelation for West Ham United during the winter, scoring twice in the Hammers’ 4-1 Boxing Day demolition of Portsmouth and another goal against one of his former clubs, Newcastle United, on 10 January. However, the cynic inside wonders whether he stepped up a gear as the transfer window approached to engineer another lucrative move. It appeared for a while Bellamy would move to Tottenham Hotspur, but it was Mark Hughes and his open chequebook, who secured his services for Manchester City. Bellamy scored a debut goal for City in the 2-1 win against Newcastle, one of his former employers, on 28 January.

Transfer Rating – 7/10. The fans expected Kaka but instead they got Bellamy, who made City his eighth professional club. He may still prove to be a good signing if he shows the same commitment and goalscoring prowess displayed for West Ham in recent weeks but his arrival still feels like a hugh anti-climax following the speculation surrounding Manchester City throughout the transfer window.

15. Jay Simpson

Teams Involved – Arsenal to West Bromwich Albion
Fee – Loan

Young striker Jay Simpson completed his loan move from Arsenal to the Hawthorns on 31 December and it already appears to be one of the best pieces of business during the window period. Simpson spent time on loan at Millwall last season, where he scored eight goals in 45 matches and netted his first senior goals for the Gunners during their Carling Cup victory over Wigan in November 2008. It didn’t take the lively forward long to get off the mark for the Baggies, scoring in the FA Cup third round replay against Peterborough United and hist first Premiership goal came against Hull City on 31 January.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. Simpson is a Premiership star of the future who is already shining at West Brom, despite a lack of first team experience. His creativity and goals will prove vital for Tony Mowbray’s side who are rock bottom of the Premiership with less than half the season remaining.

14. Angelos Basinas

Teams Involved – AEK Athens to Portsmouth
Fee – Undisclosed

January transfer window signing do not come much more experienced than Greek international Angelos Basinas, who has won almost 100 caps for his country and made over 200 appearances for Panathinaikos over a 10 year period with the club. He played a key role in helping Real Mallorca avoid relegation during the 2005/06 season and as such, will know exactly what is expected of him atb Fratton Park. In his second season at the La Liga club, he guided them to within one point of European qualification before returning to his home nation, making 14 appearances for AEK Athens last season. He will certainly relish the challenge of keeping Pompey in the Premiership.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. With Portsmouth in freefall, a player of Basinas’ vast experience and quality will be vital as the club attempts to preserve its top flight status. He should link up well with compatriot Gekas and will be a major boost to Tony Adams who lost the influential Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid earlier in the month.

13.  Carlo Cudicini

Teams Involved – Chelsea to Tottenham Hotspur
Fee – Free

Carlo Cudicini was plucked from Italian obscurity with Castel di Sangro in 2000 and it did not take him long to assert his authority at Chelsea. He was voted their Player of the Year in 2002 and won ITV’s “Golden Gloves” award a year later. He has not played regularly since Peter Cech’s arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2004 but never let anybody down when called upon. Cudicini was the subject of much speculation linking him with becoming an England international due to spending longer than five years in the country. Given some of the alternatives (Paul Robinson? Scott Carson?), he would have made a great addition to the national side but he never showed any interest in switching allegiances.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. To get a goalkeeper of Cudicini’s quality on a free transfer is a great piece of business by Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. Admittedly Cudicini has not played much first team football in recent years but he has made over 200 appearances in all competitions since joining Chelsea permanently in July 2000 and he will provide genuine competition to the often-maligned Heurelho Gomes.

12. Wayne Bridge

Teams Involved – Chelsea to Manchester City
Fee – Undisclosed (believed to be £10 million)

After seeing his first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge limited to just a handful of games this season, left back Wayne Bridge joined the Manchester City revolution, five-and-a-half years after joining the one at Chelsea. A model of consistency, Bridge set a Premiership record when he played 10,160 consecutive minutes of Premiership football. He has made over 300 club appearances for Southampton, Fulham (loan), Chelsea and now City. Bridge is also won over 30 caps for England, scoring his only goal in a 5-1 friendly win over Iceland in 2004.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. There has perhaps been some unfair criticism over the rumoured fee that Bridge commanded, with some commenters believing £10 million for a “Chelsea reserve” to be too high. The fee isn’t Bridge’s fault and with Moneybags City bidding for him, they were never going to sign him for peanuts. He will add some genuine quality to a shaky City back line and condemn the likes of Michael Ball to reserve team football. A result all round.

11. Hugo Rodallega

Teams Involved – Necaxa to Wigan Athletic
Fee – £4.5 million

Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega arrived in the Premiership with the reputation as a goalscorer. Goals are exactly what Wigan need if they are to maintain their momentum for UEFA Cup qualification and especially if Amir Zaki’s goals dry up. Rodallega scored 25 goals in 53 league appearances for Mexican club Necaxa prior to joining Wigan for a £4.5 million fee. The striker almost made an immediate impact as a late substitute for the Latics against Liverpool on 28 January when he hit the crossbar from a free kick with just minutes left, denying Wigan a famous victory.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. Steve Bruce may well have pulled off another masterstroke in signing Rodallega and given his track record in bringing South American players to the JJB Stadium, who am I to argue with his credentials? I would not be surprised to see Rodallega as anything less than a smash hit and being transferred somewhere like Barcelona in 12-18 months time for a £20 million fee.

10. Wilson Palacios

Teams Involved – Wigan Athletic to Tottenham Hotspur
Fee – £12 million

Honduras international Wilson Palacios became the second high-profile departure from Wigan Athletic when he joined struggling Spurs from Wigan for a whopping £12 million. The transfer gave the Latics a profit of around £11 million just 12 months after signing him on a permanent deal from Club Deportivo Olimpia. Palacios has a long list of admirers, including Alex Ferguson who was reportedly interested in taking him to Old Trafford, while Manchester City were also linked with him during the transfer window.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. Even at a transfer of £12 million, Palacios could still prove to be a bargain signing. He is a box-to-box player and that sort of determination is what Spurs need if they are to haul themselves out of the relegation zone. The midfielder received great praise from England international Frank Lampard, who said of Palacios: “nobody has an easy game against him. He is after you all the time”.

9. Nigel de Jong

Teams Involved – Hamburg to Manchester City
Fee – Undisclosed (as much as £18 million)

Dutch international Nigel de Jong became Manchester City’s thirs signing of the January transfer window at a rumoured cost of £18 million, as the owners flexed their financial muscle. He could form a very solid, if not defensive midfield partnership with Vincent Kompany, who he knows well from their days at Hamburg and indeed it was the Belgianwho helped to convince him to move to the City of Manchester Stadium. de Jong made a significant impact with Hamburg and scored the winner against Bayern Munich to inflict their first defeat of any kind at the Allianz Arena in 2007. He also played for the Netherlands in Euiro 2008 during their 3-0 victory against Italy and 4-1 demolition of France.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. A clause in his contract meant de Jong could have left Hamburg in the summer for just £1.8 million, so the oil-rich City owners shelled out 10 times that amount to secure his services a few months early. Good business? Probably not but who cares when your playing real life Football Manager with an open chequebook? However, there is no denying de Jong is a quality playerwho will bolster the City midfield, albeit at a vastly inflated price.

8. James Beattie

Teams Involved – Sheffield United to Stoke City
Fee – £2.5 million (rising to £3.5 million)

After the complete disaster that has been Dave Kitson’s club record transfer to the Britannia Stadium, manager Tony Pulis drafted in former Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and Everton striker Beattie from Championship side Sheffield United. The fee, at the £2.5 million mark, shows a loss of £1.5 million in just over 18 months for the Blades, despite Beattie showing prolific form in England’s second tier. Aston Villa were rumoured to be interested in bringing Beattie back to the Premiership last summer, but it’s their local rivals Stoke who gave him another chance in the top flight. He opened his account in a 3-1 defeat at Spurs but scored the winning goal against Manchester City in his next appearance.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. Beattie managed only 13 goals in 76 appearances for Everton, a much better side than Stoke City are and it seemed his best Premiership performances were confined to his days at Southampton. However, Beattie was revitalised at Sheffield United, netting 34 in 62 appearances and he finished the 2007/08 season as the joint second highest goal scorer in the Championship. He has taken that form to the Britannia Stadium and if he keeps up his early form for the Potters, his goals could prove vital in their bid to stave off relegation.

7. Jimmy Bullard

Teams Involved – Fulham to Hull City
Fee – £5 million

Jimmy Bullard’s transfer to freefalling Hull City will have come as a surprise to most. The talented and often under-rated midfielder, joined the Tigers on a four-and-a-half year contract. Not that unusual you may think, but at 31-years-old this year, it is a lengthy contract for an ageing player who has suffered his fair share of injuries. Bullard had earlier been linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers and was even touted as a possible transfer-target for underachieving Arsenal. Instead, it’s the KC Stadium where he will ply his trade for the forseeable future.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. If Bullard can stay fit, his £5 million transfer could prove to be a canny piece of business as Hull City look to cement their place in the Premiership for at least a second season. Bullard was credited with keeping former club Fulham in the division last season and that will have surely been in manager Phil Brown’s mind when trying to arrange the deal. Bullard is a dead ball specialist and alongside Brazilian Geovanni, Hull should now have enough creativity in their locker to remain in the top flight.

6. Jermain Defoe

Teams Involved – Portsmouth to Tottenham Hotspur
Fee – £15.75 million

Jermain Defoe returned to White Hart Lane less than a year after moving from North London to Portsmouth during the 2008 January transfer window. With Spurs in real danger of relegation this season, the club secured the return of Defoe who was also reunited with his former manager at Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp. Defoe failed to score on his debut for the first time in his career when Spurs drew with Wigan on 11 January, but opened his account in the following match, ironically against former employers Portsmouth. Unfortunately, Defoe picked up a foot injury during training and is ruled out until April.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. In terms of transfer dealing, its poor business as Spurs brought the player back to the club for almost £6 million more than they received for him less than 12 months ago. However, in terms of the player involved, it’s one of the best transfers of the month and would have been even higher if Defoe hadn’t been struck down by injury. Defoe has a phenomenal goalscoring record in the Premiership and managed 15 in 31 league appearances during his short spell at Portsmouth. Spurs are in the mire and will need his goals when he regains full fitness.

5. Andrei Arshavin

Teams Involved – Zenit St Petersburg to Arsenal
Fee – Undisclosed (believed to be up to £8 million)

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin finally completed his tranfser to Arsenal some 24 hours after the transfer window officially closed and he signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the Emirates Stadium. He was rumoured to be heading back to Russian from London but with less than an hour of the window remaining, Zenit accepted a bid from the Gunners. Arshavin brings to an ened an eight-year stay at Zenit, where he made 238 league appearances, scoring 51 goals. He was instrumental in Zenit’s UEFA Cup victory in 2007 and was named Man of the Match and he announched himself on the international stage when he played a pivotal role in helping Russia reach the semi finals of Euro 2008.

Transfer Rating – 8/10. The transfer of Arshavin to Arsenal was a long, drawn out process but Arsene Wenger finally got his man. Arshavin should inject some enthusiasm into a tired looking Arsenal team and kick-start their season. They are still not guaranteed a finish in the Premiership’s top four and there is also of course the small matter of the Champions League to compete in.

4. Shay Given

Teams Involved – Newcastle United to Manchester City
Fee – Undisclosed (believed to be up to £8 million)

Shay Given was finally prized away from Newcastle United after spending an incredible 12 years at St. James Park. Since moving from Blackburn Rovers  for a bargain £1.5 million fee in 1997, Given went on to make 461 appearances for Newcastle and was named in the Premiership Team of the Season in both 2002 and 2006. He has successfully kept Steve Harper on the substitutes bench for most of his professional career, giving the stand-in perhaps the easiest job in professional football. Given has also won 91 caps for the Republic of Ireland, making him their most-capped goalkeeper and fourth highest-capped player.

Transfer Rating – 9/10. Given has been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League for several years and has been linked with summer transfers to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal on almost an annual basis. However, it’s big-spending Manchester City who have finally stumped up hard cash for Given and made him their fourth new arrival of the transfer window. He was used to his goal being under siege at Newcastle and will get plenty of action at Eastlands with Mark Hughes’ defence still looking shaky.

3. Ricardo Quaresma

Teams Involved – Inter Milan to Chelsea
Fee – Loan

Winger Ricardo Quaresma joins the growing contingent of Portuguese players at Stamford Bridge alongside Hilario, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreria, Jose Boswinga and Deco. The player, nicknamed “Mustang” because of his pace and power has endured a difficult time at Inter Milan, where has been kept out of the side by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and is looking to get his career back on track in England. He played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Sporting Lisbon, winning the league in the 2001/02 season. He went on to enjoy four successful years at FC Porto after a brief spell at Barcelona, where, during Euro 2004, regused to play for the club as long as Frank Rijkaard was in charge.

Transfer Rating – 9/10. When a truly exciting players arrives in the Premiership you have to sit up and take notice. Quaresma has thusfar failed to live up to expectations outside of Portugal but he undoubtedly has talent. The 24-time capped player was due to sign for Tottenham Hotspur until Chelsea stepped in and I hope Phil Scolari does not stifle the life out him before he has the opportunity to shine.

2. Emile Heskey

Teams Involved – Wigan Athletic to Aston Villa
Fee – £3.5 million

Emile Heskey is enjoying an Indian summer to his football career. He has reestablished himself as England’s number one target man and in January, reunited himself with manager Martin O’Neill. While Heskey was strongly linked with a return to Liverpool, he opted to join the growing England contingent at Villa Park and signed a three-and-a-half year deal. This will surely be Heskey’s final transfer in a career which has seen him play for Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic and could give the 50-cap international one last crack at the Champions League.

Transfer Rating – 9/10. Heskey may have only scored three goals for Wigan this season, but his commitment and hold-up play does not go unnoticed. He played some of the best football of his career under O’Neill at Leicester City and he could provide the brute force Villa need to compliment the pace of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor. He scored on his debut for the first time in his career for Villa to beat Portsmouth and his arrival could prove the difference between a top four finish or not. For that reason, he is one of January’s top transfers.

1. Robbie Keane

Teams Involved – Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur
Fee – £12 million (and rising)

It was perhaps the least surprising transfer of the window, but also the one that tops this list – Robbie Keane returned to Tottenham Hotspur, having left them to join his boyhood heroes Liverpool only last summer. Keane’s face didn’t fit at Anfield for one reason or another and despite scoring seven goals in all competitions for the Reds this season, he was largely overlooked by manager Rafa Benitez. Keane has been a journeyman striker, playing for Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds, but it’s at White Hart Lane where spectators have seen the best of him. A record of 80 goals in 197 league appearances speaks for itself and he is also still banging them in for the Republic of Ireland, where he has 35 goals in 85 caps.

Transfer Rating – 10/10. Spurs pulled off the coup of the window when they brought Robbie Keane back to his spirtual home, just six months after selling him to Liverpool. Not only has Harry Redknapp brought back arguably Spurs’ best performer last season, he has done so at a £6 million profit. He loves a deal, does Harry. Keane fired in 15 league goals for Spurs last season – a tally which made him the first Spurs player to hit double figures in the Premiership for six consecutive seasons and he needs to recapture that form immediately if the club are to avoid the drop. It has been claimed Keane and fellow Spurs returnee Jermain Defoe cannot play together and that’s an issue for Redknapp to rectify as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have done the best business during the transfer window, with three of their five new arrivals – Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Wilson Palacios making the top 10. However, these were also three of the most expensive transfers of the month. Manchester City also spent big, with Nigel De Jong and Shay Given also deemed worthy of a place amongst the 10 best transfers. Champions in waiting (perhaps) Manchester United brought in just Zoran Tosic to challenge for a first team place, while Portsmouth went for broke and were the most active, bringing in six new faces.

Even though some clubs have been flashing the cash around like a recession doesn’t exist, it could be the more unassuming transfers which are the most important. Emile Heskey’s arrival at Aston Villa could mean the difference between them qualifying for the Champions Legaue or not while James Beattie to Stoke City and Jimmy Bullard to Hull, could mean the difference between Premiership or Championship football next season.

Were you pleased or disappointed with your club’s activity during the transfer window, or do you have better suggestions for who they should have signed? Whatever your opinion, leave your comments below!

Pages: 1 2