January transfer window 2019: The winners and losers

Conspicuous purely because of its quietness, this winter’s transfer window has had little in the way of action. Nonetheless, there have been bargains to be had and blunders to be made

Some transfer windows are packed full of big signings, stories and drama. Others, aren’t. File the 2019 January transfer window in the latter category.

Conspicuous purely because of its quietness, this winter’s transfer window has had little in the way of action.

Nonetheless, there have been bargains to be had and blunders to be made. Here are the winners and losers from the latest transfer merry-go-round.

Winners

Arsenal

Unai Emery has made several positive signings in his time in charge of the Gunners so far - Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira spring to mind - and the addition of Barcelona creative midfielder Denis Suarez is another good move.

The deal, a loan until the end of the season with the option to make it permanent in the summer, is a smart one bolstering Arsenal’s reserves in the attacking midfield areas, especially considering how out of favour Mesut Ozil is.

Suarez can play on the wings or more centrally and he brings with him a wealth of experience playing for Barcelona, a handy place to ply your trade that’s for sure.

Bournemouth

There is normally a team or two which makes a few shrewd moves and this window that title seems to have gone to Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe’s side have signed three players this window, two permanent and one temporary, all of whom can be seen as major positives who will add something to the squad either now or in the future.

Dominic Solanke will add a proven goal-scoring record at youth level and a ton of promise that should come to the surface at a club where the spotlight is not so bright.

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth have enjoyed a fruitful January window (REUTERS)

Also joining from Liverpool, defender Nathaniel Clyne on loan will add experience, former England quality and he will fill the troublesome right-back position, a place where they have been plagued with injuries. Talented 21-year-old defender Chris Mepham also joined in a good window for the club.

Alvaro Morata

Thank the Lord! Morata must be praising anything he can after an 18-month loan deal from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid has seen him bring to an end his dreadful Stamford Bridge spell.

As a replacement, Chelsea signed Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus, the Sarri-Higuain connection bearing more fruit although that hasn’t gone amazingly yet for the Blues with Sarri saying that Higuain is “not in shape”.

Rafa Benitez

Another man that is likely very thankful right now is the Newcastle manager, who finally had some money to play with and play with it he did. His ultimatums, threatening to quit if he did not have two or three new players, were heeded.

Deadline day came bearing gifts for both Benitez and the Newcastle fans with not one but two signings. With this happening, Newcastle finally broke their long standing transfer record - 14 years to be exact - for playmaker Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United, while Monaco left-back Antonio Barreca also joined on loan to cap a good window for the Toon.

Rafa Benitez finally got what he wanted (Action Images via Reuters)

Rangers

Steven Gerrard has made a quietly impressive start to life as Rangers boss and this transfer window continued that theme, with the signings of Andy Firth, Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis all made this January.

It is the big-name loan pair of Davis, from Southampton, and Defoe, from Bournemouth, that has caught the eye and both will undoubtedly add quality to his side.

Manchester United fans

United fans, rejoice! With the sale of Marouane Fellaini to Chinese club Shandong Luneng comes the end of one of the most divisive stints seen by a player at Old Trafford. It is fair to say he wasn’t always the most popular and, while many will respect his contribution, a lot of United fans will be happy to have finally seen the back of the Belgian.

It got better on deadline day for United fans, though, as Anthony Martial signed a new contract with the club until 2024. Twitter users such as MartialFC will no doubt be over the moon.

Losers

Tottenham

Injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli, struggling for form in all competitions and manager Mauricio Pochettino claiming trophies only “build egos”, it’s been a rough week or two for Tottenham and their lack of transfer activity, despite the need, is rather baffling.

Fans could certainly feel frustrated at the lack of signings with only winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou joining Monaco on loan.

Idrissa Gueye

Everton midfielder Gueye has been the subject of much interest from PSG, who saw their £26m offer rejected by the Merseyside club.

Unfortunately for the Senegal international, despite wanting to move to France, Everton were not willing to let him go and, with Gueye not handing in a transfer request, the move could not be done.

Idrissa Gueye was unable to get his move to PSG (REUTERS)

Manchester City

You thought they may have learnt their lesson when they let Jadon Sancho go but City have let another talented youngster, in the form of Brahim Diaz, depart to Real Madrid for £22m.

Sam Vokes

Wales striker Sam Vokes has left Burnley to move down a division to Championship side Stoke as part of a swap move with Peter Crouch. The 29-year-old, who only scored three league goals for Sean Dyche’s side this season, has been at the club for six years but this move likely ends his Premier League career.