Van Dijk, Fernandes or Torres. What were the biggest January transfers?

Although the biggest transfers usually take place in the summer transfer window, expensive transfers are more and more often seen in January. Recall the most expensive winter transfers.

In the past, this was not very common, but in the last decade, expensive winter transfers have become more and more frequent. This is evidenced by the fact that nine of the ten most expensive winter transfers occurred after 2016.

In addition, one transfer this year managed to make the top ten, but it was baked before the winter transfer period started. Ferran Torres transferred to Barcelona from Manchester City for 55 million euros, which makes him now round out the top ten.

Barcelona also boasts the most expensive winter transfer ever. Why is the word “proud” in quotes? Because it bought Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool for an astronomical 135 million euros in January 2018, but the Brazilian has never repaid the investment and probably never will.

The next five most expensive January transfers are all by English sides. The second position is held by Liverpool, who acquired Virgil Van Dijk for almost 85 million euros in January 2018 with the money they made from the sale of Coutinho. Compared to the Catalans, the Reds certainly don’t regret their investment.

Behind Van Dijk there is another stopper, namely Aymerick Laporte, who signed for Manchester City in the same month as Van Dijk or Coutinho. Bilbao got 65 million for him.

Christian Pulisic (Chelsea, 64 million euros) and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal, 63.75 million euros) round out the top five. Only just behind the Arsenal star is Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, 63 million euros).

the 10 most expensive January transfers in euros

Philippe Couti – 2017/18 – Liverpool → Barcelona – 135 million
Virgil Van Dijk – 2017/18 – Southampton → Liverpool – 84.65 million
Aymerick Laporte – 2017/18 – Athletic Bilbao → Manchester City – 65 million
Christian Pulisic – 2018/19 – Dortmund → Chelsea – 64 million
Pierre Emerrick Aubameyang – 2017/18 – Dortmund → Arsenal – 63.75 million
Bruno Fernandes – 2019/20 – Benfica → Manchester United – 63 million
Diego Costa – 2017/18 – Chelsea → Atlético Madrid – 60 million
Oscar – 2016/17 – Chelsea → Shanghai SIPG – 60 million
Fernando Torres – 2010/11 – Liverpool → Chelsea – 58.5 million
Ferran Torres – 2021/22 – Manchester City → Barcelona – 55 million

Source: Transfermarkt