5 costliest January transfers in history
The January transfer window is like a small shed compared to the mansion that is the summer window. All the major activities happen in the summer, all the eye-catching transfers happen then. The January window is more about utility players, loan deals, and temporary recruits.
Despite that, numerous big deals have taken place in the middle of the season. Sometimes players are unhappy at the original club, which propels the move. Sometimes the move fails to go through in the summer, hence January is the solution.
Often, these signings make a great impact at the new club. They bring a breath of fresh air and bring new motivation for the business end of the season. Sometimes, it doesn't go as well due to the failure of settling in.
The January window has commenced as of now, and let's hope that some big and exciting deals go through. If they are anywhere close to these ones, we are in for a treat.
On that note, here are the costliest January transfers in history.
#5 Fernando Torres (£50m, Liverpool to Chelsea, 2011)
Chelsea broke the British transfer record in 2011 when they signed Torres amidst some great drama. Liverpool fans were irate that their star striker was allowed to leave, and Torres became a villain in Merseyside.
He did become Stamford Bridge's darling for a while, though that faded when he couldn't find his opening goal for the club. That drought lasted for 24 games before he finally scored against West Ham. Still, Torres failed to replicate his Anfield heroics at Chelsea. He scored just 20 goals for them in more than 100 appearances.
Torres scored that memorable goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final, and he was a key part of the side that won the Europa League. Despite that, the transfer to Chelsea definitely was a turn for the worse for the Spaniard. He could not replicate his stunning performances from Liverpool, but he managed to add to the trophy cabinet. After Chelsea, he moved to boyhood club Atletico Madrid where he subsequently retired.