Who are the most expensive January signings in history?

• The January transfer window has been quiet, with few high-profile deals.
• The winter transfer window has seen several record-breaking moves in previous seasons.
• We’ve compiled a list of the most expensive January transfer window deals ever.

Up until now, the January transfer window has been quiet, with few high-profile deals. However, there is still plenty of time left until the deadline for massive money deals.

The winter transfer window has seen several record-breaking moves in previous seasons, and we’ve compiled a list of the most expensive January transfer window deals ever.

Mykhailo Mudryk – Chelsea (£61.6m)

Mykhaylo Mudryk. Photo/ Getty Images

In January 2023, Chelsea broke the record for the most money spent by a single club in a winter transfer window when they spent £323 million on new players thanks to Todd Boehly’s unprecedented hiring spree.

Mykhailo Mudryk, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk for an original cost of £61.6 million, was one of the most expensive imports in West London. Mudryk had excelled for the Ukrainian team during the Champions League group stage, and Chelsea defeated rivals Arsenal of London to get the nimble-footed winger.

With the potential to reach a staggering £88.5 million given add-ons, the agreement made Mudryk the most expensive Ukrainian football player ever. As he adjusts to the rigors of a new level, the 23-year-old has not impressed in English football thus far. In 32 Premier League games, only 16 of Mudryk’s goals have come from the starting position.

Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus (£62.8m)

In 2022, Juventus invaded Fiorentina’s rival team to get Dusan Vlahovic for a reported €70 million (£62.8 million) upfront. After making 64 appearances for Fiorentina over the preceding 18 months and scoring 41 goals, the Serbian striker had become one of the most sought-after attackers in Europe with La Viola.

Following Federico Chiesa’s 2020 move to Juventus, the Fiorentina supporters were incensed at the loss of another famous player to their bitter rivals. Juventus turned down interest from Premier League teams to sign Vlahovic.

Since then, Vlahovic has scored 30 goals in 82 appearances for Juventus and 13 goals in 25 international outings for Serbia.

Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool (£75m)

Vigil van Dijk signing his contract with Liverpool. PHOTO: Liverpool FC

Virgil van Dijk was acquired by Liverpool from Southampton during the January transfer window, following their unsuccessful attempt to recruit the Dutch defender six months prior.

With a £75 million transaction, the Reds shattered their transfer record to acquire Van Dijk, making him the most expensive defender in history at the time. Six great seasons at Anfield have seen Van Dijk repay that investment, with accolades including the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup.

As Liverpool won the European title in 2018–19, Van Dijk was awarded PFA Player of the Year, making history as the third defender to receive this honor in the Premier League era.

With 243 games under his belt, the center defender has been a key player in helping Jurgen Klopp’s club win trophies since his arrival.

Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea (£106.8m)

Enzo Fernandes. Photo/PlanetFootball

In January 2023, Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, shattering the British transfer record.

After joining Benfica from River Plate the previous summer, Fernandez had only played for the Portuguese team for half of the season. However, the West Londoners were convinced to make a large purchase after Fernandez’s successful World Cup campaign with Argentina.

Argentina was crowned world champions in Qatar, and the midfielder, who played in all seven of the South American team’s games, was voted the World Cup’s Best Young Player.

Fernandez’s contract with Benfica had a £106.1 million release clause, which Chelsea exercised. The Lisbon team made an incredible £97.3 million profit in just six months.

Philippe Coutinho – Barcelona (£108m)

The money from Liverpool’s record-breaking transfer of Philippe Coutinho went toward funding the Virgil van Dijk purchase discussed earlier.

The Brazilian midfielder made it clear that he wanted to leave Anfield, and Liverpool agreed to transfer him to Barcelona for a possible £142 million plus add-ons.

After five seasons as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players at Liverpool, Coutinho’s transfer to Barcelona seemed to be a perfect fit for his skill set and personality. With the Catalans, he had a promising beginning and won back-to-back La Liga titles, but he quickly lost favor.

Coutinho won a continental triple while on loan at Bayern Munich, but his career has stagnated since he decided to leave Liverpool.

Currently just thirty-one years old, he is on loan at Al-Duhail in Qatar following a lackluster Premier League comeback at Aston Villa.