Premier League transfer window
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Premier League: Ranking every team’s transfer window

Qasim Mujtaba Naqvi·
Premier League
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10. Leicester City

Some may argue that the Foxes have overachieved this season, sitting pretty in 3rd with an 8 point lead over Chelsea in 4th. The sale of Harry Maguire led to Çağlar Söyüncü replacing the world’s most expensive defender at centre-back, but Wes Morgan’s unavailability left another hole – one that was ultimately filled by the arrival of Ryan Bennett from Wolves.

A lot of interest was garnered in James Maddison and Ben Chilwell among others, but Brendan Rodgers made sure he held on to his men. That means all things considered it was a solid transfer window for the 2016 Premier League champions, who’ll now look to qualify for the Champions League for just the second time in their history.

9. Aston Villa

Quick replacements were on the agenda for the former European champions, with Jonathan Kodjia instantly replaced by the Premier League’s first ever Tanzanian player in Mbwana Samatta. For their battle against relegation, the Villains have brought in highly experienced goalkeeper Pepe Reina, as well as Borja Bastón from Swansea as a back-up striker.

Danny Drinkwater has also joined the club, and they look better equipped to fight the drop than when the window began. For all intents and purpose, this marks a successful window for Villa going into the tail end of the season.

8. Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton sit in 15th place, just 2 points from safety – and yet, they don’t come to mind as being threatened by relegation. A massive part of that is coach Graham Potter’s efficient new system, while some shrewd additions have made fans even more confident of survival.

This January, Aaron Mooy’s loan move was made permanent – and Tariq Lamptey came in from Chelsea to strengthen a position in which Martin Montoya hasn’t had the best of form. Like many of their fellow relegation battlers, a huge bonus for Brighton is the fact that they held on to all their most important players. All in all, it looks like they’re well-equipped to beat the drop as well.

7. Liverpool

For a team that sits a record 22 points clear at the top of the pile, Liverpool are 7th on this list simply because every team above them has strengthened their squad. For the Reds, however, there’s very little room for improvement. They’ve dropped points just once season, with a draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. tainting a season that’s been close to perfect otherwise. Rival fans will tell you that officials have had a big part in that perfection, but there’s an element of jealousy to it all.

The Premier League side triggered Takumi Minamino’s release clause before the transfer window had even opened. Other than that, fringe youth players have been sent out on loan, and normal service has continued. Not much to see here, and that’s actually a good thing.

6. Tottenham Hotspur

Where José Mourinho goes, fun media sound bites follow. After interviewing himself at the end of the window, José made it clear he was more satisfied than not with Daniel Levy’s activity in January. Giovani Lo Celso’s loan was made permanent, while Steven Bergwijn came in from PSV Eindhoven to provide some much-needed offensive cover. Gedson Fernandes has also entered the fray in an 18-month loan, hoping to replace the heralded but disgruntled Christian Eriksen, who left for Inter Milan.

However, the season-ending injury to Harry Kane meant Mourinho wasn’t able to get the last piece of his puzzle: a back-up striker. Moves for Odion Ighalo and others didn’t materialise, but Spurs have had an amazing window nonetheless. They look in much better shape to mount a top four challenge than they did before the winter.

5. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Jorge Mendes is well on his way to becoming a Wolves legend – if he hasn’t already done enough to merit the label. The signing of Patrick Cutrone didn’t work out, and he was sent back to Italy very quickly. More importantly, he was replaced almost instantly by Portuguese striker Daniel Podence, while Leonardo Campana also signed on the dotted line.

Ivan Cavaleiro was sold for an unprecedented profit to a lower league, and Luke Matheson was tapped up for the future and instantly loaned back to Rochdale. It concluded a picture-perfect window for Wolves, which sets up Nuno Santos well for a march towards European football.

4. Newcastle United

They say sport is unpredictable. Look no further for proof than Steve Bruce’s Newcastle, who sit 10th in the Premier League after having beaten the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. They sit higher than Arsenal as well, and had a cracker of a window. No significant departures occurred, but Danny Rose came in on loan to cover for Jetro Willems, while Valentino Lazaro and Nabil Bentaleb have also joined Tyneside temporarily.

It covers some bases for the Magpies, adding depth to ensure they can sustain a comfortable mid-table finish. After Rafa Benitez’s departure had made them favourites for relegation, Newcastle have already defied the odds. Moreover, the club almost managed to sign Boubakary Soumare, one of the best young midfielders in the world, but luck wasn’t on their side. It seems a sleeping giant may slowly be waking up.

3. Manchester United

For a fanbase that’s in a constant state of protest against club ownership, Manchester United have had a transfer window better than most in the Premier League. There’s still some way to go before the Red Devils can re-establish themselves at the top, but the acquisition of a truly world-class midfielder in Bruno Fernandes is a huge step in the right direction. The importance of his acquisition is even more pronounced when you realise he was bought for under £50 million in an extremely inflated market. Bruno has over 50 goal contributions over the past two seasons and is tipped by the likes of Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo to do well in England.

https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1222928041539776512

He presses hard, has a fantastic work ethic, and is a natural leader with an eye for goal. As an attacking midfielder, he also provides the creative spark that United have been craving all year. The injury to Marcus Rashford also meant the club were down a striker – and a deadline day move for former Watford striker Odion Ighalo, a lifelong Manchester United fan, provides adequate back-up in that position for the next six months. Former captain Ashley Young was also sold to Inter Milan after a number of years in the team. With his recent subpar form and the emergence of Brandon Williams, United could afford to let the English midfielder go. A successful move for a right-winger would’ve rounded off United’s window, but they’ve brought in desperately-needed reinforcements and rekindled some hope for the second half of the season.

2. West Ham United

West Ham United sit in 18th place at the moment – and yet they’re ranked lower than only one team in the Premier League. That’s because the Hammers have gone and gotten exactly the players they needed – ones possessing more quality than those present and able to seamlessly fit into the manager’s system. Out went goalkeeper Roberto after a disastrous campaign, and in came Darren Randolph, new manager David Moyes’ trusted goalkeeper.

They have also brought Tomáš Souček in on loan from Slavia Prague. The midfielder should help lessen the burden that’s currently on the shoulders of Declan Rice and Mark Noble. Lastly, David Moyes was able to fight off competition from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace for the signature of Championship standout Jarrod Bowen. Moyes can be very pleased with his window, and he’ll be fairly disappointed if he isn’t able to achieve safety with this squad.

1. Sheffield United

Jack Rodwell. Sander Berge. Richairo Zivkovic. Panagiotis Retsos. That sounds like a beneficial window for any decent Premier League’s squad. While Sheffield United’s league position is definitely fitting of that stature, they’re surely overachieving given that they’re a newly promoted side. Despite all that, they play some of the most attractive football in the league, have a very exciting manager at the helm, and have acquired two highly-rated European prospects in Zivkovic and Berge.

Berge in particular is a quality defensive midfielder with a creative eye, who was being tracked by the likes of Inter Milan and Manchester United. Instead, the Blades have completed a club record deal for the youngster. Moreover, they kept hold of all their important players and capped off an amazing window with another permanent deal for Jack Robinson from Nottingham Forest. Sheffield are more than capable of locking down a European place, especially after the moves they’ve made.