The best PL January signings of the 21st century including Man United defensive duo and veteran Chelsea forward

The January transfer window is nearly upon us and Premier League clubs will have the opportunity to strengthen their ranks mid-season.

Plenty of English top-flight clubs could do with reinforcements in what is turning out to be an incredibly competitive campaign domestically and in Europe.

For instance, Manchester City need a midfielder to cover for Rodri, Arsenal are still without an out-and-out No. 9, and Manchester United have a new manager on board who may want to revamp his squad.

Admittedly, the January transfer window isn’t usually known for its game-changing signings. After all, the top clubs won’t want to part company with their stars until at least the end of the season.

However, there have been some incredible January signings over the years that have done just that for their respective teams.

TBR Football looks at five January signings that have been a revelation for their respective Premier League teams since the turn of the century.

5 – Gary Cahill (Bolton to Chelsea, 2012)

Gary Cahill joined Chelsea from relegation-battling Bolton Wanderers in 2012 for a mere £7million.

Things weren’t smooth right away as Andre Villas-Boas, the manager who signed him, was sacked less than two months after the defender joined.

However, Cahill shone under Roberto Di Matteo as Chelsea pulled off an unlikely triumph in the Champions League that year.

Cahill won won a total of eight trophies with Chelsea and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions, as well as winning 61 England caps.

4 – Patrice Evra (Monaco to Manchester United, 2006)

One of two brilliant defensive Manchester United signings made in January 2006, Patrice Evra cost the Red Devils just £5.5million.

The French full-back had a shaky start to life at Old Trafford, being hauled off at half-time on his debut, though he later revealed he was unwell and didn’t tell Sir Alex Ferguson.

Evra kicked on and went on to become a first-team fixture at Man United, making over 350 appearances for the club and winning a multitude of trophies at Old Trafford.

He lifted the Champions League, five Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup while playing for the Red Devils.

3 – Luis Suarez (Ajax to Liverpool, 2011)

Liverpool spent around £22.7million to sign Luis Suarez from Ajax, the Uruguayan arriving along with Andy Carroll as Fernando Torres’ replacements.

Though Carroll’s time at Anfield wasn’t particularly fruitful, Suarez was a revelation for the Reds, as he became one of the Premier League’s most lethal strikers.

Suarez registered a staggering 82 goals and 34 assists from 133 appearances for Liverpool, including 31 Premier League goals in the 2013/14 season.

That tally was enough to win him the Premier League Player of the Season award, as well as the Golden Boot and the European Golden Shoe.

2 – Nemanja Vidic (Spartak Moscow to Manchester United, 2006)

Man United saw off competition from rival clubs around Europe to sign Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow in 2006 for £7million.

The Serbia international quickly became a fan favourite due to his no-nonsense demeanour and willingness to put his body on the line.

Vidic helped the Red Devils five Premier League titles and three Champions League finals, lifting the hallowed trophy in 2008.

Not only was Vidic a game-changer for Man United, but he was an absolute bargain. Had he cost £70million, he’d have still been worth it.

1 – Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool, 2018)

At number one on our list is Virgil van Dijk, who joined Liverpool from Southampton back in January 2018.

Jurgen Klopp reinvested much of the Philippe Coutinho money in the Van Dijk signing, the Reds paying the Saints around £75million for his services.

Van Dijk has done so well for Liverpool that this transfer fee now seems a bargain.

He helped transform a previously rickety Reds defence and, within a few years, they would win all the major club trophies available to a Premier League team.

Van Dijk was named the Premier League and UEFA Player of the Year for 2018-19, and his absence was felt when out for much of the 2020-21 campaign.