A Record-Breaking Window: Who were the Premier League’s most expensive January arrivals?

In what was another epic January transfer window, fans were treated to a pulsating Deadline Day from across the Premier League.

With England’s elite really breaking the bank this winter as they spent a combined total of over £800million, the first transfer market of 2023 also proved to be a record-breaking flurry.

Shattering the previous January transfer record of £430million that was spent back in 2018, there has no doubt that the majority of Premier League clubs have flexed their financial muscles.

On a list that is topped by two new blockbuster arrivals at Stamford Bridge, we have taken a look at who was the January transfer window’s most expensive signings.

 

Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea

In what will undoubtedly be remembered as the main saga from the 2023 January transfer window, it was Enzo Fernandez’s dramatic Deadline Day move to Chelsea that stole all of the headlines.

While it might have appeared earlier in the window that a record-breaking deal for the Benfica ace was off the table, the Premier League giants mounted a stunning last-gasp charge and finally got their key target on the eleventh hour.

Eventually smashing the British transfer record as they agreed to a £107million deal, Fernandez also put pen to paper on a staggering eight-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Playing a crucial role as Argentina were crowned world champions for a third time out in Qatar over the winter, Fernandez was also crowned the Best Young Player at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In the midst of what has been an astonishing rise to superstardom, the 22-year-old only made the move to Benfica last year for a fee as little as €12million.

Nevertheless, despite making just 29 appearances for the Primeira Liga side, Fernandez has been billed as Europe’s hottest midfield prospect.

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Mykhailo Mudryk – Chelsea

While it might have appeared that Mykhailo Mudryk was inching closer towards a move to Arsenal when the January transfer window reopened, the whole of European football was stunned when Chelsea completed what was a systemic late hijack.

With the former Premier League champions only continuing to splash the cash since the Todd Boehly-led consortium took charge last year, Mudryk is another blockbuster new recruit to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

Eventually having to pay Shakhtar Donetsk a fee that could reach as high as £89million, the Ukrainian ace arrives in England with a huge reputation and quite the price tag to live up to.

Scoring seven strikes in 12 league appearances for Shakhtar before making his heavyweight move to west London on January 15th, Graham Potter will be desperate to see his new attacking superstar hit the ground running.

Following Fernandez in putting pen to paper on an eight-and-a-half-year deal in west London, Mudryk will now be looking to drag Chelsea to a much-needed top-four finish in 2023.

 

Cody Gakpo – Liverpool

While fans around Anfield might have been desperate for Jurgen Klopp to recruit an out-and-out central midfielder during the January transfer window, the Reds were excited to see Cody Gakpo arrive on Merseyside in what was a quickfire deal.

Although the Dutch star might have had a string of admirers at Old Trafford, the English heavyweights were quick to act after Gakpo enjoyed a history-making flurry at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Bagging three World Cup strikes in his five appearances as Holland reached the quarter-finals, the 23-year-old has continued on somewhat of a stellar rise over the past six months.

Scoring nine goals and providing a further 12 assists in 14 league games for Dutch outfit PSV prior to his Premier League switch, it has been reported that Klopp’s side has had to pay in the region of £45million for a budding star who has been tipped as one of Europe’s most promising prospects.

Liverpool’s odds for an essential top-four finish this season are 14/5 with the SBK £10 welcome bonus, Liverpool will be desperate for Gakpo to become an immediate hit.

 

Anthony Gordon – Newcastle

Enjoying what has been a famous campaign at St. James’ Park this season, it is no secret that Newcastle have their sights set on clinching a Champions League spot come May.

Now installed at 8/11 with the Coral £20 welcome offer to claim a remarkable top-four finish this season, the Magpies once again splashed their new-found cash as they welcomed Anthony Gordon to the north east on January 29th.

With Everton enduring a rather public Premier League nightmare as they remain in a real scrap to maintain on their top-flight status, the Blues’ homegrown star has found himself under a huge amount of scrutiny.

With Gordon making it clear that he was willing to force a move away from Goodison Park before the window slammed shut, the 21-year-old was another target for Chelsea in the summer.

However, while Gordon might have bagged just seven Premier League strikes during his young career, Newcastle forked out what is believed to be £40million, rising to £45million with add-ons.

Read More: Who will get into the top 4 this season? Liverpool, Newcastle or Spurs.

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