A much more risky and often hastily approach is taken by clubs in January. If things are going worse than expected then new recruits are looked at to stem the flow of bad results. On the other hand, if things are looking good then a signing or two is desired in order to push the club on to greatness – whether that be promotion or Premier League European spots.
The likes of Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll are all too familiar with the pressure heaped upon a January transfer window target, but what about those signings that actually succeeded?
Danny Drinkwater – Manchester United to Leicester 2012
One of those players that seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth since moving to Chelsea is Danny Drinkwater who began his career at Manchester United. The midfielder progressed the club’s youth system only to find first-team chances extremely limited.
Following a series of successful loans to Championship clubs, United sold Drinkwater to Leicester for £1m in January 2012.
Positioned at the beating heart of the Leicester side, Drinkwater proved key in the Foxes’ promotion to the top tier and then the title-winning season under Claudio Ranieri when they defied the odds of bookmakers and top online casinos around the world.
Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution to Fulham 2007
Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride had already shown Fulham that the American market was worth looking at. Yet, they were nothing on Clint Dempsey. Signed for just £2m in January 2007, Dempsey became one of Fulham’s greatest imports, scoring 50 goals in 184 appearances.
The physical demands of the Premier League mattered little for the striker. Fulham defied bookmakers and best online casino sites odds on the way to the 2010 Europa League Final which will forever be etched into Fulham history. Dempsy departed in 2012 to join Tottenham for £6m.
Yakubu – Maccabi Haifa to Portsmouth 2003
Portsmouth were set for promotion in 2003, but Harry Redknapp couldn’t resist a deal to bring free-scoring Yakubu to the club.
He scored on debut against Grimsby Town and then netted seven times in 14 appearances, joining Pompey permanently in summer 2003. Yakubu ended up scoring 29 in 65 appearances for Portsmouth before moving to Middlesbrough in 2005.
Nigel Reo-Coker – Wimbledon to West Ham 2004
Wimbledon’s financial plight saw the vultures circle and West Ham took advantage, signing under-21 England international Nigel Reo-Coker at a discount price.
Then Hammers coach Alan Pardew made Reo-Coker captain as the midfielder led his side back to the Premier League and the 2006 FA Cup Final, but left after three years to sign for Aston Villa at £8.5m.
John Stones – Barnsley to Everton 2013
Now an England regular, John Stones began his career at Oakwell, leaving the club on the last day of the transfer window to Everton for £3m.
Stones eased himself into the centre-back position in the Premier League, earning a reputation for being a confident, ball-playing defender. Stones was then sold on to Manchester City for £47.5m in 2016.
