The 2011 January transfer deadline day frenzy that saw Chelsea sign Fernando Torres for £50 million from Liverpool, who replaced him with Andy Carroll from Newcastle United for £35 million sure seems a long time ago.
January transfer windows these days tend to be much less frenetic affairs, characterized by cautious maneuvering as clubs, if they enter the market at all, do so merely to plug gaps. That’s not to say that January signings can’t be hugely important: Liverpool was transformed by the arrival of Virgil van Dijk in January last year, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made a big difference to Arsenal.