[SIZE=6]From Gabriel Paulista to Kevin Kampl: the 10 best January transfers worldwide[/SIZE]
JosĂ© Mourinho may have found Chelseaâs ideal wide player, Manchester United could already have a replacement if David de Gea decides to leave in the future and AndrĂ© SchĂŒrrle can shine again in the Bundesliga
Gabriel Paulista is a typical ArsĂšne Wenger transfer for Arsenal, a promising young defender who has excelled in a technical side. Photograph: Ben
Michael Cox
Tuesday 3 February 2015 09.20 GMT
[SIZE=5]1 Wilfried Bony, Swansea to Manchester City[/SIZE]
Manchester Cityâs lack striking depth was highlighted in December when Manuel Pellegrini was forced to field David Silva and James Milner up front, so ÂŁ28m Bony was a logical addition to provide competition for Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic as Sergio AgĂŒeroâs strike partner.
The Premier Leagueâs top goalscorer in the calendar year of 2014, Bony will play a slightly different role with Manchester City, probably coming towards the ball more to allow AgĂŒero to sprint in behind. While renowned for his strength, Bonyâs link-up play is impressive, which might become more obvious at City.
[SIZE=5]2 Enzo PĂ©rez, Benfica to Valencia[/SIZE]
PĂ©rez established himself in the Argentine national side midway through last summerâs World Cup and it was only a matter of time before he transferred to a major European league. A tough-tackling defensive midfielder who breaks up play and distributes the ball reliably, heâs the player Valencia have lacked since the legendary midfielder David Albelda retired in 2013.
PĂ©rez was outstanding on his debut in a 2-1 victory over the European Champions, Real Madrid, and immediately looks at home in a rejuvenated Valencia side who should be back in the Champions League next season. Even at ÂŁ19.5m, he looks good value.
[SIZE=5]3 Gabriel Paulista, Villarreal to Arsenal[/SIZE]
Arsenal have been short at centre-back this season and this is a typical ArsĂšne Wenger transfer â a move for a promising young defender who has excelled in a technical side.
The ÂŁ11.2m Gabriel is a front-foot defender, someone who commits to challenges and wants to win the ball quickly. Only two other players made more interceptions in La Liga this season â with Wenger citing statistics as a key reason for his purchase â and while Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will continue as Arsenalâs first-choice partnership at the back, Gabriel may establish himself fully next season.
[SIZE=5]4 Seydou Doumbia, CSKA Moscow to Roma[/SIZE]
Having been top goalscorer in three separate countries â Ivory Coast, Switzerland and Russia â Doumbia will finally have the opportunity to text himself in a major European league after Roma paid about ÂŁ11m for his services.
Doumbia fits into Rudi GarcĂaâs plans perfectly â he is a quick, counterattacking player who guarantees goals and has the experience of playing alongside Gervinho for his national side. With those two offering pace from the flanks, Francesco Totti can continue to pull the strings. With six draws in their past eight matches, Roma need a lift â but Doumbia will be at the Africa Cup of Nations for the next week.
[SIZE=5]5 Juan Cuadrado, Fiorentina to Chelsea[/SIZE]
Cuadrado might be JosĂ© Mourinhoâs ideal wide player â he specialises on the counterattack with quick, direct dribbling and has turned into a prolific goalscorer over the past 18 months. Crucially, however, his experience of playing as a wing-back means he boasts tremendous defensive discipline too.
A star of Colombiaâs run to the quarter-finals at last summerâs World Cup, the ÂŁ26m Cuadrado is an improvement on Willian in terms of attacking potential and, unlike AndrĂ© SchĂŒrrle, who prefers the left, Cuadrado is a natural on the right. He could take time to settle in London but Cuadrado looks a fine purchase.
[SIZE=5]6 Kevin Kampl, Red Bull Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund[/SIZE]
Currently sitting bottom of the Bundesliga, JĂŒrgen Kloppâs side desperately need an injection of energy in the centre of the pitch â and Kampl could be the man to provide it. He ran further than any other player during an impressive debut in the goalless draw with Leverkusen at the weekend, which could be vital for a visibly fatigued Dortmund side.
[SIZE=5]7 Matija Nastasic, Manchester City to Schalke[/SIZE]
The Serbian defender enjoyed a wonderful first season in English football, looking remarkably assured alongside Vincent Kompany in the Manchester City defence. Manuel Pellegrini did not take to him, however, in somewhat mysterious circumstances â which means Schalke have pounced with a loan move.
Roberto Di Matteoâs side will enjoy the services of a composed, intelligent and proactive defender whose style fits the Bundesliga nicely. He performed well in the 1-0 win over Hannover and this could easily be turned into a permanent move at the end of the season.
[SIZE=5]8 VĂctor ValdĂ©s, free agent to Manchester United[/SIZE]
With increasing speculation that David de Gea will leave for Real Madrid at some point â perhaps in the summer â Manchester United now have an ideal replacement.
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VĂctor ValdĂ©s would be an ideal replacement for Manchester United if David de Gea does leave. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Valdes is considerably older than De Gea but signing a three-time European Cup winner on a free transfer is a fantastic deal for Manchester United. ValdĂ©s is perfect for Louis van Gaalâs intended system: capable of sweeping behind a high defensive line, entirely comfortable with the ball at his feet and superb in one-on-one situations. He also brings considerable experience to a section of the Manchester United side currently packed with youngsters.
[SIZE=5]9 Manolo Gabbiadini, Sampdoria to Napoli[/SIZE]
Rafael BenĂtez has been keen to strengthen his attacking options, especially withthe surprise summer signing Michu failing to make a significant impact. Gabbiadiani has long been considered among the finest young players and has been in exceptional form for Sampdoria this season, hitting seven goals in 13 games.
A great all-round attacker who can strike for goal from long-range â perhaps comparable to a young Enrico Chiesa â Gabbiadini will offer a more attacking alternative to the trio who play behind Gonzalo HiguaĂn and is likely to be aNapoli fan favourite for years to come.
[SIZE=5]10 AndrĂ© SchĂŒrrle, Chelsea to Wolfsburg[/SIZE]
It never really worked out for SchĂŒrrle in the Premier League but he was sensational in his final season at Leverkusen and should thrive in a dynamic, high-tempo Wolfsburg side that thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1 on Friday night.
Part of SchĂŒrrleâs problem at Chelsea was his positioning. At Leverkusen he depended upon cutting inside from the left flank and shooting powerfully with his right foot but with Eden Hazard commanding the left-wing position at Chelsea, his opportunities there were limited. Back in the Bundesliga, expect him to shine.