The January transfer window is now closed, and in this article, we’ll take a look at the most shocking transfers of the winter. Chelsea feature heavily on the list due to their crazy activity, but there are several other surprising moves that went down over the last month.
Top 10 most shocking transfers of January 2023
Matheus Cunha – Atletico Madrid to Wolves
Cunha initially joined Wolves on a loan deal. But after only three appearances, he has signed permanently due to a clause inserted in his contract. The nature of the deal makes it one of the most shocking transfers of the winter.
Keylor Navas – PSG to Nottingham Forest
Having been replaced by Gianluigi Donnarumma as the number one for PSG, the Costa Rican has joined Nottingham Forest as back-up for Dean Henderson, who is currently injured. He has signed on a loan deal until the end of the season, and is one of the most decorated players to ever wear their shirt. Hence, making it one of the most shocking transfers of January.
Anthony Gordon – Everton to Newcastle United
In the summer, Gordon was linked with a £50 million move to Chelsea. But, six months later, he handed in a transfer request and has joined Newcastle United, who are on a steady rise among the big clubs.
Marcel Sabitzer – Bayern Munich to Manchester United
Sabitzer was signed as cover for the injured Christian Eriksen for the latter half of the season. While it wasn’t a shocking transfer by any means, United’s swift move on deadline day made it a surprising one without a doubt.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Free to Al-Nassr
After leaving Manchester United by mutual consent, Al-Nassr were most strongly linked with the five-time Ballon d’Or award winner. However, to see him finally complete the move and exit European football remains a surreal sight to say the least.
Joao Felix – Atletico Madrid to Chelsea
The Atletico Madrid star has been loaned to Chelsea, but was sent off on a straight red in his debut despite impressing. The deal materialised out of nowhere, and will see Felix spend the remainder of the season with Graham Potter’s side.
Jorginho – Chelsea to Arsenal
The Chelsea vice captain joined Arsenal on deadline out of nowhere. He had six months remaining on his contract with Chelsea, and has now signed with the Gunners until June 2024.
Cody Gakpo – PSV Eindhoven to Liverpool
The youngster was always keen on a transfer to Manchester United. But, Liverpool swooped in and completed the transfer out of nowhere. And in doing so, they pulled off one of the most shocking transfers of the January transfer window with very few previous links.
Mykhaylo Mudryk – Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea
It was widely expected that the young winger would end up joining Arsenal in January. And he ended up moving to London, all right. But, it was to the West. And for this reason, Mudryk’s switch to Chelsea is among the most shocking transfers of the winter.
Joao Cancelo – Man City to Bayern Munich
Without a doubt, Cancelo leaving City was the most shocking transfer of the January window. The versatile full-back fell out with Pep Guardiola and has joined the Bundesliga champions on a loan deal with a buy option.
