To continue our four-part transfer window roundup we take a look at the fortunes of some mid-table clubs with ambition for Europe and relegation threatened sides who are desperate to avoid the drop.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
In: Henri Saivet (Bordeaux) Undisclosed
Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea City) £12m
Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur) £12m
Seydou Doumbia (Roma) Loan
Out: Lubo Satka (York) Loan
Mike Williamson (Wolves) Undisclosed
Shane Ferguson (Millwall) Undisclosed
Gael Bigirimana (Coventry) Loan
Kyle Cameron (York) Loan
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley promised to spend this season, and so he has with two of the most expensive signings this transfer window in Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend. Unfortunately, they failed to miss out on Saido Berahino after putting in a whopping £21m bid that West Brom surprisingly rejected. So often lacklustre thus far, manager Steve McLaren will need to draw on all his experience to save the Geordies from the drop.
Grade: B
NORWICH CITY
In: Matt Jarvis (West Ham United) Undisclosed
Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb) Undisclosed
Ben Godfrey (York City) Undisclosed
Timm Klose (Wolfsburg) Undisclosed
Steven Naismith (Everton) Undisclosed
Harry Toffolo (Peterborough United) Loan
Patrick Bamford (Chelsea) Loan
Out: Elliott Bennett (Blackburn Rovers) Undisclosed
Lewis Grabban (AFC Bournemouth) Undisclosed
Gary Hooper (Sheffield Wednesday) Undisclosed
Ebou Adams (Dartford) Undisclosed
The Canaries have been underwhelming since gaining promotion last year from the Championship. Manager Alex Neil has been very active this transfer window with seven signings knowing that the squad needed numerous additions to provide competition for places. Norwich have signed youth and experience in strikers Steven Naismith and Patrick Bamford, while the arrival of Timm Klose provides a much needed presence at centre-half. Expect the Canaries to stave off relegation and survive, but only just.
Grade: B +
SOUTHAMPTON
In: Charlie Austin (QPR) £4m
Out: Steven Caulker (Queens Park Rangers) Loan cancelled
Sam McQueen (Southend United) Loan
Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough) Loan
Ronald Koeman’s high-flying Southampton has performed yet another miracle this season, once again reinventing his squad after raids from many of the bigger clubs in the division. Koeman’s acquisition of Charlie Austin from QPR for a pittance provided a sweet victory over old foe Louis van Gaal away at Old Trafford last week, where despite having lost Morgan Schneiderlin to United, the Saints banished the Red Devils to an ignominious defeat. Southampton have otherwise been relatively quiet but expect a comfortable mid-table placing in May.
Grade: B
STOKE CITY
In: Giannelli Imbula (Porto) £18.3m
Out: Eddy Lecygne (Doncaster Rovers) Loan
Steve Sidwell (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Stoke City have sensationally moved for Giannelli Imbula for £18.3m in the biggest signing for any European club in the January window. The French defensive midfielder is highly-rated and comes from Portuguese giants Porto. Stoke have been another club that has improved upon their league standing this season, bringing in a host of fresh and experienced faces in the summer. Prized recruits Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovi have led the way as the Potters continue to build a strong club. The club is now comfortably mid-table and transformed from a Tony Pulis club to a continental style team where it’s a case of substance and style. Expect Europa League.
Grade: B +
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SUNDERLAND
In: Jan Kirchhoff (Bayern Munich) Undisclosed
Dame N’Doye (Trabzonspor) Loan
Steve Harper (Unattached) Free
Lamine Kone (Lorient) £5m
Out: Liam Bridcutt (Leeds United) Loan
Will Buckley (Birmingham City) Loan
Christian Mavrias (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Costel Pantilimon (Watford) Undisclosed
Danny Graham (Blackburn Rovers) Loan
Sebastian Coates (Sporting) Loan
Since the departure of Dick Advocaat in October, Sunderland under Sam Allardyce has improved somewhat, however their form remains patchy. When Advocaat resigned, he bemoaned the lack of transfer funds needed to replenish the squad. Allardyce has had more freedom, bringing in four fresh faces, but six players, including some senior players such as Coates and Pantilimon have left the club on loan and permanently respectively. If the moves don’t work, you get the feeling it could be down and out of the Premier League for the Black Cats.
Grade: B –
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