The January transfer window 2023 was the most exciting of the last 10 years, full of surprises and great signings for top clubs but also surprise choices that left their mark.
My favourites are high-level deals but also with many details that make the difference in picking the best deals for January 2023.
Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea
A fantastic deal because Chelsea have managed to sign the best talent of the World Cup... after a very difficult negotiation.
Benfica president Manuel Rui Costa didn't want to sell Enzo in January, the player put constant pressure after reaching an agreement on personal terms with Chelsea until 30 June 2031 and finally the deal was completed for €121m of which €45m paid immediately and the rest in six different installments.
Chelsea anticipated many clubs that they wanted Enzo for the summer, a top signing made on Deadline Day after 20 hours (!) of uninterrupted negotiations.
Joao Cancelo to Bayern
It was probably the biggest surprise of the January market. Joao Cancelo has had one characteristic for years: he's a fantastic fullback but he suffers on the bench, he literally hates not playing and so he agreed with Manchester City to be released in January.
Pep Guardiola gave the green light because he doesn't want unhappy players in the dressing room, especially in the second part of the season.
In my opinion, Cancelo will do great things because he's a permanent starter at Bayern Munich and his quality is simply excellent. On loan, he is a true masterpiece.
Mykhakylo Mudryk to Chelsea
The biggest January shock, because Mudryk was very close to Arsenal but Chelsea were able to reach an agreement with Shakhtar and the player in 24 hours.
A mission from Chelsea's co-owner secured a €70m plus €30m add-ons deal with the Ukrainian club to get Mudryk's go-ahead within hours, despite the personal terms agreed with Chelsea.
One of the best wingers in the world will be with the Blues thanks to that blitz, in my opinion an excellent signing for a long term project.
Azzedine Ounahi to Olympique Marseille
The smartest signing of January 2023. After an extraordinary World Cup, Ounahi was on the list of Napoli who wanted to sign him for the summer and Leeds United who preferred Weston McKennie as an option in midfield.
Many other clubs waited and OM were able to complete a top signing... for very low figures: €8m plus €2m add-ons and sell-on clause included to Angers, a masterpiece by Pablo Longoria and Javier Ribalta which brought to Marseille Ounahi in very good condition.
I think he will be able to do great things; the debut was already a Ounahi show.
Endrick to Real Madrid
The most underrated signing. Excellent job by Real Madrid because PSG and Chelsea wanted Endrick at all costs but Real managed to get ahead of the competition.
The deal will cost €60m package add-ons included plus €12m in taxes, an important expense for a boy born in 2006 but those who know Endrick well ensure that we will remember this 2023 transfer window because Real have managed to sign another future star.
