'Closed For Business' Part One

With the dust settling on yet another transfer window packed with rumours, tantrums, the threat of strike action and the Chinese simply intent on world domination, Mr. Coxon and I are taking a look at the business that was finalised by each top flight club. What was the quality of incomings? Did a club receive an eyebrow raising fee for one of their players? Did anyone leave themselves short? Is the business concluded? There are still some attractive free transfers to be had. It'll all be digested in four manageable chunks, starting right here with Part One; the clubs currently padding out the table just below the top six. We'll be giving each club a grade for their dealings.

Everton

The Toffees are handily placed in the race for European spots, Ronald Koeman finally getting together some consistency at Goodison Park. After publicly voicing his frustrations at a lack of activity earlier in the window, he's managed to bring in Morgan Schneiderlin from Manchester United for £20m, a proven operator at Premier League level, and bought Ademola Lookman from Charlton for a fee around £7.5m. Lookman strikes me as a very talented young player. He has all the attributes to succeed in the top flight. He's direct, pacy and looks to have an eye for goal, already endearing himself to the Goodison faithful by scoring in the 4-0 demolition of Manchester City. Yannick Bolasie's injury threatened to rock the side, but the emergence of Lookman in the remainder of this campaign may just enable to see Everton cope with his absence a hell of a lot easier.

As for outgoings, Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson joined Sunderland on permanent deals, their poor injury records undoubtedly heavily influencing Koeman's decision to let them leave. Tom Cleverley was loaned to Watford after struggling to nail down a place in the Everton side under the Dutchman, and Oumar Niasse's nightmare spell came to an end after joining Hull. The only one that raised eyebrows slightly for me was allowing Gerard Deulofeu to join AC Milan, the addition of Lookman probably rubber-stamping that deal also. All in all, a very solid window for Everton, clearing out some unwanted squad players, bringing in a proven top flight midfielder and a potential star in the making. 
Grade B+.

Manchester United

This one is a fairly straight forward one to cover, as Jose Mourinho has already stated that United's business will be carried out in the summer transfer window, when it has to be said, most of the big deals tend to happen. We've heard he has irons in the fire, particularly Antoine Griezmann, and it also remains to be seen whether Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney stay at Old Trafford, both having been linked with moves to China recently. As the window in the Far East doesn't close until Feb 28th, there is still more than enough time for players to depart for even more mega bucks. 

Recouping the fee that the club paid for Morgan Schneiderlin was a good deal for all parties, and getting Lyon to fork out £21m for Memphis Depay was nothing short of a miracle. That lad has bundles of talent and ability, but his attitude and desire to play are certainly questions he needs to answer. Hopefully he can do that over in France as he's still a very young player capable of making it to the very top.
Grade C.

Stoke City

Finally one of the longest drawn out sagas in recent transfer history came to the end this window, as Saido Berahino left West Brom for Stoke City for a fee believed to be in the region of £15m. It seemed like Berahino's future was a constant topic for debate throughout every summer and winter window, no side managing to lure him away from The Hawthorns. Questions have been raised about his attitude in the past, which the player most recently has addressed as holding no water whatsoever. He has undoubted ability and if he can replicate his scoring feat of two season ago where he bagged 20 goals, Stoke may just have a player on their hands. The short terms aims will be of course to stay fit and get into the team. Making Lee Grant's loan move from Derby permanent was Stoke's only other piece of business this January. Jacob Haugaard and Ryan Sweeney both departed on loan deals to Wigan and Bristol Rovers respectively.
Grade B.

West Brom

Tony Pulis brought in Jake Livermore and Marc Wilson this January, both solid performers at Premier League level, particularly Livermore. At £10m he can play in multiple positions, starting this season as a Centre Back for Hull. He is predominantly a midfielder who can tackle, sit in front of the back four or play further forward if necessary. He can even fill in at Right Back. At 27 he's coming into his prime as a footballer and I think that this signing has been extremely overlooked. One of the better pieces of Premier League business this January. I do however feel that Pulis would have liked one or two additions, Odion Ighalo being one that they courted for a few weeks earlier this month. 

The most significant departure from the club was Berahino as I've already touched on. It seem a parting of the ways was inevitable, and looks to be the best resolution for everyone concerned, not least of all the supporters. Mark Hughes believes he can get the best out of him, The Baggies banked a sizeable fee, everyone is happy and moves on. Craig Gardner left on loan to rejoin boyhood club Birmingham, while Calum McManaman also left on loan, signing for Sheffield Wednesday.
Grade B (May have been higher had Pulis secured the forward that he was looking for).

West Ham United

Why not leave the best until last eh? Never has a day gone by in January where West Ham weren't trying to buy someone. First it was Defoe, their £6m bid making all on Wearside burst into fits of hysterical laughter. Then it was Hogan, then it was Snodgrass, then Dmitri Payet threatened to blow the club apart from the inside with the news that he wanted out. Then it was back to Snodgrass, then back to Hogan after bids for both players were rejected. West Ham then told Marseilles that Payet was going nowhere. David Gold sent Twitter into overdrive, Slaven Bilic publicly slammed Payet, then presumably privately slammed him. The West Ham squad didn't want him back so Bilic banished him to train with the reserves. Meanwhile they brought in Jose Fonte from Southampton for £8m and finally agreed a deal with Hull for Snodgrass. Pandemonium at The London Stadium. Payet finally left for France after the clubs agreed a £25m fee and ensuring that the player pay back his wages for the month after threatening to go on strike to force a move. The whole thing was played out in public like some sort of circus, the tabloids gorging on any snippet of information they could grasp hold of. The whole scenario descended into a farce, both sides swiping petulantly at one another right up until Payet was officially unveiled at Marseilles. It must have all been too much for Scott Hogan as he joined Aston Villa instead, swapping a play-off challenge for well, West Ham, the simple act of playing for them in the gold fish bowl environment that is the East End these days seems difficult enough. After catching our breath, the club have brought in a 33 year old defender for £8m and Robert Snodgrass for £10m whose contract was running out in five months time. They also brought in youngster Nathan Holland from Everton, as the Payet debacle dominated their transfer window.
Grade D.