NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT whips out our crystal ball to dream up some sensational moves in the January transfer window.
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| Neymar joins Manchester United, Grizemann heads to Chelsea and Liverpool land Lewandowski |
January has seen a flurry of big deals in the past, with Luis Suarez joining Liverpool from Ajax in a £22.7million switch in 2011, while Arsenal smashed their club transfer record in 2009 when they landed Andrei Arshavin for £16.9m.
Bringing in a world-class player mid-season presents a number of issues for clubs who are challenging for silverware as well as sides desperate to avoid relegation.
But here at Express Sport, we have gazed into our crystal ball to wish up some stunning January moves.
Chelsea sell Diego Costa and get Antoine Griezmann in return
Antoine Griezmann has been at Atletico Madrid for just over a year, but Chelsea have been tracking him for much of that time.
The Blues have been keeping tabs on Griezmann and have been impressed with the way he's been tearing apart La Liga defences.
The Frenchman was a target for Jose Mourinho, but Chelsea retain their interest despite sacking the Portuguese boss.
Guus Hiddink approves of the 69-year-old and despite staunch resistance from Atletico for much of January, a deal snowball in the final few days of the month.
Chelsea agree to allow Diego Costa return to the Vicente Calderon, having lost his spark at Stamford Bridge. £10m exchanges hands in Atletico's favour as part of the deal.
Griezmann boards a private plane and lands at London Heathrow before being whisked off to a local hospital for a medical. He is then driven to Chelsea's Cobham training complex to complete the formalities of his move, including putting pen to paper on a £200,000-a-week contract.
Blues fans rush to Cobham to catch a glimpse of their star signing, while over in Spain Costa beams a toothy smile after escaping the wrath of Premier League refs by returning to his old club.
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Arsene Wenger has had a tendency to wait until deadline day to secure January deals.
But with their injury problems laid bare, Wenger doesn't hang about in landing Southampton's Victor Wanyama.
The powerhouse midfielder makes a cryptic remark about his future on Twitter as the Gunners work hard behind the scenes and see a £20m bid accepted in the first week of the window.
Cue Arsenal fanfare as supporters rush to the Emirates to welcome their first arrival of the window.
Wanyama does the customary photo opportunity with the assembled media inside the stadium, and is handed the number 22 shirt.
Wenger then hastily arranges a press conference to unveil his signing.
Wayne Rooney falls out with Louis van Gaal
Wayne Rooney and Louis van Gaal clash during a Manchester United training session after defeat to Stoke on Boxing Day. Rooney questions Van Gaal's tactics before ranting and raving at his manager, while his team-mates try to break the warring pair up.Van Gaal subsequently calls Rooney into his office, but the England striker stands his ground and tells the Dutchman the players are unhappy with his methods and says he is to blame for the club's indifferent form.
Still fuming after his meeting, Rooney blasts Van Gaal on his Facebook page. The post unsurprisingly causes a storm in the media leaving Van Gaal publicly embarrassed.
Van Gaal demands an apology from Rooney, but when it is not forthcoming, Van Gaal fines Rooney a month's wages and forces him to train with his reserves.
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| Arsenal are admirers of Victor Wanyama |
Jurgen Klopp and Robert Lewandowski reunited at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp talks throughout January about how he loved working alongside Robert Lewandowski during their time together at Borussia Dortmund.
Lewandowski's agent confirms his client's current club Bayern Munich have been in touch with Real Madrid, but reveals Liverpool have a more tempting proposal.
Lewandowski fuels speculation of a move to Anfield by following the club on Twitter.
After plenty of speculation, Klopp picks up the phone and tells Lewandowski why moving to Anfield would be a dream switch for him. A deal is completed in the final few hours of the window and Klopp breathes a huge sigh of relief.
Liverpool smash their transfer record by paying £58million for Lewandowski. The Pole goes straight into Klopp's matchday squad and is partnered up front with Daniel Sturridge.
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