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22nd Jan 2016

10 of the worst ever signings in the January transfer window

Paul Moore

Did they keep the receipt?

As is the norm, there hasn’t been too much activity during the January transfer window so far but we fully expect things to pick up in the coming few weeks.

No Premier League manager will say that they’re 100% happy with their squad which is why nearly every team will be linked with a few players as Jim White deadline day approaches.

This being said, sometimes it’s best to keep the chequebook closed. Take a look.

Juan Cuadrado

The details: Fiorentina to Chelsea for £23.3m.

The logic: Mourinho probably only bought him because he heard that Liverpool were also linked with the Colombian. Rarely has a player done less to gain a Premier League winner’s medal but he’ll always have the memories of World Cup 2014 though.

Colombia v Uruguay: Round of 16 - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

Chris Samba

The details: Anzhi to QPR for £12.5m

The logic: ‘Arry Redknapp was looking for a tough, robust and strong centre-back that would lead his men in during a dogged relegation battle. Samba got paid. That’s all.

Samba 400

Alfonso Alves

The detailsHeerenveen to Middlesbrough for £12.7m

The logic: Yakubu had left the Riverside and the Brazilian’s goal scoring record in the Eredivisie was superb. Let’s be kind to Alves and say that his form didn’t exactly make him the most beloved Brazilian that’s ever played on Teeside.

Middlesbrough v Manchester City - Premier League

Kostas Mitroglou

The details: Olympiakos to Fulham for £11m

The logic: 23 goals in 26 appearances for club and country that season. Magath. Fallout. Relegation. Loan. Bye.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - MAY 03: (L-R) Steve Sidwell, Konstantinos Mitroglou and Darren Bent of Fulham react as their side concedes a third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Fulham at the Britannia Stadium on May 3, 2014 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Fernadno Morientes

The details: Real Madrid to Liverpool for £6.3million

The logic: His goals fired Monaco to the ’03-’04 Champions League final – he was top scorer with 9 as Real Madrid/Chelsea fans will remember – as the Spanish striker rediscovered his best form after a frustrating spell on the sidelines atthe Bernabeu.

Still though, only 8 league goals in 41 matches during his stay at Anfield. Poor.

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 08: Fernando Morientes of Liverpool looks dejectedly at the turf during the last 16 2nd leg UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool and Benfica at Anfield on March 8, 2006 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Savio Nserko

The details: Brescia to West Ham for  £9m.

The logic: Everyone loved Gianfranco Zola during his tenure at Upton Park – he’s such a nice bloke that he even brought tea to the journalists that were waiting outside of his house to talk to him after being sacked – but this is still one of the most WTF signings from a club that love their WTF transfers.

FYI, he has only scored one goal since leaving the Hammers.

LONDON - FEBRUARY 08: Savio Nsereko of West Ham United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at Upton Park on February 8, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Jean-Alain Boumsong

The details: Rangers to Newcastle for £8m

The logic: Proof that being capped at international level really isn’t all that it’s cracked up to me.

Bramble & Bousmong > Ferdinand & Vidic.

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18 : Graeme Souness and Jean Alain Boumsong of Newcastle applaud the crowd during the Barclays Premiership match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United on September 18, 2005 at Ewood Park in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Wilfred Zaha

The details: Crystal Palace to Man Utd for £10m, potentially rising to £15m

The logic: Fergie’s last signing at Old Trafford was skillful, quick and pacy. His Man Utd career certainly ended quickly.

The Community Shield really was a false dawn.

Manchester United v Real Madris

Fernando Torres

The details: Liverpool to Chelsea for £50m

The logic: Remember when he was arguably the world’s best striker? It’s somewhat strange that his rotten spell at Chelsea coincided with the most successful period of his career.

It’s far too easy to slate him, let’s just reminisce.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzG5dWIMckI

Clip via – Cuong MV

Andy Carroll

The details: Newcastle to Liverpool for £35m.

The logic: None, none whatsoever.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Andy Carroll of Liverpool reacts to a missed chance during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on May 1, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)