Woahhh - we're half-way there!! January transfer window 2012.

So it's the 15th January, we're exactly half-way through the tabloid writer's favourite month of the football season.  Ludicrous prizes have been thrown around, golden oldies have returned to grace the Premier League & the talk of the Middle-Eastern billionaire's cheques exploding continues!

Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres are prime examples of why perhaps January transfer window summaries aren't pencilled out 'till February 1st - January 31st is always a rather 'interesting' day in the world of panic-buys and the odd 'over-the-deadline-arrival'.  Here though is a run-down of what has happened so far - and what could still likely be to come!


As most first halves of the January window goes - there have yet to be too many splashes of cash up and down the country.  Aston Villa, Everton, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion & Wolves the only sides to have parted with some money thus far.  With the exception of the two formers, it seems very much like the League new-boys who are intent on strengthening their squads, Villa and particularly Everton fans will be relieved to even see a name under the 'Transfer in' category after being a little hard done to in the Summer.

It probably wasn't the 'big-money' deal they were gearing up for after the £20m cash-ins on Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the summer - but Alex Mcleish's have finally been able to call over Republic of Ireland u21 left-back Enda Stevens after allowing his previous club Shamrock Rovers keep hold of his services for the first half of the term.  He's a young lad with only the Irish league as experience and with Stephen Warnock in front of him he will fit in as a squad player - but is highly rated and could well be a big part of Villa's future, at £250,000 there wasn't much to lose - one might imagine there being a bit left in the Glaswegian's transfer kitty.





Everton bought in Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson, in what ended their astonishing 29 month draught of 'cash signings'.  David Moyes use (or lack of it!) in the market has always been well publicised, thought with the 'Jack Rodwell to Man Utd' rumour cropping up again and losing Mikel Arteta to Arsenal in the summer, Moyes' hand might have been rather forced this time around.  However, known for a decent array of passing and a fearsome shot, Gibson will add something to Everton's midfield - perhaps that bit of creativity to work with Leon Osman and Belgian Marouane Fellaini.  At £2m though, to Evertonian's discomfort it is hard to imagine Moyes being able to search around much more this window.

Swansea City fans have had much to be excited about of late - and come January their anticipation will keep growing and growing.  With club-record transfer Danny Graham enjoying a relatively successful opening to his Premier League career and also having the experience of Leroy Lita and Luke Moore waiting in the wings, Brendan Rodgers was still intent on seeling the deal on prolific Northern-Irish Cliftonville forward Rory Donnelly - under the grasp of Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool.  After having a £100,000 fee matched, Donnelly eventually joined for an undisclosed price but the purchase of the young lad, who was enjoying his football for Cliftonville with 17 goals already this term, will have them licking their lips with anxiety.  French defender Darnel Situ is their other 'paid-purchase' of the month so far, Situ, also 19 arrives from Lens with only one league appearence in France to his name - but with enough of a reputation for Rodgers to cash £250,000 out on him.

One of the wonder strikes Donnelly treated the Cliftonville fans to earlier this season.

Roy Hodgson's West Brom have too been on United Kingdom raid, heading North of the border in their persuit of Dundee United midfield all-rounder Scott Allan.  After finally beating off the likes of Rangers, Celtic and Newcastle for his £300,000 signature, Hodgson and co will be hoping he turns out as well as Graham Dorrans, a Scottish snippet of a few years back that set the club back £100,000 from Livingston and has propelled them to where they are today.

Wolverhampton Wanderers complete the cash signing bunch with the purchase of Icelandic versatile man Eggert Jónsson of Hearts.  Again, the side have been reluctant to pay big money and have managed to sign up the International defender/full-back/midfielder for £200,000 - real value for money if he lives up to expectations in the West Midlands.  With Roger Johnson being out with a fair few niggles since his Birmingham move Wolves have been short of a bit of cover bar Stearman, veteran Craddock and Berra so this all-action defender may well turn into a key starter or squad player at The Molineux.

Of course in January with prices at an extortionate level clubs in general are far more satisfied making loaned acqusitions. lower-end Premier League clubs enjoy utilising the benched youth of the leading sides but also - quite prominently in this window - it seems a return of the legends is more on the agenda for many.

The incredible moment Henry fired passed
Andy Lonegren last week.

There aren't many other directions to look in other than Thierry Henry's marvelous return to Arsenal, the all time lead scoring Gunner, ex-captain marvel was back not only to inspect his new bronze statue outside of The Emirates, but also to set the place alight with his fairytale second debut.  After coming on in a dour 0-0 FA Cup 3rd round encounter against Leeds, the New York Red Bulls loanee came on and stole the time with a tremendous finish - if the rest of his loan spell brings nothing - Arsenal fans will argue it was more than worth it for that very moment.  As players and manager Wenger has already stated, his presence in the dressing room and training ground will also be key, one of the clubs all-time legends, a hero to the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he will definately enjoy a couple of important months back in North-London.





The return of ex-players residing in the States became something of a trend as first LA Galaxy and U.S.A leading forwaed Landon Donovan returned to Goodison park for another couple of month spell - such a fine footballer will provide so much more attacking options for David Moyes and to be able to pair him with the likes of Roysten Drenthe and a fit and firing Victor Anichebe will cause tremours throughout the league.  Robbie Keane too, has completed a loan deal to the Midlands to Aston Villa, the team-mate of Donovan and David Beckham and ex-Spurs, Wolves and Liverpool man will provide Villa's front-line with that bit of something else - that craft and guile - that the 'powerhouse' approach of Gabby Agbonlahor and Darren Bent perhaps lacks.

Past, present and future at Old Trafford

Paul Scholes, not exactly a January transfer, was the cause of many dramatic headlines and shocks in the first weekend of the new-year.  As, just prior to Manchester United FA Cup 3rd round tie with neighbour City it was announced Scholes would be coming out of retirement to aid Sir Alex Ferguson's 'injury-havoked' squad - with the pairing of Rafael & Giggs in central midfield in United's recent defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle it wasn't a moment too soon!  Scholes dramatic entrance to the Manc derby was almost ruined with a few nervy touches - one that led to City's second - none the less was soon forgotten as 6 days later he started at Old Trafford and broke the deadlock just before half-time with a 'Henry-like' fairytale finish.  Fellow central midfield goalscorer Michael Carrick has since been out to describe Paul Scholes' effect on the players - stating he gave everyone a huge "boost" as soon as he walked in.  One player shown the United exit door for 6 months is Italian forward Federico Macheda - who was signed up by Neil Warnock for QPR a matter of days before he was given the chop.  Since making his successful United debut towards the end of 07/08, 'Kiko' Macheda has not really fulfilled his promise and after a goal-less loan spell in Sampdoria now finds himself in London with Joey Barton & the enigmatic Adel Taraabt as team-mates - bit of persona change for the young lad!

Swansea City will also be more than satisfied with a bit of business that has saw them bring in Icelandic former Reading cult figure Gylfi Sigurdsson th The Liberty Stadium - his delightful displays two years ago prompted enquiries from several Premier League sides, eventually settling for 1899 Hoffenheim.  Despite only starting 13 games he was voted fans' Player of the Season - his accolades thus far have suggested big things for the 22 year old diminutive midfielder, Rodgers will again be delighted to have his services for the remainder of the term.

Gylfi: A real signal of intent from Swansea

Frimpong has settled into the Wolves XI
straight away

The final signing of note (this piece was put together prior to Gary Cahill's £7m move to Stamford Bridge), is Emmanuel Frimpong who will spend the remaining 6 months of the year at The Molineux as a delighted Mick McCarthy managed to secure the servicies of The Emirates youth player.  Having already received some fine praise from new team-mate Stephen Ward: "Because he is from Arsenal, he is excellent on the ball and likes to zip it around", it appears the excellently named Frimpong will fit perfectly into a shield in front of Wolves's back four - whilst being able to elegently pick a pass or pull out a trick at ease.  Another example of the Premier League youth being lent down to the other end of the table to aid a fierce, scrappy relegation battle.