The 2022 January transfer window will go down as one of the busiest and most notable of recent years, with Premier League clubs spending more than £300m during the winter.
Newcastle United were the biggest spenders in Europe following their takeover, while there was also significant business done by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as eye-catching exits from Manchester United and Arsenal.
But what was the very best piece of business done during the winter window? Here, the Sports Mole team reveal their choices and argue the case behind their decisions.
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Barney Corkhill, Editor
There are a few standout candidates for this award; Julian Alvarez looks set to be a great long-term option for Man City, Bruno Guimaraes will improve Newcastle United hugely, Aaron Ramsey and Rangers look readymade for each other right now, and Christian Eriksen's switch to Brentford will go far beyond just the feelgood factor which comes along with seeing him back in the Premier League.
However, I felt when Philippe Coutinho joined Aston Villa that it would take a lot to beat that as the signing of the window, and for me it still stands just above some of the other very good business that has been done.
The Brazilian was unquestionably underwhelming at Barcelona, but he is still the third-most expensive player of all time and so for Villa to pull off his signature is a massive coup - surely the biggest in the club's history.
If Coutinho can get back playing regularly and rediscover the form from his previous spell in the Premier League with Liverpool then Villa fans will quickly forget about a certain Jack Grealish, and the fact that they have the option to make the loan permanent - but are not obligated to - makes it an even better piece of business.
Matt Law, Football Editor
Christian Eriksen to Brentford, by a mile. The story surrounding the attacker's return is obviously brilliant, but it is easy to forget what an excellent footballer he is.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said that his side were bringing "a world-class player" to the club, and he is capable of having a huge impact for the Bees in the final months of the season.
Under normal circumstances, Brentford would not have had the chance to sign a player of his ilk at the age of 29, but it has happened, and it is wonderful to see him back in the Premier League.
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Darren Plant, Senior Reporter
Rather than looking at sentimental reasons or value for money, I'm assessing this based on what was the biggest coup, and for me, that can only be Bruno Guimaraes deciding to sign for Newcastle United.
Such is my opinion of the Brazil international that I feel he would bolster any club in the world, so for Newcastle to get this deal over the line could be huge on multiple levels. First things first, they must remain in the Premier League, but having Guimaraes in the middle of the pitch makes up for missing out on the high-profile creative player that would have made it a dream transfer window for the Magpies.
Guimaraes has many strings to his bow and his overall presence in the Newcastle engine room is exactly what they needed. While he should be given the same time as anyone else to bed into English football, expectations are high, and rightly so.
Oliver Thomas, Reporter
In years to come, we could be saying that Manchester City's acquisition of highly-rated forward Julian Alvarez was the signing of the window, but looking at the here and now, Newcastle United's big-money move for defensive midfielder Bruno Guimaraes seems to be shrewd business.
The Magpies managed to fend off interest from elite clubs across Europe to land the 24-year-old Brazil international, who will provide much-needed protection in front of their leaky backline. The former Lyon man could also prove to be an important creative outlet, dictating play from deep positions and spraying balls to the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin on the flanks.
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A special mention should also go to Brentford's new signing Christian Eriksen – a wonderful story for the Dane returning to the Premier League and to be back on the pitch around seven months after the awful scenes at Euro 2020.
Marvelous Adepoju, Reporter
Dusan Vlahovic. Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United, Juve have been far from their best attacking wise so it was no surprise to see them cough out a hefty sum for the man who recently equalled Ronaldo's record for the most Serie A goals in a calendar.
Although I must admit that €70m is quite a significant amount to spend on someone who only just turned 22 but Vlahovic has undoubtedly shown that he has all the qualities to make that amount look like a bargain in the nearest future.
Olly Allen, Reporter
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I'll go outside of the Premier League for this one and say Aaron Ramsey to Rangers. It's an unbelievable signing for the Scottish Premiership and he could dominate midfields in that league.
Ramsey has had a difficult couple of years at Juventus, but has shown on the international stage with Wales that he can still be a real game-changer. He loves to make runs into the box and that's exactly how Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants his midfielders to play, so it could be a perfect match.
I'm really surprised that a Premier League team didn't make more of an effort to get him on loan.
Joel Lefevre, Reporter
For my money Dusan Vlahovic was the best signing over the transfer window. Juventus had been desperately needing someone with the kind of quality, vision and brains that the Serbian brings.
Being in his early 20s he looks mature and poised well beyond his years and is one of the more complete strikers in the world today. He is physical, has wonderful technique and knows how to bury his chances from close range.
Barney Corkhill
