Which Premier League Club Has Done The Best Business In January 2014?

3. Fulham

Fulham have been one of the most active teams in the transfer market with no less than 12 deals that saw players move in and out of Craven Cottage. They were by far the heaviest spenders among the clubs involved in the relegation dogfight, splashing £12.4m on Greek striker Kostas Mitroglou (Mitroglou is incorrectly mentioned above as a player moving out).

Fulham decided to move the players on, who manager Rene Muelensteen felt did not have the right character and attitude to be involved in a relegation fight, and as a result, Adel Taarabt, Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov were all allowed to leave on loan. Defenders Aaron Hughes and Philippe Senderos were also allowed to move on.

Fulham strengthened their defense by bringing in former Everton defender Johnny Heitinga on a free transfer, as well as former player Clint Dempsey and Tottenham winger Lewis Holtby on loan. They also secured Manchester United’s highly rated youngsters Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole on loan to provide depth and some youthful energy and fearlessness to the squad. Overall, it was an excellent window for Fulham, who invested wisely and not only brought in fresh players but also have managed to change the attitude in the dressing room.

2. Cardiff City

Cardiff also were very active in the transfer market, and had eleven players going through the doors at Leckwith Road. They loaned out the players who were not adding to the team, and instead brought in players who have improved the squad vastly. Magnus Wolff Eikrem has added some much need quality to Cardiff’s midfield.

The decision to swap troublesome winger Peter Odemwingie for Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones was a smart move as it added some much needed firepower upfront. Jones proved how effective that move might be in the run—in to the season by scoring the winning goal against Norwich on his debut. The signing of Fabio from Manchester United adds to their fullback options, something which has been a problem for the Welsh club.

The most effective piece of business that Cardiff conducted was the deadline day loan deal for Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, who had games hard to come this season by under new manager David Moyes. Cardiff got the inside track thanks to their manager, former Red Devil Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Zaha, like Jones, made an immediate impact by providing the assist for Cardiff’s opening goal against Nowrich.

1. West Ham

Of all the clubs in the bottom of the table, West Ham were perhaps one of the lowest spenders, and yet managed to sign some quality players on loan. They cleared the squad of players they did not need and brought in some great players on loan from Italy.

West Ham strengthened their midfield by signing Antonio Nocerino on loan from AC Milan, in a move that would undoubtedly have surprised a lot of people. They also managed to bring in striker Marco Borriello from Roma in order to bolster their offensive options while deadline day saw them sign left back Pablo Armero on loan from Napoli.

The quality of these additions will undoubtedly galvanize the squad as well as the fans, and if West Ham are able to get things right, they now have enough quality in the side to be able to stave off relegation.

All the played valuations are taken from squawka