At 11pm on Tuesday night the British winter transfer window officially closed, meaning clubs could no longer bring in any more players until June. Football correspondent, Max Chesterton, takes a look at his top five deadline day signings.
English clubs splashed a total of £218.5 million in total during the month, including over £50 million on deadline day alone. Wigan Athletic were the busiest club on deadline day, bringing in eight players as well as selling winger Yanic Wildschut in the process. Premier League’s Southampton spent the most by purchasing Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini for a fee that could rise to £17 million pounds.
Despite 138 transfer dealings taking place on deadline day alone, I have selected my top 5 transfer dealings which could have the biggest impacts at their new clubs.
5. Kamil Grosicki (Stade Rennais to Hull City)
It was a busy transfer window for Hull City, bringing in no fewer than eight players and selling six 
players in the process, including star player Robert Snodgrass. On deadline day alone Hull fans saw their club sign former Sunderland player Alfred N’Diaye and Inter Milan’s Andrea Ranocchia, both on loan, in addition to Kamil Grosicki from Rennes.
The 28 year old Polish international winger was signed for around £7.5 million and can play on either side of the pitch, similar to Robert Snodgrass. Despite the transfer fee being fairly minimal when compared to modern Premier League standards, Hull have got themselves a reliable, determined and an incredibly pacey player for their money.
Grosicki’s performances at international level, particularly during EURO 2016, have demonstrated that Hull’s new signing can mix it with the very best and his experience could come in handy if Hull are to avoid relegation this season.
4. Zach Clough (Bolton Wanderers to Nottingham Forest)
In the final hours of deadline day Nottingham Forest announced the capture of Aston Villa’s Ross 
McCormack on loan and Bolton Wanderers’ Zack Clough for an undisclosed fee. It has been a turbulent month for Nottingham Forest fans, seeing a proposed takeover fail to gain fruition and witnessing the sale of star player Henri Lansbury to Aston Villa.
However, the successful signatures of two quality Championship players in McCormack and Clough could perhaps change Forest’s fortunes. The purchase of centre forward Zach Clough, believed to be for around £2.5 million, was a significant coup for the club, a player who had previously rejected moves to Bristol City and Reading.
Despite being the tender age of twenty one Clough has undoubtedly been Bolton’s star performer for the past two seasons, scoring 9 goals so far in the 2016/17 season and helping his former club push for promotion in League One.
Following the move, Clough took to twitter thanking Bolton fans for their support and posted a message to his new supporters:
“I would like to thank the club, all the staff, fans and all the very good friends I have made at BWFC for everything you have done for me over the past 13 years”.
Can’t wait to get started! Hard work starts now! @NFFC ⚽️🔴 pic.twitter.com/PLJaQTKOJ7
— Zach Clough (@ZachClough) February 1, 2017
3. Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool to Crystal Palace – Loan)
Since taking charge at Crystal Palace Sam Allardyce has perhaps not had the best of starts to his 
new job, picking up only two victories since his appointment. However, the future could perhaps be brighter for Palace fans after the signings of Jeffrey Schlupp, Luka Milivojevic, Patrick van Aanholt and lastly Mamadou Sakho on loan.
Despite being linked with Southampton, Allardyce warned off the advances of other clubs and managed to bring in the 26 year old French international centre back for a loan fee of around £2 million pounds. Sakho had found himself frozen out of the Liverpool side since August by Jurgen Klopp, but still remains a quality defender and many Liverpool fans have recently been calling for his return to the side.
The former PSG defender could prove to be the answer in Sam Allardyce’s quest to shore up a leaky Palace defence and will undoubtedly slot in alongside Scott Dann at the back. With the help of Sakho, I predict that Crystal Palace will have enough quality to avoid the drop at the end of the season.
2. Robbie Brady (Norwich to Burnley)
Following Burnley’s dramatic late victory over Champions Leicester City on Tuesday night, the 
Clarets went on to hit more headlines by shelling out a club record fee of £13 million on Norwich winger Robbie Brady.
The 25 year old versatile left winger had been a long term target of Burnley manager Sean Dyche after he had previously attempted to purchase the Republic of Ireland international in last summer’s transfer window.
Although on paper £13 million may appear a hefty sum for a Championship player, Brady was undoubtedly Norwich City’s star player last season and exhibited that he could score goals as well as defend capably at left back.
If Brady is able to rediscover his rich vein of form from last season, Burnley may have got themselves a real gem and could prove invaluable in Burnley’s fight to avoid the drop to the Championship.
1. Jordan Rhodes (Middlesbrough to Sheffield Wednesday – Loan to Buy )
After a long night of deliberation, Sheffield Wednesday finally announced on Wednesday afternoon 
that they had indeed succeeded in signing Jordan Rhodes on loan for the rest of the season, with a view to a permanent deal in the summer for £10 million pounds.
Renowned Championship Striker Rhodes last year spearheaded Middlesbrough to promotion, yet this year had found himself deemed surplus to requirements after Boro’s signings of Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede.
Twenty six year old Rhodes joins the Owls with an impressive scoring record, picking up 167 goals in 324 club appearances. With Wednesday currently sat 7th in the Championship, just one place outside of the playoff spots, Rhodes could prove pivotal in helping his new club gain promotion to the financial haven of the Premier League.
