The 10 most eye-catching January transfer window deals - according to Football Manager

The January transfer window is officially open for business as the great and the good of the Premier League prepare to get out their cheque books or flash the cash in a bid to strengthen their squads.

Ok, cheque books aren’t really a thing anymore and clubs don’t really use ‘cash’ to wheel and deal in the transfer market. But no matter how transactions are completed, it seems highly likely the next four weeks will be hectic at clubs around the country and speculation will only increase as the final days of the window approach.

Now, 3AddedMinutes thought it would be fascinating to utilise the services of Football Manager 2023 to see just how the remainder of the January transfer could pan out. To paint a picture of how this virtual Premier League looks as the window ‘slams shut’ on the final day of the month, Manchester City top the table with Liverpool, Newcastle United and errr...Aston Villa in hot pursuit.

Real world leaders Arsenal lie in lowly seventh, Manchester United lie in even lowlier tenth and high-flying Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion both sit in the bottom five and are fighting for their lives alongside the likes of Everton, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.

Mo Salah and Ollie Watkins are the Premier League’s top goalscorers with 11 goals each, Newcastle United’s Nick Pope leads the way in the clean sheet table with 11 shut-outs and Kevin de Bruyne is predictably the league’s assist leader as he provided 14 goals for his Manchester City team-mates.

So, what eye-catching transfer business has been conducted in the virtual world? 3AddedMinutes takes a look at ten deals that have caused a surprise.