Managers and sporting directors will tell you how difficult it is to bring big names through the door during the January transfer window.

Clubs are determined not to lose their best players midway through the season and can often demand hefty fees for their stars.

But that has not stopped top-flight bosses from splashing the cash in recent years as they look to achieve their domestic goals.

Read on as we take a look at 10 of the best Premier League January transfers.

10. Seamus Coleman (Sligo Rovers to Everton)

When it comes to value for money, you will struggle to find many better deals than when Everton signed Seamus Coleman.

The veteran defender joined the Toffees from Sligo Rovers in 2009, with former head coach David Moyes securing a bargain deal worth £60,000.

9. Gary Cahill (Bolton to Chelsea)

Often going under the radar, Gary Cahill enjoyed a glittering career and all of his silverware came during his time at Chelsea.

The Champions League and Premier League winner joined the Blues in 2012, leaving relegation-threatened Bolton for £7million.

8. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal)

Things ended on a sour note for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but for the best part of three years he was one of the Premier League's most dangerous strikers.

Arsenal paid a hefty £56m to Borussia Dortmund for his services and the Gabon international repaid his price tag in full, scoring 92 times in 163 appearances for the Gunners.

7. Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg to Manchester City)

Everybody remembers Sergio Aguero's famous winner to secure the title against QPR but it was Edin Dzeko who scored the equaliser in 2012.

A year earlier, the talented target man arrived at the Etihad from Wolfsburg and no Manchester City fan will have any complaints over the £27m price tag.

6. Philippe Coutinho (Inter Milan to Liverpool)

Liverpool made a nine-figure profit on Philippe Coutinho when they sold him to Barcelona in 2018 having only paid £8.5m five years prior.

The Brazilian midfielder played a key part in helping the Reds push for the title in 2013-14 and will always be remembered fondly for his contributions on Merseyside.

5. Andy Cole (Newcastle to Manchester United)

Manchester United's £7m plus Keith Gillespie offer for Newcastle marksman Andy Cole was too good to turn down in 1995.

The Premier League icon was at his prolific best in red, firing United to five league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League, scoring 121 goals along the way.

4. Bruno Fernandes (Sporting to Manchester United)

Not just anyone is awarded the captain's armband at the Theatre of Dreams but Bruno Fernandes has earned his stripes since joining United from Sporting in 2020.

The £67.6m fee is perhaps more than the Red Devils would have liked to have paid for the Portuguese talisman yet there is no denying that they secured a magnificent midfielder in return.

3. Luis Suarez (Ajax to Liverpool)

Liverpool fans would witness a dramatic deadline day in 2011 when Kenny Dalglish sanctioned a move for both Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Fernando Torres had been sold on the same day but the Reds — unknowingly at the time — had signed a ready-made replacement who would go on to bag 82 goals for the club.

2. Nemanja Vidic (Spartak Moscow to Manchester United)

Nemanja Vidic could not have dreamed of having the impact he did at Manchester United when he moved to Old Trafford in January 2006.

The £7m man formed a daunting centre-back partnership with Rio Ferdinand and would play his part in helping the Red Devils win multiple domestic trophies alongside the Champions League in 2008.

1. Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk retains his reputation for being a colossal defender and Liverpool look far less powerful without him.

The 64-cap Dutch international joined for £75m from Southampton in 2018 and is now draped in silverware following a successful six-year stint at Anfield.