The best January FPL signings so far

With the January transfer window entering its final days, let’s pick out some of the more exciting FPL signings.

It’s been a busy month of Premier League transfers that once again dwarfs the total spend of all other European leagues. Most of this is because of Chelsea.

Yet it’s not just them splashing the cash. For a full list of completed first-team deals, check out Fantasy Football Scout, alongside the reports on Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Cody Gakpo.

Also, right here, we keep a running record of the latest gossip and transfer rumours.

After ruling out some rotation risks and defensive names, here are some of the best FPL signings.

MYKHAILO MUDRYK (£7.0m)

After several not-so-subtle social media posts about his desire to join Arsenal, in came Chelsea with an eye-watering £88m bid to gazump the Gunners. The talented 22-year-old winger succumbed to Shakhtar’s wishes and instead signed for the Blues.

With Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic injured, Mudryk was given 35 minutes at Anfield and impressed many. Such a huge fee likely ensures a spot in Graham Potter’s starting XI and FPL has assigned a generous £7.0 price tag.

Although Chelsea are desperately struggling for goals, their upcoming fixtures could tempt managers into pursuing this huge differential.

BENOIT BADIASHILE (£5.0m)

Sticking with the west Londoners, 6’4″ centre-back Badiashile arrives from Monaco with plenty of appearances for his age. Fast and comfortable with the ball, he has Champions League experience and two France caps.

Furthermore, he has played all 90 minutes of the last two league games ahead of summer signing Kalidou Koulibaly. For managers going without goalkeeper Kepa, cheap Badiashile might be the next best way to cover their defence.

WOUT WEGHORST (£6.0m)

As mentioned in the Scout Report, two words could frighten almost any FPL manager: Wout Weghorst. His half-season at Burnley included a freakishly high number of Double Gameweeks, most of which ended in disappointment.

Two goals arrived from 20 matches but, in truth, it’s the only bad stain on his career. Even the first half of this campaign at Besiktas has a productive rate of nine in 18.

It has persuaded Erik ten Hag to loan Weghorst to cover injury-prone Anthony Martial and he’s on three successive starts. With Double Gameweek 22 imminent, could managers try to conquer the ghosts of last season by once again putting faith in Weghorst? He did net in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final, after all.

CODY GAKPO (£7.9m)

Also straight into the line-up due to injuries is Gakpo. There has already been time for a price drop but, whilst Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota remain hurt, the young Dutchman has time to establish himself as Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice left-sided attacker.

Not only were three goals scored in Qatar, Gakpo registered a superb nine goals and 12 assists from just 14 PSV league games this season. Before the World Cup break, he ranked top of the Eredivisie in both categories, as well as shots attempted and chances created.

For those that still want Liverpool coverage but see Mohamed Salah as too expensive and Darwin Nunez as too unreliable, Gakpo could be the answer.

DANGO OUATTARA (£5.0m)

Bournemouth’s £20m signing from Lorient only landed last Thursday but was thrown into Saturday’s line-up to face Nottingham Forest. He instantly looked brilliant, assisting the opening goal and generally terrorising the Forest defence.

*Characteristics according to WhoScored*

A left-footed dribbler on the right side of attack, Ouattara has been a star of Lorent’s lofty 2022/23 start. Six goals, six assists and up in third place after the first dozen matches.

With Miguel Almiron on the chopping block for many, the Burkina Faso international is an intriguing cheap differential at just £5.0m. What may hold him back from being one of the best FPL signings is his team, their form and a poor run of upcoming fixtures.

DANNY INGS (£6.4m)

A proven Premier League scorer having a seemingly invisible campaign at Aston Villa, Ings still netted six times in just 755 minutes. He’s never been on this season’s FPL radar but joins a West Ham side fighting for survival.