The 2015 January transfer window is in the books, and while many fans and pundits will note the lack of activity that took place across the Premier League -- and elsewhere, for that matter -- there were a number of signings, both good and bad, that will have a significant impact on the title, top-four and relegation races this season and beyond.
Here is my analysis of the most significant signings that took place across England's top flight during the window, grading the Premier League's 10 biggest January transfers.
Notes: Grades were determined based on team need, player fit and cost value. The list focuses on permanent deals, not loans.
Wilfried Bony
Age: 26 | Pos: Forward | Club move: Swansea to Manchester City | Fee: 28 million pounds
I don't think there's any question that, given playing time, he will score goals for Manchester City -- as would most established Premier League strikers. A great striker of the ball who can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game, Bony has already proved himself at the highest level. However, given City's squad you have to question whether they should have gone for a midfielder or another centre-back rather than Bony, whose pricey signature leaves them no room for maneuvre with regards to other players due to the Financial Fair Play restrictions.
Grade: B-
Juan Cuadrado
26 | Winger | Fiorentina to Chelsea | 23.3 million pounds
An explosive right-sided wide player whose career has risen amazingly after having been converted from full-back to a winger, Cuadrado likes cutting in and finishing from wide positions and has a great shot from distance. Physically very impressive, he needs to improve tactically and in his decision-making in order to make a real impact in the Premier League. Personally I would rather have kept Andre Schurrle, who is a more versatile player and a couple of years younger.
Grade: C+
Gabriel Paulista
24 | Defender | Villareal to Arsenal | 11.2 million pounds
I'm somewhat surprised that Arsene Wenger didn't move for a more experienced centre-back rather than signing this very raw -- though exciting -- defender. Quick, strong, athletic and good in the air, Paulista's all-round capabilities mean he can play in any position across the back, which is probably what influenced Wenger to opt for him. Though he needs polishing tactically, he has the temperament and passion to become a fan favourite at the Emirates.
Grade: B
Andrej Kramaric
23 | Forward | FC Rijeka to Leicester City | 9 million pounds
Leicester should be given some credit for at least trying to find a creative solution to their problems (bottom of the league and struggling to score goals) by signing a player new to the Premier League, but this slightly unorthodox striker, who likes to move a lot to the sides, needs to adapt in record time to help his new club avoid relegation. For that money -- a club record -- it has to be considered a gamble.
Grade: C
Kyle Naughton
26 | Defender | Tottenham Hotspur to Swansea City | 5 million pounds
Though he failed to impress on his debut at the weekend, the still relatively young former Spurs full-back will give Swansea options on either side of defence. With decent playing skills for a full-back and a liking to play short passes, he'll be a good fit for Swansea's possession style of football. Plus, he's a strong tackler who brings plenty of Premier League experience. However, 5 million pounds is a steep price for a club such as Swansea to pay for a full-back, particularly Naughton, who represents a middle-of-the-road acquisition.
Grade: C
Callum McManaman
23 | Winger | Wigan to West Bromich Albion | 4.75 million pounds
The small, pacy winger who was Wigan's top scorer so far this season (five goals) is probably best remembered for his horror tackle a couple of years ago that put Newcastle's Massadio Haidara in the hospital. On a more positive note there was also his man-of-the-match performance in Wigan's FA Cup win just a couple of months later. A busy, aggressive and unpredictable player who can play on either side, he likes taking people on and new manager Tony Pulis -- who enjoys playing with wingers and who also prefers buying from the domestic market -- will appreciate the extra pace he'll bring to WBA's flanks.
Grade: C+
Jordon Mutch
23 | Midfielder | Queens Park Rangers to Crystal Palace | 4.75 million pounds
Having only signed for QPR in the summer after impressing in Cardiff's futile battle against relegation last season, it's a bit of a surprise that Mutch has moved to Palace after just half a year. For whatever reason he failed to settle at Loftus Road where, despite how poor QPR's midfield has been this season, he never managed to establish himself as a regular starter. Palace are hoping that the former England under-21 international can regain last season's form, and that his creativity and attacking runs from central midfield will help them stay in the Premier League.
Grade: C-
Carles Gil
22 | Midfielder | Valencia to Aston Villa | 3.2 million pounds
For me, Gil is probably the best pound-for-pound signing of this transfer window. Villa are screaming out for creativity and a player who can dictate and organise the attacking aspect of their game. Gil gives them exactly that. The intelligent, skillful attacking midfielder has already made a big impact in his two league games to date, and can't be faulted for the lack of goals resulting from the chances he has created. Coming from the same Valencia school as Juan Mata and David Silva, he resembles them in being small in stature, left-footed and creative, and has already brought a renewed sense of optimism to Villa Park. If Villa are to turn their season around, it will be through Gil, who I think will prove indispensible.
Grade: A
Krystian Bielik
17 | Midfielder | Legia Warsaw to Arsenal | 2.4 million pounds
An elegant defensive midfielder who can also play centre-back, Bielik is good on the ball and plays with a maturity that belies his youth. Though unlikely to start any games this season (he played only six times at Legia since his move there in the summer), he's more of a future investment for Arsenal, which beat off competition from half a dozen European clubs to sign the Polish under-17 international.
Grade: B (for the future rather than this season)
Jermain Defoe
32 | Forward | Toronto FC to Sunderland | Swap deal involving Jozy Altidore
Though Defoe's salary is reportedly 3.2 million pounds per year, the financial element of the deal has to be seen in conjunction with Jozy Altidore's move in the opposite direction, which makes the striker's three-and-a-half-year deal a little less outrageous. The penalty-box predator has already started to repay the faith Gus Poyet has shown in signing him with a tap-in at the weekend. They'll hope it's the first of many, but I have my doubts that he is the long-term answer to Sunderland's persistent scoring problems.
Grade: D+