January Window Winners and Whiners: PL Splurges £397m, But Who Got the Bargains?

Alright, lads, grab a pint because the January transfer window's just slammed shut, and it's been a right mixed bag. Premier League clubs chucked £397 million at new signings – that's more cash than I'd see in a lifetime – while Serie A trailed in second with £205m. Not exactly fireworks, but plenty of eyebrow-raisers. As reported by Sam Tighe at ESPN Italy, we've got the lowdown on the big confirmed deals, graded like school reports. Let's dive in, chronologically, and see who nailed it and who might be ruing their choices come May.

Kicking off on February 2nd, Crystal Palace stunned us all by snapping up Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolves for a hefty £43m, plus up to £5m in add-ons. Wolves get an A- for cashing in on a lad who's been bang out of form this season – just one league goal and benched more often than my nan's Christmas cake. Palace? A cheeky C+. They're banking on his 14-goal haul from last year resurfacing, but punting that much for a striker low on confidence is like buying a dodgy second-hand motor. Fingers crossed Oliver Glasner's got a magic wand.

Same day, Ademola Lookman finally escaped Atalanta's clutches for €35m (about £30m) plus €5m bonuses to Atlético Madrid. Atalanta bag a B+ – solid return with 18 months left on his deal after his summer strop over 'broken promises'. Lookman's a maverick winger, and Atleti (B grade) are plugging the Antoine Griezmann-shaped hole with another flair merchant. Diego Simeone sharpening his knives already.

Sunderland fans, rejoice: Nilson Angulo's zipped over from Anderlecht for £15.2m. The 22-year-old Ecuador international's a speedy, creative winger who tracks back like a proper grafter. Both clubs get a B – Anderlecht for launching him, Sunderland for a punt on untapped potential without breaking the bank. Black Cats building for the Prem push?

Over in Saudi, Karim Benzema's ditched Al Ittihad (D – ouch) for rivals Al Hilal on an undisclosed fee. At 38, he's not jetting back to Europe but boosting Hilal's title charge against Ronaldo's Al Nassr. Benzema gets a B for Hilal; expect goals galore under Simone Inzaghi. Ronaldo's sulk over squad investment? Timing's impeccable.

MLS to La Liga next: Obed Vargas, the Mexican midfield dynamo, heads from Seattle Sounders to Atlético Madrid undisclosed. Seattle's A- for a club-record fee (beating Yedlin's old mark) on a contract year. Atleti? Pure A – low-risk gem who breaks play, links up, and chips in with goals. Sounders held firm but cashed in smart.

Angel Gomes is loan-bound from Marseille to Wolves, with a bargain €7m buy option. Marseille's C+ after their summer freebie fizzled; Wolves snag a B for zero-risk English talent. But caveats: relegation might scare him off, and he's a slight lad in a league of set-piece bruisers. Gary O'Neil rolling the dice.

Axel Disasi's loaned from Chelsea to West Ham – massive win for the Hammers (A-) grabbing a Prem-proven centre-back for nowt permanent. Chelsea's C+; they wanted him gone after freezing him out, but loan it is. Disasi's buzzing to play again after six months in purgatory.

Backtracking to January 31st, Oleksandr Zinchenko's off from Arsenal to Ajax for a measly €1.5m. Arsenal's C – gutting to offload their 2022 game-changer for peanuts after injuries wrecked him. Ajax? A steal for a possession whizz who'll thrive in the Eredivisie's gentler pace.

Finally, Nottingham Forest swoop for free agent Stefan Ortega from Manchester City on a short deal after their keeper crocked his knee. City C for losing backup cover; Forest A for shrewd depth. Murillo and co. breathing easier.

Overall, a window of gambles and grabs. PL dominated spending, but Saudi and La Liga nicked some gems. Wolves and Atleti look like the shrewdest, while Palace might sweat. What's your take, lads? Pint's on me if you predicted Benzema's desert switch.