Winter transfers you probably didn't expect

After multiple attempts to sell, QPR finally relented to the cut-price bid from Southampton. A good piece of business from the south coast club, who now have a proven striker to deal with the potential departure of Graziano Pellè this summer.

A club record fee sees Stoke acquire the immensely talented French midfielder who simply struggled to fit into the Porto style of play. The 23-year-old’s physique and athleticism should help him fare better in England, but the price tag may be a big burden on his shoulders.

The man who had been with Spurs since the age of 8 was understandably sad to leave his boyhood club, but Newcastle have got themselves a very talented player. If he can match his technical abilities with good decision-making, he’ll make a big splash on Tyneside.

With this fee, Mönchengladbach not only add a talented winger to their squad, but continue their trend of investing in young players. At 23, Hofmann further lowers the average age of the club down to less than 26 years old.

Again, this transfer is more than just a German club bringing in another very skilled attacking p. Much like Leverkusen with Chicharito, Frankfurt will be hoping to increase their global presence and cash in on Fabián’s popularity in his home country of Mexico

The World Cup winner didn’t even make an appearance for the Turkish giants before he got a little homesick. For the price, Stuttgart have gotten themselves a great deal for a vastly experienced player that can play anywhere along the right side of the pitch.

A lot of drama has gone on around the young Russian in recent weeks, but the bottom line is that Gary Neville and Valencia need all the help they can get if they want to make it to the end of the season without another managerial change.

The young Brazilian defender has been a revelation in his home country’s league this season, and for a mid-table side like Granada, he may go straight into the starting line-up.

Fazio has struggled to fit into the Premier League style of play, so some time away may do him good. He clearly still has talent, but the Alderweireld/Vertonghen partnership has just been too fruitful to break up.

Amazingly, “The Pharoah” is still only 23 years old, but he has been through a lot. After Monaco elected to send him home early, Milan immediately loaned him back out to Roma for the rest of the season. I know many of us are rooting for him to re-find his form.

Immobile is another example of someone who has failed to fit into a new environment and style. After a high-profile move to Dortmund didn’t quite work out, his rights were purchased by Sevilla; the Spanish club immediately sent him back to Torino, the club where he made his name.

A very good piece of business for Fiorentina to sign the talented Argentinian striker, and he will surely help fill the gap left by the departed Giuseppe Rossi.

This has to be the strangest transfer of the month. Marseille are having their worst season in 14 years, and have resorted to bringing in a striker who sits on the bench for one of the worst-performing teams in the Premier League.

To be honest, I was surprised to see such a high fee for someone I had never heard of. After reading about the 23-year-old and watching some highlights, though, he appears to be a rock-solid central defender. It seems that Monaco has their replacement for Ricardo Carvalho.

The former Ligue 1 standout could never truly find consistency in England, but he could potentially be a great free pick-up for Lille should he play up to the level of which we all know he’s capable.