The mid-season transfer window usually throws up the odd surprise as clubs try to bolster their squads for the second half of the season.
Here Carl Markham assesses some of the major deals involving Barclays Premier League clubs.
SURE THINGS
Robbie Keane(Tottenham from Liverpool, £15million): Keane's arrival back at Spurs just over six months after leaving sees the player return to a club where he enjoyed probably his best spell. His goals, providing a spell warming the bench at Anfield has not dented his confidence too much, will be vital in getting Spurs out of their current predicament.
Shay Given(Man City from Newcastle, £8million): He may be approaching his 33rd birthday in April but Given is still one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. The Irishman's experience, consistency and occasional brilliance will undoubtedly improve City.
Emile Heskey(Aston Villa from Wigan, £3.5million): Villa over-paid to sign the 31-year-old England international just six months from the end of his contract but the big striker has already made his mark. Heskey suits manager Martin O'Neill's style perfectly and could well be the player who secures Villa's first Champions League appearance.
Andrei Arshavin(Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg, £12million): The longest-running story of the transfer window took even longer than expected and was finally confirmed on the day after the window officially closed. The Russian will add creativity to the Gunners' forward line and fits the Arsene Wenger model perfectly - the only question will be how he adapts to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
Ricardo Quaresma(Chelsea from Inter Milan, loan): The Portugal international has a reputation for being talented but frustratingly inconsistent and has yet to deliver at big clubs having failed to make it at Barcelona and Inter Milan. However, Luiz Felipe Scolari coached the player at international level and should be able to coax the best out of the winger as Chelsea are desperate for some invention up front.
ALL TO PROVE
Jimmy Bullard(Hull from Fulham, £5million): Hull were the club prepared to meet Bullard's wage demands but the deal may end up proving costly for the Premier League newcomers if the midfielder does not perform on the pitch. The 30-year-old has played only 42 matches in the last two-and-a-half seasons after a serious knee injury.
Savio Nsereko(West Ham from Brescia, £9million): Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola has taken a gamble in breaking the club's transfer record to bring in the 19-year-old. Three goals in 22 matches for his former club do not place Savio in the prolific category but Zola will hope he has invested in potential.
Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle from Schalke, free): The Dane has struggled in Germany over the last 18 months, playing just nine minutes of first-team football this season. It is difficult to see how he will make an impact at the struggling club.
Jo(Everton from Man City, loan): Although Everton have secured the Brazilian on a temporary basis, manager David Moyes will have to work hard to get the player up to speed. Jo has scored just three goals in 18 matches since his £19million summer move and was viewed with derision by the majority of City's fans.
Olivier Dacourt(Fulham from Inter Milan, loan): The 34-year-old midfielder's best days are long behind him and he may struggle to cope to with the demands of the Premier League. His signing is hardly likely to excite Fulham fans.
