Premier League flop Alvaro Morata can rejuvenate his career at Atletico Madrid

We take a look at a pick of the deals carried out in the transfer window from January 22 to January 29.

Alvaro Morata

Chelsea to Atletico Madrid, loan

Alvaro Morata's Chelsea tenure has been on the decline since Maurizio Sarri's arrival, with 11 of his 16 Premier League goals coming before the Italian arrived at the club.

His move to boyhood side Atletico on an 18-month loan deal came as part of a three-way transfer carousel involving Gonzalo Higuain's move to Stamford Bridge and Milan replacing the Argentinian with Krzysztof Piatek.

It looks to be the perfect move for his career. He often struggled to occupy the sole target-man role at Chelsea and at Atletico he will likely be deployed as part of a front two, in which he impressed at Juventus and Real Madrid.

The Spaniard's diminutive figure and pace up top will be better suited to La Liga than the more physical Premier League and if anyone can rejuvenate a struggling forward it is the master of man management Diego Simeone.

Gonzalo Higuain

Juventus to Chelsea, loan

Gonzalo Higuain is among the most divisive figures in modern football but could win over his doubters in his spell at Stamford Bridge.

A total 237 goals in 413 league matches throughout his career outline the Argentinian as a proven goalscorer, who has the strength and imposing figure to hold up the ball and bring Chelsea's array of widemen into the game.

Read: 'Gonzalo Higuain: Can the veteran striker make an impact in the Premier League?'

John Obi Mikel

Free agent to Middlesbrough

It has become more common to see old Premier League faces making the move to China from England than the other way around and Middlesbrough's deal for former Tianjin player John Obi Mikel is an uninspiring move.

The midfielder has made just 31 appearances since 2016 and, with Boro boasting the best Championship defence with 20 goals conceded this term, defensive midfield was one of the last positions they needed to attend to.

More January signings

Transfer Tracker: week one

Transfer Tracker: week two

Transfer Tracker: week three

Mario Balotelli

Nice to Marseille, free

Balotelli capped off a solid debut for Marseille with a 96th-minute consolation goal and could be a shrew addition for a side on the fringes of a European spot in Ligue 1.

The Italian failed to net in the league for Nice this season but only mustered ten appearances and could get a more settled run of matches at the Stade Velodrome.

He boasted 33 goals in 61 Ligue 1 appearances across the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons and could perform with better creative outlets such as Florian Thauvin and Dimitri Payet around him.

Frenkie de Jong

Ajax to Barcelona, £65 million (to be completed in summer window)

Frenkie de Jong is the latest on a conveyor belt of Ajax starlets to make the move abroad and his technical ability, vision and strength on the ball have earned plaudits from all corners of the football community.

The 21-year-old operated on the left side of a three-man midfield at Ajax - a position he could slot into comfortably at Barcelona.

He has the passing range and composure typical of any other La Masia youth product but adds to it physical strength and a desire to track back and dig deep.

Chris Mepham

Brentford to Bournemouth, undisclosed

Everything about Chris Mepham renders him a suitable Bournemouth signing.

Reluctant to dip into the overseas market, Eddie Howe is an advocate of young, English talent and the 21-year-old from Hammersmith could impress on the south coast.

Formerly of Chelsea's academy, the centre-back has four caps for the Welsh national side and started 22 league matches for Brentford this season.

With the experienced stalwarts of Steve Cook and Simon Francis around him, he can adapt to the Premier League's pace with occasional appearances this term before solidifying a first-team spot.

Bakary Sako

West Brom to Crystal Palace, free

Bakary Sako has struggled to nail down a starting place at any club since leaving Wolves in 2015 and is unlikely to be a regular starter during his second spell at Selhurst Park.

There's no chance of him dislodging the in-form Andros Townsend or dependable Jeffrey Schlupp from the flanks and even veteran Jason Puncheon is likely to be higher up the pecking order than Sako, who can expect to be warming the bench most weeks.

Krzysztof Piatek

Genoa to Milan, undisclosed

Prolific Piatek got 20 minutes of football in a Milan shirt against Napoli on Saturday and, although he could not break the deadlock, the San Siro switch could be the perfect next step in the Pole's career.

Plying his trade for Cracovia in the Ekstraklasa this time last year, Piatek has tormented Serie A defences with 13 league goals this season and, although Milan represent progression, he will be playing in a division he is familiar with.

The 23-year-old has many years ahead of him and can consolidate his good form under the stewardship of a proven winner in Gennaro Gattuso.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport