The race for this season's Champions League title is on and, with the group stages over, the moment of truth will begin in February. There is no margin of error so clubs have decided to bolster their ranks for the second half of the competition.
Barcelona lead the way in the January transfer window. Out of the €301million spent by clubs partaking in the Champions League, €160million are down to the Catalan club's signing of Philippe Coutinho. Ironically, the Brazilian is inelegible to play in the continental compeition. That is not the case with €11million purchase Yerry Mina.
Liverpool are runners-up when it comes to January investment, splashing out €85million to sign Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton. Chelsea, who will face Barcelona in the round of 16, brought in Ross Barkley from Everton at the relatively bargain price of €16.9million.
Not only English clubs have decided to strengthen their squads: Borussia Dortmund (Akanji, 21.5), Bayern Munich (Wagner, 13) or Sevilla (Arana, 11) have all completed one signing to boost their chances in Europe.
Teams renowned for their tendency to fork out in the transfer window, the likes of Real Madrid, Paris-Saint Germain, Manchester United or City, are yet to complete a move in January. Halfway through the transfer period, the Red Devils lead the chase for Alexis Sanchez, while 'Los Blancos' could sign Athletic Bilbao stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Champions League regulations allow clubs to register three news players before February 1.