Diego LAINEZ (Real Betis)

Real Betis may have lost their opening two La Liga games of the new year, but they won the battle to secure one of the best early signings of the winter transfer window, with the teenage Mexican winger joining from Club America for a fee believed to be in the region of € 14million.

The 18-yearold was one of the standout stars of his side’s recent Apertura triumph in Mexico, scoring goals in each of the two semi-final legs against Pumas.

“Diego is an exceptional young player and he demonstrates the potential of young Mexican players in any circumstance,” Club America wrote in a statement.

He is seen as one of the country’s brightest young stars and made his senior international debut in September, in a friendly defeat by Uruguay.

Ajax were reported to be the favourites to sign him but Betis sporting director Lorenzo Serra Ferrer flew to Mexico in order to steer the deal in the direction of the Spanish club.

Duvan ZAPATA (Atalanta)

The Colombian, on loan from Sampdoria, enjoyed a goal-fest in December with a hat-trick against former club Udinese and two goals against Juventus.

Ki-Jana HOEVER (Liverpool)

Dutch defender who, at 16 years and 354 days, became the third-youngest player to appear for Liverpool on his debut at Wolves in the FA Cup.

Marcus THURAM (Guingamp)

The son of French World Cup-winner Lilian scored the winning penalty against Paris Saint-Germain in the League Cup, having earlier missed from the spot.

Leonardo BALERDI (Borussia Dortmund)

The defender left Boca Juniors in an

€ 15m move to the Bundesliga leaders following an injury to Manuel Akanji.

Achraf HAKIMI (Borussia Dortmund)

The right-back, on loan from Real Madrid, was voted best young African player at the CAF awards for his performances this autumn.

Pablo SARABIA (Sevilla)

The midfielder has linked brilliantly with striker Wissam Ben Yedder to prompt talk of transfer interest from former club Real Madrid.