The January 2026 transfer window has officially closed, marking a pivotal moment for clubs seeking to strengthen their squads for the remainder of the season. While some teams celebrated successful acquisitions, others faced significant setbacks, failing to secure key players or losing important talents unexpectedly.
Winners of the Transfer Window
Manchester City emerged as one of the standout winners this month, executing deals that could significantly enhance their title ambitions. The club secured winger Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth for an initial fee of £62.5 million. Having scored 20 league goals in the past 18 months, Semenyo’s arrival diversifies an attack that had become heavily reliant on Erling Haaland. Since joining, the Ghana international has already netted four goals for his new club.
In response to injuries that sidelined defenders Joško Gvardiol and Rúben Dias, City quickly signed Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace for £20 million. This acquisition represents a strategic move, particularly given Guéhi’s status as a regular starter for England. The transfer was financially balanced by the sale of Oscar Bobb to Fulham for £27 million, despite his potential not having been fully realized at City.
Aston Villa also navigated the transfer market effectively, making calculated moves under the constraints of a UEFA settlement agreement. The club managed to replace Donyell Malen, who transferred to Roma for a potential €27 million, with Tammy Abraham, who joined for €21 million. Abraham’s style aligns well with manager Unai Emery‘s system, and he agreed to a wage cut to facilitate his return to the Premier League.
The urgency of Villa’s transactions was underscored by a spate of injuries in their midfield, prompting the loan acquisition of Douglas Luiz with a €25 million purchase option. Luiz, who previously played over 200 matches for Villa, quickly resumed his role in the squad, having already made his second debut.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, successfully navigated Semenyo’s departure by securing Rayan, a promising Brazilian talent, who has already contributed an assist. The Cherries also added Alex Tóth from Ferencváros for an initial £10.4 million, another strategic move aimed at future-proofing their squad.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made a notable acquisition by signing Dro Fernández from Barcelona for just over €8 million. Though Fernández may not feature prominently this season, the deal demonstrates PSG’s intent to maintain strong relations with Barcelona after securing a highly regarded prospect from their academy.
Atletico Madrid energized their squad by pursuing several transfers, including the sale of Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur for €40 million and Giacomo Raspadori to Atalanta for €25 million. These moves allowed them to reinvest in their attack and midfield, adding Ademola Lookman for €35 million and securing the futures of young talents Obed Vargas and Rodrigo Mendoza.
Losers of the Transfer Window
Liverpool faced significant challenges during the transfer window, culminating in a high-profile signing that will not benefit the team until the summer. The club acquired center-back Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes for £55 million, a deal that could rise to £60 million. With their current defensive issues exacerbated by injuries, Liverpool must continue with a depleted squad until Jacquet joins.
The January transfer period proved uneventful for Chelsea, who struggled to make impactful moves. Their failed attempts to sign Jacquet, compounded by unsuccessful efforts to offload Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, left the club’s fans disappointed. Chelsea ultimately agreed to terminate Sterling’s contract and recalled Aaron Anselmino from his loan at Borussia Dortmund, only for Anselmino to express his dismay at the decision.
Crystal Palace encountered turmoil as they lost captain Marc Guéhi for just £20 million after a season of strong performances. The departure of their best player coincided with manager Oliver Glasner announcing his exit at the end of the season, creating a sense of instability within the club. The situation escalated with star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta expressing his desire to leave, although a serious knee injury prevented a potential move to AC Milan.
Tottenham Hotspur’s efforts to strengthen their struggling squad fell short of expectations. Their key signings included promising full-back Souza for £13 million, and Conor Gallagher for €40 million, but these moves did not adequately address their pressing needs. The club failed to secure a new winger, leaving them vulnerable in a key position during a challenging season.
As the dust settles on the January transfer window, it is evident that while some clubs successfully bolstered their squads, others faced missed opportunities and challenges that could impact their seasons significantly.
