As the winter transfer deadline came to an end, the major leagues breathed a sigh of relief as they can now focus on the second half of the season. English Premier League’s Manchester City was the busiest club, with Pep Guardiola keen on reinforcements to salvage a season that has been abysmal so far based on the club’s standards.
🔥💰 JANUARY 2025 TRANSFER MADNESS! 🚀
The winter window saw RECORD-BREAKING deals! 💸
From blockbuster signings to shocking moves, the cash was FLOWING! 💵 pic.twitter.com/sLWEKzZ2F6
— 365Scores (@365Scores) February 4, 2025
Elsewhere, most teams were satisfied with their squads and those who ventured on getting their targets reported mixed results. PSG secured Kvaratskhelia’s signature, Arsenal tried for Ollie Watkins and were rebuffed, Chelsea inquired about Garnacho but didn’t put in a bid, and Tottenham signed Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern.
After the events of deadline day, we take a look at the 2025 winter transfer window’s top deals, in no particular order.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain ($62.5M)
Kvaratskhelia was an instrumental player for the Napoli side that won the Scudetto a season ago alongside Victor Osimhen. Although he could have been a crucial cog of Antonio Conte’s title challengers this season, the Georgian forward opted for a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vs Le Mans (A)
No G/A Performance 🔝pic.twitter.com/1qKNcHsvZc
— Sam ™️ (@TheAmorimLad) February 4, 2025
His addition to Luis Enrique’s already strong attack adds even more firepower to the Parisians as they look to fight for Ligue 1 and finally end the Champions League hoodoo. Kvaratskhelia is the football pick for the biggest move of the winter window in 2025.
Omar Marmoush – Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City ($72.5M)
Omar Marmoush headlined a busy window for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The Egyptian has been signed to add another layer to the Manchester City attack that has failed to fire the Etihad side to a title charge this season after they won four titles in a row.
An honour to make my @ManCity debut with a big three points 🩵 pic.twitter.com/yddyuTuvYU
— Omar Marmoush (@OmarMarmoush) January 25, 2025
Marmoush’s pace and goal threat are likely to provide a considerable boost to Manchester City’s attacking options, especially after they lost Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window without acquiring a replacement, on top of losing Riyad Mahrez in the previous window.
Marcus Rashford – Manchester United to Aston Villa (Loan with $50M buy option)
Marcus Rashford headed into the January transfer window knowing he needed to find another club because a path to redemption at his boyhood club, Manchester United, seemed impossible.
The English international was keen on a move abroad and attracted interest from various clubs including AC Milan and Napoli. Rashford was reported to have his sights set on Barcelona, but a move would be challenging due to the club’s well-documented financial issues.
Marcus Rashford – Over My Dead Body pic.twitter.com/Nl43ZnGYeH
— 7👤 (@Utddoja) November 11, 2024
Interest from Aston Villa came out of left field with only days left to deadline day. Both clubs moved quickly to get the deal done with Unai Emery keen on Rashford and confident that he can bring out the best in him.
While there is no loan fee being paid, Aston Villa will cover at least 75% of Rashford’s wages and will have a buy option for £40 Million once the loan expires at the end of the season.
Abdukodir Khusanov – RC Lens to Manchester City ($41.5M)
Manchester City were on a spending spree as Abdukodir Khusanov made history as the first Uzbekistan player to sign for a Premier League club.
With Pep Guardiola dealing with several injuries to his center-backs and across the back line in general, the 20-year-old Khusanov was signed as a player ready to make the step-up into Manchester City’s starting 11 and a player for the future, given his young age.
Vitor Reis – Palmeiras to Manchester City ($36.5M)
Another young signing for Manchester City, who possesses the quality to make an immediate impact at the Etihad, 19-year-old Vitor Reis, was signed from Palmeiras as Pep Guardiola led a mini-rebuild during the winter transfer window.
Despite making only 22 appearances for Palmeiras since his senior debut in June, Pep Guardiola and the bosses at the Etihad believe that Reis is ready for the Premier League. He is certainly an exciting talent for the future at the Manchester City backline.
Jhon Duran – Aston Villa to Al Nassr ($79M)
Jhon Duran has been linked with a move from Aston Villa for consecutive windows. In the summer window, his links to a potential move to Chelsea fell through. In this window, there were several links to Premier League teams; however, it was Al Nassr who stole the match from other suitors.
The way Jhon Duran took the defenders with him which left Cristiano unmarked 👏 pic.twitter.com/gH5iLQsvIK
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) February 5, 2025
The move to the Saudi Pro League side had its obvious allures, including playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. From the club’s perspective, this move could elevate Al Nassr’s performances in the Saudi Pro League and form the basis for attracting even more global attention to the league.
Mathys Tel – Bayern Munich to Tottenham Hotspur (Loan)
Ange Postecoglou stole a match on several of England’s top six to sign the precocious talent – Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan.
With a plethora of clubs interested in Tel, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea, it is Tottenham who won the race to sign the youngster as Postecoglou looks to reboot his side’s flailing Premier League charge and a bid to win a trophy this season.
Honorable Mentions
Chelsea offloaded a few players, including Ben Chilwel (to Crystal Palace on loan), Axel Disasi (to Aston Villa on loan), and João Félix (to AC Milan on loan). Manchester United completed the signing of Patrik Dorgu from Lecce for around $31m.
These deals show that the transfer window was as busy as ever. However, although Manchester City splashed the cash, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea pulled their punches. It is time for the sides to settle down for the second half of the season as it barrels toward the business end.
