The January window for the 2025-26 Premier League season has been relatively quiet compared to the previous windows. Still, there have been some noteworthy transfers that could turn the fortunes of the clubs in the league midseason. Undoubtedly, most of the deals have happened for the so-called ‘Big Six’ clubs of the Premier League, especially for Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Among them, City became the highest spender among all clubs in the league this window with $115 million. It comprised about 21% of the total spending of the league, which stands at $553.6 million. In contrast, the other three of the ‘Big Six’, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United recorded zero spending on permanent transfers this window.
Here are all the transfers completed by the top six in the winter window 2026:
Chelsea
OUT: Axel Disasi (on loan), Tyrique George (on loan), Aaron Anselmino (on loan), Kendry Páez (on loan), David Datro Fofana (on loan), Raheem Sterling
As always, Chelsea were busy in the transfer window, but with only outgoings in January 2026. The focus was to clear the deadwood and the big name to exit was Raheem Sterling, who spent three and a half unsuccessful years with the Blues. The winger’s high-profile arrival at Manchester City did not yield any results as the England international struggled with form and injuries. Even a short loan spell to city rivals Arsenal failed to reignite his career. The 31-year-old had 18 months remaining on his contract at the time of its termination, leaving him as a free agent. The other departures are loan deals, including Axel Disasi, who moved to West Ham on loan until the end of the season, with no option to buy.
The 27-year-old has had a difficult time at the club, not having played at all this season. There is hope that this loan deal will provide something to help the Blues offload him permanently with a considerable fee this summer. On the other hand, the club has let Tyrique George join Everton temporarily, where he can have the required minutes and continue his development. George has a high ceiling and has the potential to be a future star for the club. The only arrival in this window is of Mamadou Sarr, whose loan spell to Strasbourg was cut short to bring him back to the first team. The move suggests Chelsea wants to add more options to the centre-back position after also missing out on Jeremy Jacquet, whose deal was hijacked by Liverpool.
Manchester United
OUT: Toby Collyer (on loan), Harry Amass (on loan), Ethan Wheatley (on loan)
Understandably, Manchester United’s winter window has been relatively quiet as Michael Carrick is tasked with getting the best out of the present squad until the end of the season without a significant overhaul. Still, there have been some transfers and loan deals in the window, mainly for academy players. Capable of playing anywhere on the left flank, Harry Amass has secured a fresh loan to Norwich City after recently completing his loan move to Sheffield Wednesday. Toby Collyer has joined Hull City on loan, while strikers Ethan Wheatley and Gabriele Biancheri made a temporary switch to Bradford City and Rotherham United, respectively. There have been three permanent departures in the form of Rhys Bennett, who signed for Fleetwood Town, Joe Hugill joining Kilmarnock and Sam Mather moving to Turkey to play for Kayserispor.
Liverpool
IN: Jeremy Jacquet (for next season)
After spending a record $611.2 million in the summer, Liverpool’s winter window was understandably quiet, with no further additions or even departures from the squad. However, the Reds managed to hijack Chelsea’s pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet, changing his heart at the last moment, to secure his signature for the next season. The 20-year-old talent from Ligue 1 side Rennes was in talks with the Blues, but felt his game time would be limited, which opened the door for the Anfield-based club to swoop in after their move for Arne Slot’s former player Lutsharel Geertruida collapsed. Jacquet fulfilled the club’s desire for a centre back, considering the Reds’ over-reliance on an ageing Virgil van Dijk and his partner, Ibrahima Konate, being inconsistent.
Manchester City
IN: Antoine Semenyo, Marc Guehi
OUT: Oscar Bobb, Stefan Ortega, Claudio Echeverri (on loan), Kalvin Phillips (on loan)
The headline maker in the winter transfer window, without a doubt, was Manchester City, who pulled out two high-profile transfer deals to reignite themselves in the Premier League title race. They made Premier League’s in-demand winger, Antoine Semenyo, their record arrival in January, with a whopping $85m spent to purchase him from Bournemouth. The Ghanian became a revelation for the Cherris after contributing to 15 goals in their best Premier League season in history last time and then eclipsing those numbers this season. The 26-year-old strengthened an already stacked attack of City, hoping to be another prized asset for the side.
The other arrival, Marc Guehi, is an important addition to the backline at a time when City’s senior centre-backs are struggling with injuries, which have derailed the club’s chances to win the league this season. Becoming a star with Crystal Palace and also becoming one of the starting defenders of the England national team, Guehi became the Premier League’s most sought-after defender and he has now received an even bigger stage to show his class. The 25-year-old signs a five-year contract with a transfer fee of only $27.4 million, an absolute bargain for the club. Considering Guehi was just moments away from joining title rivals Liverpool on the deadline day last summer, City seemed to have hugely profited.
There have been a few departures from the club, with the most talked about being Oscar Bobb leaving for Fulham. The winger, though given chances and contributing to goals, especially last season, did not quite settle with Pep Guardiola’s side. He lost his place as a starter once the first-choice wingers returned from injury and after the signing of Semenyo, his chances decreased further. Hence, the City academy graduate had to seek pastures new, ultimately choosing Marco Silva’s Fulhaṁ. Second-choice keeper Stefan Ortega also joined Nottingham Forest permanently, while Claudio Echeverri and Kalvin Phillips secured loan deals till the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur
IN: Conor Gallagher, Souza
OUT: Brennan Johnson, Jamie Donley (on loan), Manor Solomon (on loan),
Kota Takai (on loan), Yang Min-hyeok (on loan), Damola Ajayi (on loan), Dane Scarlett (on loan), Alfie Dorrington (on loan), George Abbott (on loan)
Only nine points clear of the relegation zone and plagued with injuries, Tottenham Hotspur needed a mid-season fix. The midfield position was asking for more after Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a hamstring injury, keeping him out until April 2026. The club decided to poach out of favour Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, marking his return to the Premier League. The 25-year-old joined the North London side for a fee of $47 million with a contract reportedly running until 2031. Gallagher is seen as more than a short-term fix for the money the club has spent, as he looks to give energy severely lacking in the middle of the park.
The big departure for the side was of Brennan Johnson as he joined Crystal Palace for a similar fee as Gallagher, making him the Eagles’ club record signing. Despite the Welsh forward making vital contributions for the club, like scoring the winner in the Europa League final last season, Thomas Frank’s side saw the opportunity to profit from the interest shown by Palace. Johnson is the only permanent transfer out of the club, as the rest have been loan deals, including Manor Solomon, who joined Fiorentina and summer signing Kota Takai, venturing to Germany to play for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Arsenal
OUT: Ethan Nwaneri (on loan), Oleksandr Zinchenko
Arsenal failed to secure a move in their late attempt to sign a midfielder upon learning that Mikel Merino would be out long-term with a foot injury, also requiring surgery. Despite Mikel Arteta’s confirmation that the league leaders were ‘actively looking’ out for replacements on deadline day and pursuing Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali with some enquiry even for Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich, nothing materialised. Hence, the Gunners had to contend with only departures. Ethan Nwaneri’s move to Marseille on loan was to allow the exciting youngster to get the required minutes for his development, with Oleksandr Zinchenko leaving the club permanently for Ajax after cutting short the loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
