As the January transfer window 2025 draws to a close, let’s take a look at the ins and outs of this season’s major moves.
Manchester City were the big spenders this season, forking out £59m on Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, the fourth biggest transfer in the club’s history. The 25-year-old has signed on until June 2029, and promises big things for the Citizens having scored 15 goals in 17 matches for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Alongside Marmoush, City also splashed the cash on Uzbek centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov and Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, both also signed on until 2029. Eighteen months ago, Khusanov was bought by French team RC Lens for just £84,000 from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU Minsk, a far cry from the £33.5m Man City has just bagged him for. The 20-year-old will become the first player from Uzbekistan to sign for a Premier League club. His fellow transfer, Vitor Reis, a 19-year-old from Brazil, was bought for £29.6m from Brazilian club Palmeiras.
To make room for these new transfers, last season’s Premier League winners secured England defender Kyle Walker a loan to AC Milan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, with the option to buy in the summer for £4.2m. Walker initially joined Manchester City in a £45m deal from Tottenham in 2017.
Aston Villa also made headlines during this season’s change of furniture as Colombian forward Jhon Duran moved to Saudi team Al Nassr for £64m, making it the biggest transfer this year. Duran wasn’t the only Villa player on the market for a large price tag, as winger Jaden Philogene moved to Ipswich Town for around £20m. However, it wasn’t all give and no take as the Premier League team secured forward Donyell Malen for just over £20m from Borussia Dortmund, where the Dutchman impressed by scoring 5 goals across 20 matches in the Bundesliga.
Aston Villa also made headlines during this season’s change of furniture as Colombian forward Jhon Duran moved to Saudi team Al Nassr for £64m, making it the biggest transfer this year
As the February 3rd deadline approached, Aston Villa made a last minute play for Marcus Rashford, closing in on a loan on the final weekend of the transfer window. The England forward was attached to rumours of a move to European giants FC Barcelona, reportedly Rashford’s dream team, following a dismal season at Manchester United. Rashford found himself on the bench and out of favour with manager Ruben Amorim, but a move down south could turn the tables on the player’s bleak prospects.
Further significant rearrangements on Amorim’s squad include the addition of Patrick Dorgu for £29m from Serie A team U.S. Lecce. The Red Devils will be hoping the Danish defender can reignite the hopes dashed by Brazilian right-winger Antony, who has been loaned to La Liga’s Real Betis. Originally bought for £81m from Ajax, Antony’s abysmal goal record led the media to describe his transfer to Manchester United as one of the worst ever.
Liverpool and Arsenal took a back seat this transfer window with no major signings, despite rumours that Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins could have been headed to the Gunners. Liverpool and Chelsea took the opportunity to make some outgoing transfers and rearrange some loans, with the latter recalling players Aaron Anselmino, Gabriel Slonina and Trevoh Chalobah from Boca Juniors, Barnsley and Crystal Palace respectively.
In local news, Newcastle United loaned English midfielder Isaac Hayden, who plays for the Jamaican national team, to Portsmouth, as well as loaning Scottish defender Charlie McArthur to Carlisle and Irish defender Alex Murphy to Bolton Wanderers. Miguel Almirón has been sold to MLS club Atlanta United, who he played for before joining Newcastle in 2019. The Paraguayan midfielder posted an emotional farewell message to Newcastle fans on his social media, promising to continue to cheer the Magpies on as a fan.
For a comprehensive list of Premier League transfers this January transfer window, go to: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13280582/transfer-news-january-transfer-window-2025-premier-league-deals-ins-and-outs