The January transfer window officially slammed shut on Monday (Feb 2nd). From Lucas Paquetá’s emotional homecoming to Manchester City’s £84m double swoop, here are the biggest moves of the winter.
The Biggest Exit: Lucas Paquetá Returns to Brazil
The most talked-about deal of the window saw Lucas Paquetá leave West Ham to rejoin his boyhood club, Flamengo. Despite late interest from Tottenham and Chelsea, the Brazilian midfielder opted for a return to Rio de Janeiro in a deal worth £36.5 million. His departure leaves a significant creative void in Julen Lopetegui’s midfield.
Manchester City: The Big Spenders
Pep Guardiola’s side was the most aggressive in the final days, addressing both attack and defense:
- Antoine Semenyo: Arrived from Bournemouth for a staggering £64 million.
- Marc Guéhi: The Crystal Palace captain finally made his move to the Etihad for a bargain £20 million.
The Bournemouth & Vasco Connection
Bournemouth didn’t waste time reinvesting the Semenyo funds. The Cherries looked to South America, securing Vasco da Gama’s teenage sensation Rayan for £30.3 million. The 19-year-old is seen as one of the most exciting prospects to arrive in the Premier League this year.
Tottenham’s Midfield Power-Up
Spurs fans have reason to be optimistic after Daniel Levy backed Ange Postecoglou with two key additions:
- Conor Gallagher: The England international returns to London from Atlético Madrid in a £34 million deal.
- Souza: A highly-rated young right-back signed from Santos for £13 million.
Liverpool’s Future Planning
Liverpool confirmed the £60 million signing of French wonderkid Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes. However, in a strategic move, the defender will remain in Ligue 1 on loan until June before joining the squad at Anfield for the 2026/27 pre-season.
Transfer Window Summary: Winners & Losers
| Club | Key Signing | Fee | Status |
| Man City | Antoine Semenyo | £64m | Active |
| Tottenham | Conor Gallagher | £34m | Active |
| Bournemouth | Rayan | £30.3m | Active |
| Liverpool | Jérémy Jacquet | £60m | Joins in June |
| Man United | None | – | Quiet Window |
| Arsenal | None | – | Quiet Window |
The Silent Giants: United and Arsenal
Surprisingly, both Manchester United and Arsenal finished the window without a single first-team arrival. While United were linked with late moves for João Gomes, the board opted to trust their current squad for the remainder of the season.
James Horan is a football writer focused on the Premier League transfer market, covering confirmed signings, transfer rumors, and club strategies during the transfer windows.
