Winter Transfer Window 2025 Highlights
The winter transfer window has finally slammed shut and there was plenty of drama across the PL on deadline day. Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive deals, shrewd signings, and eyebrow-raising investments from the 2025 winter transfer window.
Top Ten Most Expensive Winter Window Deals 2025
Honourable Mention – Romain Esse: £14m from Millwall to Crystal Palace
The former Millwall star has already made a splash in the league by scoring on his debut for Crystal Palace against Brentford. This becomes even more impressive when you realise he was only on the pitch for seven minutes! The 19-year-old, who can play on the wing or in attacking midfield, scored six goals in 61 games for Millwall.
10) Emmanuel Agbadou: £16.6m from Stade Reims to Wolves
Having signed for Wolves early in the transfer window, Agbadou has already started and played 90 minutes in four PL matches. Unfortunately, Wolves have conceded seven goals in that time, but Agbadou was a key player in the recent win over Aston Villa – earning his first clean sheet.
9) Jadon Philogene: £20m from Aston Villa to Ipswich Town
Aston Villa will be happy with the fee they received for 22-year-old Philogene in January, with the winger not having the desired impact off the bench this season. However, we must remember how impressive he looked in the Championship for Hull City (12 goals in 32 games) so perhaps Ipswich have one eye on relegation.
8) Donyell Malen: £20m from Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa
Having made it to the knockouts of the CL, Aston Villa have invested heavily in the winter market. Donyell Malen scored 30 goals in 94 games for Borussia Dortmund and will add plenty of power and squad depth to the Villains’ attack.
7) Kevin Danso: £20.9m from RC Lens to Tottenham
With Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero injured, Spurs were in desperate need of centre-back reinforcements. Now, even Radu Dragusin is out for the season with an ACL injury. Kevin Danso could be the aggressive, pacy powerhouse Ange needs to add to his ranks.
6) Stefanos Tzimas: £22m from FC Nuremberg to Brighton
Brighton have been the best talent spotters in Europe when it comes to young starlets in recent years. When they sign a 19-year-old Bundesliga 2 striker with 10 goals in 17 games so far this season, it is wise to take notice.
5) Vitor Reis: £29.6m from Palmeiras to Man City
Vitor Reis is definitely one for the future at Man City – a 19-year-old ball-playing centre-back with just 18 senior league appearances to his name. One would assume that Pep Guardiola will ease him in gently.
4) Patrick Dorgu: £30m from Lecce to Man United
With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia frequent visitors to the treatment room, it made sense for Man United to invest in a left-back this winter. Patrick Dorgu is one of the best emerging talents in the Serie A this season and will have plenty of freedom playing as a wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s system.
3) Abdukodir Khusanov: £33.5m from RC Lens to Man City
Let’s be honest, Khusanov didn’t have the ideal Man City debut, gifting Chelsea a goal with a horrific back pass in the early minutes. But let us remember, the Uzbekistan international is just 20 years old and the PL is a daunting beast to tame. He is definitely one to watch as he grows this season.
2) Nico Gonzalez: £50m from Porto to Man City
Are you noticing a Man City trend here? Perhaps one of the only two signings of the entire PL winter transfer window that you could dub a ‘big-money’ purchase. Gonzalez came through the Barcelona academy but has been thriving for Porto this season, scoring and assisting 13 goals. He can play a number of positions in midfield which will be a huge boost to Man City who continue to struggle without linchpin Rodri.
1) Omar Marmoush: £59m from Eintracht Frankfurt to Man City
25-year-old attacker Omar Marmoush arrives in Manchester with 15 goals and 10 assists to his name in just 17 Bundesliga appearances for Frankfurt in the first half of the season. He already seems to be a key feature in the Pep frontline as the Citizens mount a charge to catch up with Liverpool – albeit an unlikely one.
Five best transfers of the 2025 winter window
The January transfer window was littered with interesting signings, but who pulled off the best deals this winter?
5) Antonin Kinsky to Tottenham
In terms of an instant return on your investment, Antonin Kinsky is already living up to and surpassing the £12.5m price tag Tottenham paid for him. The young shot-stopper has already played for Spurs in three league matches, a 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Liverpool and an FA Cup win over Tamworth – earning three clean sheets in six games. He is easily worth double what Spurs paid for him already.
4) Evan Ferguson on loan to West Ham
Let us not forget that this man was dubbed a £100m striker just a year or two ago. For a team like West Ham to get him on loan for the rest of the year is a shrewd piece of business for all involved.
3) Mathys Tel on loan to Tottenham
Tottenham bid £60m. Bayern Munich said yes. Mathys Tel said no. Manchester United wanted him on loan. Mathys Tel said yes. Bayern said no. Then in the dying embers of deadline day, Tel changed his mind and decided Tottenham were the club for him. Not only a loan but an option to buy for Spurs too. Zero risk and high potential reward for Postecoglou and Co.
2) Marcus Rashford loan to Aston Villa with £40m option
Lots of question marks hanging over this one but if Villa can get Rashford back to his best, that is one incredible piece of business for them!
1) Omar Marmoush to Man City
The biggest transfer fee and arguably the most exciting of the lot – I guess you really do get what you paid for. Omar Marmoush looks like he is made for the PL and made to score goals.
Top three surprises of the 2025 winter window
3) Axel Disasi to Aston Villa – Paying £5m for a player on loan for four or five months – a player who may not even play that often and has far from impressed at Chelsea. Villa are also flying way too close to the PSR sun with their wage bill now.
2) Tottenham hung Postecoglou out to dry – Tottenham had 14 unavailable players at one point in January, and more than 10 simultaneous injuries. It is baffling that Ange Postecoglou had to wait until February for a little outfield help in the transfer window. Spurs fans are definitely not happy with Daniel Levy and Co. as the protests continue.
1) Liverpool and Arsenal didn’t strengthen at all – Liverpool are pushing for the title and the CL, yet resisted the urge to invest a little to help them over the line. Surely the owners have to think about the potential for a huge return on what would be a relatively small investment in comparison. Arsenal, on the other hand, have a gap to close in the title race. A new striker could have gone a long way to closing that gap but again the Gunners sit on their hands. Could that prove to be a costly mistake?
Last Updated: 04.02.2025
