The January transfer window is now open, providing teams with their final chance to do deals with other clubs.
Following the summer window, attention is firmly on the mid-season market, with clubs chasing silverware looking to strengthen their bids and their rivals who are lagging behind keen to bridge the gap.
While some big-money moves happened before the start of the season, Premier League spending saw a notable decline compared to previous years.
Until January, the only way clubs were able bring in new talent was by signing free agents. But scouts and sporting directors are now back in the market, with Manchester City making the most moves and spending the most money a week before the window closed.
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The reigning champions, who have had their worst run of form under manager Pep Guardiola since the start of November, added Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £33.5 million, fellow defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £29.6m and forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59m.
With more major deals certain to be on the way, here’s everything you need to know about the January transfer window, including key dates across Europe’s top leagues.
📰 Table Of Contents
When does the January transfer window close?
Although the opening dates vary across leagues, most of Europe’s top leagues close their January transfer windows on the same day.
For clubs in England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, the deadline to finalise deals is Monday, February 3.
Interestingly, the Saudi Pro League, which extended its summer transfer deadline well beyond Europe’s, will close its winter window earlier, on January 30.
“I’m slightly surprised Brighton are willing to let go of him” 🤔
Would Evan Ferguson be a shrewd addition for a Premier League side? pic.twitter.com/oihygWhTnd
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 27, 2025
Turkiye, however, will once again keep its transfer window open longer than most European leagues.
Turkish clubs will have until February 11 to complete their signings, providing an opportunity for teams in other leagues to sell players after their own windows close.
When is transfer deadline day in the January window?
Deadline day is on February 3, when English and Scottish clubs must complete deals by 11pm GMT.
A deal sheet can also be used after 9pm on the day, giving clubs who confirm that a deal is in place additional time to submit the remaining documentation.
As long as the deal sheet is fully completed, clubs can take until 1am to submit the full paperwork. International transfers must still meet the FIFA Transfer Matching System deadline of midnight.
Transfer Season | Part 1: Diego Carlos pic.twitter.com/n3R0EnVCfP
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) January 27, 2025
When did the January transfer window open?
For clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League, the January 2025 transfer window opened on New Year’s Day.
Several other major leagues also kicked off their winter window on January 1, including the Scottish Premiership, France’s Ligue 1, Germany’s Bundesliga and the Saudi Pro League.
However, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A started their winter business a day later, on January 2.
Other leagues had even later opening dates, with Belgium opening up on January 7 and Turkey on January 13.
Kyle Walker lifts the lid on his move to AC Milan and what he wants to achieve in Serie A 🇮🇹pic.twitter.com/vy7udWuJmx
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 27, 2025
Meanwhile, five European countries – Albania, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, and Kosovo – have a window lasting the full month of January, opening on January 1 and closing on January 31.
In the United States, the Major League Soccer transfer window begins on January 31. Unlike Europe, this serves as the league’s primary transfer window, running until April 23, since the MLS season operates during the summer.
Winter Transfer Windows in February and Beyond
In some countries, the winter transfer window stretches well into February, or even later.
Russia operates between January 23 to February 20, while Poland’s runs from January 23 to February 22.
🎶 Our superstar from Portugal! 🇵🇹#Jota2030 | CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/4K5SAfQMPH
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 27, 2025
The Czech Republic closely mirrors Poland, running between January 26 and February 22, with Ukraine operating between January 27 and March 11.
These extended windows allow clubs in those nations additional time to make mid-season changes to their squads.
Can players be signed after the transfer deadline?
Premier League clubs can still announce signings, but those players will not be registered to play until the window re-opens.
Clubs can only add players outside of transfer windows who are free agents and if they have room in their 25-man squad.
This means there is usually little to no movement when the window closes, with four months to wait until the window re-opens.
Players can be released by Premier League clubs at any time, but the usual rule is that they cannot sign for another club outside of the market.
