Transfer News: Latest January 2026 Window Rumors & Done Deals

The current football transfer news for the January 2026 window is headlined by Manchester City’s €72 million (£62.5m) signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, the most expensive deal of the winter so far. In other major moves, Conor Gallagher has completed a €40 million return to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, while Brennan Johnson has moved from Spurs to Crystal Palace in a matching €40 million club-record deal. The window remains active across Europe’s top five leagues, with the deadline set for Monday, February 2, 2026, at 19:00 GMT, as clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal continue to negotiate for defensive and midfield reinforcements.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 winter market. You will find real-time updates on high-profile departures, tactical analysis of why major clubs are spending big this January, and a full breakdown of the most expensive transfers. We also explore the rising influence of the Saudi Pro League’s winter activity and the practical details for following “Deadline Day” across various global time zones.

Premier League Done Deals 2026

The English top flight has once again led the world in winter spending, with several “Big Six” clubs making decisive moves to bolster their squads for the title race and European qualification.

Manchester City’s Blockbuster Signing

Pep Guardiola secured Antoine Semenyo for €72 million to address attacking depth following minor injury concerns in the forward line. The Ghanaian international joined from Bournemouth on January 9, 2026, choosing the Etihad over reported interest from Manchester United.

North London Reshuffle

Tottenham Hotspur acted quickly to replace the injured Rodrigo Bentancur by signing Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for €40 million. To balance the squad, they sanctioned the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for a fee of €40 million, a move that provides Oliver Glasner with a marquee attacking option.

Rumors and Emerging Targets

As the February 2 deadline approaches, several high-profile sagas are reaching their boiling point, with Premier League captains and international stars at the center of multi-million pound negotiations.

Marc Guehi to Manchester City

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is in the “final stages” of a move to Manchester City for a fee estimated between £20m and £40m. Despite interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, the England defender is expected to join City to alleviate a defensive crisis following injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Manchester United Midfield Search

Manchester United are actively scouting reinforcements, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Murillo at the top of their shortlist. The club has also reportedly rejected several inquiries for veteran defender Harry Maguire, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

European and Global Market Trends

While the Premier League remains the highest spender, other European leagues and the Saudi Pro League are facilitating significant player movement through strategic loans and veteran transfers.

Serie A and La Liga Activity

In Italy, AS Roma secured the signature of Donyell Malen on loan from Aston Villa with a £21.6m obligation to buy. Meanwhile, in Spain, Atletico Madrid has been active in offloading players to the Premier League, while looking at Giacomo Raspadori from Atalanta as a potential attacking replacement.

Saudi Pro League Winter Moves

The Saudi Pro League continues its recruitment of established European talent, with Al-Hilal signing Pablo Mari and Sultan Mandash in early January. Veteran stars like Bernardo Silva are also being linked with potential moves to the Middle East as their contracts enter the final months.

Most Expensive Transfers: January 2026

The 2026 winter window has seen a surprisingly high volume of permanent deals rather than the usual loan-heavy market associated with January.

Practical Information and Planning

Following transfer news requires monitoring official club announcements and verified journalists to avoid the “noise” of the rumor mill. Deadline Day is particularly chaotic and requires a strategic approach to stay informed.

Window Closing Dates and Times

The 2026 winter transfer window for the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga closes on Monday, February 2, 2026. Most leagues have a 23:00 local time cut-off, but the Premier League officially closes at 19:00 GMT.

How to Follow Live

• Official Portals: Check the Premier League “Transfer Centre” for every confirmed In/Out.
• Social Media: Follow verified accounts like Fabrizio Romano or David Ornstein for “Here We Go” confirmations.
• Live Blogs: Platforms like Sky Sports and The Guardian provide minute-by-minute updates on February 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the January 2026 transfer window close? 

The window closes on February 2, 2026. For the Premier League, the official deadline is 19:00 GMT, while many European leagues close at midnight.

Who is the most expensive player in the 2026 winter window? 

Antoine Semenyo currently holds the record for the 2026 winter window following his €72 million move from Bournemouth to Manchester City.

Is Marc Guehi leaving Crystal Palace? 

Yes, Marc Guehi is currently in final negotiations to join Manchester City. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed the move is in its final stages as of January 18, 2026.

Who did Tottenham sign in January 2026? 

Tottenham Hotspur signed Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for €40 million. They also recalled several loan players, including Manor Solomon and Jamie Donley.

Are there any major transfers for Manchester United? 

Manchester United have been linked with Murillo (Nottingham Forest) and Carlos Baleba (Brighton), but as of mid-January, their primary focus has been on defensive stability.

Where did Donyell Malen go? 

Donyell Malen joined AS Roma on loan from Aston Villa. The deal includes an obligation for the Italian club to buy the player for £21.6 million at a later date.

Has Chelsea signed anyone in January 2026? 

As of January 18, Chelsea has not confirmed any major senior signings. However, they have been linked with high-value bids for Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde.

What is the “Deal Sheet” in the Premier League? 

A Deal Sheet allows clubs to confirm a transfer has been reached just before the deadline, granting them an additional two hours to submit the remaining paperwork.

Will there be a Saudi Pro League “exodus” in 2026? 

While some players are returning to Europe, the league remains active in buying, as seen with Al-Hilal’s recent signings of Pablo Mari and Sultan Mandash.

Who is West Ham’s new striker? 

West Ham signed Pablo Felipe from Gil Vicente for €23 million and Taty Castellanos from Lazio for €29 million to bolster their attacking options.

Final Thoughts

The January 2026 transfer window has defied expectations of a “quiet” winter, driven largely by the high-stakes title race in the Premier League. Manchester City’s record-breaking acquisition of Antoine Semenyo has set a new benchmark for January spending, while the strategic reshuffle between Tottenham and Crystal Palace shows how clubs are using internal league trades to solve depth issues. With the deadline of February 2 fast approaching, the focus now shifts to whether Manchester United and Arsenal can secure the “missing pieces” for their respective campaigns.

As the window enters its final fortnight, the impending decision of Marc Guehi and the potential return of Lucas Paqueta to South America remain the biggest unresolved storylines. For fans, this window has proven that the mid-season market is no longer just for emergency loans, but a primary arena for blockbuster talent acquisition. Stay tuned as we head into the final hours of the 2026 winter window, where the most dramatic deals are often saved for the very end.

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