Report Card for the January Transfer Window
Now that the January transfer window has closed, let’s look at how each Premier League team did with their transfers. The Report Card summarizes the deals made and shows which clubs improved their squads and which ones might regret not making moves. As usual, there was plenty of action. This included Marcus Rashford leaving Manchester United and Manchester City on the hunt for young players to build their team.
ICYMT: Best Last-Minute Transfers in the Premier League
Teams Making Bold Moves
Some clubs were very active, either out of need or desire to improve. Aston Villa was a standout with a great set of signings. They brought in Marcus Rashford to help him regain his form and made a last-minute loan deal for Marco Asensio. The team also added Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia while selling Jhon Duran for a nice profit.
Ipswich Town was also smart in their signings despite being in a tough spot. They signed Jaden Philogene permanently and added Ben Godfrey and Julio Enciso on loan. Manager Kieran McKenna is hoping these new players turn things around and help avoid relegation.
Crystal Palace took a quieter route but still made good moves. They brought in young talent Romain Esse and loaned Ben Chilwell from Chelsea to strengthen their defense.
Big Spenders: Manchester City
No team spent more than Manchester City, who spent £129 million (AU$259 million) on five promising players. They made headlines with signings like Omar Marmoush from the Bundesliga and Nico Gonzalez from Porto. They also sent veteran Kyle Walker to AC Milan on loan. With Walker’s playing time fading, this move makes sense as City refreshes under Pep Guardiola.
Clubs Under Pressure
Newcastle United started strong but faced some tough losses at home, raising questions about their squad. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur frustrated fans due to injuries. Spurs eventually signed defender Kevin Danso and Bayern’s young player Mathys Tel, but only time will show how effective these moves are.
Wolves, fighting relegation and under new management, made a single signing, picking up center-back Emmanuel Agbadou from Rennes. This could be a risky move unless they see improvements soon. Southampton focused on young players, which is questionable as they sit 10 points away from safety.
New Managers, Few Moves
West Ham and Everton both got new managers in January, which may explain their quiet transfer activities. But for Everton, this could backfire as they battle relegation. The Hammers brought in Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton to strengthen their attack.
Playing It Safe
Some clubs opted for stability over major changes. Brentford and Fulham made few moves. Brighton and Bournemouth aimed to bring in young talent for the future instead.
Top-performing teams like Liverpool and Nottingham Forest decided to keep their momentum going. Liverpool, who’s leading the league, made no new signings. Arne Slot is confident in his current squad. Nottingham Forest had a quiet window too, only signing Tyler Bindon on the last day and immediately loaning him back to Reading.
Wrap Up
The January window can be tricky with high prices and slim choices. Some clubs did well and made important additions, while others played it safe. It will take time to see which approach will pay off as the Premier League season gets intense.
