Done Deals: Recap of All Major Transfers this January
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
Aston Villa
After an incredible 2023-24 season in which they returned to European competition for the first time in four decades, Aston Villa have not been at their best this term, which has led to them seeing the need to bring in reinforcements. To that end, the Villans have acquired the services of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of £21m, as well as Andres Garcia from Levante for an undisclosed sum. Malen is expected to fill the void left by Moussa Diaby, supporting the frontmen as Unai Emery’s side looks to move up the Premier League table and progress in the Champions League over the second half of the campaign.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth - one of the biggest surprise packages this season - have been busy recently, with Matai Akinmboni’s arrival from DC United marking their fourth new acquisition in the winter transfer window. The Cherries have also brought in former Chelsea duo Kai Crampton and Zain Silcott-Duberry, but their biggest move this month was the signing of Julio Soler from Lanus for a reported £6.6m. Andoni Iraola’s side are on a 10-game unbeaten run and are looking like genuine contenders for a European spot this season.
Ipswich Town
Battling to maintain their top-flight status, Ipswich Town have made a couple of notable moves this month, including splashing out £20m to secure the signature of winger Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa. The Tractor Boys have also strengthened in defence, bringing in former Everton defender Ben Godfrey from Atlanta on loan to provide experience in a backline that has already shipped 43 goals this season.
Manchester City
The defending champions have endured a massive fall from grace this season, with injuries to key players forcing them to invest in the winter window. The Citizens have responded by signing one of the highest-rated young centre-backs in the world, forking out £33.6m on Abdukodir Khusanov from Ligue 1 outfit Lens to sure up their defence. Additionally, Pep Guardiola’s side have also brought in Vitor Reis for £29.5m from Palmeiras, which now stands as a Brazilian league record fee for a defender, significantly more than the £17m PSG paid for Lucas Beraldo in 2024.
Headline Transfers from Europe’s Top Leagues
The undoubted biggest storyline of the January transfer window so far comes from Paris Saint-Germain, who coughed up £50.7m to sign Georgian international Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The winger left Napoli in the midst of a Serie A title run and has penned a deal with Les Parisiens which will run until the end of the 2028-29 Ligue 1 season.
It has been a fairly quiet transfer window over in Spain where the majority of moves have been loans. Ruben Vargas’ arrival at Sevilla from Augsburg for £2m stands as the most expensive transfer to date, while Assane Diao has been the highest-profile departure, heading to Serie A club Como from Real Betis for £12m.
Over in Germany, Wolfsburg have been the top spenders this month, investing £12m to sign Andreas Skov Olsen from Club Brugge. Hoffenheim are a close second, splashing out £9m on Gift Orban from Olympique Lyon while stuttering RB Leipzig paid Wolfsburg £4.5m to secure the signature of right-back Ridle Baku.
We round up our January transfer recap in Italy where Como have been very busy, handing over £25m to bring in Maxence Caqueret (£13m), Assane Diao (£10m) and Jean Butez (£2m) from Lyon, Real Betis and Royal Antwerp respectively. Alberto Costa’s move to Juventus from Vitoria Guimaraes cost the Old Lady £12m, while Parma spent £5m to sign 21-year-old left-back Mathias Lovik from Molde.
There’s still plenty of action expected before the winter window across Europe slams shut, and SportyTrader will be here to bring you all the biggest transfer deal news leading up to the February 3 deadline.
