The January transfer window is one of the most unpredictable periods in the football calendar. Unlike the summer edition, this mid-season market is often defined by urgency as clubs scramble to address their weaknesses.
Teams worldwide generally bolster their squads to push for the title, fight off relegation threats, or improve their league standings. We’ve witnessed some exciting transfer moves in the past, including Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona, Virgil van Dijk’s move to Liverpool, and Fernando Torres’s move to Chelsea.
The winter transfer window for the 24/25 season has closed, and some teams have made some interesting deals. Our guide explores the biggest deals in the last transfer window.
Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City)
Manchester City couldn’t refuse Atletico Madrid’s massive offer for Julian Alvarez in the summer, but they’ve suffered without a replacement. Marmoush arrives to ease Haaland’s workload and add versatility to an attack that struggled earlier this season.
The Egyptian forward can play centrally or out wide, offering Guardiola tactical flexibility. Regarding potential impact, Marmoush brings much-needed clinicality to City’s frontline. Of Eintracht Frankfurt’s 42 Bundesliga goals this season, Marmoush was directly involved in 24. His sudden departure left a significant void at the club.
This transfer marks a huge career leap for Marmoush, who was available on a free transfer months ago. Now, he joins England’s reigning champions and likely will earn regular minutes in City’s attack. Manchester City’s pursuit of silverware presents the perfect platform for him to showcase his abilities.
Although the citizens have struggled, they are still hunting for titles this season. As a result, football bookies offer numerous betting markets on Guardiola’s team. Check out the Eagle Predict for the best odds for Manchester City games. The site also delivers accurate odds for all top leagues in world football.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain)
Since joining Napoli for just €10m in 2022, Kvaratskhelia has been one of Serie A’s most dangerous attackers. His first season was exceptional, helping Napoli secure their first Scudetto since 1990. However, under Antonio Conte, the team has relied less on the Georgian winger, who hasn’t scored since October 29.
With just one assist in that period, his influence has diminished significantly. Napoli’s decision to cash in makes sense, especially as Kvaratskhelia has seemed unhappy for some time. Financially, the move benefits everyone. Napoli receives a solid fee, while PSG reportedly quadruple Kvaratskhelia’s wages, making this transfer a win-win.
Jhon Duran (Aston Villa to Al-Nassr)
Jhon Durán had attracted interest from top European clubs, making Al-Nassr signing a major coup. Convincing the Colombian to move to Riyadh strengthens Stefano Pioli’s squad, especially with the Saudi Pro League title slipping away.
This surprise addition ensures Al-Nassr remains a formidable attacking force, even if Cristiano Ronaldo departs. Durán’s impressive performances at Aston Villa threatened Ollie Watkins’ starting spot. However, Villa’s financial struggles made his sale inevitable. Offloading him for €77m after signing him for just €20m will significantly help Villa overcome their Profit & Sustainability concerns.
Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord to AC Milan)
Santiago Giménez’s transfer to AC Milan is Mexico’s most high-profile move since Hirving Lozano joined Napoli in 2019. The 23-year-old striker arrived from Feyenoord for around $36 million. With that move, he becomes the first El Tri player to represent the Rossoneri in Serie A.
His move to one of Europe’s most successful clubs has heightened expectations. This move is similar to Javier Hernández’s Manchester United transfer in 2010. Giménez scored on his Serie A debut. Now, he will look to cement his status as Mexico’s top young forward. With 66 career goals, he follows in the footsteps of Mexican legends like Hugo Sánchez, Carlos Vela, and Chicharito.
Patrick Dorgu (Lecce to Manchester United)
Lecce’s sporting director, Pantaleo Corvino, has once again showcased his exceptional talent-spotting abilities. He secured Dorgu from Nordsjaelland’s academy for just €220,000, only to sell him for a potential €35m. While the timing is unfortunate for Lecce, battling relegation, they couldn’t refuse such a lucrative deal.
Dorgu, a Serie A regular with 40 starts, had long been linked with Europe’s elite clubs. However, Manchester United beat Napoli to his signature, making him the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era. Now, all eyes will be on how Amorim integrates this versatile, highly sought-after talent into his squad.
Neymar (Al-Hilal to Santos)
Al-Hilal believed Neymar’s signing would be a landmark moment in Saudi football history. However, injuries had already diminished him, making the move costly. The Brazilian managed just one goal in seven appearances before Al-Hilal terminated his contract six months early.
The entire deal was a disaster, but at least it’s over. While many hoped Neymar would end his career at Santos, his decline made that inevitable. Santos has re-signed their legend for free, with Neymar accepting a significant pay cut. His career may have unraveled, but this reunion is a dream come true for Santos.
Conclusion
The January transfer window has seen some significant deals being pulled off by football teams globally. These moves will undoubtedly shape the respective clubs’ second half of the season. The impact of these transfers will be closely watched in the coming months. Buying clubs will hope their new signings significantly contribute as they aim to achieve their season goals.