The January window was far from frantic compared to the summer, with total Premier League spending reaching £390m, down £31m on last winter. Even deadline day, with its 7 pm cut-off, was relatively quiet as it produced just seven deals. Still, despite the limited drama, there were several significant moves that created some distinct transfer window winners and losers.
Winners
Here are the Premier League teams that fared best from the winter window.
Man City
Although there are three winners in this section, Manchester City stand out as the clear champions of the January window. They were not the busiest club, but they made two outstanding signings that immediately improved the quality of their starting XI. The first was Antoine Semenyo for £62.5m, rising to £64m. It is a sizeable fee, but Bournemouth would have demanded significantly more if not for the release clause in his contract. At this price, there was a great deal of demand for his signature.
The Ghanaian has started superbly, picking up at City exactly where he left off at Bournemouth. In his first six starts for his new club, he has scored four goals and looks set to add many more. The other major deal for the Cityzens was the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Pep Guardiola’s club secured the 25-year-old England international for a £20m base fee plus add-ons. Even factoring in a sizeable signing-on bonus, it still represents excellent value for a player of his age, experience and quality. Long-term injuries to Stones and Gvardiol also increase the importance of the move, as City were starting to look a little light at the back.
Aston Villa
There’s been nothing flashy from Aston Villa, but a very sensible and well-balanced window has added much-needed depth. Tammy Abraham was brought in to provide proven Premier League cover for Ollie Watkins. This was an essential signature following the departure of Donyell Malen, who had often filled that role. Villa also strengthened out wide by recalling Leon Bailey from his loan at Roma and signing 19-year-old prospect Alysson.
Villa’s most important reinforcement came in central midfield, however. With Boubacar Kamara ruled out until the summer, Villa needed middle-of-the-park cover and secured a loan deal for Douglas Luiz from Juventus, who had been on loan at Nottingham Forest. The move includes an option to buy, believed to be around £22m, so about half the price Villa sold him to Juventus for in 2024.
West Ham
Facing a very real relegation threat, West Ham knew they had to refresh and improve the squad, and they largely did so. Early signings Taty Castellanos and Pablo have both become regular starters, although they are still waiting for their first league goal contributions. Even so, both offer high work rates and movement that create space for teammates.
Elsewhere, the Hammers secured a low-cost deal for Adama Traore, who will provide a unique threat, usually from the bench. Although an effective end product has always been lacking for him, his ability to run at tired defences could well prove to be a real asset on occasion. The Hammers also signed another winger, Keiber Lamadrid, on a six-month loan, although it is not expected that the 19-year-old will have any huge impact.
The only slight window disappointment came from the limited strengthening in defence. With the worst defensive record in the league, West Ham ideally needed multiple reinforcements but ended up with just one: Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea. He is not a signing that inspires immediate confidence based on recent Premier League form, but if he can rediscover the level he showed at Monaco, he could still prove a useful addition.
Losers
The three biggest losers of the 2026 Premier League winter transfer window.
Crystal Palace
Palace invested heavily in attacking players who have struggled for goals this season. Brennan Johnson (£35m) scored just two league goals for Tottenham before his move. Even this is still a better record than Jorgen Strand Larsen (£43m) and loanee Evann Guessand. While their form may improve at Selhurst Park, there is a real risk that their struggles continue, along with Palace’s.
To make matters worse, Jean-Philippe Mateta remains at the club after a late move to AC Milan collapsed due to a knee issue discovered in medical checks. This leaves Palace with a player who does not want to be there and who may require surgery that could rule him out for months.
Tottenham
An injury-plagued squad desperately needed reinforcements, but Spurs brought in only two players: a 19-year-old left-back unlikely to be ready for Premier League football, and Conor Gallagher (£35m). While the Gallagher signing is sensible, particularly as Spurs are lacking in homegrown players, the limited activity has left many fans frustrated. Technical director Johan Lange said the club wanted to avoid panic buys that did not fit long-term plans, but the lack of depth may cost Spurs as the season progresses.
Liverpool
Defensive reinforcements were needed at Liverpool, who have the league’s ninth-worst defensive record, combined with long-term injuries to Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni. Despite this, no senior players arrived. The only move was the agreement to sign highly-rated defender Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes, but his £60m transfer will only take place in the summer.