The January transfer window can be a sleepy market or an adrenaline rush, depending on who you ask and which club you follow. This year, a handful of teams decided they couldn’t wait for summer to make big moves. From title contenders shoring up their squads to ambitious challengers trying to climb the league table, the deals below prove that midseason spending can sometimes rival (or even eclipse) the frenetic pace of the offseason. Here’s a look at the priciest signings—and the stories behind them—so far this winter.
1) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain – about $75 million
Napoli’s mesmerizing winger has finally arrived in Paris. “Kvaradona,” as many dubbed him during Napoli’s title-winning run, now joins a PSG team chasing European glory. His seamless dribbling and electrifying acceleration is Mbappe-esque. Yet the question looms: can Napoli replace such a transcendent talent, and what will Kvaratskhelia look like in a star-studded French attack?
2) Omar Marmoush
Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City – about $74 million, rising to $79 million
Manchester City rarely go halfway on major signings, and Marmoush is proof of that. The Egyptian forward lit up the Bundesliga with 15 goals in 17 appearances this season. Now he joins a City squad desperate for extra firepower and a fresh edge. The fee is steep, but Pep Guardiola clearly believes Marmoush has the movement, finishing, and adaptability to thrive in the Premier League.
3) Abdukodir Khusanov
RC Lens to Manchester City – about $42.8 million
City doubled down on their January business by adding Khusanov, a 20-year-old center-back who’s just become the first Uzbek player in Premier League history. Talk about weighty expectations. Guardiola needed defensive reinforcements after a spate of injuries, and Khusanov’s composure in Ligue 1 caught the club’s attention. Time will tell if he can adapt to the intense, high-press style City requires in England.
4) Vitor Reis
Palmeiras to Manchester City – about $37.6 million
Three signings in one January window is rare for Manchester City, but Guardiola wouldn’t settle. Enter Reis, a 19-year-old center-back from Palmeiras who’s now the most expensive teenage signing in the club’s history. He might not walk into the starting XI right away. Then again, City insisted he join midseason, hinting they see massive upside in his game. If the Khusanov-Reis partnership becomes the bedrock of City’s future, fans may recall this winter as a turning point in the club’s next dynasty.
5) Luiz Henrique
Botafogo to Zenit St. Petersburg – about $35.5 million
Having burned brightly at Botafogo, the Brazilian international winger was ready for a European adventure. Zenit’s offer proved persuasive, despite rumors linking him to clubs in Italy and England. Luiz Henrique’s pace and technical skill should help Zenit maintain their domestic dominance, but he’ll also be measured by how he fares in European competition—if and when he gets that chance.
6) Elye Wahi
Marseille to Eintracht Frankfurt – about $27.9 million
With Omar Marmoush off to Manchester, Frankfurt needed a reliable replacement fast. They’ve turned to Elye Wahi, the French forward who made waves under Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille. At just 22, Wahi has room to grow, and his direct style of play could blossom in the Bundesliga. It’s a tidy piece of business for a club that prides itself on bold, attacking football.
7) Donyell Malen
Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa – about $26.9 million
From the Arsenal academy to a second stint in England—Malen is out to prove his doubters wrong. Speedy, skilled, and still only 26, the Dutch winger scored five goals in 21 matches this season for Dortmund. A revitalized Aston Villa will offer a new challenge, but Malen’s knack for pacing behind defenses could complement Ollie Watkins perfectly.
8) Jaden Philogene
Aston Villa to Ipswich – about $25.5 million
A quick exit from Villa Park, but for good money. Philogene returned to Aston Villa last year only to depart again within months, heading to an Ipswich side fighting for Premier League survival. While his fee raised eyebrows, the 21-year-old winger did manage to impress briefly—evidenced by a Champions League cameo. If Ipswich can unlock his potential, Philogene might just turn out to be the winter’s most under-the-radar success story.
9) Claudinho
Zenit St. Petersburg to Al-Sadd – about $21.6 million
A few months ago, Claudinho seemed fully committed to Zenit, having just signed a long-term deal. But an offer in Qatar changed those plans. The Brazilian playmaker moves on to Al-Sadd, aiming to stabilize a midfield that’s been in flux. He may not generate the same headlines as a top-tier European star, but this move could prove crucial for Al-Sadd’s ambitions in the AFC Champions League—and for Claudinho’s own fortunes.
10) Emmanuel Agbadou
Reims to Wolves – about $21.4 million
Wolves needed fresh energy in central defense, and the Ivorian international fits the bill. Manager Vitor Pereira praised Agbadou’s ball-playing ability and raw physical strength, which should suit a side keen on more progressive, attack-minded football. This signing feels like a statement of intent for a club hovering around mid-table, hoping to push back into contention for a European spot.
