The January 2025 transfer window saw several high-profile moves as clubs across Europe and beyond strengthened their squads. Here’s a breakdown of the most expensive transfers, starting from number 20 and working our way to the biggest deal of the window.
20. Stefanos Tzimas (PAOK Salonika → FC Nürnberg) – £15m
Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas made a quick transition from PAOK Salonika to FC Nürnberg, with the German club immediately flipping him to Brighton for a higher fee. Tzimas is considered one of Greece’s most promising young forwards, and despite spending the rest of the season on loan at Nürnberg, he is expected to make an impact in the Premier League next season.
19. Amine Gouiri (Rennes → Marseille) – £15.8m
Amine Gouiri struggled for form at Rennes this season, scoring only three goals before securing a move to Marseille. The Algerian winger has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, and his new club is banking on him rediscovering his best form in Ligue 1.
18. Seko Fofana (Al Nassr → Rennes) – £16.6m
After a year on loan with Al-Ettifaq, Seko Fofana has returned to France to join Rennes. The Ivorian midfielder was once a key figure at Lens before moving to Saudi Arabia, but he now has the opportunity to prove himself in Europe again.
17. Emmanuel Agbadou (Reims → Wolves) – £16.76m
Wolves strengthened their defense by signing Ivorian center-back Emmanuel Agbadou from Reims. Known for his physical presence and composure on the ball, Agbadou will look to establish himself in the Premier League.
16. Claudinho (Zenit St. Petersburg → Al-Sadd) – £16.91m
Brazilian playmaker Claudinho has left Russia for Qatar, joining Al-Sadd. The move comes just a few months after he signed a new contract with Zenit, and he is expected to bring creativity and flair to his new club.
15. Jaden Philogene (Aston Villa → Ipswich) – £20m
Jaden Philogene returned to Aston Villa for £18m last summer but has now been sent to Ipswich for a slight profit. The versatile winger will be a key asset for Ipswich as they push for Premier League survival.
14. Stefanos Tzimas (FC Nürnberg → Brighton) – £20.8m
After securing his move from PAOK Salonika to Nürnberg, Tzimas was immediately sold to Brighton for a profit. The Premier League club sees him as a long-term project and will allow him to continue his development on loan in Germany.
13. Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund → Aston Villa) – £21.1m
Dutch winger Donyell Malen is back in England after previously being on Arsenal’s books. He struggled for consistency at Borussia Dortmund but brings pace and goal-scoring ability to Aston Villa’s attack.
12. Elye Wahi (Marseille → Eintracht Frankfurt) – £21.9m
Eintracht Frankfurt wasted no time replacing Omar Marmoush by signing French forward Elye Wahi from Marseille. Wahi had shown promise in Ligue 1, and Frankfurt hopes he can be a prolific scorer in the Bundesliga.
11. Patrick Dorgu (Lecce → Manchester United) – £25m (rising to £29.1m)
Manchester United added highly-rated Danish left-back Patrick Dorgu to their squad, making him the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era. The 19-year-old is considered a future star and will provide competition in the full-back position.
10. Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord → AC Milan) – £26.6m (rising to £29m)
AC Milan found their new striker in Santiago Gimenez, who scored an impressive 65 goals in 105 matches for Feyenoord. The Mexican international replaces Álvaro Morata as the club’s main center-forward.
9. Luiz Henrique (Botafogo → Zenit St. Petersburg) – £27.9m
Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique has opted for a move to Russia, joining Zenit St. Petersburg despite interest from Fiorentina and Newcastle. He will be expected to make an immediate impact in the Russian Premier League.
8. Vitor Reis (Palmeiras → Manchester City) – £29.6m
Manchester City invested in the future with the signing of Brazilian center-back Vitor Reis. The 18-year-old is City’s most expensive teenage signing ever and could form a defensive partnership with fellow January signing Khusanov.
7. Abdukodir Khusanov (RC Lens → Manchester City) – £33.7m
City continued their defensive reinforcements by signing Uzbek center-back Abdukodir Khusanov. At just 20 years old, he becomes the first Uzbek player in Premier League history.
6. Galeno (Porto → Al-Ahli) – £41.7m
Brazilian winger Galeno swapped Portugal for Saudi Arabia, joining Al-Ahli in a big-money move. He will look to establish himself in a squad already filled with international stars.
5. Xavi Simons (PSG → RB Leipzig) – £41.2m (rising to £67.9m)
RB Leipzig secured one of Europe’s top young talents by signing Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons from PSG. The deal includes substantial add-ons, and Leipzig sees him as a crucial part of their long-term project.
4. Nico González (Porto → Manchester City) – £49.9m
Manchester City took their January spending past £180m with the deadline-day signing of Nico González. The Spanish midfielder is expected to play a key role in Pep Guardiola’s system.
3. Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt → Manchester City) – £59m (rising to £63.2m)
City also added Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, who had been in outstanding form for Frankfurt, scoring 15 goals in 17 games. His versatility in attack will give Guardiola more options.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli → Paris Saint-Germain) – £59.1m
PSG finally got their long-term target, signing Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli. He is expected to fill the attacking void left by Kylian Mbappé’s anticipated summer departure.
1. Jhon Duran (Aston Villa → Al Nassr) – £64.4m (rising to £75.3m)
The biggest deal of the window saw Jhon Duran leave Aston Villa for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The move shocked many, as the 21-year-old Colombian forward had been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal. Despite being one of Europe’s hottest young strikers, he opted for the financial incentives of the Saudi Pro League.
