The January transfer window has officially closed and we’re sifting through the deals and dollars to assess what every club managed to accomplish in the winter. However, this just brings us all one step closer to the summer window — which runs from July 1 to Aug. 29 — which is when teams will make bolder moves and a slew of high-profile free agents could potentially hit the market.
So, let’s review which clubs got what they needed — or didn’t — in the January window, and weigh that against what they’ll need to address when the summer window arrives. After all, the time to look ahead to the next slate of moves is now for the top clubs throughout Europe.
Liverpool
Arrivals: FW Kaide Gordon (Norwich City, loan ended)
Notable departures: MF Stefan Bajcetic (Las Palmas, loan), DF Calvin Ramsay (Kilmarnock, loan)
How well did Liverpool meet their transfer needs in January?
If any club could afford not to bolster their squad in the transfer market this month, it’s Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s side have defied expectations to climb to the summit of the Premier League and Champions League tables and look in rude health heading into the business end of the campaign. Standing pat and keeping on as they have been appears to be a winning strategy.
That said, Liverpool could live to regret not making a defensive addition, with injuries to Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté at various points over the last few months having raised concerns over depth at the back, while Andy Robertson‘s erratic form has highlighted the need for a left-back.
The biggest disappointment this month, though, is the fact Liverpool have so far been unable to get Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold signed to new deals. There remains an expectation that Salah and Van Dijk, at least, will commit their futures to Anfield, but the longer the saga goes on, the more unlikely that eventuality becomes.
What transfer needs must they address in the summer?
Much of Liverpool’s summer business will hinge on whether their out-of-contract trio sign new deals. As things stand, the Anfield club will have to replace their captain, vice captain and top goalscorer in the one window, and replacing players of that calibre will not come cheap.
Contract impasse aside, however, the most pressing issue in Slot’s squad is probably at left-back. Robertson was integral to Liverpool’s success under former manager Jurgen Klopp, but has struggled for form this term, while Kostas Tsimikas is not viewed as his long-term successor.
With the jury still out on whether Darwin Núñez has a future on Merseyside and Diogo Jota still plagued by injuries, it would also be shrewd to invest in a first-choice No. 9, though the competition for such a player is likely to be fierce, with many of Europe’s top clubs in a similar position.
Defensive midfield was Liverpool’s biggest priority last summer, with Liverpool coming close to striking a deal for Real Sociedad‘s Martín Zubimendi, who now looks set to join Arsenal at the end of the season. Ryan Gravenberch‘s emergence as one of the best No. 6’s in world football diminishes the need to strengthen in that area of the pitch. However, considering the amount of games Slot’s side are likely to play in all competitions next term, bringing in a rotational option would be wise, particularly if Japan international Wataru Endo should leave the club. — Beth Lindop
Arsenal
Arrivals: None
Notable departures: DF Ayden Heaven (Man United)
Arrivals: DF Trevoh Chalobah (Crystal Palace, loan ended)
Notable departures: MF Cesare Casadei (Torino), MF Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund, loan), DF Renato Veiga (Juventus, loan)
Arrivals: MF Nico Gonzalez (FC Porto), FW Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt), DF Abdukodir Khusanov (Lens), DF Vitor Reis (Palmeiras), MF Claudio Echeverri (River Plate)
Notable departures: DF Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan)
Arrivals: DF Patrick Dorgu (Lecce), DF Ayden Heaven (Arsenal)
Notable departures: FW Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan), FW Antony (Real Betis, loan)
Arrivals: GK Antonin Kinsky (Slavia Prague), DF Kevin Danso (Lens), FW Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich, loan)
Notable departures: None
Arrivals: GK Wojciech Szczesny (free agent)
Notable departures: None
How well did Barcelona meet their transfer needs in January?
Barcelona have a relatively settled side at the moment, but in an ideal world, they would have strengthened in some areas during this window. Another forward, preferably someone able to play wide, would have been welcome.
They held talks about a deal for Marcus Rashford, but in the end it wasn’t financially viable. Depth is also desired at the full-back positions, but they were never close to recruiting competition for Jules Koundé or Alejandro Balde in part because of the club’s ongoing financial limitations.
Instead, they spent January trying to maintain Dani Olmo‘s and Pau Víctor‘s registrations in the face of the club’s failure to get compliant with LaLiga’s financial fair play rules. They eventually did get it done, but only via a temporary order from Spain‘s sports ministry. They also focused on renewing contracts, with Ronald Araújo, Gavi and Pedri all signing new deals, too. None of them are shiny new signings, but assuring their futures remain at the club was arguably more important than adding more bodies for the sake of it.
What transfer needs must they address in the summer?
Barça have various needs to address in the summer, some more pressing than others. A forward — preferably a left winger — is on the list.
At some point they will also need to explore signing another No. 9 as Robert Lewandowski turns 37 this year. The Polish striker remains in good form, though, scoring 30 goals already this season — he’s also set to play enough games (at least 45 minutes in 55% of Barca’s fixtures) to trigger an automatic contract extension until 2026.
Elsewhere, Barça do want to sign a full-back. Either side will do — or someone who can play right or left — as they feel Kounde and Balde need more support and more competition. The centre-back situation is also constantly changing. After Araujo’s renewal, it is not as clear if they will still go for Bayer Leverkusen‘s Jonathan Tah, who is out of contract in the summer. It may depend on the futures of Eric García and Andreas Christensen, but Tah may also have been put off by Araujo’s renewal, coupled with the form of Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez.
That leaves the goalkeeper situation, which is a delicate area at Barça at the moment. Iñaki Peña has been cast aside by Hansi Flick for Wojciech Szczesny, who only signed through the summer as cover for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen. But how, and when, will Ter Stegen come back? Could Peña feel it’s time to move on? Will Szczęsny stick around? If an alternative option comes up and Barça have the finances to pounce, they may well act.
Finally, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will extend his contract until 2030 at some point soon — if not before the summer — and the club also have to try and convince Frenkie de Jong to renew or risk losing him for free in 2026. — Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens
Real Madrid
Arrivals: None
Notable departures: None
Madrid have also been on the lookout for a fourth elite centre-back to complement Rudiger, Alaba and Éder Militão. Asencio, 21, has outperformed expectations since being drafted in, but Madrid may still look to make a signing in the position, with Militao having suffered two consecutive cruciate ligament injuries and Alaba’s long-term prospects uncertain having just returned from an ACL himself, aged 32.
In midfield, the prominence of Dani Ceballos alongside Federico Valverde in recent weeks has highlighted Madrid’s need for that *kind* of tempo-setting, ballplaying central midfielder, too: but perhaps one with a better injury record, and higher ceiling, than Ceballos.
Madrid’s other, major preoccupation this summer will be Vinícius Júnior‘s future. The Ballon d’Or runner-up’s contract is up in June 2027. Vinícius entertained interest from the Saudi Pro League last summer, and the Saudis have stayed in touch with his representatives. This summer, the Brazil international will have a big decision to make and if Madrid want to keep him, they’ll have to offer him a significant pay raise. — Alex Kirkland, Rodri Faez
Atletico Madrid
Arrivals: None
Notable departures: MF Arthur Vermeeren (RB Leipzig)
How well did Atletico Madrid meet their transfer needs in January?
Atletico didn’t have any urgent needs in this transfer window.
They invested heavily last summer, bringing in Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth, Robin Le Normand and Conor Gallagher, which left them with arguably the most complete, well-rounded squad in LaLiga. As a result, they were never going to be busy in January. Any business would have been contingent on moving on a high-earner, and in particular, injury-hit midfielder Thomas Lemar, who has made just one league appearance this season.
Atletico couldn’t drum up any interest in Lemar, and that meant they couldn’t seriously look at making a signing, either.
What transfer needs must they address in the summer?
The top position Atletico would like to strengthen is in central midfield, with the addition of a deep-lying pivot, a creative midfielder, or both. Club captain Koke is being slowly phased out of the team — seven of his 21 LaLiga appearances this season have come as a substitute — and while Rodrigo De Paul is having his most consistent campaign yet, and Pablo Barrios is an exciting homegrown talent, they could do with some competition, especially with coach Diego Simeone seeming to prefer Gallagher out wide.
One name mentioned by sources as a priority target is Villarreal‘s in-demand playmaker Álex Baena, who just turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia and has an accessible release clause in his contract. Baena didn’t want to leave Villarreal mid-season, but might just be persuaded to join Atletico this summer, having said in December that he would only depart for “a top 10 club in the world.” Otherwise, Atletico won’t be as active this summer as they were last.
One to watch is the future of Antoine Griezmann. A superfan of U.S. sports, he’s made it clear that he’d like to play in MLS one day; the only question is when. — Kirkland, Faez
Paris Saint-Germain
Arrivals: FW Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
Notable departures: MF Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), MF Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), MF Marco Asensio (Aston Villa, loan), DF Milan Skriniar (Fenerbahce, loan), FW Randal Kolo Muani (Juventus, loan)
Arrivals: MF Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea, loan), DF Daniel Svensson (Nordsjaelland, loan), MF Salih Özcan (Wolfsburg, loan ended)
Notable departures: FW Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), FW Sebastian Haller (FC Utrecht, loan)
Arrivals: GK Jonas Urbig (Cologne)
Notable departures: None
Arrivals: DF Mario Hermoso (Roma, loan), FW Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa, loan)
Notable departures: None
How well did Bayer Leverkusen meet their transfer needs in January?
Leverkusen didn’t have to address any pressing needs during the January window and thus remained rather quiet, only loaning defender Mario Hermoso from Roma and attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendía from Aston Villa.
Hermoso has not been brought in as a potential replacement for Jonathan Tah: the German international’s contract ends in June, and he will be on his way out at the end of the season. Instead, Leverkusen signed Hermoso on a loan deal to fill Jeanuël Belocian‘s gap because Belocian has suffered an ACL tear. Buendía, meanwhile, is a temporary replacement for Martin Terrier, who will be out for a while due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen have made progress in negotiations with Wirtz over a potential contract extension until 2028. The sole point of disagreement remains the value of a release clause, with Leverkusen for a fixed transfer fee of €150m; Wirtz’s camp would prefer €100m.
What transfer needs must they address in the summer?
It would help Leverkusen tremendously to reach an agreement with Wirtz until the summer and thereby immediatelyo eliminate most of the rumours regarding their playmaker. Moreover, Leverkusen need to find a viable successor to Tah or add a quality defender to their squad and promote one of their other defenders. Edmond Tapsoba in particular has the makings of a defensive leader.
Moreover, Victor Boniface‘s future has become uncertain this season — he was on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, only for the deal to fall through during the January window. If the 24-year-old is determined to leave Leverkusen, the Werkself need to find another high-level striker. It would be unwise for Xabi Alonso & Co. to rely on Patrik Schick given his injury history, even though he has been in peak form this season.
Moreover, Leverkusen will need to evaluate if any of their three loan players — Hermoso, Buendía and Nordi Mukiele — could and should be signed on a permanent deal. Mukiele is an interesting option at right-back from a tactical standpoint.
At the same time, the team might be in need of some fresh blood, with a few ageing players possibly declining next season, with 35-year-old goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký and 32-year-old midfielder Jonas Hofmann coming to mind. — Eckner
AC Milan
Arrivals: FW Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord), DF Kyle Walker (Man City, loan)
Notable departures: DF Davide Calabria (Bologna), FW Álvaro Morata (Galatasaray, loan)
Arrivals: DF Nicola Zalewski (Roma, loan)
Notable departures: None
How well did Inter Milan meet their transfer needs in January?
Inter have a deep squad, and they got their contract renewals done, at least for the guys they risk losing — some of the older ones, like Stefan de Vrij, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian, they can slow-play. Tajon Buchanan was getting no playing time, so it’s good that they sent him on loan to Villarreal; Nicola Zalewski, who arrived on loan from Roma, gives manager Simone Inzaghi yet another wide alternative.
All around, job done.
What transfer needs must they address in the summer?
They’re actually in pretty good shape. They’ll want an alternative in goal to Yann Sommer, who turns 37 thi year, but they hope Filip Stankovic (on loan at Venezia) can be that guy. If they don’t extend De Vrij’s contract, they could probably use another center back though again, they’ll see if Tomas Palacios can provide an in-house solution.
Mehdi Taremi divides opinion as a third striker and they’ll want a fourth, but they also feel that in the Esposito brothers (Francesco Pio and Sebastiano) and Martín Satriano, they have kids on loan who could make the grade. Otherwise, they’ll look to shift one of them and spend on another striker.
All the above, of course, is contingent on them hanging on to their crown jewels (Alessandro Bastoni, Fede Dimarco, Marcus Thuram, Nicolò Barella and Lautaro Martínez). If the right offer comes in, Inter will cave and then they’ll have to find a replacement. — Marcotti
Juventus
Arrivals: DF Alberto Costa (Vitoria de Guimaraes), DF Lloyd Kelly (Newcastle, loan), DF Renato Veiga (Chelsea, loan), FW Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain, loan)
Departures: MF Arthur Melo (Girona, loan), DF Danilo (Flamengo, loan)
How well did Juventus meet their transfer needs in January?
Juve needed bodies at the back and got them in the form of Alberto Costa from Vitoria Guimaraes, Renato Veiga from Chelsea and Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle, the latter two on loan. It’s nothing to write home about, but at least Costa is young.
They failed to find a home for Dusan Vlahovic (he had all the leverage anyway) and that could come back to bite them. Either he extends his deal (with a hefty pay cut), or he’ll be a year away from free agency in the summer, which isn’t great. As for Randall Kolo Muani, they needed another center forward, so I guess there’s that. I’m just not excited by any of these names: then again, they’re on a budget.
What transfer needs must they address in the summer?
A lot, and a lot will depend on whether they want to continue with Thiago Motta at the helm.
Assuming they do, they’ll want to address the center forward situation. It’s hard to see how Vlahovic can stay — he’ll have a year left on his deal at a monster wage — and they’ll have to decide on Kolo Muani, who is on loan from PSG. Either way, they’re OK in terms of wingers, but you could see them sacrificing someone like Kenan Yildiz to raise the funds to strengthen elsewhere, especially if Motta stays. They’ll also need to add depth in midfield and decide what they want to do with Weston McKennie.
At the back, it will depend on what condition Bremer and Cabal are in when they return from their long injuries. Making Pierre Kalulu‘s deal permanent is a no-brainer, but Milan may have other ideas. And, of course, we’ll see if Veiga and Kelly make the grade. — Marcotti
