The January transfer window has been up and down this year, with some clubs making a few big moves, others sit in waiting ahead of what’s surely going to be a hectic summer with the World Cup, managerial changes and big transfers on the horizon. As a result of this summer uncertainty, it feels like a few clubs are waiting to see what happens, while there has still been some pretty big moves in the month.

In this post, we’re going to look at some of the biggest confirmed moves of the window, and a few potential movers that could be packing their bags before Monday’s deadline. With plenty of guesses to be made, we’re fairly sure these could be the main talking points across the news coverage over the weekend and onto Monday.

Let us know your thoughts on the transfer window so far, and if you’re expecting any late moves on our Instagram, Bluesky, X or YouTube channels.

Moves That Have Happened

When looking at the current January transfer window at time of writing, one team have been far and away the biggest hitters in January, as Manchester City have picked up both Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, 2 of the leagues top players in recent seasons and instant boosts to their XI. Semenyo has hit the ground running, with 3 goals and 1 assist in just 4 games since his arrival, he’s a perfect fit for Guardiola’s flexible front line with an ability to play on the left or right. While City are stocked with attacking talents, his ability to play on either side means he can fit into any combination, and with proven Premier League quality, he was always bound to take a step up to the elite level.

Liverpool fans must feel gutted after they were so heavily linked with Semenyo, and also Marc Guehi who both they and City need now more than ever. City became frontrunners midway through the month for Guehi, with talks confirming he would move now rather than for free in the summer, giving Palace a small cash boost of £20million despite losing their captain, manager and main striker in the span of a few days. Guehi is another perfect fit at City, who are suffering defensive woes currently. A player with enough quality to do a perfect job in the back-line, but without any ego that could de-rail the current crop of players at the club. Both have been ready to step up a level for a while, and although it’s a bit of a shame to see them at City where they could be lost among the heaps of talent, I think they’ll both prove their quality under Pep this season and beyond.

Other notable signings came from Tottenham, where they moved on Brennan Johnson, but made a smart signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid. While Gallagher doesn’t scream superstar name, he is a proven Premier League talent, who fixes a huge issue for Spurs in his energy and availability. The injury crisis is well documented at Spurs under Ange and now Frank, but Gallagher seems immune to injury in his career, being always available for Simeone at Atletico, and his energy is a key reason he featured so heavily for England in major tournaments. A shrewd move for Spurs despite the managerial uncertainty, as most managers at a club would love a player with the willingness to run as Conor Gallagher.

Another possible title challenger in the form of Aston Villa were busy in January, making late moves for returning players in the form of Douglas Luiz on loan after his time at Forest never got going, and Tammy Abraham, who I think is a great bit of business for Villa. At only 28, he’s been away in Italy and Turkey for the last few years, but coming back to Villa where he bagged 26 goals in 40 games, he is a perfect back-up to Watkins. The rotation they can now have means they could play together or alternate to give Watkins some time out given their European commitments, and has a perfect level of ego and talent that the signing doesn’t push Watkins out of favour. While they moved on Malen from their forward line, bringing back these reinforcements plus returning Leon Bailey from his loan move, they look set with players for a final push to secure a top 4 spot plus even talk of a title challenge.

My final notable signing is in the form of a loan out of the Premier League, as Ethan Nwaneri makes a loan move to Marseille, which apparently is something Arteta was keen to arrange. This makes perfect sense, as Arsenal can’t afford to give minutes to players for development at their current stage of the season, but Nwaneri has already proved his ability and potential for Arsenal in recent years, and at still only 18 years of age, he could be developing his game even further under De Zerbi at the top level of French football with no room for let-up under the regime at Marseille.

Moves That Could Happen

Looking at the final days of the window from time of writing, there are a few players I think should be eyeing up moves. First off, Mateta’s time at Palace is at an end (as is everyone else’s it seems). Given the decline in their season over recent weeks, the loss of their captain, the FA Cup exit and losing their manager in a few months time, Mateta would be smart to make the move now away, as his reputation remains high for a lot of top European sides. With the World Cup spot not yet guaranteed for the French striker, a move to Italy is the big rumour, and this would make sense for him to lead the line at Juventus in their European push. The other rumour of Tottenham showing interest could be worth considering for the player given how Thomas Frank helped develop both Wissa and Mbeumo in recent years, but I think the big move abroad would be a perfect fit for him to dominate in Serie A.

Filling the Mateta shaped hole could be Jorgen Strand Larsen, as the Wolves man missed out on a summer move, has been injured at points this season, and could do with escaping from the club as soon as possible despite their recent upturn in form. With Palace a perfect landing spot, he could easily come into the XI, lead the line for them with proven Premier League experience and do a job. One in-one out at Palace.

Going back to Italy, there’s talk of moves for both Randal Kolo Muani and Joshua Zirkzee heading over to Serie A either on loan or permanent, and for both I think this would make perfect sense. Both have shown their quality in the league in the past, and need to hit reset on their seasons or risk not playing, losing out on possible places in their respective national sides ahead of the World Cup. While these moves don’t guarantee a place at the tournament, it does guarantee minutes which could then open up more options in the summer.

Finally, as a rogue shout for this post, I have to look at Manchester United. I fully understand the reluctance to make any major incomings or outgoings given their managerial uncertainty, but we do know they need at least 1 if not 2 midfielders as soon as possible. I think they will be frontrunners for the big names like Anderson, Wharton and Baleba this summer, but for January, they should make a move for Hayden Hackney. Perhaps the cheaper of the options for now, this could be a long-term plan where they can still afford the summer addition of a Premier League proven midfielder, but it makes sense to bring in Hackney under Carrick who really helped him at Middlesbrough, he also gets the experience of working alongside Casemiro for a few months and this run for United comes without the pressure that would be there next season. With almost a free run to help settle him, it worked pretty well with Dorgu last January, and for around £20million, it’s not a huge move that ruins any future plans for the next manager permanently appointed.

Don’t forget to let us know what you’ve made of the January transfer window on our social media pages, and let us know your predictions for who could make a late move before the window shuts on Monday evening.