The January transfer window is always a crucial time for Premier League clubs looking to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season, from Nottingham Forrest chasing an unlikely season in Europe to Ipswich fighting to stay in the league or Spurs trying to get some fit players in the door. So while some teams are focused on bolstering their title chances, others are making moves to avoid relegation and there’s only a couple of days left to do business. In this article, I decided to look at each team and break down potential incomings and outgoings for each team before the window firmly shuts on the 2025 January transfer window, which coincidently doesn’t close until 11pm GMT on Monday, February 3, 2025. I don’t get it either but I don’t make the rules…let’s do the thing.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s side remains in the hunt for the Premier League title hanging onto Liverpool’s coat-tails, and with Gabriel Jesus and Saka injured, bringing in another striker could be key. It was already an area of the pitch they needed to strengthen before the injuries, so here we are. Meanwhile, with the rise of Lewis Skelly alongside Timber and Calafiori, it turns out Arsenal are well stocked at left back. Expect Kieran Tierney to return to Glasgow at Celtic, as well as a new home being imminent for Oleg Zinchenko. Oh and they’ve had a bid rejected for 60m for Ollie Watkins, the self professed Arsenal fan. Now Villa have just sold Duran for €70m to Al-Nassr but expect Arsenal to go back in before the window shuts.
- In: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – The Gunners look to add firepower up front, with Watkins seen as an ideal complement to their attack.
- Out: Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko – Both left-backs could be on the move as Arsenal reshapes their defensive options.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s Villa have been one of the most impressive teams this season, but departures could weaken their depth. The sensational January of Jhon Duran coming out of absolutely nowhere has well and truly shaken things up. Emi Buendia has already headed off to Germany to Leverkusen and now Ollie Watkins has become Target Number 1 for Arsenal, who have already tested the waters with a bid. Villa, however, are a well run club so they have already been looking at Cunha at Wolves, and the rumour mill has been growing about a potential deal for Marco Asensio from PSG.
- In: Matheus Cunha (Wolves) & Marco Asensio (PSG) – Villa are strengthening their attacking line-up.
- Out: Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins, Jhon Durán – Several big departures could shake up their squad.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth are comfortably mid-table but need reinforcements to push higher, they also have injuries to Evanilson and Unal. Not that you would have noticed given their recent form. Defensive depth is a concern, while they may also add young attacking talent.
- In: Eli Junior Kroupi (Lorient) – A highly rated young winger who could provide an attacking boost.
- Out: Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi – The Cherries might cash in on some defensive talent.
Brentford
As with every transfer window, Brenford are in the news. Wissa and Mbeumo, among others have become highly sought after players in recent days. Brentford only do business on their own terms, so while I don’t expect a sale, silly money offers could change the picture quickly. Thomas Frank will look to reinforce his squad, especially in defence, where Barcelona and ex Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen being touted as a potential incoming at the Amex.
- In: Andreas Christensen (Barcelona) – A major defensive signing to stabilize the backline.
- Out: Yoane Wissa, Mads Roerslev – Brentford could see some key departures as they adjust their squad.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton continue their policy of developing and selling top talent. It’s kind of their thing. However this window feels different – Evan Ferguson has gone from “not for sale” to “available on loan” to “for sale” in under a week. Rumours of a breakdown between him and Hartzler, recent injuries and diminished playing time mean the player wants out, and clubs left, right and centre have been coming out of the woodworks. The Irishman has been linked to Leverkusen, Dortmund, West Ham, Spurs and god knows who else, so let’s see what the future holds for Ireland’s great big hope. Then in came Saudi, tabling a whopper £54m offer for Kaoru Mitoma. It’s been rejected, but hit that £70m mark and that’s probably a done deal. The question then is this: what mad transfers do Brighton pull off next?
- In: Stefanos Tzimas (PAOK) – A talented young forward Brighton hopes will follow their well trodden path.
- Out: Evan Ferguson, Kaoru Mitoma – Brighton may struggle to hold onto their star with Saudi money coming in.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s youth-focused rebuild continues, even if they desperately need a goalkeeper, but financial fair play concerns may lead to player sales. The Blues will likely invest in more young, high-potential signings. There are continued links with forward and wide talent (verging on a fetish for the Clearlake Group), with Garnacho and Mathys Tel the two big potential incomings in the final days of the month. Nkunku seems surplus to requirements and his current contract doesn’t fit the Clearlake model, so he’s looking for a new place to call home. There is also chatter that Felix, the summer signing, is already done and Chelsea and they are happy to sell him on if a decent offer comes through before the window closes.
- In: Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) – Chelsea continues to invest in top young talent.
- Out: Cesare Casadei, Christopher Nkunku, João Félix – Some attacking reshuffling could see big names depart.
Crystal Palace
Palace’s biggest concern is keeping their best talent. While there has been little or no talk of Eze leaving during this window, there has been plenty about Marc Guehi. Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea have all been credited with having an interest in the English centre back. However the cost of doing a deal may mean a summer departure is more likely. Chalobah has also returned to Chelsea after they cut the loan deal short, so maybe Palace go in for a defender. There has also been rumours around Bright Osayi-Samuel and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who wants to come back to the Premier League from Turkey.
- In: Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Palace adds experience and defensive depth.
- Out: Marc Guéhi (Likely summer departure) – Not much movement expected in January.
Everton
Despite the new owners The Friedkin Group coming in, Everton are limited in their transfer activity due to their current PSR position. Basically, the new owners can’t flex until the new accounting period closes, June 30th. However, if they can raise funds, a couple of smart additions could be made with Taiwo Awoniyi a potential incoming.
- In: Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest) – The Toffees look to add quality in midfield and attack.
- Out: Dominic Calvert-Lewin – A long-rumored exit could finally happen.
Fulham
I still love Aleksandar Mitrović, so hearing of a man in Serbia who has been dubbed Mitrović 2.0, I got a little excited. Fulham have submitted an opening offer to sign Dusan Jovanovic from Partisan Belgrade, who may have no choice but to sell their teenage striker amid financial difficulties this month. Harry Wilson has also taken a knock, so expect Marco Silva to reignite their interest in Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah, who they has been looking at earlier in the window. Potentially leaving the club is Andreas Pereira who has been a great player for the club being linked with both Marseille or a return to Brazil either at Palmeiras or Fluminense with bid already having been rejected for £20m, let’s see what the final price will be.
- In: Ernest Nuamah, Dušan Jovanović (Mitrović 2.0) – Looking to add firepower up front.
- Out: Andreas Pereira – Could be sold to fund new signings.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich’s dream promotion season is at risk if they don’t reinforce their squad. They have fought valiantly, but ultimately they have not been good enough to remain in the league. Delap looks the business, Leif Davis looks like he could develop into a tidy player, but right now they are going down. Outgoings will be basically anyone who has got few to no minutes this season (Harry Clarke, for example), but it’s all about incomings and a potential punt on Michy Batshuayi has been mooted. Attacking reinforcements are what they need and could help them stay up in the Premier League.
- In: Mohamed Bayo, Michy Batshuayi – Strengthening their attack for a Premier League survival push.
- Out: Harry Clarke – Likely to move on in search of regular minutes.
Leicester City
Only one player added this window so far to a Leicester team that was already short of bodies after having to balance the books with PSR concerns despite their promotion back to the premier league. They needed much more than one player, though, and over the last couple of days there has been talk of Ruud stepping down if no business is done by the end of the January transfer window. To raise money they might look at selling Patson Daka, who if we are honest hasn’t dislodged the 38 year old Jamie Vardy, he never will. Ajax’ Chuba Akpom has been rumoured as a potential incoming, so watch this space.
- In: Chuba Akpom – Adding depth to their attacking options.
- Out: Patson Daka – Set for a departure after struggling for game time.
Liverpool
Liverpool are a weird club. They have money, right? I remember Liverpool willing to drop £100m on Caicedo, so why haven’t they invested? The Fenway Group aren’t universally popular with the Liverpool fans but with Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and Julian Ward making the transfer calls, the focus is on the contract situations of the big three: Trent, Virgil and Mo. I fully expect more business to be done in the summer with the likes of Kerkez and Semenyo making the move from Bournemouth but something could change in the coming days.
- In: Jorrel Hato (Ajax), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – Liverpool continues to refresh their squad.
- Out: Joe Gomez – Could be on the way out with defensive reinforcements coming in.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola doesn’t tend to do major January business, but this year they have spent more money themselves than the total from last Januarys transfer window, and a couple of more squad tweaks could still happen. Kyle Walker has left for A.C Milan, but Khusanov, Ries and Marmoush have bolstered Pep’s ranks after what has been the worst first half of a season he has ever had.
- In: Possibly Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus) or Éderson (Atalanta) – City might make a late move.
- Out: James McAtee – Could leave in search of first-team football.
Manchester United
Ralf Rangnick’s claim that Manchester United needed “open-heart surgery” was right. Rubin Amorim has taken over a mess. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is cutting costs and increasing ticket prices to try and get the club’s financial situation under control, and while there seems to be no market for Marcus Rashford, by all accounts United need to sell before they can buy. Garnacho has been a subject of interest from Napoli and Chelsea and negotiations are expected to continue. Rashford could still find a new home now that the forward market is well and truly shook with the Duran move. Casemiro could be off to Roma if a decent offer comes in with the player meant to be open to the move. Patrick Dorgu is coming in as a wing back from Lecce, Alvaro Fernandes’ buy back may still be activated, while Nkuku, Ferguson and Tel have all been rumoured.
- In: Patrick Dorgu, Mathys Tel – United aims to invest in youth and attacking talent.
- Out: Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho – Some big potential exits on the cards.
Newcastle United
Newcastle’s FFP struggles mean they may need to sell before they can buy. Saudi ownership has been majorly hampered by PSR so I am not expecting a whole pile of movement on Tyneside and the rumour mill is dry. Miggy Almiron is heading of to the MLS to play for Atlanta United in a deal worth up to £11m and Sean Longstaff could be moved on.
- In: Tyler Dibling, Illia Zabarnyi – Newcastle strengthens with young talents.
- Out: Miguel Almirón, Sean Longstaff – Players could leave as part of squad refresh.
Nottingham Forest
Forest are having the season of a lifetime, climbing the Premier League into the European place, and they plan on staying there. Murillo and Woods have signed new contracts and they have had bids rejected for Yoane Wissa and Mathues Cunha, signals of intent indeed. Evangelos Marinakis is an ambitious owner and Nottingham of late have loved a late window deal so I am very much looking to see what they pull of in the last hours of the window.
- In: Yoane Wissa, Matheus Cunha – Big attacking signings for Forest.
- Out: Taiwo Awoniyi – Likely departure as Forest reshapes their attack.
Tottenham Hotspur
This is interesting, very interesting. Spurs have so many players out injured that they have had to play Archie Gray at centre back. In fact they have only 8 fit senior players. Levy also doesn’t traditionally like to open the purse strings and Ange’s job seems like it is hanging on by a thread. So what do they do? Chelsea, Man United and Spurs are all being linked with Mathys Tel, but it seems Spurs have marched ahead and made a bid. Harry Kane has clearly had a word with the lad. They still need defenders though.
- In: Mathys Tel, David Hancko, Evan Ferguson – Spurs continue their ambitious squad-building.
- Out: No major outgoings expected this window.
West Ham United
West Ham are looking for a new striker and water is wet. Haven’t they been doing this for years? With Bowen, Fullkrug and Antonio all out injured, West Ham are bereft of forward options, so much so that Danny Ings has returned to the scene of late. Victor Boniface lost the race to Saudi behind Duran, and with his deal from Leverkusen now off, could he end up at West Ham? Stranger things have happened. They are also one of the hundred clubs touted with an interest in Evan Ferguson, and Luis Guilherme is on the way out of the club heading to Shakhtar.
- In: Ricardo Pepi, Evan Ferguson, Victor Boniface – A huge attacking overhaul.
- Out: Luís Guilherme – A potential exit on the horizon.
Wolves
It has been a disappointing season for Wolverhampton Wanderers so far, but they do have some good players and Wolves are a selling club. Ait Nouri, Lemina and Cunha could all have departed the Molineux in the next few days, but as hasn’t been the case for Wolves in a while, they are looking to do business. Volodymyr Brazhko and Kevin Danso from Lens have both been mentioned, however the later has also been of interest to Juventus, so let’s see does he end up at Turin or Wolverhampton.
- In: Thomas Thiesson Kristensen, Volodymyr Brazhko, Kevin Danso – Wolves reinforce their midfield and defense.
- Out: Mario Lemina, Matheus Cunha – Big departures expected.
Final Thoughts
The last knockings of the January transfer window is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years, with several high-profile moves expected. While some clubs are focused on long-term squad building, others are making last-minute changes to push for Champions League spots or survival.
Which transfer do you think will have the biggest impact? Let us know in the comments! And Join The Waiting List!
Jon Harrison
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