Manchester City dominated the winter transfer market with a multi-million quartet

Manchester City dominated the winter transfer window with over €200 million spent, leading global football investments. The Premier League once again outspent all other leagues, while Serie A, Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga saw notable moves, including PSG’s €70 million signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Manchester City dominated the winter transfer market with a multi-million quartet
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Manchester City dominated the winter transfer window with an investment exceeding €200 million, significantly strengthening their squad in a market that was active across Europe's top leagues from January 1 to Monday.

The four-time English champions were the biggest spenders, bringing in four high-profile signings in an effort to improve their current standing in the Premier League, where they sit in fifth place, trailing leaders Liverpool by 15 points. The most expensive acquisition was Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for €75 million, followed by Spanish midfielder Nico González from FC Porto for €60 million. Additionally, the defense was reinforced with two center-backs: Uzbek talent Abdukodir Khusanov, who arrived from Lens for €40 million, and Brazilian prospect Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, coached by Portuguese manager Abel Ferreira, for €37 million. City also invested €6 million in Juma Bah, who was signed from Valladolid but immediately loaned out to Lens. The total of €158 million spent on new signings marks a historic shift for Manchester City, as the club had never surpassed the €100 million mark in a winter window, showing their urgent need to find solutions to climb back up the Premier League table.

While City took center stage, their city rivals Manchester United had a much quieter approach to the market. Under new head coach Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils made only two signings, bringing in left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for €30 million and young midfielder Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. Additionally, the club loaned out Antony to Real Betis and made a surprising move by allowing Marcus Rashford to join Aston Villa on a temporary deal. Aston Villa, on the other hand, was more aggressive in the market, not only securing Rashford’s loan but also signing Dutch winger Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for €25 million and Andrés García from Levante for €7 million. Villa also acquired Marco Asensio on loan from Paris Saint-Germain but saw the departure of Colombian striker Jhon Durán, who was transferred to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr for €77 million, making it the biggest deal of the January window worldwide.

Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea refrained from making any signings, while Tottenham made a few adjustments to their squad, signing goalkeeper Antonín Kinský from Slavia Prague for €16.5 million and securing loan deals for center-back Kevin Danso from Lens and winger Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich. As has been the trend, the Premier League dominated global spending, with English clubs shelling out a total of €475.55 million more than double the €228.7 million spent by Italy’s Serie A.

In Italy, the window was less frantic, but Como emerged as one of the most active clubs, spending a total of €49.2 million, slightly surpassing the €48.5 million invested by AC Milan. Milan strengthened their attack with Santiago Giménez, signed from Feyenoord for €32 million, and Warren Bondo, acquired from Monza for €10 million, while also securing loan deals for João Félix from Chelsea, Riccardo Sottil from Fiorentina, and Kyle Walker from Manchester City. The departures of Álvaro Morata (loaned to Galatasaray for €6 million), Noah Okafor (Napoli), Ismaël Bennacer (Marseille), and captain Davide Calabria (loaned to Bologna) also marked the club’s market activity.

Juventus, which spent €25.2 million, signed midfielder Alberto Costa from Vitória de Guimarães for €13.8 million and secured loan deals for Renato Veiga (Chelsea), Lloyd Kelly (Newcastle), and Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), but lost their captain Danilo, who returned to Brazil to join Flamengo. Inter Milan took a different approach, securing Nicola Zalewski on loan from Roma, while Atalanta added Daniel Maldini (€10 million from Monza) and Stefan Posch (loaned from Bologna). Napoli, despite bringing in Simone Scuffet (Cagliari) and Philip Billing (Bournemouth) on loan, made headlines by selling star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain for €70 million.

PSG’s acquisition of Kvaratskhelia for €70 million was their only major signing, with Rennes outspending them by investing €74.65 million, with their most expensive signing being Seko Fofana (€20 million from Al Nassr). Elsewhere in France, Monaco secured Mika Biereth (€13 million from Sturm Graz) and Al Musrati on loan from Beşiktaş, while Marseille added Amine Gouiri (€19 million from Rennes), Amar Dedić (€1.5 million from Salzburg), and Luiz Felipe (Al-Ittihad). Lille and Lyon also brought in reinforcements on loan, acquiring Chuba Akpom (Ajax) and Thiago Almada (Botafogo), respectively. Ligue 1 clubs collectively spent €201.8 million, surpassing the Bundesliga’s total of €169.85 million.

In Germany, RB Leipzig was the biggest spender, activating the €50 million buy option for Xavi Simons from PSG and signing Ridle Baku from Wolfsburg for €4.5 million. Eintracht Frankfurt strengthened their squad with Elye Wahi (€26 million from Marseille) and Michy Batshuayi (€3 million from Galatasaray), while Stuttgart brought in Finn Jeltsch (€9.5 million from Nuremberg), Luca Jaquez (€6.5 million from Luzern), and Jacob Larsen (€1.7 million from Hoffenheim). Bayern Munich, surprisingly, made only one signing, acquiring goalkeeper Jonas Urbig from Cologne for €7 million. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen added Alejo Sarco from Vélez and secured loan deals for Mario Hermoso (Roma) and Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa). Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, focused on loans, bringing in Daniel Svensson (Nordsjaelland), Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea), and Diant Ramaj (Ajax, €5 million), who will stay on loan at Copenhagen until the summer.

LaLiga was by far the least active of Europe’s top five leagues, spending only €26.13 million, a stark contrast to the Premier League. Financial struggles prevented Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid from making any moves, leaving Real Betis as the biggest spenders in Spain, with a total outlay of €13 million.

While many European leagues wrapped up their business, the transfer market remains open in several countries, including Austria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Canada, the United States, and Brazil. One of the most significant moves outside Europe was Neymar’s return to Santos, the club where he began his career, after a turbulent stint at Saudi champions Al Hilal.