It was indeed a quiet January transfer window. A lot of big players were not linked to big-money moves while many European giants were relatively quiet in the transfer window bar Guardiola’s City. The January transfer window slammed shut on the 2nd of February, 2026, and 24sportsarena has looked into those who had a good window, and those who could not make the window count.
Featured in this are Man City, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and a few others. Also featured are Sterling, Benzema, Mateta, and Endrick.
Now here are our winners and losers of the January transfer window.
Manchester City: Winner
Man City once again spent big in the January transfer window. Pep Guardiola spent a total fee of £84 million pounds on transfers making them the biggest spenders in the Premier League this window.
However, the arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, and Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace has somewhat solved Guardiola’s issue in defence and attack caused mainly by injuries. Man City also secured the sale of Oscar Bobb for £31.2 million bringing their net spend to just a little over £50 million pounds for the January transfer window.
Crystal Palace & Mateta: Loser
Crystal Palace have been losing their star names of late and this continued this transfer window. Coach, Oliver Glasner was left frustrated after his captain Marc Guehi secured a move away from the club on the eve of their Premier League match against Sunderland, a match they lost 2-1.
This followed the late departure of Eze to Arsenal in the summer, and things got worse when striker Mateta demanded a move away from the club. With AC Milan and Nottingham Forest in contention for the striker’s signature, a deal was struck with AC Milan. However, the deal collapsed as Mateta failed his medical twice in Milan.
Mateta’s dream move to AC Milan was cut short by a failed medical. The Frenchman, who was ready to take the next step in his career, now has to remain at Palace till the end of the season. Mateta asked for a move away from Palace, but he must now wait till summer to secure his desired move away from the English club.
Endrick: Winner
Brazilian talent, Endrick, is one of the biggest winners of this transfer window. The youngster’s dream move to Real Madrid had become a nightmare having only made 3 appearances the whole season before his move to Lyon.
The Brazilian has since taken the French Ligue 1 by storm, scoring 3 and assisting 1. It is left to be seen whether the 19-year-old and Lyon would be willing to make the six-month loan a permanent one come summer.
Sterling: Loser
Raheem Sterling did not make any official appearance for Chelsea before his mutual contract termination in January. The Englishman who was on a very high salary, could not secure a move away in the summer and has been in the Club’s bomb squad ever since.
Sterling and Chelsea parted ways on mutual terms in early January, and the former City player has been unable to find a new club since then with the World Cup a few months away.
Chelsea: Winner
Chelsea were able to clear their wage books this transfer window with the release of high-earning player Raheem Sterling, as well as the departure of Axel Disasi.
Chelsea were also able to recall Aaron Anselmino from Borussia Dortmund who were rumored to be attempting to negotiate a permanent transfer with the youngster, thereby securing their player. Chelsea also bolstered their poor defence with the recall of Senegalese sensation, Mamadou Sarr, filling in for their miss on Jacquet.
January Transfer Window: What Next
The January transfer window has closed, and just as we have shown above, it was really a month of business and deals. However, we are yet to see how and when the newly signed players will hit the ground running.
Antoine Semenyo has been in free-scoring form since he joined Man City with Guehi also showing his worth. Endrick’s move to Lyon has proved remarkable, while Mateta and Crystal Palace must mend broken hearts and get their season back on track.
