The 12 most expensive transfers of the January window of all time
There have been huge January window signings throughout history, but which were among the most expensive?
The summer window is generally seen as the main opportunity for teams to bring in new faces, allowing for stability before the new season begins.
January also provides them with an opportunity to strengthen their squad midway through the campaign, splashing the cash in the process.
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Here are the 12 most expensive signings of the January window in history, including some big money Premier League Accessories.
12 most expensive January signings |
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Rank |
Player |
Signed for |
Year |
Fee |
1 |
Philippe Coutinho |
Barcelona |
in 2018 |
142 million pounds |
2 |
Enzo Fernandez |
Chelsea |
in 2023 |
107 million pounds |
3 |
Mykhailo Blatryk |
Chelsea |
in 2023 |
89 million pounds |
4 |
Virgil van Dijk |
Liverpool |
in 2018 |
£75 |
5 |
Bruno Fernandes |
Man Utd |
in 2020 |
67.7 million pounds |
6 |
Dusan Vlahović |
Juventus |
in 2022 |
66 million pounds |
7 |
Omar Marmoush |
City man |
in 2025 |
63 million pounds |
8 |
Oscar |
Shanghai Sipg |
in 2017 |
60 million pounds |
9 |
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia |
Psg |
in 2025 |
59 million pounds |
10 |
Christian policeman |
Chelsea |
in 2019 |
58 million pounds |
11 |
Aymerni Laporte |
City man |
in 2018 |
57 million pounds |
12 |
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang |
Arsenal |
in 2018 |
56 million pounds |
12
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal (£56m)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of the hottest strikers in Europe when he was snapped up by Arsenal on Deadline Day in January 2018, and he did not disappoint at the Emirates after a a record £56m move In what he recruited Arsene Wenger’s passengers.
Former Borussia Dortmund man found the net 92 times in 163 appearanceswhich is a stunning return and Mikel Arteta must wish he had such a powerful attacking player in his squad right now.
11
Aymerni Laporte
Athletic Club to Man City (£57m)
Manchester City have boosted their defense in Pep Guardiola’s second season as they stormed to Premier League title glory in 2018. Arriving just months after Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Ederson, Aymeric Laporte’s arrival for the club’s fee was a true Statement of Intent.
Spanish international in full justified the £57 million paid to the athletics club For his services, winning five Premier League titles during the trophy period before leaving at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
10
Christian policeman
Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea (£58m)
Christian Pulisic arrived at Chelsea as one of the most exciting young players in Europe, with a huge amount expected of the American after his £58 million from Borussia Dortmund. However, it is fair to say that he never hit the heights that many expected.
He now plies his trade in Milan, where the USA International is enjoying one of his best seasons, as he leads the Rossoneri’s league goals and assists charts at the time of writing, with Whoscored ranked him as their second best player In Serie A behind Rafael Leao.
9
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Napoli to PSG (£59M)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia He completed a reported £59m move from Napoli to PSG In January 2025, where he will no doubt hope to be their most exciting attacking player since Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have all been at the club.
The Georgian left despite being in Antonio Conte’s second Serie A title race, opting to write his legacy in Paris instead. His big-money deal is likely worth more than the reported £59m, as add-ons were not announced at the time of his transfer.
8
Oscar
Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG (£60m)
Oscar left Chelsea to join Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG midway through the 2016/17 season, meaning he missed out on enjoying the Blues’ march to Premier League glory a year after handing over his crown to Leicester City.
Of course, there may have been more than football reasons behind Brazil’s decision to succeed and go to China, but at least he brought his former club a The £60m Cool Windfall.
7
Omar Marmoush
Frankfurt to Man City (£63m)
With Manchester City in the Premier League for the 2024/25 campaign, Pep Guardiola opened his checkbook to sign three big-money players – most notably former Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush.
The Egyptian arrived at the Etihad Stadium as a player in red, with only Harry Kane scoring more goals than him in the German Bundesliga since leaving.
City contract going forward it was for an initial £59m, but that could rise to £63m when factoring in add-ons.
6
Dusan Vlahović
Fiorentina to Juventus (£66m)
Dusan Vlahović Big money moves from Fiorentina to Juventus For an initial £58m – rising to £66m – it was considered a significant deal when he moved in January 2022, with plenty of teams interested in signing him.
Unfortunately, he arguably needed to repay Juve in full, with the latest goals for La Viola before his switch remaining the most impressive.
Vlahović died on the 20th at 24 in the 2021/22 campaign Before the Turin giants got their man; His highest for his current club is 18 in 38 appearances last term.
5
Bruno Fernandes
Sporting CP to Man Utd (£67.7m)
Manchester United have had an up and down time since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in 2020, but the Portuguese playmaker has consistently stood out as their most reliable attacking player.
The captain of the Red Devils has registered over 150 goals and assists combined For the Premier League giants, showing what a constant source of end product he has been.
His contract signed in 2020 was for an initial £47mbut extras were to take it to £67.7m.
4
Virgil van Dijk
Southampton to Liverpool (£75m)
Has there ever been a more influential January signing than Virgil van Dijk? When Dutch He joined Liverpool from Southampton for a staggering £75 million In January 2018, some raised eyebrows, but he became one of the greatest running backs in history.
Van Dijk won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, as well as other trophies, and continues to feel like the most important player in his side’s title charge this season.
3
Mykhailo Blatryk
Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea (89 million pounds)
With all due respect to Mykhailo Mudryk, there was probably no worse value for the arrival of a winter signing in Premier League history. His job was to be he’s worth an eye-watering £89 millionalthough it is highly doubtful that the £27m of extras will take effect.
The winger was a huge flop for Chelsea, barring diminished quality and scoring a goal just 10 goals in 73 matches For the Blues, also chipping in with a paltry nine assists.
His career in west London took a turn for the worse in December 2024 when he tested positive for a banned substance, banning him entirely from football.
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2
Enzo Fernandez
Benfica to Chelsea (107 million pounds)
Enzo Fernandez was superb for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, helping his country all the way to the tournament, and it deserved it Transfer to Chelsea in £ 107 million pounds in January 2023.
Although he did not always perform at the world level for the blues, he was still impressive overall, Starting with 16 league games This season he shines alongside the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer.
1
Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool in Barcelona (142 million pounds)
Philippe Coutinho is comfortably the most expensive signing in the history of the January transfer window, joining Barcelona for £142m in 2018.
It proved to be a sliding moment in the Brazilian’s career, with the midfielder never reaching the heights he did in a Liverpool shirt. In fact, his career has since taken off.
Not only that, but they used the red money to sign Alisson and Van Dijk in the same year, completely transforming them as a team and leading them to a glorious period of success without Coutinho around.