The 10 most expensive signings of the January transfer window

While most elite clubs were reluctant to spend big during the 2026 January transfer window, a number of major deals were still completed across world football.

The likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid all opted against making a single first-team signing before the end of Deadline Day, but well over €1 billion was still spent by clubs in Europe’s big five leagues, the Championship and the Saudi Pro League.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the 10 most expensive deals of the 2026 winter window.

The 10 most expensive signings of January 2026

Antoine Semenyo was the most expensive signing of the winter transfer window, courtesy of his €72 million move from Bournemouth to Manchester City in early January.

The Ghana international enjoyed a spectacular start to the 2025-26 season with the Cherries, registering 13 goal contributions in 20 Premier League games, and City swooped to win the race for his signature amid substantial competition from across the English top flight.

The second-most expensive winter deal was finalised late on Deadline Day, with Jorgen Strand Larsen leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers to join Crystal Palace for an initial €49.7m.

The Norway international was expected to replace AC Milan bound Jean-Philippe Mateta, but the Frenchman failed his medical at San Siro and the pair are therefore set to battle for a starting berth up front for the remainder of the campaign.

Lucas Paqueta is in third place after securing a dream return to Brazilian club Flamengo for €42m. He was set to leave West Ham United over the summer, but a deal with Aston Villa collapsed and he has now rejoined his boyhood team for a club-record fee.

In fourth is Conor Gallagher. The England midfielder is aiming to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming World Cup and he opted to return to the Premier League in an attempt to boost his chances of being selected.

Despite loan interest from Aston Villa, the former Chelsea star decided to complete a permanent move to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of €40m.

Brennan Johnson also secured a €40m move, with the Wales winger leaving Spurs in order to bolster the attacking ranks at Crystal Palace.

The sixth-most expensive signing of January 2026 was Ademola Lookman, who left Atalanta to join Atletico Madrid for €35m. The Nigerian handed in a transfer request over the summer and he was finally permitted to leave on January Deadline Day.

Oscar Bobb’s move from Man City to Fulham for €31.2m was the seventh-biggest deal of the winter window, with Pep Guardiola allowing the Norway forward to depart following the aforementioned addition of Semenyo.

Mohamed Kader Meite’s shock €30m transfer from Rennes to Al-Hilal sees him in eight place, while Taty Castellanos was the ninth-most expensive player of the window after joining West Ham from Lazio for €29m.

Bournemouth’s €28.5m acquisition of Vasco da Gama forward Rayan was the 10th-largest deal.

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