The 12 most expensive January window transfers of all time

There have been some enormous January transfer window signings throughout history, but which ones have been among the most expensive?

The summer window is generally seen as teams’ main opportunity to bring in new faces, allowing for stability before a new season gets underway.

January also affords them an opportunity to bolster their squad midway through the campaign, splashing the cash in the process.

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Here are the 12 most expensive January window signings in history, including some big-money Premier League additions.

12

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal (£56m)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of Europe’s hottest strikers when Arsenal snapped him up on deadline day in January 2018, and he didn’t disappoint at the Emirates following a record-breaking £56m move in what was Arsene Wenger’s final Gunners recruit.

The former Borussia Dortmund man found the net 92 times in 163 appearances, which is a stunning return, and Mikel Arteta must wish that he had such a potent attacking player in his squad right now.

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11

Aymeric Laporte

Athletic Club to Man City (£57m)

Manchester City boosted their defence in Pep Guardiola’s second season in charge as they romped to Premier League title glory in 2018. Arriving just months after the likes of Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Ederson, Aymeric Laporte’s arrival for a club-record fee was a true statement of intent.

The Spain international fully justified the £57m paid to Athletic Club for his services, winning five Premier League titles during a trophy-laden period before leaving at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

10

Christian Pulisic

Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea (£58m)

Christian Pulisic arrived at Chelsea as one of the most exciting young players in Europe, with an enormous amount expected of the American following his £58m switch from Borussia Dortmund. However, it’s fair to say that he never hit the heights many expected.

He is now plying his trade at 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 ranking him as their second-best player in Serie A behind Rafael Leao.

9

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Napoli to PSG (£59m)

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 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 were all at the club.

The Georgian departed despite Antonio Conte’s side being in another title race in Serie A, opting instead to write his own legacy in Paris. His big-money deal is likely worth more than the reported £59m all told, as add-ons were not disclosed 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 surrendering their crown to Leicester City.

Of course, there may have been more than footballing reasons behind the Brazilian’s decision to up sticks and leave for China, but he did at least bring his former club a cool £60m windfall.

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7

Omar Marmoush

Frankfurt to Man City (£63m)

With Manchester City toiling in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Pep Guardiola opened his chequebook to sign three big-money players – the most significant of whom being former Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush.

The Egyptian arrived at the Etihad Stadium as a player in red-hot form, with only Harry Kane scoring more goals than him in the German Bundesliga upon his departure.

City’s deal for the forward was for an initial £59m, but this could rise to £63m when factoring in add-ons.

6

Dusan Vlahovic

Fiorentina to Juventus (£66m)

Dusan Vlahovic’s big-money move from Fiorentina to Juventus for an initial £58m – rising to £66m – was seen as a significant piece of business when it went through in January 2022, with plenty of teams interested in his signature.

Unfortunately, he has arguably yet to repay Juve fully, with his most recent goal returns for La Viola prior to his switch remaining the most impressive.

Vlahovic netted 20 in 24 in the 2021/22 campaign before the Turin giants got their man; his highest tally 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 Bruno Fernandes’ arrival in 2020, but the Portuguese playmaker has consistently stood out as their most reliable attacking player.

The Red Devils captain 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 deal signed in 2020 was for an initial £47m, but add-ons were set to take it to £67.7m.

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4

Virgil van Dijk

Southampton to Liverpool (£75m)

Has there ever been a more influential January signing than Virgil van Dijk? When the Dutchman joined Liverpool from Southampton for a whopping £75m in January 2018, some raised their eyebrows, but he has become one of the greatest centre-backs in history.

Van Dijk has won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, as well as other trophies, and he still feels like his side’s most important player in their title charge this season.

3

Mykhailo Mudryk

Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea (£89m)

With all due respect to Mykhailo Mudryk, there arguably hasn’t been a worse value-for-money incoming winter signing in Premier League history. His deal was meant to be worth up to an eye-watering £89m, though it is highly doubtful that £27m of add-ons will come into effect.

The winger has been a huge flop for Chelsea, barring smatterings of quality, and has scored only 10 goals in 73 matches for the Blues, also chipping in with a paltry nine assists.

His career in west London took an even worse turn in December 2024 when he tested positive for a banned substance, suspending him from football altogether.

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2

Enzo Fernandez

Benfica to Chelsea (£107m)

Enzo Fernandez was superb for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, helping his country go all the way in the tournament, and it earned him a £107m move to Chelsea in January 2023.

While not always performing at a world-class level for the Blues, he has still been impressive overall, starting 16 league games this season and shining alongside the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer.

1

Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool to Barcelona (£142m)

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 doors moment in the Brazilian’s career, with the midfielder never reaching the heights he did in a Liverpool shirt. In fact, his career has petered out ever since.

Not only that, but the Reds used the money to sign Alisson and Van Dijk in the same year, completely transforming them as a team and leading to a glorious period of success without Coutinho around.

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