The January transfer window is fast approaching, offering clubs the next opportunity to strengthen their squads.
After the summer window, attention now turns to the mid-season market, with those on the hunt for silverware looking to step up their offerings while those lagging behind look to fill the gap.
While there were some big money moves over the summer, Premier League spending saw a significant decline compared to previous years.
Until January, clubs can only attract new talent by signing free agents. But soon scouts and sports directors will be ready to re-enter the market.
Here’s everything you need to know about the January transfer window, including key dates across Europe’s top leagues.
When does the January transfer window open?
Ange Postecoglou has admitted Tottenham Hotspur needs to “strengthen” its squad in the January transfer window.#THFC
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— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 24, 2024
For Premier League and English Football League clubs, the January 2025 transfer window officially opens on New Year’s Day, which falls on a Wednesday.
Several other major leagues also begin their winter window on January 1, including the Scottish Premiership, French Ligue 1, German Bundesliga and Saudi Pro League.
However, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A begin their winter business a day later, on January 2nd.
Other leagues have even later opening dates, with Belgium opening on January 7th and Turkey on January 13th
Meanwhile, five European countries – Albania, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece and Kosovo – have a window that lasts the entire month of January, opens on January 1st and ends on January 31st.
In the United States, Major League Soccer’s transfer window begins on January 31st. Unlike Europe, this serves as the league’s primary transfer window and runs until April 23, as the MLS season takes place in the summer.
When does the transfer window close in January?
🚨🚨🌕| Sir Jim Ratcliffe does not provide any details on the budget for January, but PSR rules limit the club’s options.
There are also questions about the amount of cash available, with several sources expecting a very quiet winter window.
(@TheAthleticFC) pic.twitter.com/ZuOBzSQp2G
– centredevils. (@centredevils) December 24, 2024
Although opening dates vary by league, most top European leagues close their January transfer windows on the same day.
For clubs in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the deadline to conclude contracts is Monday 3 February.
Interestingly, the Saudi Pro League, which extended its summer transfer deadline well beyond Europe’s, will close its winter window earlier, on January 30th.
However, Turkey will once again keep its transfer window open longer than most European leagues.
Turkish clubs have until February 11 to complete their signings, giving teams in other leagues the opportunity to sell players after their own windows close.
Winter transfer window in February and beyond
Eddie Howe expects Newcastle to have a quiet transfer window in January 💼 pic.twitter.com/1zLLGcwUWE
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 23, 2024
In some countries, the winter transfer window extends well into February or even later.
Russia operates from January 23rd to February 20th, Poland from January 23rd to February 22nd.
The Czech Republic will operate similar to Poland from January 26th to February 22nd, while Ukraine will operate from January 27th to March 11th.
These extended windows give clubs in these countries additional time to make mid-season changes to their squads.
Can players be signed after the transfer deadline?
Premier League clubs can only add players who are free agents and have space in their 25-man squad.
This means that there is typically little to no movement when the window is closed and the wait time for the window to reopen is only four months.
Players can be released by Premier League clubs at any time, but the usual rule is that they are not allowed to sign for another club outside the market.
