DEADLINE DAY Winners and losers of the 2025 January transfer window: Man City’s rebuild is well under way – but Man Utd and Arsenal’s failure to sign a forward leaves them short of options

Winners and Losers of the January 2025 Transfer Window: Man City Strengthens, Man Utd and Arsenal Struggle

The January transfer window has closed, bringing with it some intriguing moves. Tottenham landed Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern Munich but missed out on Axel Disasi, who chose Aston Villa instead.

Manchester City continued their rebuilding efforts, spending over £185 million ($230 million) on Nico Gonzalez from Porto, alongside several other signings as Pep Guardiola aims to reverse their poor form.

While most activity remained within England, AC Milan revamped their attack, and the Saudi Pro League saw a notable transfer with Villa’s Jhon Duran joining Al-Nassr, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Here’s a breakdown of the window’s big winners and losers:

Loser: Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati’s once-promising career now faces uncertainty. Despite being a teenage sensation, Fati has struggled for minutes under Barcelona’s new management, making just one start and playing 186 minutes this season. At 22, his future at the club looks bleak, as teams seem reluctant to take a chance on him.

Winner: Pep Guardiola
Guardiola faced mounting questions after City’s recent slump, but his club’s unwavering trust in him is evident. City’s massive January spending and commitment to reinvigorating the squad – including locking down Erling Haaland with a new contract – show that the manager remains firmly in charge, despite the pressure mounting externally.

Loser: Ruben Amorim
Manchester United’s struggles continue under Ruben Amorim, who’s failed to turn the club’s fortunes around since taking over in November. United’s inability to secure a reliable goalscorer during the transfer window leaves them vulnerable, particularly after a dismal loss to Crystal Palace. The squad seems weaker, and Amorim’s position looks increasingly precarious.

Winner: Brazil
Neymar’s return to Santos has reinvigorated the Brazilian national team. After a failed stint in Saudi Arabia, Neymar agreed to a pay cut to return to his roots. His comeback provides a much-needed spark for Brazil as they aim to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Neymar’s talent could help restore joy to the Selecao’s performances.

Loser: Arsenal
Arsenal’s failure to sign a much-needed center-forward during January leaves them vulnerable as they chase Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Despite efforts to sign Ollie Watkins, Arsenal missed their chance, leaving them to rely on Kai Havertz for consistency – a task he has yet to deliver on consistently.

Winner: Chelsea’s ‘Bomb Squad’
Chelsea has begun to clear out players deemed surplus to requirements, including Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, and others from their ‘Bomb Squad.’ While the squad still needs major adjustments, the club has made strides in trimming its roster, moving players like Joao Felix and Carney Chukwuemeka on to new clubs, which is a step in the right direction.

Loser: Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic’s career has stalled at Juventus after high expectations following his €70m move from Fiorentina. Despite being the club’s top scorer this season, Vlahovic’s role at Juventus remains uncertain, and with limited interest from top European clubs, his future looks increasingly uncertain.

Winner: Aston Villa
Aston Villa made a huge statement by fending off interest in Ollie Watkins and securing a major sale to Al-Nassr for Jhon Duran. The club strengthened further with loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, and also bolstered their defense by acquiring Axel Disasi. Villa now finds themselves in the hunt for a top-five finish, with a Champions League spot within reach.

Loser: Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia and his subsequent attempt to push for a transfer to Monaco have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. His strained relationship with the media and recent confrontations have only added to his frustration, leaving his reputation in tatters and his future uncertain.

Winner: Chelsea Women
Chelsea Women’s impressive winter window saw them secure two major signings: Naomi Girma, a 24-year-old US defender, and England international Keira Walsh from Barcelona.

These acquisitions strengthen Chelsea’s already formidable squad, helping them chase a sixth-consecutive Women’s Super League title while aiming for European dominance.

The winter window has been a mix of opportunities seized and missed, with clubs like Manchester City and Aston Villa emerging as winners, while teams like Arsenal, United, and others face challenges ahead.

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