Who were the winners and losers in the Premier League?
After another month of protracted deals, transfer sagas and unexpected moves the transfer window has closed in the Premier League.
Even after the 11pm deadline on Monday night some deals could be finalised overnight – but who has had a good window and who has been left lacking?
Let’s check out the winners and losers of the January window as it stands…
Winners
Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s season looked at somewhat of a crossroads when strikers Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran were both being linked with moves away from the club at the same time.
But, after Watkins rejected any overtures from Arsenal and Villa decided to cash in on £65m for Duran, Villa secured the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United which could be inspired.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of three-time Champions League winner Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain. pic.twitter.com/D1fALCklqf
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 3, 2025
Rashford has been low in confidence and form for some time but is an undoubted talent and a new home down the M6 could be the tonic he needs.
Villa then added a three-time Champions League winner to the ranks with the deadline day signing of Marco Asensio.
“A lot of people will be disappointed he’s gone” 😔
“There’s no doubt the talent the lad’s got is incredible” 🔥
Phil Jones speaks on Marcus Rashford’s move to Aston Villa… pic.twitter.com/GIaNbpkQwd
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 3, 2025
Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund looks another canny addition. Defender Diego Carlos was allowed to leave but Villa replaced him late on deadline day with the loan signing of Chelsea’s Axel Disasi.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s side have been in poor form – and hit a new low at Arsenal last weekend.
However, they spent big to bring in Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush to add some numbers and options to the squad. The two young defenders may need time to be assessed but forward Marmoush looks a proven threat.
Welcome, Nico! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/dvHbM9XIXE
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 3, 2025
And bang on the 11pm deadline they added another in Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
Moving the fading Kyle Walker out also looks like the right call.
Crystal Palace
Palace added Millwall attacker Romain Esse and the experience of Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, but for the second transfer window in a row they managed to keep hold of England defender Marc Guehi.
🚨 Crystal Palace reject major bid from Tottenham Hotspur to sign Marc Guehi permanently. #THFC + other clubs expected to try again for 24yo England international in summer, when centre-back will have 12mnths left on #CPFC terms @TheAthleticFC #DeadlineDay https://t.co/QkYb7a42uY
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 3, 2025
The Eagles turned down £65m from Newcastle last summer and on deadline day itself it was reported that Tottenham were ready to spend £70m on the centre-half. Palace knew they could not afford to lose him for any price and did a great job keeping hold of their man.
They also managed to ship out the unwanted Rob Holding and Jeffrey Schlupp to ease the wage bill.
Brentford
Another club whose window is measured on who they kept hold of. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo have excelled for the Bees since the departure of Ivan Toney and both are wanted men.
Nottingham Forest came calling for Wissa in January but the Bees held firm and have kept their two prize assets – for now at least.
Losers
Arsenal
With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus out injured and a title challenge fading Arsenal really needed to sign a forward.
While that is easier said than done – and the reported interest in Villa’s Watkins was a sign of intent at least – failing to make any significant headway leaves a disappointing taste in the mouth for Arsenal fans.
Should they have done more?
Manchester United
When United sacked Erik ten Hag in October they surely could not have expected to be in this position at the end of January.
United are 13th in the Premier League table and head into the final stages of the season with more questions than answers from new boss Ruben Amorim.
The club did sign defender Patrick Dorgu, but that was immediately counteracted by the serious injury sustained by Lisandro Martinez.
Pretty sure now @ManUtd won’t be signing anyone today. Their PSR position made it pretty difficult to buy anyone without selling someone for a profit and loan market was assessed but in the end there are no deals.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 3, 2025
The club decided to cut the wage bill and loan out Antony and Rashford – but with no attackers added the squad looks light on firepower.
Coach Amorim wanted a new forward on the final day of the window, but United’s move for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel hit the rocks and the 19-year-old instead moved to Tottenham.
Leicester City
In the relegation zone and in need of help, the only deadline day gossip centred around a possible swap deal with Wolves for Conor Coady.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was only able to add Woyo Coulibaly from Parma in the window and his hands look positively tied.
