Deadline day is typically crazy, with clubs across the Premier League eager to do business in order to improve their squads.
Sheer joy and excitement thanks to your side addressing a gaping hole in the squad or the gut-wrenching feeling when your favourite player packs his bags and leaves for pastures new—it has got everything. While many teams prefer to get their business done early in a tricky winter window to integrate new players into the squad, others decide to wait until the last day to wrap up deals.
This recently concluded January transfer deadline day was no different which had its fair share of joy, excitement, surprises and heartbreaks. Without any further ado, let us take a look at the five best deadline day deals from the 2025 winter window.
The Best January Transfers In Premier League
- Marcus Rashford (Manchester United to Aston Villa)
After enjoying an incredible 2022/23 season where he netted 30 goals across all competitions, Marcus Rashford’s form has nosedived and not only did he lose his first team spot this season but also, he has not been called up to the England squad since last March.
The England international appeared to enjoy a new lease of life under new boss Ruben Amorim with three goals in his first two games, but things quickly went downhill. He was dropped for the mid-December’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium and has since been called out by Amorim on multiple occasions for a perceived lack of effort in training.
Despite interest from high-profile European clubs such as Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan, Rashford’s exorbitant wages became a stumbling block for his departure. Come the transfer deadline day, Aston Villa popped up out of nowhere and signed Rashford on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy. Only time will tell whether a loan move to Aston Villa kickstarts Rashford’s career.
- Marco Asensio (Paris Saint-Germain to Aston Villa)
Aston Villa were among the busiest Premier League clubs on deadline day. Along with Rashford’s signing, they pulled off a significant coup by luring Marco Asensio on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Following a trophy-laden nine years with Real Madrid, Asensio moved to PSG in the summer of 2023. Things haven’t quite worked out in the French capital and he fell out of favour under Luis Enrique this season. Luckily for the Spaniard, Unai Emery could offer him an escape route out of PSG and a chance to get back his career on track.
- Nico Gonzalez (FC Porto to Manchester City)
Manchester City’s 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last Sunday led to them accelerating their pursuit of FC Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez on the transfer deadline day.
The Sky Blues made the biggest permanent signing of the deadline day, agreeing a £50m deal with Porto for Gonzalez. At 23, the Spaniard represents a long-term investment for Man City as Guardiola hopes his recent acquisition manages to plug the hole in midfield due to Rodri’s injury absence.
- Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich to Tottenham)
Bayern Munich’s highly-rated forward Mathys Tel initially rejected the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur with several clubs interested in his signature, but following conversations with coach Ange Postecoglou, he performed a surprising U-turn and signed for the North Londoners.
Tel has joined Spurs on loan from Bayern for the remainder of the season with an option to make the move permanent for around €55m. The Frenchman’s addition is a timely boost for Postecoglou whose squad has been depleted by an unprecedented injury situation.
- Stefanos Tzimas (PAOK to Brighton and Hove Albion)
Brighton and Hove Albion’s focus on signing young talent with high potential continued when they signed Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas, who is currently plying his trade with Bundesliga 2.0 side FC Nurnberg on loan from PAOK.
Tzimas has been making waves in the Bundesliga 2.0, scoring goals left, right and centre for Nurnberg. The 20-year-old has scored 10 goals in 17 appearances, which caught the attention of several clubs but Brighton has won the player’s signature by agreeing to a £20m deal. He has been loaned back to Nurnberg until the end of the season.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
