The 2025 January transfer window is officially open, and the frantic pursuit of signings has begun. Football clubs across the globe are gearing up to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. This window is often marked by excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes desperation as teams scramble to secure deals that could shape their campaigns for the rest of the season.
Unlike the summer transfer window, which allows clubs time for strategic planning and negotiations, the January transfer window is typically a time when clubs move quickly to address immediate needs. With that in mind, the transfer activity tends to be more reactive, and while the deals may not be as numerous or as high-profile as in the summer, there is still plenty of drama surrounding player movements.
The 2025 January transfer window has already seen a few high-profile moves, but the question on everyone’s mind is: when does the January transfer window close? Let’s take a deep dive into the key dates of the 2025 January transfer window and explore the big moves that could unfold in the coming weeks.
When Did the 2025 January Transfer Window Open?
The January transfer window officially opened on January 1, 2025 for many of Europe’s top leagues, marking the beginning of a month-long frenzy in the football market. Teams have already started to make moves, with several high-profile signings completed in the first days of the month.
The following leagues opened their transfer windows on January 1, 2025:
- Premier League
- Bundesliga
- Serie A
- Ligue 1
In contrast, some leagues have a slightly later start to their transfer window, opening on January 2, 2025. These leagues include:
- Eredivisie (Netherlands)
- Primeira Liga (Portugal)
- La Liga (Spain)
During the first few days of the window, clubs have the opportunity to formalize deals that were agreed upon earlier and to register their new signings. Players who are within the final six months of their contracts are also allowed to begin negotiations with foreign clubs, which can lead to pre-contract agreements being signed. In the case of Premier League players, they are allowed to sign pre-contracts with clubs from outside of England, but no direct transfers can occur until the official window opens.
When Does the 2025 January Transfer Window Close?
While the opening of the January transfer window has already occurred, the big question is when does it close? Clubs will need to finalize their deals by a specific deadline to ensure that players can be registered and participate in the remainder of the season. The closing date of the transfer window varies depending on the country and league, so let’s take a closer look at the key dates for the closing of the January window across Europe and beyond.
Key Dates for the Closing of the 2025 January Transfer Window
| League | Closing Date |
|---|---|
| Women’s Super League | Thursday, 30 January |
| Saudi Pro League | Friday, 31 January |
| Premier League | Monday, 3 February |
| La Liga | Monday, 3 February |
| Bundesliga | Monday, 3 February |
| Ligue 1 | Monday, 3 February |
| Serie A | Tuesday, 4 February |
| Eredivisie | Tuesday, 4 February |
| Primeira Liga | Tuesday, 4 February |
| Super Lig (Turkey) | Tuesday, 11 February |
As shown in the table above, the transfer window closes on Monday, 3 February for several of Europe’s top leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. These leagues will conclude their transfer business at 23:00 GMT on the final day.
However, Serie A, Primeira Liga, and the Eredivisie will close their windows a day later, on Tuesday, 4 February. Notably, the Super Lig in Turkey has a slightly extended deadline, with their transfer window closing on Tuesday, 11 February.
For clubs in the Saudi Pro League, the window will close much earlier, on 31 January, marking the end of the January transfer activity for the league.
Additionally, the Women’s Super League in England will also close its transfer window earlier than most, with the deadline set for Thursday, 30 January.
What Big Moves Could Happen in the January 2025 Transfer Window?
While the January transfer window is often characterized by deals made in haste, there are always a few blockbuster transfers that capture the attention of fans across the world. The 2025 window is no exception, and a number of high-profile players are entering the final six months of their contracts, which could lead to significant moves either in the form of cut-price transfers or pre-contract agreements.
Key Players Who Could Be On the Move
Several top-tier players are entering the final months of their contracts, leaving clubs with a difficult decision: either cash in on their stars now or risk losing them for free at the end of the season. Here are some of the biggest names who could be on the move in January:
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Egyptian forward has long been linked with a move away from Anfield, and his contract situation has added fuel to the fire. With only six months left on his current deal, Salah could be open to a move, and several top European clubs, including Real Madrid, have been reported as potential suitors. Liverpool will likely want to avoid losing him on a free transfer and may look to cash in if they can secure a deal in January.
2. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The commanding Dutch centre-back is another key player at Liverpool who could be available for transfer. Van Dijk has been a pillar of Liverpool’s defense, but with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025, other European giants might be keen to sign him in January, potentially for a cut-price fee.
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Much like his teammates Salah and Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move abroad. The England international has long been a standout right-back, and Real Madrid is rumored to be interested in securing his services. Liverpool will be under pressure to resolve his contract situation and may need to sell if they cannot reach an agreement before the summer.
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
De Bruyne, one of the best midfielders in the world, could also be on the move this January. His contract situation at Manchester City has raised questions, with some suggesting that the Belgian could be open to a move away, possibly to another top club in Europe. If Manchester City cannot agree on a new deal with De Bruyne, they may choose to sell him in January to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
5. Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich, and Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich is another club that could see several key players leave during the winter transfer window. All three players—Davies, Kimmich, and Sane—are entering the final 18 months of their contracts, and Bayern may look to cash in on these stars before the summer. European heavyweights such as Barcelona, Manchester City, and Liverpool have all been linked with potential moves for one or more of these players.
6. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
The Manchester United forward has been in and out of form recently, but his potential move away from Old Trafford has been a topic of discussion. If United receives a lucrative offer for Rashford in January, they could choose to cash in, especially with his contract expiring soon.
7. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Osimhen has dominated transfer rumors for the past few seasons, and the 2025 January window could finally see him make a big-money move to one of Europe’s elite clubs. Currently on loan at Galatasaray in Turkey, Osimhen could attract interest from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and PSG, among others, who are looking for a striker of his caliber.
Conclusion
The January 2025 transfer window is officially underway, and clubs across Europe and beyond are making moves to strengthen their squads. With several high-profile players entering the final six months of their contracts, January promises to be an exciting month of transfer activity. Clubs will be scrambling to make crucial deals before the window slams shut, and fans can expect plenty of drama, both on and off the pitch.
As the deadline approaches, many key transfers are expected to unfold, with top players like Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and Victor Osimhen potentially on the move. The closing date for each league varies, but clubs need to finalize their deals before the window closes in early February. For many, the clock is ticking down, and the transfer deadline is fast approaching.
Make sure to keep an eye on the latest news and updates as the January transfer window continues to unfold, with major signings and surprises just around the corner.
