In this season’s Premier League January transfer window, there were 33 permanent moves, alongside a huge number of loan deals.
With the title race tightening, relegation battles intensifying, plus the fight for the top four heating up, every piece of business carries extra weight.
Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Zephryn Dockree has ranked each Premier League club’s window, assessing the impact of their decisions.
Some strengthened at crucial moments, others stood still. These choices will shape the final 14 games of the season.
Arsenal – D
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal largely remained silent during the window. It is easy to see why. Six points clear at the top of the Premier League, through to the Carabao Cup Final, plus safely into the Champions League knockouts, meant there was little need for major change.
A small sale of former Premier League champion Oleksandr Zinchenko for just over a million pounds does little to affect the grade. Loaning starlet Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille for valuable game time, however, looks like a smart move by the Gunners.
Overall, the North London club had very little to do. That made it difficult to judge their window too harshly. Recent injuries to Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka, though, mean the table-toppers may yet regret their stay-put approach, which gets a D.
Aston Villa – B
Similar to Arsenal, Aston Villa find themselves in a strong position, sitting firmly in the top four. Despite that, they still chose to strengthen. Bringing back former striker Tammy Abraham adds much-needed quality to their lacklustre forward options.
A smart loan move for another familiar face, Douglas Luiz, provides excellent cover for the injured Youri Tielemans. The Belgian has been a key part of Unai Emery’s side, so replacing him quickly was important business.
Villa also added 19-year-old winger Alysson from Gremio for ten million pounds, a worthwhile gamble on exciting potential. They improved the overall floor of their squad, adding depth in crucial areas. For those reasons, the Villans earn a solid B grade.
Bournemouth – C
Bournemouth faced a familiar problem this January, forced to replace another star player. Antoine Semenyo earned the Cherries an eye-watering £62.5m, a record sale for the club. Losing their main attacking threat is a major blow.
The side have struggled to match last season’s levels, but Andoni Iraola’s team have repeatedly shown an ability to adapt. £25m signing Rayan from Vasco da Gama could be the answer, already registering a goal involvement since arriving.
They also added Hungarian midfielder Alex Toth for ten million pounds, a worthwhile gamble for a club in their position. The coastal side brought in plenty of potential, but replacing Semenyo remains a huge task. For now, Bournemouth receive a C grade for their window.
Brentford – C
Brentford did little of note in the January window, making just one permanent signing. After beating Aston Villa at the weekend with ten men, staying put already feels like the right decision.
The London club currently sit seventh in the Premier League. Many tipped the Bees for relegation at the start of the season, so their position represents an outstanding campaign, particularly for first-time manager Keith Andrews. That achievement is even more impressive following the summer departures of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.
Their only addition was 18-year-old Belgian centre forward Kayo Furo. Time will tell how he adapts to English football, but Brentford’s track record with young talent suggests he will settle quickly. Andrews’ side earn a solid C grade for a quiet but sensible window.
Brighton & Hove Albion – E
Brighton did next to nothing this window, bringing back former player Pascal Groß for just £2m. With only an eight-point gap to the European places, you’d expect Fabian Hürzeler to double down.
Instead, they sat on their hands while other clubs strengthened. For that reason, the Seagulls earn themselves an E, a disappointing outing.
Burnley – E
Burnley’s moves felt like those of a club that have already accepted their fate. Now 11 points adrift of 17th, it’s easy to see why. Batten down the hatches and wait for the parachute payments seems to be the club’s approach.
Bringing in West Ham castaway James Ward-Prowse on loan is hardly a needle-mover, although fans can at least enjoy some decent free-kicks in their final 14 games. For that reason, Burnley get an E, an underwhelming but not unexpected window.
Chelsea – D
Chelsea already have a rather bloated squad, so it’s no surprise that all their moves were outgoings. They released Raheem Sterling and loaned out Tyrique George and Axel Disasi to trim the numbers.
The Blues were reportedly after Jeremy Jacquet, one of Europe’s hottest centre-back prospects, but Liverpool swooped in on deadline day, a stinging blow for a much-needed position.
Fans won’t be thrilled or disappointed by this window. For that reason, they earn a D.
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Crystal Palace – B
Crystal Palace were one of the league’s most active teams this winter, bringing in castaways Brennan Johnson from Spurs, Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolves, and Evann Guessand from Villa for a combined £90m.
However, they lost arguably their best player and captain, Marc Guéhi, to Manchester City and failed to replace him, a massive blow for a side competing in both the league and Conference League.
Palace went all in on Premier League-proven talent: low-risk, high-reward signings they hope will get them across the line in the Conference and keep them well clear of relegation. The Eagles earn a B. Solid all around.
Everton – C
Everton went all in during the summer window, leaving little in the kitty for a big winter spend. Still, they secured talented youngster Tyrique George from Chelsea on loan to bolster their attack.
The Toffees didn’t lose anyone of note either. A simple C for David Moyes.
Fulham – B
Fulham hit the window with a classic one-in, one-out strategy, selling Adam Traoré to relegation strugglers West Ham for £2m and instantly upgrading with the talented Oscar Bobb.
Bobb had found himself surplus to requirements at City, and the Cottagers had the nous to pounce on the young attacker. If the Norwegian can find his feet, this could become a stellar transfer. Fulham earn a B for their window.
Leeds United – C
Leeds have been a surprise package this season, fighting hard to stay up and looking likely to do so. For that reason, there was no need to upset the apple cart in Yorkshire.
An intelligent loan move for talented Facundo Buonanotte, of Brighton and Chelsea fame, adds useful depth behind Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson. Meanwhile, Jack Harrison’s loan to Fiorentina was fairly inconsequential.
One of England’s biggest and most historic clubs will hope to retain their Premier League place, and this window helps their credentials. C.
Liverpool – B
It comes as no surprise that Liverpool remained quiet in the winter window after spending nearly £450m in the summer on the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
That didn’t stop them planning for next summer, agreeing a £60m deal for French star Jérémy Jacquet to join in July, future-proofing their back line as Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk’s contracts run down.
This proactive approach earns Liverpool and Arne Slot a B.
Manchester City – A*
The most talked-about window this month was Manchester City’s. Six points behind Arsenal with everything still to play for, City pushed all their chips to the middle, spending nearly £90m.
Marc Guéhi and Antoine Semenyo have already shown their worth, with the latter scoring four in a City shirt so far. Healthy sales of fringe players like Oscar Bobb and Stefan Ortega helped balance the books.
Pep Guardiola will need these signings to help claw back ground in the title race, and so far, they’ve looked the part. A*, for the ten-time champions.
Manchester United – D
Manchester United have seen their form turn around in recent weeks, with three wins on the spin since sacking Rúben Amorim. They made no moves during this window.
This is perhaps because they’re yet to decide who their manager will be next season. Holding fire before making any personnel decisions seems like an unusually intelligent move from the Red Devils.
Having done nothing, United earn a middle-of-the-pack D.
Newcastle United – E
Things were quiet up north for Eddie Howe and Newcastle, with the only rumour emerging on deadline day. Star player and fan favourite Sandro Tonali was linked with Arsenal, but any whisper of a move was quickly shut down.
The Magpies are slowly starting to slip away from the top four and are now in the Champions League playoff spots. Fans will be disappointed with the window of opportunity missed. E.
Nottingham Forest – D
In classic Nottingham Forest fashion, their moves were a confusing mishmash. Young left-back Luca Netz was signed from Mönchengladbach alongside City backup keeper Ortega and Napoli centre-forward Lorenzo Lucca on loan.
Another less-than-convincing window from a side desperately needing reinforcements to pull away from 18th place. Forest get a D, a desperate-looking slate of transfers.
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Sunderland – B
Sunderland were one of the more intriguing stories this winter, showing real intent rather than sitting on their hands. The Black Cats sealed a surprise swoop for winger Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht for around £15m.
A direct replacement for Simon Adingra, who has joined AS Monaco on loan after struggling to make an impact. The arrival of Angulo adds pace and goal threat out wide as Sunderland look to cement their position in the Premier League’s mid-table.
It wasn’t a blockbuster spree, but it was a smart, purposeful window. Earning them a B.
Tottenham Hotspur – C
An underperforming Tottenham side added Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid for £35m and Souza from Santos for £13m, boosting midfield energy and defensive depth. Gallagher brings Premier League steel, while Souza adds youthful competition down the left flank.
Brennan Johnson left for Crystal Palace for around £35m, a big sale that leaves Spurs light on wing options. Overall, a cautious window rather than a bold one. C.
West Ham United – B
West Ham were busy this winter, bringing in Taty Castellanos from Lazio for £26m, Pablo from Gil Vicente for £20m, Adama Traoré from Fulham for £2m, and Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea to add depth, but many of these players are relative unknowns.
The Hammers did lose key players, with Lucas Paquetá returning to Flamengo £36.5m and fringe men James Ward-Prowse and Niclas Fullkrug going out on loan, but none were a critical blow.
West Ham went for a mix of experience and Premier League-ready talent to boost their league survival hopes. They get B solid business all around.
Wolverhampton Wanderers – C
Wolves have seemingly accepted defeat, and it’s easy to see why. The club sit rock bottom, 18 points adrift of 17th, and have just sold arguably their best player, Jørgen Strand Larsen, to Crystal Palace.
Their replacement? Championship specialist Adam Armstrong, who they’ll hope can fire them back up if relegation comes, alongside Angel Gomes from Marseille, a talented midfield addition.
Rob Edwards and Wolves secured a strong fee for Larsen, so this window earns them a C, pragmatic business, if nothing else.
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