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The January transfer window is fast approaching, giving clubs the next opportunity to strengthen their squads.
After the summer window, attention now turns to the mid-season market, with those chasing silverware looking to increase their supply and those lagging behind looking to bridge the gap.
While there have been some big money moves over the summer, the Premier League’s spending has seen a significant drop compared to previous years.
Until January, the only way clubs can bring in new talent is by signing free agents. But soon scouts and athletic directors will be ready to get back on the market.
Here’s everything you need to know about the January transfer window, including key dates in Europe’s top leagues.
When does the January transfer window open?
Ange Postecoglou has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur “need to strengthen” their squad in the January transfer window.#THFC
More than @jaydmharris ⬇️
— The Athletic | Soccer (@TheAthleticFC) December 24, 2024
For clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League, the January 2025 transfer window officially opens on New Year’s Day, which falls on Wednesday.
Several other major leagues also start their winter window on January 1, including the Scottish Premiership, France’s Ligue 1, Germany’s Bundesliga and the Saudi Pro League.
However, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A start their winter work a day later, on January 2.
Other leagues have even later opening dates, with Belgium starting on January 7 and Turkey on January 13
Meanwhile, five European countries – Albania, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece and Kosovo – will have a window that will last the entire month of January, opening on January 1 and closing on January 31.
In the United States, Major League Soccer’s transfer window begins on January 31. Unlike in Europe, this serves as the league’s primary transfer window, running until April 23, as the MLS season runs through the summer.
When does the January transfer window close?
🚨🚨🌕| Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not committing to the January budget, but PSR rules limit what the club can do.
There are also questions about the amount of money available, with several sources expecting a very quiet winter.
(@TheAthleticFC) pic.twitter.com/ZuOBzSQp2G
— central offices. (@centredevils) December 24, 2024
Although opening dates vary from league to league, most of Europe’s top leagues close their January transfer windows on the same day.
For clubs from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the deadline for completing the deal is Monday, February 3.
It is interesting that the Saudi Pro League, which has extended its summer transfer window far beyond the European one, will close its winter window earlier, on January 30.
However, Turkey will once again leave the transfer window open longer than most European leagues.
Turkish clubs will have until February 11 to finalize their contracts, giving teams in other leagues the chance to sell players after their windows close.
Winter transfer windows in February and later
Eddie Howe expects Newcastle to have a quiet January transfer window 💼 pic.twitter.com/1zLLGcwUWE
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 23, 2024
In some countries, the winter transition period extends until February, or even later.
Russia works from January 23 to February 20, and Poland from January 23 to February 22.
The Czech Republic closely mirrors Poland between January 26th and February 22nd, while Ukraine operates between January 27th and March 11th.
These extended windows give clubs in those countries extra time to make mid-season squad changes.
Can players be signed after the transfer window?
For Premier League clubs, they can only add players who are free agents and if they have a place in their 25-man squad.
This means that there is usually little or no movement when the window closes, with only a four month wait until the window opens again.
Premier League clubs can release players at any time, but the usual rule is that they cannot sign for another club outside the market.
