“Football.ua tells about the most interesting transitions.”, — write: football.ua
Football.ua tells about the most interesting transitions.
One of the biggest spenders was, unsurprisingly, Manchester City, who once again topped the list of the most expensive transfers of the winter of 2026, signing Antoine Semenho from Bournemouth for €72 million.
We present the top ten, at a glance Football.uatransfers of the winter window of 2025.
*prices are indicated according to the Transfermarkt version
Antoine Semenho from Bournemouth to Manchester City
Age: 26
Country: Ghana
Position: winger
Transfer amount: 72 million euros
Antoine Semenyo had a £65m release clause in his contract over the winter, but Manchester City settled a deal just below that figure. Thus, the “townsmen” paid a record price for the EPL for the acquisition of an experienced striker – a landmark previously set by Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbemo, and then cemented by Eberechi Eze.
Signing a 26-year-old for such a big fee is nothing new, but City still need attacking firepower to back up the goalscoring Erling Holland, and the Ghanaian winger’s 21 Premier League goals in the last 18 months suggests he is up to the task. In addition, Antoine is incredibly hard-working – no other attacking player has made more tackles than him – 101 this season – underscoring his importance in team play.
Jérémy Jaquet from Rennes to Liverpool
Age: 20
Country: France
Position: central defender
Transfer amount: EUR 63.6 million
Another talent with a big future from the French school is Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jaquet. He is predicted to take big steps in his career, and against this background, two top EPL clubs actively fought for him in the winter — Chelsea was sure for a long time that he would progress and grow in the “blues”, but in the last moments, Liverpool unexpectedly joined and the card from London was beaten.
The deal for the 20-year-old Frenchman was signed on the last day of the winter maintenance, but it was a future signing, as the player will spend the second part of the season in Rennes, where he played 19 matches in the first part of the campaign. The potential for the future is underlined by the transfer price, which was a significant €72m considering the potential bonuses.
The management of the “Reds” sees Jacque as a key figure in the long-term construction of the defense. He is expected to form a solid defensive pairing with another young talent in Giovanni Leoni in the future.
Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton to Crystal Palace
Age: 25
Country: Norway
Position: central striker
Transfer amount: 49.7 million euros
The deal came as a big surprise, even among Premier League clubs, as it had long appeared to hinge entirely on the potential departure of Jean-Philippe Mateta, but Milan have waived the Frenchman following a medical ahead of the deadline.
However, the “Eagles” signed Jørgen Strand Larsen for an incredible amount for the team – 49.7 million euros, signing a contract for four and a half years. It’s a bold move from Crystal Palace as Larsen has been in terrible form this season, scoring just one goal in a losing cause against Wolves.
In Jørgen’s defence, the team around him have played poorly and perhaps last year’s 14-goal tally is more fair, but he is woefully lacking in confidence, so a move for such a big fee is a rare combination and a huge challenge with pressure for the Norwegian. Will this bet work – we’ll wait and see.
Lucas Paqueta from West Ham to Flamengo
Age: 28
Country: Brazil
Position: midfielder
Transfer amount: 42 million euros
The Brazilian league has once again found itself in the center of the transfer window, and if it usually happens due to high-profile sales of young talents, this time it’s about signing a star and returning to his homeland.
Lucas Paqueta has become the latest and certainly the most expensive acquisition in Brazil’s top division in the last few years. This is a record deal for Flamengo and the league, worth 42 million euros — for a player who will turn 29 in August.
At one time, West Ham successfully acquired the player, after which he served the Hammers faithfully, but in recent years he has experienced difficult seasons. After finding himself at the center of a betting scandal (and eventually being vindicated), the talented playmaker’s form has taken a major dip and he’s certainly not what he used to be, especially at EPL level. There is great hope that returning home will help him resume his career.
Brennan Johnson from Tottenham to Crystal Palace
Age: 24
Country: Wales
Position: winger
Transfer amount: 40 million euros
Brennan Johnson had two impressively productive seasons at Tottenham, relying on two key qualities – speed and goal-scoring ability, particularly at the far post – to earn a place in the team under then-manager Ange Postecoglou, which led to his winning goal in the Europa League final.
But since Thomas Frank took charge of Spurs last summer, the Welshman has unexpectedly lost his place in the starting line-up, making just eight appearances from the opening minutes this season. Something had to be done about it, and in the winter Brennan moved to another club from London for 40 million euros.
Crystal Palace is a good place for the Welshman as the Eagles are in desperate need of new players, with a small squad currently under pressure due to injuries, results, management conflicts and other reasons, and Johnson’s quick pace and attacking ability is a perfect fit for the current manager’s style.
Ademola Luqman from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid
Age: 28
Country: Nigeria
Position: attacker
Transfer amount: 35 million euros
Ademola Lukman was finally able to leave Atalanta. As recently as last summer, the 28-year-old Nigerian announced a boycott of Bergamasque because of broken promises, as the Italian club refused to accept Inter’s offer for his transfer, but his perseverance eventually paid off, leading to a move to Madrid to Diego Simeone’s team, where similar “numbers” with a boycott are unlikely to pass without a trace.
Given that Ademola had 18 months left on his contract, €40 million is an incredible windfall for Atalanta, who later forgave the player and reinstated him. With this transfer, Atlético is likely to compensate for the upcoming departure of the creative Antoine Griezmann.
Conor Gallagher from Atletico to Tottenham
Age: 25
Country: England
Position: midfielder
Transfer amount: 40 million euros
Conor Gallagher returns to the English Premier League after 18 months in Spain’s La Liga. The first 12 months of his stay ny in Madrid were quite successful, but this season the Englishman fell out of the main squad of the “mattressmen” due to increasing competition, which reminded him of his path at Chelsea before moving to Spain. At the end of the day, Atletico must be happy to receive €40 million for a player who has started just four games this season, two less than the amount he was bought for from the Blues.
Tottenham sign a 25-year-old pupil of their own academy, a midfielder with truly incredible physical training. The only question concerns his current performance: Spurs have long lacked a creative master in the midfield to create attacks, but instead, without solving the problem, if you look at it logically, they signed an aggressive midfielder again. Yes, Conor likes to work on the field, but often his efforts turn into useless cards.
Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal
Age: 38
Country: France
Position: attacker
Transfer amount: free agent
2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema’s time at Al Ittihad has come to an end, but unlike most star players who have moved to the Pro League over the past few years, his career in Saudi Arabia is not over and the Frenchman has no plans to return to Europe just yet.
The 38-year-old forward has joined another PIF-owned club, namely Al Hilal, and will significantly strengthen their squad in the title race against Al Nasr, which features his friend Cristiano Ronaldo. It is almost certainly no coincidence that Ronaldo chose not to play for his team after claiming that An-Nasr had not been properly strengthened during the winter transfer window, while their rivals did, again spending big.
And if the Ronaldo story is to continue and develop, Benzema has already resolved his career and should fit in perfectly with Simone Inzaghi’s squad and continue to display impressive results for his age with 16 goals in 24 appearances this season.
Mark Gay from Crystal Palace to Manchester City
Age: 25
Country: England
Position: central defender
Transfer amount: 23 million euros
With injuries to centre-backs Ruben Diaz and Josch Guardiola and a lackluster defensive performance that has left them adrift of Arsenal in the Premier League table, Manchester City have decided not only to bolster their attack with a record-breaking transfer of the winter, but also to sign the experienced Mark Gea.
The 25-year-old Englishman’s transfer fee of €23 million is incredibly low for a player of his caliber, especially last season’s form, but his £300,000-a-week wages mean he is an important figure for the immediate future of Josep Guardiola’s side.
It’s a disaster for Crystal Palace. Their reliable captain left for a fee well below expectations (as he was out of contract in the summer) after the Eagles rejected a last-minute €40m bid from Liverpool in August. Gea’s departure seriously undermines the Eagles’ chances of promotion in the Conference League and their further growth in the Premier League.
Tati Castellanos from Lazio to West Ham
Age: 27
Country: Argentina
Position: attacker
Transfer amount: 29 million euros
Tati Castellanos has a distinctive attacking aesthetic, which he combines with aggressive runs and pressing (which often results in numerous fouls and yellow cards), as well as a willingness to drop back, help the team in defense, receive the ball and start developing attacks.
After the transition from the American MLS league to European football, the 27-year-old Argentine showed good results, but in Serie A he had a big problem in realizing moments. Perhaps this is due to the fact that he knows how to score impressive and difficult goals, but misses the simplest ones, where any other forward of one of the top championships seems to be able to do it.
Lazio were probably more than happy to receive a decent fee of €29m for a striker who has never been able to establish himself in the first team and realize his full potential. On the other hand, this is definitely a risky move for West Ham, but the club from London needs new blood in the attack, and maybe Tati will become a new force for the Hammers in the near future.