Idle Arsenal and Man United the big losers of the transfer window while Champions League challengers come out on top

The winter transfer window in 2025 was very busy after there was no transfer window activity in 2024. Clubs in the Premier League spent around £314 million in total. Manchester City alone spent £170 million, which is more than what the entire league spent last year. Some clubs made big moves, but the top two teams in the league, Liverpool and Arsenal, did not sign any new players. This could have a big impact on who qualifies for European competitions next season. While some clubs improved their squads, others like Arsenal and Manchester United struggled to make important signings, which may affect their performance for the rest of the season.

Aston Villa had a good transfer window. They are in the last 16 of the Champions League and had a strong start to January with three Premier League wins. Things got complicated when Al Nassr made a big offer for Jhon Duran and Arsenal tried to sign Ollie Watkins. Despite this, Aston Villa managed to keep Watkins and sold Duran for £71 million, giving them a lot of money to spend in the summer. They didn’t wait to spend some of that money. They signed Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund and brought in top players like Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain, Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, and Axel Disasi from Chelsea on loan. Their manager, Unai Emery, has a great record in European competitions, and with these new players, Aston Villa could go far in the Champions League and improve their league position.

Crystal Palace also had a good window. They were doing well since Christmas, but Chelsea recalled Trevoh Chalobah, which disrupted their team. However, Crystal Palace managed to keep key players like Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi. They also signed Romain Esse, a talented player from Millwall, who scored on his debut. Additionally, they brought in Ben Chilwell on loan from Chelsea. With these new players, Crystal Palace could climb higher in the Premier League table and might even qualify for European competitions.

Ipswich Town had an impressive transfer window as well. They are building a strong squad in the Championship and might even survive in the Premier League if they get promoted. In the summer, they signed young talents like Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap. In January, they added Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa. They also signed Julio Enciso from Brighton and Ben Godfrey from Atalanta on loan. Both players have international experience and could help Ipswich stay ahead of relegation rivals like Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Their manager, Kieran McKenna, will be happy with these signings, and Ipswich could surprise everyone by finishing the season strongly.

While some clubs improved, others struggled. Arsenal had a disappointing transfer window. Like Liverpool, they didn’t sign any new players. But unlike Liverpool, Arsenal really needed to strengthen their squad. They tried to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa with a £60 million bid, but the deal didn’t happen. Arsenal needed a new striker because Gabriel Jesus is injured for the rest of the season, and Kai Havertz has not been reliable in front of goal. Havertz even missed two clear chances against Manchester City. Without a proper striker, Arsenal might struggle to compete for the Premier League title.

Manchester United also had a poor transfer window. Their manager, Ruben Amorim, is known for being stubborn. He sticks to his 3-4-2-1 formation, which worked well for him in Portugal, but it’s not working at Manchester United. Instead of changing his tactics, he wanted players who fit his system. However, United only signed one player, Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, for £25 million. Dorgu will help solve their problem at left-back, but United have many other issues that were not addressed. They also loaned out Marcus Rashford and Antony, which might improve the team’s atmosphere because there were reports of problems in the dressing room. Still, Manchester United’s squad is weak, and they could finish in the bottom half of the table if things don’t improve.

Tottenham Hotspur had a mixed transfer window. They tried to strengthen their squad because of many injuries, but they didn’t do enough. They signed Antonin Kinsky, who might even replace Guglielmo Vicario as the first-choice goalkeeper. They also signed Kevin Danso from Lens, who is a solid defender. However, Tottenham faced setbacks. They made a late £70 million bid for Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, but it was rejected. They also tried to sign Axel Disasi from Chelsea on loan, but he chose to join Aston Villa instead. Tottenham did manage to sign Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan after he had initially rejected them just a few days earlier. Tel is a very talented young player, but with Tottenham’s injury problems, it’s uncertain if he can make a big impact. Their manager, Ange Postecoglou, is under pressure, and if results don’t improve, he might lose his job.

Manchester City had the biggest spending spree in the Premier League, signing players worth over £175 million. Their latest signing was Nico Gonzalez, making him their fourth signing of the window. City’s aggressive approach in the transfer market shows their determination to win more trophies. They have added quality players to their already strong squad, and this will make them even more difficult to beat in both domestic and European competitions.

The transfer window also saw some surprising moves. Mathys Tel’s transfer to Tottenham was unexpected because he had rejected them just days before. Ben Chilwell’s loan move to Crystal Palace was also surprising, and some believe it could affect Marc Guehi’s future. Axel Disasi’s decision to join Aston Villa after snubbing Tottenham highlighted how competitive the transfer market can be. Clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United struggled to get their targets, while others like Aston Villa and Crystal Palace made smart moves that could improve their season.

The January transfer window often defines the second half of the season. For clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, failing to sign key players could cost them important points in the league. Arsenal’s lack of a proper striker might affect their title challenge, while Manchester United’s weak squad could lead to more disappointing results. On the other hand, clubs like Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Ipswich Town will be optimistic because of their new signings. These players can bring fresh energy and help their teams achieve their goals.

In football, transfers are always a gamble. Some players adapt quickly and make an immediate impact, while others struggle to fit into their new teams. Managers also play a big role in how well new signings perform. A good manager knows how to get the best out of his players, whether they are new or have been with the team for a long time. Unai Emery at Aston Villa is a good example. He knows how to manage in European competitions, and his new signings could help Villa go far in the Champions League.

The Premier League is very competitive, and small differences can decide who wins the title or who gets relegated. That’s why the transfer window is so important. Even one new signing can change a team’s season. For example, if Arsenal had signed a top striker, they might have become favorites to win the league. Instead, they will have to rely on the players they already have, which might not be enough.

Fans also have strong opinions about transfers. Many Arsenal fans are frustrated because they wanted the club to sign a new striker. Manchester United fans are disappointed because they expected more signings to improve the team. On the other hand, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace fans are excited about their new players and hopeful for a successful second half of the season.

The transfer window is closed now, and clubs must focus on the matches ahead. The next few months will show which clubs made the right decisions. Some will be happy with their choices, while others will regret not doing more. In football, results on the pitch are what matter most, and we will soon see how these transfer decisions affect the season.