Top 10 Most Expensive January Transfers in History: 3 Chelsea Players Feature

There are two transfer windows on the football calendar. The first one takes place in the summer months, usually starting on the 1st of July and running until the 31st of August. Most of the high-profile moves go through during this two-month window, as it is always easier for newcomers to settle in when they join at the start of the season.

The winter transfer window, which runs from the 1st to the 31st of January, generally does not see too many big moves, as teams only shop in this period when are desperate for reinforcements. However, over the years, there have been some winter shocks, instances of teams paying ridiculous money to prize players away in the middle of the season.

As we barrel down January 2025, let us take a quick look at the 10 most expensive moves that materialized over the winter window.

Data: Transfermarkt (conversion rate from Euro to Pound accurate as of 06/01/2025)

#10 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal): £52.8 million

Kicking off the list is Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund for a £52.8 million fee in January 2018. The 35-year-old spent six years in London, leaving as a club legend.

The gifted centre-forward played 163 games for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring an admirable 92 times and providing 20 assists. Before his unceremonious exit, which stemmed from a fallout with Mikel Arteta, Aubameyang helped Arsenal to an FA Cup and an FA Community Shield.

#9 Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea): £53.1 million

Chelsea broke the bank to sign Christian Pulisic in January 2019, paying a sizable £53.1 million fee to lure him away from Borussia Dortmund. Chelsea loaned him back to Dortmund for the remainder of the 2018-19 season and integrated him into their squad from the summer of 2019.

Pulisic showcased plenty of promise, but he could not fulfil his potential during his time at Chelsea. Before his transfer to AC Milan, the right-winger played 145 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing 19 assists. He helped the Pensioners win the UEFA Champions League in 2020-21, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 10 games.

#8 Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City): £53.9 million

Manchester City added the talented Aymeric Laporte to their ranks in January 2018. The Cityzens splurged £53.9 million to secure the centre-back’s services from La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao.

Laporte, 30, diligently served Man City until his switch to Al-Nassr in August 2023. The Spain international played 180 matches in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists. He won 16 trophies with Manchester City, including six Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League.

#7 Bruno Fernandes (Benfica to Manchester United): £53.9 million

Manchester United forked out a cool £53.9 million to sign Portuguese attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Benfica in January 2020. Over the last five years, Fernandes has proved his worth time and again, winning the captain’s armband and emerging as one of the most influential attackers in the Premier League.

Fernandes, 30, has played 261 games for the Red Devils in all competitions, scoring 85 goals and claiming 77 assists. So far, he has won one FA Cup and one EFL Cup with the Mancunians.

#6 Goncalo Ramos (Benfica to PSG): £53.9 million

French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) paid a handsome £53.9 million fee to sign Goncalo Ramos from Benfica in January 2024, making him the most expensive winter transfer in the history of French football.

Ramos has looked in decent shape since joining the Parisians, scoring 13 times and providing four assists in 34 games across competitions. Had it not been a lengthy layoff due to an ankle injury, Ramos would have had a few more goals and assists to his name.

#5 Mykhailo Mudryk (Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea): £58.1 million

Chelsea paid a hefty £58.1 million fee to sign left-winger Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023. The Ukrainian sees his contract expire in June 2031.

Mudryk, who is currently suspended from all forms of football after testing positive for a banned substance, has played 73 games for Chelsea in all competitions. Much to the disappointment of Chelsea supporters, the 24-year-old has only scored 10 goals and provided nine assists.

#4 Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina to Juventus): £69.2 million

Dusan Vlahovic made headlines across the world when he joined Fiorentina to Juventus in January 2022. Not only had he joined a direct league rival but he also became the most expensive winter transfer in Serie A history, costing Juventus a cool £69.2 million.

The Serbian sharpshooter has shown glimpses of his firepower since the move, but he has yet to justify his massive price tag. He has played 124 games for the Old Lady in all competitions, scoring 53 goals and providing 11 assists. Vlahovic, who sees his contract expire in June 2026, has won only one Coppa Italia with the Bianconeri.

#3 Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool): £70.2 million

Easily the most successful winter transfer of the 21st century, Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton for a £70.2 million fee in January 2018. The 33-year-old has since become a part of the Liverpool folklore, emerging as their captain, motivator, and leader.

The Netherlands international, who sees his contract expire in June 2025, has played 295 games for the Reds in all competitions, scoring 25 goals and notching 13 assists. He has won eight trophies with the Merseysiders, including one Premier League title, one UEFA Champions League trophy, and two EFL Cups.

#2 Enzo Fernandez (Benfica to Chelsea): £100.3 million

Enzo Fernandez, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, joined Chelsea in a Premier League-record £100.3 million deal from Benfica in January 2023. The Blues tied him down to a massive deal running until June 2032.

Fernandez has not yet justified his lofty price tag, but he has shown enough promise. Since joining the club, the gifted central midfielder has played 86 games in all competitions, scoring 10 times and claiming 13 assists. Fernandez must keep up the good work if the Pensioners are to finish inside the top four in the 2024-25 Premier League season.

#1 Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona to Liverpool): £111.9 million

Philippe Coutinho became the most expensive winter transfer in football history when he joined Barcelona from Liverpool for a jaw-dropping £111.9 million fee on 8th January 2018. The Blaugrana expected Coutinho to flourish in the Catalonian capital, but the Brazilian never quite settled down.

He only impressed in bits and pieces during his time at Barcelona and went on his first loan spell — to Bayern Munich — just one and a half years after moving to Spain. Coutinho returned to the club in July 2020 and got another chance to impress, but he failed to capitalize, leading to his loan transfer to Aston Villa in January 2022. The following summer, Coutinho joined Villa in a permanent deal, with the Premier League side only paying Barca £16.6 million for the player.

Coutinho played 106 games for Barca in all competitions, scoring 25 goals and providing 14 assists.