Football transfers: Major deals done in January 2025

By Peter Ochieng

The January 2025 transfer window was closed on Monday night, with major transfers unfolding across the globe.

We discuss some of the main transfers undertaken in the January, 2025 window.

1. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United to Aston Villa, loan)

A duly deserved breathing space for Rashford, after being frozen out of the Manchester United squad by manager, Reuben Amorin.

His loan move to Aston Villa thrusts him into Champions League football straightaway, as United continues to languish in the second tier – Europa League.

It is still not clear if he will return to United when his 6-months loan spell ends at the end of the season.

2. Neymar (Al-Hilal to Santos)

The Saudi Arabian club signed Neymar about 20 months ago from PSG, thinking that they had pulled off one of the best transfers in history.

However, the majority of Neymar’s time in Saudi was spent on the medical table and not on the football pitch. The two parties mutually ended their contract, with Neymar making a return to his boyhood club Santos, back in Brazil.  

3. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain)

Napoli manager, Antonio Conte has proven over and over again that he demands a lot from his players, the reason he won league titles at Juventus, Inter Millan and Chelsea.

And he is on the verge of claiming another title for Napoli this season. That is perhaps why he sanctioned winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s transfer to PSG.   

Reports indicate that despite having been an integral part of the Napoli squad, he was among the low earners. This transfer therefore serves him right on monetary fronts.

4. Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain to Juventus)

Enter Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, exit Randal Kolo Muani who has joined Juventus on loan.  

The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward leaves PSG just 18 months after joining the Paris club, having underwhelmed in his performances.  

If succeeds, he will most likely join the Turin club on a permanent deal at the end of the season. If his performances are below-par, then Juve have no obligation to buy.

5. Kyle Walker (Manchester City to AC Milan, loan)

The full back is now on the books of AC Milan, having traded the blue side of Manchester with Milan.

Walker said he would not have left City, had there been no interest from a big club like AC Milan.

"Obviously I spoke with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He explained lots of different things to me, he told me about the great things we’re trying to achieve here. We talked about the Super Cup, which was a good start. It’s not perfect in terms of the league, but there’s still a chance in the Champions League. I hope to contribute with my experience and leadership and to help Milan return to where it wants to be. Winning the Champions League would be a dream come true: I have experienced it in a great final with City.”

Forward Joao Felix also joined Milan on loan from Chelsea.

6. Nico Gonzalez (Porto to Manchester City)

Finally, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City gets someone to replace the injured Rodri in the midfield.