The winter transfer window opens this Thursday. For most clubs, it is only an adjustment market, which can fill a gap in the squad due to poor performances or injuries. But you have to aim correctly, because very often, the players available at this time of the season are in a situation of failure in their club. In winter, bargains are rare unless you spend a lot of money.
The opening and closing dates of the winter transfer window vary depending on the country. In France, as in Germany and even Saudi Arabia, the period will extend from January 1 to February 2. The Spanish transfer window will begin on the same date and end on February 3. For Italy and Spain, the period will extend from January 2 to February 2 and end on the same date. In England, Premier League teams will be able to recruit between January 1 and February 3.
Clubs that could boost the market in France
In France, the transfer window has already started even before it opens. L’Olympique Lyonnais has already offered the Brazilian nugget from Real Madrid Endrick on a paying loan. The amount of the transaction amounts to a “maximum” million euros, specifies the Rhone club, currently 5th in Ligue 1, in a press release.
In great difficulty in the ranking (17th), the FC Nantes has also been very active in recent weeks, already welcoming Deiver Machado (Lens) and Rémy Cabella (Olympiakos). In legs last summer, the Paris FC could give a boost to the market: five new players are expected in the capital club this winter.
It remains to be seen whether its Parisian counterpart, the PSGwill also decide to do some crazy things like the 70 million spent last January to poach the Georgian winger from Naples Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In the midst of a crisis, theOGC Nice should also be shopping this winter after the departure of Franck Haise and the arrival of Claude Puel. French striker from Frankfurt Elye Wahi and Moroccan international Amir Richardson are notably on the verge of joining the Aiglons, according to our information.
European Cups complicate things
Where the old version of the Champions League was limited to six matches played between September and December, the new formula provides for eight, until the end of January. An element to take into account for clubs since only two player registration windows are planned for the European Cup: the first at the end of August, and the second at the beginning of February.
Direct consequence: players recruited during the winter transfer window will not be able to be fielded in their new colors during the last two days of C1, scheduled for January 20 and 27. Clubs involved in the Champions League or the Europa League will therefore naturally be less inclined to sell during the winter window, or at least before the end of the first phase.
Conference League clubs like Strasbourg, whose first part always lasts six matches and ends in December, are not affected by this parameter.
Free players: things to follow
Some players free on June 30, 2026 could be pushed out by their club which sees, in this winter transfer window, the last opportunity to sell them. In accordance with current FIFA regulations, players whose contract ends at the end of the season can, from January 1, negotiate and commit to the club of their choice. With a comfortable signing bonus from which they will not benefit if they change clubs this winter.
Between the exiles Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad) or the leaders of the French team Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) or even Mike Maignan (AC Milan), the list is long.
Even if they are free to commit when and where they want, players without a contract can take advantage of the winter movements to finally see their situation unblocked. Thus, the former Parisian Juan Bernat (32 years old), the English attacking midfielder Dele Alli (29 years old), the full-backs Renan Lodi (27 years old) and Sergio Reguilon (29 years old), the Spanish striker Paco Alcacer (33 years old) and the former Naples winger Lorenzo Insigne (34 years old) are free.
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