The January transfer window saw plenty of movement across the globe, headlined by Manchester City spending more than the rest of the English Premier League (EPL) combined as they attempted to patch holes in their increasingly leaky title defence.
Having wasted no time acquiring highly-rated Egyptian attacker Omar Marmoush in a €75m swoop from Frankfurt, the club also splashed another €77m on the young defensive duo Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis from RC Lens and Palmeiras respectively.
Then, a deadline day frenzy saw the Citizens acquire FC Porto defensive midfielder Nico González.
Off the back of a humiliating 5-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, the EPL holders splashed €60m on the Spanish midfielder – €42m more than his Transfermarkt valuation – to complete a substantial window of spending for Pep’s side.
The biggest single deal came from Saudi Arabia, however, with 21-year-old Colombian striker Jhon Durán trading Aston Villa for the Roshn Saudi League and Al-Nassr before his career even took off in Europe.
The move, worth €77m, made way from the Villans to sign Manchester United wantaway Marcus Rashford on loan with a €45m option to buy at the end of the season, which ruffled more than a few feathers among fans in England.
Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia parted ways with Napoli after becoming frustrated with contract discrepancies. The talented youngster was still on his original contract signed after his €12m transfer from Georgian club Dinamo Batumi in 2022, at €1.8million per year.
His contract after signing for Paris Saint-Germain – €11m per year.
The top ten biggest deals are as follows:
- Jhon Duran – Aston Villa to Al Nassr – €77m
- Omar Marmoush – Frankfurt to Manchester City – €75m
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli to PSG – €70m
- Nico Gonzalez – Porto to Manchester City – €60m
- Xavi Simons – PSG to RB Leipzig – €50m (+€30m potential add ons)
- Galeno – Porto to Al Ahli – €50m
- Abdukodir Khusanov – RC Lens to Manchester City – €40m
- Vitor Reis – Palmeiras to Manchester City – €37m
- Luiz Henrique – Botofogo to Zenit St Petersburg – €33.5m
- Santiago Gimenez – Feyenoord to AC Milan – €32m
The top three highest-spending leagues were the Premier League (+£242.1million net), Saudi Pro League (+£117million net) and Italy’s Serie A (+£35.5million net). The best net spend came from Portugal (-112million net), who have established themselves into elite sellers.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1738687794labto1738687794ofdlr1738687794owedi1738687794sni@g1738687794niwe.1738687794yrrah1738687794.