The 10 Most Expensive Deals in the Winter Transfer Market 2026

The winter transfer market of 2026 witnessed some major deals around the world, even though January usually does not see massive spending by clubs. However, reports have revealed the top 10 most expensive deals in this market, with the value of each transfer, and the player’s previous and new clubs, as follows:

1- Antoine Semenyo – from Bournemouth to Manchester City: The 26-year-old winger transferred for £62.5 million on a contract until 2031, surpassing the release clause with additional bonuses.

2- Jørgen Strand Larsen – from Wolverhampton to Crystal Palace: The 26-year-old Norwegian striker became the second most expensive deal, valued at £43 million paid upfront in a total deal worth £48 million.

3- Lucas Paquetá – from West Ham to Flamengo: The 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder returned to his homeland for £36.4 million, becoming the most expensive deal in the club’s history and the most expensive in South America.

4- Brennan Johnson – from Tottenham to Crystal Palace: The 24-year-old player transferred for £35 million, after scoring the winning goal in the 2025 Europa League final with Tottenham.

5- Conor Gallagher – from Atletico Madrid to Tottenham: The 26-year-old English midfielder transferred for £34.6 million to strengthen the London team’s ranks.

6- Ademola Lookman – from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid: The 28-year-old Nigerian striker signed a contract until 2030 for £30.2 million.

7- Oscar Bobb – from Manchester City to Fulham: The 22-year-old player joined for £27 million, becoming the third most expensive deal in the club’s history.

8- Mohamed Meite – from Rennes to Al Hilal Saudi: The 18-year-old young player transferred for £26 million on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

9- Valentin Castellanos – from Lazio to West Ham: The 27-year-old striker joined for £25.2 million to support the English club’s attack line.

10- Ryan Vitor Rocha – from Vasco da Gama to Bournemouth: The 19-year-old Brazilian striker signed a contract until 2031 for £24.7 million, with a potential addition of £5.6 million in bonuses.

This list illustrates how some clubs achieved significant deals to strengthen their ranks despite the limited time in the January market, focusing on the most valuable and impactful players in their new markets.