10 biggest deals from soccer's winter transfer window

9. Xavi Simons to RB Leipzig

Simons — the tricky, speedy, altogether bewitching Dutch winger — will take his talents to Germany this year to join the wider Red Bull family. He never quite got going in France while playing for Paris Saint Germain, but he's a great fit for Red Bull's high-pressing system and should develop well there.

8. Evan Ferguson to West Ham United on loan

20-year-old Irish striker Ferguson is a remarkable young talent, but he had stalled out under coach Fabian Hürzeler at Brighton. This high-visibility loan to the troubled Premier League team could be exactly the jolt Ferguson's career needs.

7. Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr

Duran's mind-boggling $95M transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr (home of ex-Premier League stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane) has important ripple effects across the soccer ecosystem. $8.7M of that fee will go to MLS' Chicago Fire, the club that signed Duran as a youth prospect. Add that figure to the fee Chicago got when it first sold Duran and you have nearly $31M for one player.

6. Omar Marmoush to Manchester City

Marmoush's link-up play with the often-isolated Erling Haaland has breathed new life into the Manchester City's sputtering attack. The club has defensive problems that Marmoush's goal-scoring ability can't fix, but his introduction in 2025 has clearly been a step in the right direction for City.

5. Ricardo Pepi contract extension at PSV

One of the biggest deals this winter isn't a transfer at all. It's U. S. Men's National Team striker Pepi's decision to stay put at PSV Eindhoven. Pepi has been on fire for the Dutch club this season, scoring 11 goals in the Eredivisie and two in the Champions League. Pepi is expected to stay with PSV through 2030, meaning he'll get consistent minutes at a top international club up to and through the 2026 World Cup. That's phenomenal news for the striker-light USMNT.

4. Antony to Real Betis on loan

Antony, widely considered one of the worst signings in Premier League history, finally found his way out of Manchester United and onto a new side. The results so far are oddly promising. Antony won Man of the Match in his first Betis appearance and looks reborn outside of the Premier League's scrutiny.

3. Mathys Tel to Tottenham Hotspur on loan

Many clubs have been circling around French striker Tel, but the Spurs — in perhaps their first really good move of the season — beat everyone to the punch to get his signature. Tel is an aggressive, athletic striker and one who should add some bite to coach Ange Postecoglou's injury-striken side.

2. Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa on loan

Let's not bury the news here: After a series of awful seasons at Manchester United, Rashford is a big risk for both parties. But it's a risk that could pay off handsomely for Aston Villa manager Unai Emery if he can get Rashford back to his 2019 best. 

“I had to choose somewhere where my style of football is suited and can help them and help me rediscover and improve as a player," Rashford said as he signed his loan contract (h/t The Guardian). "It’s only short term and I want to make the most of my time here.”

1. Miguel Almiron to Atlanta United

What could be bigger than the biggest comeback story in league history? Almiron — a 2018 MLS Cup winner with Atlanta United and all-around league legend — is finally coming home to finish what he started. The Paraguayan attacker made quite a name for himself in the Premier League with Newcastle United and did more to raise MLS's global profile over the years than anyone not named Lionel Messi. Atlanta United looks like an MLS Cup challenger with him on board.