The winter 2025 transfer window has officially slammed shut, concluding on February 3rd at 23:00. This period has allowed clubs to reshape their squads for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
Deadline Day is known for its flurry of activity, and this year was no exception. Several significant deals materialised, with Aston Villa and Manchester City making the most notable moves. This time, instead of going through individual transfer, we decided to tackle entire teams and the way they play to improve with these deals.
Aston Villa
They’ve had a busy window, securing Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United, Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, Andres Garcia from Levante and Marcos Asensio. These additions bring international and Champions League League experience to the squad.
The club also saw several departures, including Jhon Duran to Al Nassr and Jaden Philogene to Ipswich. The departure of these players, none of whom were regular starters, led to the recruitment of players like Rashford and Asensio while also keeping Ollie Watkins despite Arsenal’s interest.
Duran was pivotal for the Villans this season, scoring 7 goals in 20 matches, mainly from the bench. The additions of Rashford, Asensio and Malen promise to improve on the attacking potential of Unai Emery’s team and push them towards the top four.
Manchester City
They don’t typically engage in Deadline Day activity, but this year they signed midfielder Nico Gonzalez at the last hour. They were the Premier League’s biggest spenders, adding six players for over £175m.
Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt was the most expensive addition at £63m. The club has also invested in the future by bringing in teenage defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. Khusanov and Marmoush showed that they could produce from the start as they both starred in Man City’s 3-1 victory against Chelsea.
Kyle Walker’s loan move to AC Milan marks the end of an era at City.
West Ham United
They were focused on recruiting a forward, especially given injuries to key players. They secured Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton until the end of the season, a player Graham Potter knows well. James Ward-Prowse also returned from his loan at Nottingham Forest.
Ferguson is touted as one of the most promising Premier League talents. But has had injury problems this year and never got himself going with the Seagulls. A move to a team where he will have more room to grow and get some playing time will do him a lot of good.
Wolves
They signed two centre-backs, Emmanuel Agbadou and Nasser Djiga, plus midfielder Marshall Munetsi. Matheus Cunha, their star forward, extended his contract, dispelling any rumours of his departure. Mario Lemina’s exit to Galatasaray marks a new beginning for the club.
Extending Cunha was the best piece of business Wolverhampton managed. He is their star player this season and should be the only one to help them stay in the league this season.
