The 2025 Winter Transfer window is officially closed. And there's plenty to talk about.

With that in mind, our B/R Football writing team of Leo Collis and Nick Akerman sat down to analyze the biggest moves from some clubs and the inactivity during the January Transfer Window.

Will Spurs' late business pay off? Will Arsenal regret not bringing in a striker? Is City's spending the remedy for their struggles?

We look to answer those questions and more as we grade every Premier League's transfer window for Winter 2025.

Disagree with our experts? Shout out your opinions in the comments section of the B/R app!

Arsenal

You have to wonder how much Arsenal's win over Manchester City impacted their deadline-day dealings.

Mikel Arteta may feel he can go another few months without signing the marquee striker supporters crave. The Gunners are unlikely to win the Premier League, but can be considered genuine contenders for the Champions League at a time when Man City and Real Madrid are having fallow years.

There's a sense that Arsenal's next striker signing will be a big one. An Alexander Isak or a Viktor Gyökeres type; someone who can post 30 goals per season and take advantage of all those big chances created by the brilliant supporting cast.

A lot of talk with little to get excited about, a description Arteta will hope doesn't define Arsenal's season once it's all said and done.

Grade: D

In: N/A

Out: Josh Robinson (Wigan), Marquinhos, (Cruzeiro, loan), Maldini Kacurri (Bromley, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Aston Villa

If this was the 2021 winter transfer window, then Aston Villa would have earned an A+++ grade. But it's 2025, so the arrivals of Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen register closer to a B (with a question mark next to it).

The former pair are nowhere near their best, but that doesn't mean they can't get somewhere close again. Malen, meanwhile, has never strayed far beyond the "useful" tag, but the Dutchman has shown some brightness in his two substitute appearances for the Villans so far.

Axel Disasi has moved to Villa Park on loan in a smart deal to bolster the backline, which has been depleted by Diego Carlos' departure to Fenerbahce and Tyrone Mings' injury setback.

But then we have the sale of Jhon Duran to consider. For a while, it looked like the Colombian would be the future of the West Midlanders' attack. The 21-year-old scored 12 in 29 appearances (mostly coming from the bench) in all competitions, shaking out at a goal every 87 minutes.

The reported $88 million (£71 million) Villa bid from Al-Nassr was too much to turn down for a club flirting with financial fair play sanctions ahead of the 2024-25 season. Duran's slightly volatile and mercurial nature probably tipped the scales in favor of "sell," too, despite the electrifying performances he produced at Villa Park.

Loan exits for potential future stars and a healthy cash injection from the sale of academy graduate Jaden Philogene ($25 million/£20 million) rounded out a decent, albeit turbulent, window for Villa. This grade could get revised to an A come season's end.

Grade: B

In: Marco Asensio (Paris Saint-Germain, loan), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United, loan), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Axel Disasi (Chelsea, loan), Andres Garcia (Levante), Louie Barry (Stockport, recalled from loan)

Out: Jhon Duran (Al-Nassr), Lewis Dobbin (Norwich City, loan), Jaden Philogene (Ipswich), Diego Carlos (Fenerbahce), Louie Barry (Hull CIty, loan), Emiliano Buendia (Bayer Leverkusen, loan), Kosta Nedeljkovic (RB Leipzig, loan), Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough, loan), Sil Swinkels (Bristol Rovers, loan), Travis Patterson (MK Dons, loan)

-Leo Collis

Bournemouth

Long-term injuries to Evanilson and Enes Ünal have given Andoni Iraola a headache in an otherwise sensational season.

Bournemouth didn't bring in adequate cover, but after Dango Ouattara's hat-trick earlier this month and Justin Kluivert's ridiculous form, they may feel like they've got the players to sustain a push for European football next season.

This month turned out to be more about the future. Multiple youngsters have joined the club and will get game time where it makes sense as Iraola looks to uncover the next gem.

Fans may feel the Cherries needed a bit more at a time when they have a genuine shot at finishing amongst the big boys.

Grade: C

In: Matai Akinmboni (DC United), Kai Crampton (Chelsea), Julio Soler (Lanus), Daniel Jebbison (Watford), Zain Silcott-Duberry (Chelsea), Eli Junior Kroupi (Lorient, loaned until the summer)

Out: Philip Billing (Napoli, loan), Max Aarons (Valencia, loan), Mark Travers (Middlesbrough, loan), Lewis Brown (Salisbury, loan), Finn Tonks (Farnborough, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Brentford

The winter window was mostly just housekeeping for Brentford, with players being recalled from loan and others heading out.

Michael Kayode's arrival is an interesting one, though. The 20-year-old was a regular for Fiorentina in Serie A last season, but he wasn't getting a look-in in 2024-25.

The Bees sensed an opportunity and swooped, and he could be the club's first-choice right-back before long—in a position they have struggled to fill.

Nothing too dramatic for Thomas Frank, which will probably suit him just fine for the time being.

Grade: D

In: Ellery Balcombe (St Mirren, recalled from loan), Tristan Crama (Exeter City, recalled from loan), Michael Kayode (Fiorentina, loan, £13.5m buy option)

Out: Ashley Hay (Cheltenham, loan), Val Adedokun (Cheltenham, loan), Jayden Meghoma (Preston North End, loan), Ellery Balcombe (Motherwell, loan), Mads Roerslev (Wolfsburg, loan), Matthew Cox (Crawley, loan)

- Leo Collis

Brighton Hove & Albion

No immediate improvements for Brighton, despite Diego Gomez getting a little playing time upon his January arrival. This was a window in which the club swatted away substantial attempts from Saudi Arabia to land Kaoru Mitoma, a player who has found a return to form in the inconsistent side.

Brighton's position in 10th goes a long way to sum up their season. Young boss Fabian Hürzeler has proven capable of implementing smart game plans for big wins, while also completely baffling on the odd occasion.

He deployed just one central midfielder in Saturday's 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, a mistake that took far too long to fix after the Seagulls quickly conceded multiple goals. Evan Ferguson did appear in that game before being carted off to West Ham, while intriguing new striker Stefanos Tzimas will stay at Nuremberg for the remainder of the campaign.

Brighton's squad is made up of quality, but they aren't quite gelling together and it feels like Hürzeler needs to separate those who have a future from those who can raise a bit of cash. It didn't quite happen this window.

Grade: D

In: Stefanos Tzimas (Nuremberg), Eiran Cashin (Derby), Diego Gomez (Inter Miami), Carl Rushworth (Hull City, recalled from loan), Kamari Doyle (Exeter, recalled from loan)

Out: Evan Ferguson (West Ham, loan), Julio Enciso (Ipswich, loan), Jakub Moder (Feyenoord), Ruairi McConville (Norwich), Benicio Baker-Boaitey (Millwall), Louis Flower (Gateshead, loan), Imari Samuels (Dundee Utd), Ben Jackson (Queen's Park), Kamari Doyle (Crawley, loan), Ed Turns (Exeter)

-Nick Akerman

Chelsea

Chelsea are continuing to streamline their squad, which is probably a relief for the club's accountants.

Cesare Casadei has left permanently, while Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga and João Felix have been sent out on loan. The latter trio even brought in a small cash injection following their respective temporary switches.

Meanwhile, the Blues brought in midfielder Mathis Amougou to stockpile for the future, and Trevoh Chalobah was sensibly recalled from Crystal Palace with the club short on numbers at center back.

Chelsea weren't quite so Chelsea in this window, which makes a lot of sense but is less fun for those on the outside looking in.

Grade: C

In: Mathis Amougou (St. Etienne), Aaron Anselmino (Boca Juniors, recalled from loan), Gabriel Slonina (Barnsley, recalled from loan), Trevoh Chalobah (Crystal Palace, recalled from loan), David Fofana (Goztepe, recalled from loan)

Out: Renato Veiga (Juventus, loan), João Felix (Milan, loan), Cesare Casadei (Torino), Ben Chilwell (Crystal Palace), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund, loan), Alex Matos (Oxford United, loan), Kai Crampton (Bournemouth), Zain Silcott-Duberry (Bournemouth), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Gillingham, loan), Caleb Wiley (Watford, loan)

- Leo Collis

Crystal Palace

Just like last summer, Crystal Palace did well to hold onto Marc Guehi this month. His future certainly lies away from Selhurst Park, but the Eagles have proven steadfast in their resistance to keep the centreback for as long as it suits them.

It's a particularly important decision after Chelsea decided to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan, a man who was working hard under Oliver Glasner and reaping the rewards for his effort.

Palace fans will be excited by Romain Esse's debut goal, despite the loss to Brentford. Summer acquisition Eddie Nketiah has proven to be toothless so it's vital Glasner has more attacking options to call upon as the team looks for consistency.

Grade: C+

In: Romain Esse (Millwall), Malcolm Ebiowei (Oxford Utd)

Out: Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea, recalled from loan), Chris Francis (Dagenham & Redbridge, loan) Jemiah Umolu (Port Vale, loan), Asher Agbinone (Gillingham, loan), Rob Holding (Sheffield United, loan) Jeffrey Schlupp (Celtic, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Everton

The sun is shining over the Blue half of Merseyside once again with the return of David Moyes, but that doesn't mean the club is keen to untie the purse strings just yet.

Former Southampton midfielder Charly Alcaraz is back in the Premier League on loan from Flamengo, but that's about as sweet as it gets for the Toffees.

The next five months are about survival until things become a little smoother next season with the new ownership fully involved and the new stadium complete. Everton should have just about enough to make that happen.

Grade: D

In: Charly Alcaraz (Flamengo, loan), Tyler Onyango (Stockport County, recalled from loan)

Out: Charlie Whitaker (Notts County, free), Stanley Mills (Oxford United), Harrison Armstrong (Derby County, loan)

- Leo Collis

Fulham

A super low key window - and for good reason.

Fulham have a decent squad and is 9th in the Premier League, so this window was more about keeping hold of star players and working towards the summer.

Antonee Robinson never looked like he would be sold, but we can expect activity around him to step up after the season. Marco Silva is a fine manager who has done an excellent job at improving several squad players, so keeping things tight makes complete sense.

Grade: C+

In: Matt Dibley-Dias (Northampton, recalled from loan), Devan Tanton (Chesterfield, recalled from loan)

Out: Olly Sanderson (Harrogate, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town have been busy as they try to ensure Premier League survival. Former Everton defender Ben Godfrey has arrived from Atalanta, Jaden Philogene has been plucked from Aston Villa, and Julio Enciso has come clattering in Brighton & Hove Albion.

There's a mixture of Premier League experience and youthful vibrancy that should help the Tractor Boys' quest to avoid the drop. If Enciso returns to the kind of form he displayed at the end of the 2022-23 Premier League season, it could make all the difference.

Grade: B

In: Ben Godfrey (Atalanta, loan), Jaden Philogene (Aston Villa), Julio Enciso (Brighton, loan), George Edmundson (Middlesbrough, recalled from loan), Alex Palmer (West Bromwich Albion)

Out: Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City, loan), Harry Clarke (Sheffield United, loan)

- Leo Collis

Leicester City

It may sound harsh but it feels like the Leicester board are scared to commit to Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The new manager can barely buy a win and it doesn't feel like he will be there too long. That's reinforced by the Foxes' January business at a time when some reinforcements legitimately could help them escape the relegation zone. A couple of million spent on Parma midfielder Woyo Coulibaly isn't going to move the needle too much.

Honestly? It feels like the club hasn't done anywhere near enough, especially as they're only two points from safety. This could be the defining month in their season.

Grade: F

In: Woyo Coulibaly (Parma)

Out: Tom Cannon (Sheffield United), Hamza Choudhury (Sheffield United, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Liverpool

There have been no new arrivals at Liverpool in the winter window, but there have also been no signs of definite departure from Liverpool's soon-to-be-out-of-contract trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

That's done little to settle the nerves of anxious Liverpool fans, who are desperate for reinforcements in their multiple title challenges and begging the club to get signatures on paper from those three stars.

Stability is strength, in theory, and Liverpool will be happy to get through the window relatively unscathed and focus on the prospect of silverware. A couple of new faces wouldn't have hurt, though.

Grade: F

In: N/A

Out: Kaide Gordon (Portsmouth, loan), Rhys Williams (Morecambe, loan), Marcelo Pitaluga (Fluminense), Calvin Ramsay (Kilmarnock, loan), Tom Hill (Harrogate, undisclosed), Stefan Bajcetic (Las Palmas, loan), Dominic Corness (Gillingham, loan)

- Leo Collis

Manchester City

How to solve the season from hell? Throw £200 million at it.

Manchester City's disaster year meant January was always going to be a busy month. A rebuild has begun, starting with cover for problems all over the pitch.

Omar Marmoush is an exciting signing who will likely make a substantial attacking contribution across the rest of the campaign. Nico González isn't Rodri, but he's also not an old Ilkay Gundogan. He has the reading of the game to usher in a bit more control without being so susceptible on the break. Abdukodir Khusanov will be rotated and certainly needs bedding in, as we saw with his mistake against Chelsea on his debut.

As much as these are signings for the future, Pep Guardiola will be desperate for an uptick in form right now. City's immense spending power has come into full force at a time when other clubs can't do much.

Grade: A

In: Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt), Nico González (Porto), Abdukodir Khusanov (Lens), Vitor Reis (Palmeiras), Claudio Echeverri (River Plate, deal agreed in January 2024)

Out: Kyle Walker (Milan, loan), Issa Kabore (Werder Bremen, loan), Josh Wilson-Esbrand (Stoke, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Manchester United

The outgoings are more interesting than the incomings for Manchester United.

Marcus Rashford has temporarily escaped from a childhood romance that was quickly turning sour, while Antony has a chance to remind everyone why the Red Devils paid around $100 million for him in 2022 while on loan with Real Betis.

Meanwhile, Tyrell Malacia is heading back to the Netherlands on loan, with PSV Eindhoven stepping up to take the left-back until the end of the season.

Amid the dramatic departures, Partick Dorgu has arrived to relatively little fanfare outside of Fabrizio Romano's social pages. The 20-year-old Denmark international has swapped Lecce for Lancashire, and his positional versatility is sure to be valued in a squad that needs help just about everywhere. He is just one man, though.

Swiping a young Arsenal prospect in Ayden Heaven will also delight those who have seen the Gunners' academy graduates shine this season—and those who still appreciate sticking it to their former league rivals in the south.

Grade: B-

In: Patrick Dorgu (Lecce), Joe Hugill (Wigan Athletic, recalled from loan), Ayden Heaven (Arsenal)

Out: Antony (Real Betis, loan), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan), Ethan Ennis (Doncaster United, loan), Ethan Williams (Cheltenham Town, loan), Dan Gore (Rotherham United, loan)

- Leo Collis

Newcastle United

Keeping Alexander Isak was priority number one in this window. That happened without any fuss.

Eddie Howe didn't expect any signings and that's exactly what he got. The Magpies are pushing for a Champions League place and will take stock in the summer, which is likely to see significant investment while Isak's future at the club comes under serious threat.

January was used to trim unneeded players and free up some wages. Nice and easy.

Grade: C-

In: N/A

Out: Lloyd Kelly (Juventus, loan), Isaac Hayden (Portsmouth, loan), Charlie McArthur (Carlisle, loan), Alex Murphy (Bolton, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest are amazing, they don't need any major new signings.

It's fun to get carried away by the East Midlanders' ascent, especially as the bubble seemed to burst following a 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth, only to magically be restored with a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Tricky Trees have brought in Joel Ndala on loan from Manchester City, Tyler Bindon from Reading (and loaned him back to the club), and former goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has returned on a free transfer for depth and dressing room wisdom, but that's about it for the side sitting in third in the Premier League.

A few more talents to really push for a European berth would have been welcome, but with the mind-boggling player turnover at the City Ground in the last few seasons (and financial fair play rules looming large), a little bit of calm is probably just as important.

Grade: C

In: Joel Ndala (Manchester City), Wayne Hennessey (free), Esapa Osong (recalled from loan), Tyler Bindon (Reading)

Out: Aaron Donnelly (Dundee), Emmanuel Dennis (Watford), Esapa Osong (Cambridge United, loan), James Ward-Prowse (West Ham United), Lewis O'Brien (Swansea City, loan), Tyler Bindon (Reading, loan)

- Leo Collis

Southampton

Two wins in 24 games almost certainly means relegation is on the horizon for Southampton. They're already 10 points away from escaping the drop and don't need to compound the issues by wasting lots of money on players who aren't going to make too much difference before a likely season in the Championship.

Ivan Jurić received enough support to offer a little more depth and begin to shape a squad for next year. Tyler Dibling's injury meant he was never a likely exit, despite interest from the likes of Tottenham. Expect lots of change in the summer.

Grade: C

In: Albert Grønbæk (Rennes, loan), Welington (Sao Paulo), Joachim Kayi Sanda (Valenciennes), Ollie Wright (Yeovil, recalled from loan)

Out: Ben Brereton Diaz (Sheffield United, loan), Maxwel Cornet (West Ham, recalled from loan), Ronnie Edwards (QPR, loan), Dom Ballard (Cambridge, loan)

-Nick Akerman

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur completed transfer dealings early and then at the last gasp, making for a fascinating window.

The arrival of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague was a serious upgrade on Fraser Forster while first-choice stopper Guglielmo Vicario returns to full health, and the need to get that move sealed early was obvious.

Spurs then escaped into the shadows despite a mounting injury list, especially in defense, and finally burst into action with days remaining.

Center-back Kevin Danso will be suiting up for the Lilywhites after completing a loan (with obligation to buy) from Lens, but rejection from Axel Disasi—who favored a move to Aston Villa—stings. Not being able to land Marc Guehi will be frustrating, too.

Mathys Tel has also arrived from Bayern Munich on loan after turning down a permanent move days before, giving Spurs a little extra firepower up front. That move does involve a buy option, according to David Ornstein.

With Spurs performing well below expectations in 2024-25, partly because of that injury crisis, the north Londoners need all the help they can get. Perhaps leaving it so late to make bold moves wasn't the smartest choice, though.

Grade: B+

In: Antonin Kinsky (Slavia Prague), Kevin Danso (Lens, loan), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich, loan), Min-Hyeok Yang (Gangwon FC), Dane Scarlett (Oxford United, recalled from loan)

Out: Matthew Craig (Mansfield Town, loan), Alfie Dorrington (Aberdeen, loan), Min-Hyeok Yang (Queens Park Rangers, loan), Will Lankshear (West Bromwich Albion, loan)

- Leo Collis

West Ham United

Graham Potter badly needed a striker. Evan Ferguson badly needed game time. A link-up between the former Brighton pair was inevitable and has the potential to be one of the best signings of the window if Ferguson can remain fit.

His injury record, combined with West Ham's recent history of turning strikers into mush, will certainly worry fans. This is a team that needs some consistency to learn the intricate style Potter wants to play. Ferguson can be key to that.

Whisper it quietly, but James Ward-Prowse's return might also be a significant moment for Potter. He barely played on loan at Forest, so it's easy to forget how his combativeness and set-piece delivery can positively impact teams.

Grade: B

In: Evan Ferguson (Brighton, loan), James Ward-Prowse (Nottingham Forest, recalled from loan)

Out: Maxwel Cornet (Genoa, loan)

- Nick Akerman

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers saw Kevin Danso slip through their fingers, but they did manage to get center-back Emmanuel Agbadou through the Molineux doors from Reims.

Otherwise, tying down Matheus Cunha to a new contract will be treated as "a signing" by the club—although the Brazilian probably won't stick around if Wolves are relegated.

It was probably going to be tough for the club to convince players to join given their precarious position, but they would have hoped to get a few more of the faces manager Vitor Pereira would have likely requested as he gears up for a battle against the drop.

It's going to be a long five months for the Black Country faithful.

Grade: D

In: Emmanuel Agbadou (Reims)

Out: Luke Cundle (Millwall), Tawanda Chirewa (Huddersfield Town, loan)

- Leo Collis