The 10 biggest transfers in January 2026 as Palace’s Strand Larsen signing smashes into second

Clubs can be reluctant to spend big fees in the January transfer window, but as always, that isn’t stopping some this year – so here are the biggest moves of the month.

We reveal the 10 most expensive transfers around the world in the January 2026 transfer window, which was open until 7pm on February 2 for Premier League clubs.

All fees listed are the initial fees, not yet including add-ons.

1. Antoine Semenyo

• From: Bournemouth
• To: Manchester City
• Position: Winger
• Age: 26
• Fee: £62.5m

The hottest property in the Premier League going into the January transfer window, Semenyo could have had his pick of clubs to join, but it was no contest once City got involved.

Striking a deal separate from his £65m release clause, but committing to a similar value via bonus clauses, City signed the winger to a contract until 2031.

“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that,” he promised to the club website. “And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season.”

If it’s anything like the first, which has included 10 goals from 21 games for Bournemouth, City will consider it money well spent for their fourth most expensive signing of all time.

2. Jorgen Strand Larsen

• From: Wolves
• To: Crystal Palace
• Position: Striker
• Age: 25
• Fee: £43m

The Norway striker was given the green light to leave relegation-haunted Wolves and it quickly became a two-horse race between Leeds and Crystal Palace as to who would land the former Celta Vigo man.

But when Leeds insisted they would not raise their £39m package, it was left for the Eagles to swoop in, obliterating their transfer record in the process of the £48m deal, with £43m of that paid up front.

Whether that pays off, only time will tell, but the striker was certainly saying all the right things when he explained his reasons for making the move to Selhurst Park.

“It’s a move I’ve wanted to make for a long time. I’m here to score goals for the club; it’s a good move for me and a good move for the club. I want to help us win games and win a trophy (the UEFA Conference League), so let’s see what we can do,” Strand Larsen said.

3. Lucas Paqueta

• From: West Ham United
• To: Flamengo
• Position: Attacking midfielder
• Age: 28
• Fee: £36.4m

Paqueta was pushing to leave West Ham so he could return to his native Brazil with Flamengo and eventually got his wish after a deal worth approximately £36.4m was struck.

Becoming not just Flamengo’s record signing, but the most expensive signing by any South American club, Paqueta signed a contract until 2030 to secure his return to the club.

Previously, the playmaker emerged from the Flamengo youth system and played 95 senior games – scoring 18 goals – between 2016 and 2018.

4. Brennan Johnson

• From: Tottenham Hotspur
• To: Crystal Palace
• Position: Winger
• Age: 24
• Fee: £35m

Prior to the Strand Larsen deal, Palace broke their transfer record to sign Johnson, although Spurs have made a loss on him after paying Nottingham Forest £47.5m for him in September 2023.

After scoring the winning goal in the 2025 Europa League final for Spurs, the versatile winger has embarked on a new challenge down in south London.

“I’m really excited and I’m really happy. Crystal Palace are such a great club, one that I’ve always admired,” Johnson said.

“It’s a great time for me to be here and join the journey that this club is on – I’m super excited.”

5. Conor Gallagher

• From: Atletico Madrid
• To: Tottenham Hotspur
• Position: Midfielder
• Age: 25
• Fee: £34.6m

Tottenham won the race to bring Gallagher back to the Premier League over Aston Villa by committing to a permanent deal with Atletico Madrid.

Spurs spent the equivalent of €40m for the midfielder, who told their official website: “I’m so happy and excited to be here, taking the next step in my career at an amazing club.

“I wanted to be a Spurs player and thankfully the Club felt the same. It was very easy, it happened very quickly and I’m ready to get on the pitch.

“I know how great the fans are, I’m really happy to be a part of it here and want to create special moments and memories together.”

6. Ademola Lookman

• From: Atalanta
• To: Atletico Madrid
• Position: Forward
• Age: 28
• Fee: £30.2m

After his relations with Atalanta soured over the past few months, Lookman – the hero of their Europa League triumph in 2024 – has embarked on another fresh challenge in Europe.

Atletico Madrid signed the former Charlton Athletic academy product on deadline day for an initial fee of €35m.

The Nigeria international has signed a contract until 2030 in the Spanish capital.

7. Oscar Bobb

• From: Manchester City
• To: Fulham
• Position: Winger
• Age: 22
• Fee: £27m

Becoming Fulham’s third most expensive signing of all time, Bobb has signed a contract until 2031 after leaving Manchester City following 61 appearances there.

“I’ve always known Fulham to be a good club, with good players and a great stadium,” the Norway international said. “I spoke to Sander [Berge], my good friend, and I spoke to the Manager, and he explained what the system’s like, and how the lads are, and how the Club is.

“He seemed lovely, so it was an easy decision basically.”

8. Mohamed Kader Meite

• From: Rennes
• To: Al Hilal
• Position: Striker
• Age: 18
• Fee: £26m

Kader Meite was attracting a whole host of clubs after his emergence at Rennes, but the forward has opted to move to Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal in a deal worth €30m.

The France youth international has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract.

9. Taty Castellanos

• From: Lazio
• To: West Ham United
• Position: Striker
• Age: 27
• Fee: £25.2m

Needing more firepower to aid their battle against relegation, West Ham signed Castellanos from Lazio after loaning out Niclas Fullkrug to AC Milan.

With a record of 22 goals from 98 games for Lazio, the pressure is on Castellanos to prove he’s worth the fee. West Ham couldn’t really afford to get it wrong.

“I’m really happy because it’s a very important challenge for me personally and I’ve come to contribute, to try to help the team as much as I can,” Castellanos vowed.

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10. Rayan

• From: Vasco da Gama
• To: Bournemouth
• Position: Forward
• Age: 19
• Fee: £24.7m

Bournemouth have bagged themselves one of Brazil’s latest prospects, securing Rayan on a contract until 2031.

In addition to the £24.7m fee agreed with Vasco da Gama, there could be around £5.6m paid in add-ons.

“Rayan is a player we have followed closely and who has already shown impressive consistency and maturity for his age,” Bournemouth’s president of football operations Tiago Pinto declared.

“We believe he has enormous potential, and Bournemouth is the right environment for him to continue his development and make an impact.”

DON’T MISS – All the done deals by Premier League clubs in the January 2026 transfer window