Why the 2026 winter transfer window will be a quieter affair | OneFootball

The winter transfer window will open for business on January 1, 2026. 

Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal each have issues to address heading into the second half of the season. 

United enjoyed a good summer transfer window, but they need wing-backs and midfielders to suit Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. 

Although Liverpool spent £450 million on new recruits last summer, they desperately need defensive reinforcements. 

Arsenal are currently the best team in England, but they need a back-up for captain Martin Odegaard. 

Despite this, transfer activity is expected to be slow in the winter transfer window due to the earlier starting date of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

The previous edition of the competition started in mid-January, but the tournament kicks off on December 21 and runs until the final on January 18. 

This will place widespread business on hold, according to The Telegraph. 

Clubs will be unwilling to sell a player who is providing cover for a teammate engaged with their national side. 

For example, Manchester United will be without Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui for three to six matches, depending on how far their respective nations go in the African tournament. 

Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo have been linked with an exit in January, but allowing them to leave before the end of AFCON would leave United desperately short of players. 

Teams competing in Europe will be even more reluctant to sell players as they play an extra two matches in January due to the change in format of the competition.