Man City, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Liverpool and the biggest winners and losers of the 2026 January transfer window | OneFootball

The 2026 winter window closed on Monday after a subdued month across Europe. Goal.com notes that Manchester City were the exception while France, Germany and Spain stayed quiet, as January rarely offers value.

Winner: Endrick. The 19-year-old has burst into life at Lyon, scoring four in four after only 99 minutes for Real Madrid before January. He could yet make Brazil’s World Cup squad, helped by Carlo Ancelotti’s familiarity after seven goals in Endrick’s first season at the Bernabeu, and despite Kylian Mbappe’s presence he is seizing this chance.

Loser: Liverpool. They beat Chelsea and Manchester United to a summer deal for Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, but needed a centre-back now. A renewed push for Marc Guehi never came, last September’s attempted move was blocked by Oliver Glasner, and with Liverpool unwilling to pay a fee this time, Guehi joined Manchester City.

Injuries deepen the problem, with Giovanni Leoni out for the season and Joe Gomez struggling for fitness, leaving only two senior centre-backs. Midfielders have filled in at right-back because Conor Bradley’s campaign is over, Jeremie Frimpong has hamstring trouble and a late move for Lutsharel Geertruida fell through, so a top five finish already looks a stretch.

Winner: Manchester City. In a window many rivals sat out, landing Guehi strengthens their squad and shows they could act decisively.

Source: Goal.com