8 Surprising January Transfers that Left Fans Stunned!

The January transfer window always brings excitement and surprises, and this year was no exception.

Fans around the world were left in awe as some of their favorite players made unexpected moves.

From high-profile transfers to surprising loan deals, the winter window never fails to keep football enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.

Clubs scrambled to strengthen their squads, offload surplus players, and secure their futures, leading to a flurry of activity across Europe’s top leagues.

As the dust settles, we take a look at eight transfers that truly shook the football world, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation for the rest of the season.

1. Marcus Rashford Loan to Aston Villa

One of the biggest shocks of the transfer window was Marcus Rashford’s move from Manchester United to Aston Villa.

After falling out of favor with United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, Rashford sought a fresh start and found it at Villa Park. This loan move, with an option to buy, has Villa fans buzzing with excitement.

Rashford’s relationship with Amorim soured after the manager accused him of going out on a night out, a claim Rashford denied.

This led to Rashford being frozen out of the squad and eventually joining Villa on loan until the end of the season, with Villa covering around 75% of his wages, according to Sky Sports News. The deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent for £40 million.

Several other clubs were close to signing Rashford, including Barcelona, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham, and Tottenham Hotspur. However, it was Unai Emery’s personal request that convinced Villa to secure the deal.

Emery believes he can help Rashford regain his form and has high hopes for the forward at Villa Park.

Read More: 8 Players Who May Leave Due to Limited Game Time

2. Marco Asensio’s Loan to Aston Villa

Another surprising move was Marco Asensio’s loan from Paris Saint-Germain to Aston Villa.

Asensio, who struggled for playing time at PSG, has found a new home at Villa where he hopes to revive his career. Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, is thrilled to have him on board.

Asensio’s move to Villa comes after a challenging period at PSG, where he found himself on the fringes of the squad.

Despite his pedigree as a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Asensio managed only 12 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, with limited playing time since November.

Villa’s offer provided him with a fresh start and the opportunity to play regular football.

Several other clubs were close to signing Asensio, including Real Betis, Mallorca, Real Sociedad, and Villarreal, according to Fichajes.

However, it was Villa’s proactive approach and Emery’s persuasive pitch that convinced Asensio to join the club.

Asensio is excited about the prospect of working under Emery and is eager to contribute to Villa’s push for a European spot.

3. Jhon Duran’s Move to Al Nassr

Colombian striker Jhon Duran’s transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr for a reported £64 million was indeed a shocker.

Duran, who joined Al Nassr in January 2025, left Aston Villa despite the club’s efforts to keep him.

Villa fans were disappointed to see him go but understand the financial benefits of the deal. Duran’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia was influenced by several factors, including the opportunity to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané.

Before finalizing the deal with Al Nassr, Jhon Duran was also close to signing with West Ham United. According to the Telegraph, West Ham had a bid of £57 million rejected.

Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain showed interest in the young striker, but Villa held firm on their asking price.

Duran’s impressive performances, including 12 goals in 29 games this season, made him a highly sought-after player.

Despite the financial allure, Duran faced criticism for leaving Villa, with club chief Monchi questioning the quality of the Saudi Pro League compared to the Premier League.

However, Duran defended his decision, stating that it was not purely financial and that he was excited about the new challenge.

Read More: Top 10 Clubs Outspent by Jhon Duran’s Salary at Al Nassr

4. Vitor Reis’ Move to Manchester City

Portuguese defender Vitor Reis made a surprising switch from Palmeiras to Manchester City. Reis, who impressed at Palmeiras, is now looking to establish himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

His performances at Palmeiras earned him a reputation as a solid and reliable defender, catching the eye of several top European clubs.

Before joining Manchester City, Reis was also a target for Chelsea, Arsenal, and Real Madrid. These clubs were keen to add the young defender to their squads, recognizing his potential to become a key player in the future.

However, it was Manchester City’s proactive approach and the promise of regular first-team football that convinced Reis to make the move.

Read More: 6 Key January Transfer Signings Who Secured the Trophy

5. Kyle Walker’s Loan to Ac Milan

Manchester City’s Kyle Walker has joined AC Milan on loan from the Premier League champions. Walker, a long-time City Player left the club to join Ac milan on loan.

Walker left Manchester City to join AC Milan on loan due to a decline in his playing time and form at City.

He had only started nine of City’s 23 Premier League matches this season, making way for younger players like Rico Lewis.

Walker expressed his desire to explore opportunities abroad and experience playing in a different league.

He is reuniting with fellow England internationals Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek during his loan spell at AC Milan.

6. Anthony’s Loan to Real Betis

Anthony, who had been struggling for game time at Manchester United, made a surprising move to Real Betis on loan.

The Spanish club hopes Anthony can rediscover his form and contribute to their push for a European spot.

Anthony joined Manchester United from Ajax in September 2022 for an £86 million fee, making him the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, according to Sky Sports News

However, he has struggled to live up to expectations, scoring only 12 goals in 96 appearances. His playing time has significantly decreased this season, with only nine starts in 23 Premier League matches.

Real Betis, managed by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, is currently ninth in La Liga and still involved in the UEFA Conference League.

The club hopes that a change of scenery will help Anthony regain his confidence and form. United is keen for Anthony to get regular first-team football before re-assessing his future in the summer.

7. Mathys Tel’s Loan Move to Tottenham

Mathys Tel’s loan move to Tottenham was surprising for several reasons. Firstly, Tel had been performing well at Bayern Munich, making a significant impact as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting young talents.

His decision to leave such a successful club came as a shock to many fans and analysts.

Secondly, Tel initially rejected Tottenham’s offer, only to perform a dramatic U-turn on Deadline Day.

Reports indicated that he had been considering other options, including Arsenal and Manchester United, making his eventual choice to join Tottenham even more unexpected.

Finally, Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, played a crucial role in convincing Tel to join the club.

Postecoglou’s vision for the team and his belief in Tel’s potential were key factors in the young forward’s decision.

The loan deal also includes an option for Tottenham to make the move permanent in the summer, highlighting their confidence in Tel’s abilities.

Read More: Chelsea’s January Transfer Window: 5 Deals That Didn’t Materialize

8. Joao Felix’s Loan to AC Milan

Joao Felix’s loan move to AC Milan was another unexpected transfer. The Portuguese forward, who struggled at Chelsea, is looking to reignite his career in Italy.

Felix, 25, joined Chelsea last summer in a £45m permanent deal from Atletico Madrid, but he has only started three Premier League matches this season.

His limited playing time was due to competition from Cole Palmer, who has been Chelsea’s preferred attacking midfielder.

Felix’s loan move to AC Milan comes after he attracted interest from several clubs, including Aston Villa and Real Madrid, accoring to ESPN.

However, Chelsea preferred Felix to join a club outside England, and Milan emerged as the front-runners.

The Italian side paid a £5m loan fee for Felix, with no obligation to buy him in the summer. Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, played a key role in pushing the deal through.

Felix began his career at Benfica and moved to Atletico Madrid for £113m in July 2019, a deal which was one of the most expensive transfers at the time.

He had spells on loan at Barcelona and Chelsea before his permanent move to Stamford Bridge.

Milan, currently eighth in Serie A, will hope Felix can help them improve their performance in the league and their Champions League campaign.