Winter transfer windows in Europe vary, with most starting on January 1, while Italy and Spain begin on January 2, closing on February 3. Key players like Randal Kolo Muani and Victor Osimhen are in the spotlight, alongside clubs facing relegation. Newly transferred players cannot participate in the Champions League until the knockout stage. The 2023 window set a spending record of €1.4 billion, and the “Diarra affair” may eventually impact transfer regulations, though changes are currently minimal.
Winter Transfer Window Dates Across Europe
The dates for the winter transfer window vary from country to country, although there are similarities among the major European leagues. In France, England, and Germany, the transfer window will commence on January 1, while Italy and Spain will open theirs on January 2. All these windows will remain open until February 3, with extensions allowed in the Netherlands and Portugal until February 4, Turkey until February 11, and Switzerland until February 17.
Key Players and Clubs to Watch This Transfer Season
This winter transfer window is set to be particularly intriguing, especially for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Rumors suggest that French international Randal Kolo Muani may be leaving the club, along with defender Milan Skriniar. On the flip side, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been a hot topic of discussion for over a year now. The situation surrounding Lyon, which faces provisional relegation and a recruitment ban, is also noteworthy. Will they undergo significant sales? Is Rayan Cherki on the move?
Attention will also be directed towards clubs battling relegation, such as Saint-Étienne—now under new management—and Nantes, which is eyeing Chancel Mbemba from Marseille. Internationally, Marcus Rashford has hinted at a potential exit from Manchester United, while Inter Milan is reportedly interested in re-signing former PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, currently playing in Qatar. The status of Paul Pogba, who is a free agent, remains an enigma.
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Champions League Participation for Newly Transferred Players
Newly transferred players will not be able to participate in the Champions League during the league phase, which concludes on January 21-22 and January 29. UEFA permits clubs to register up to three new players for the knockout stage. This scenario could trigger some last-minute decisions among clubs, especially PSG, currently in a precarious position in the Champions League standings, which could impact their new signings’ opportunities for European play.
Will the Winter Transfer Spending Record Be Surpassed?
With the rise in transfer market activity following years of stagnation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the winter transfer window of 2023 set a new benchmark with a staggering €1.4 billion spent, eclipsing the previous record by over €210 million established in 2018. Ligue 1 clubs alone contributed nearly €192 million in January 2024, narrowly surpassing the earlier record of €170 million from January 2017. The most expensive transfer during a winter window remains Philippe Coutinho’s move from Liverpool to FC Barcelona for €135 million in January 2018.
Impact of the “Diarra Affair” on Transfer Regulations
At this moment, the “Diarra affair” has not yet altered transfer rules. On October 4, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) indicated that FIFA’s transfer regulations conflicted with EU law. Previously, players were unable to leave their clubs without explicit consent and significant financial compensation to terminate their contracts. The ruling has the potential to facilitate easier transfers for players in the future, but this is not the current reality.
The CJEU’s decision is not definitive; it is an opinion awaiting a ruling from the Court of Appeal of Mons in Belgium, which may take several weeks or longer. FIFA announced a “temporary framework” on December 23, but these changes appear minimal. FIFPro, the global players’ union, was not consulted, and the French union of professional footballers, UNFP, believes this framework does not significantly alter the existing system. For now, players are advised to proceed cautiously, as the legal landscape remains complex and uncertain.