Why the 2026 winter transfer window will be a quieter affair

The winter transfer window will open for business in just under a month on January 1, 2026.

All the top Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, have issues to address heading into the second half of the season.

United enjoyed a good summer transfer window, but they are in the hunt for wingbacks and midfielders to suit Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.

Although Liverpool spent £450 million on new recruits in the previous window, they still desperately need reinforcements in defence.

Arsenal are currently the best team in England, but Mikel Arteta’s side lack depth in midfield, having no replacement for captain Martin Odegaard.

Despite all 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 this year, and runs until the final on January 18.

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

Clubs will likely be unwilling to sell a player who is providing cover for a team-mate engaged with his 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 are forced to play extra two matches in January due to the change in format of the competition.