Winter transfer window heats up as clubs race to strengthen squads
The winter transfer window is heating up across European football. Clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and beyond are making plans—some to strengthen, others to adapt to injuries or departures. Meanwhile, Germany’s national team coach has set clear expectations for players aiming to secure a spot in the World Cup squad.
At the centre of discussions are key names like Jamal Musiala, Mohamed Salah, and Marc-André ter Stegen, whose futures could shape their clubs’ seasons and international prospects.
In Germany, FC Bayern Munich has ruled out any external signings in January. Instead, the club is prioritising contract extensions for key players. Jamal Musiala’s return from injury is being treated as a 'new signing', giving the team a boost without spending. The focus remains on securing the current squad for the long term, though groundwork may be laid for summer transfers.
Eintracht Frankfurt, however, is actively searching for attacking reinforcements. Their interest has fallen on Younes Ebnoutalib, the Second Division’s top scorer from SV Elversberg. The 24-year-old’s goalscoring form has made him a target as Frankfurt looks to strengthen its forward line. Across the border, Premier League sides are gearing up for a busy window. Tottenham Hotspur has allocated a £150 million budget (around €170 million) for winter spending. Liverpool, meanwhile, faces a double challenge: Alexander Isak’s long-term ankle injury and the possible departure of Mohamed Salah. The club must find solutions to cover both gaps in attack. For Germany’s national team, Julian Nagelsmann has made his stance clear—only players with regular first-team minutes will be considered for the World Cup. This puts pressure on the likes of Niclas Füllkrug and Marc-André ter Stegen, who are struggling for consistent game time. Ter Stegen, long a backup for Germany, has drawn support from Rudi Völler, who hopes the goalkeeper will finally earn a starting role at a major tournament. Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, clubs like FC St. Pauli, 1. FC Heidenheim, and FSV Mainz 05 are under pressure to improve their squads after poor performances. Former national team regulars Niklas Süle and Timo Werner are also in the spotlight, with both being linked to potential moves away from their current clubs. No speculative transfers affecting the German Football Association (DFB) have emerged for this window. Current discussions focus on confirmed moves and rumours for the 2025/26 season, such as Robert Glatzel’s possible exit from HSV and a potential early end to Kevin Stange’s loan deal.
The January window will see some clubs spending big, while others focus on internal solutions. Bayern’s decision to avoid signings contrasts with Tottenham’s large budget and Liverpool’s need to replace key players. For German internationals, securing regular playtime remains critical ahead of the World Cup.
With injuries, contract talks, and transfer speculation shaping the coming weeks, the decisions made now could define the rest of the season for clubs and players alike.
