Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman sealed a move away from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid during the winter transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.
While the winter transfer window didn't produce the sheer volume of headline-grabbing moves seen in previous summers, clubs across Europe, the Middle East and South America still spent heavily in their bid to reshape squads midway through the season.
By the time the window slammed shut, more than € 2 billion had been committed to new signings across Europe’s top leagues.
Ademola Lookman’s €35 million move from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid made headlines for Nigerians, while Tochukwu Nnadi, Otele, Sani Suleiman and Uche Ogundu made big-money moves.
From Premier League sides flexing financial muscle to ambitious projects in Saudi Arabia and Brazil, the market delivered plenty of talking points. For Nigerian football fans in particular, one transfer stood out: Ademola Lookman’s €35 million move from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid.
Soccernet.ng brings a featured countdown of the top ten most expensive signings of the 2025/26 January transfer window.
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2025/2026: Lookman and the most expensive signings?
10. Rayan Vitor – €28.5m (Vasco Da Gama to Bournemouth)
Bournemouth once again turned to South America in search of the next breakout star, securing Brazilian teenager Rayan for €28.5 million. The winger arrived with plenty of hype and raw talent, but this is a deal based largely on projection rather than immediate impact.
For the Cherries, it is another example of smart, long-term recruitment, even if the price tag raises expectations from day one.
They've made big money sales from Antoine Semenyo, Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen in the past, and the young Brazilian has been tipped to follow the same route.
9. Valentín ‘Taty’ Castellanos – €29m ( Lazio to West Ham United)
West Ham United’s struggles in front of goal forced their hand in January, and Castellanos emerged as the chosen solution.
The Argentine striker’s €29 million transfer raised questions, considering he'd only scored two goals for Lazio this season across all competitions before the January move.
8. Mohamed Kader Meïté – €30m (Stade Rennes to Al-Hilal)
Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal continued their aggressive recruitment drive by landing teenage French striker Mohamed Kader Meïté for €30 million.
What made this deal particularly impressive was how Al Hilal beat competition from several Premier League sides to the signature of the 18-year-old French forward.
7. Oscar Bobb – €31.2m (Manchester City to Fulham)
Fulham’s €31.2 million investment in Oscar Bobb caused some stir, largely because the Norwegian attacker has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to establish himself as a consistent performer at the highest level.
Fulham boss Marco Silva revealed the Cottagers opted to sign Bobb because they sold Adama Traore to West Ham United.
6. Ademola Lookman – €35m (Atalanta to Atlético Madrid)
At number six sits Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman. Atlético Madrid’s decision to part with €35 million for the Super Eagles star came after sanctioning the sales of Connor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur and Giacomo Raspadori to Atalanta.
The 2024 CAF Player of the Year arrived in Madrid as a proven performer, fresh from a standout AFCON 2025 campaign where he ended the tournament as the player with the most goal contributions (7).
For Nigerian fans, this transfer carried extra weight. Lookman’s rise from Premier League inconsistency to becoming one of Europe’s most decisive wide forwards is a story of growth and resilience, considering how Atalanta fought against his proposed move to Inter Milan last summer.
5. Brennan Johnson – €40m (Tottenham Hotspur to Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace shocked many by committing €40 million to Brennan Johnson. While the Welsh international brings pace, direct running and Premier League experience, the fee paid to secure his services underlines how inflated prices have become in the modern transfer market.
4. Conor Gallagher – €40m (Atlético Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur)
Gallagher’s engine, particularly his running on the pitch, made him a priority target for an injury-ridden Spurs side.
Thomas Frank's men were keen to add intensity to their midfield and opted for a reliable and familiar option in Gallagher.
3. Lucas Paquetá – €42m (West Ham United to Flamengo)
One of the most symbolic transfers of the window saw Flamengo bring Lucas Paquetá back to Brazil for €42 million.
The move represented a major shift in global football economics, with South American clubs now capable of splashing that much money for players in their prime.
2. Jørgen Strand Larsen – €49.7m (Wolverhampton Wanderers to Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace doubled down on ambition by making Strand Larsen their record signing, although this was sparked by Mateta's decision to notify the club he wanted to leave.
For the Norwegian striker, the move at least guarantees Premier League football for another year, as Wolves are currently bottom of the English Premier League.
1. Antoine Semenyo – €72m (Bournemouth to Manchester City)
In a window short on mega-deals, City’s move stood out. Pep Guardiola identified the Ghanaian winger as the ideal addition to his attacking rotation, and the club wasted no time in backing their manager with serious money.
The versatile winger has hit the ground running, scoring four goals and providing two assists in his first seven games for the 2023 UEFA Champions League winners.
All figures were culled from Transfermarkt.
