The January transfer window can provide some of the most thrilling off-pitch action in football as clubs do all they can to either bolster their squad or ensure their top stars are not poached part way through the season.
The saying goes that clubs who do their work properly in the summer transfer window do not need to use the January transfer window. That being said, no one can account for big injuries to key players and even the best-run clubs can find themselves needing to make a quick dip into the January transfer market.
Here is what we know so far about the January 2024 transfer window.
When will the January 2024 transfer window open?
There can occasionally be calendar confusion around the start of the January transfer window but as 2024 arrives, so will the January transfer window on January 1.
Clubs will then have exactly one month, with the window closing on February 1, to try to protect their prized assets from vultures or make sure they have enough quality and depth in the squad to achieve their objectives for the season.
The January transfer window looms large over teams who underachieve at the start of the season. They will be wondering whether sacking their coach and getting someone in ahead of the window to provide transfer input is the best move, or whether they should give the incumbent coach more time.
2024 January transfer window dates
READ MORE FROM THE 90MIN TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM
What are the biggest Premier League January transfers ever?
Generally speaking, summer is when the really big money deals are done. That being said, some very expensive transfers have taken place in the Premier League during January windows if the right player comes up at that time.
Huge names such as Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, Virgil van Dijk and Aymeric Laporte have moved either to or within the Premier League in recent January transfer windows. The most expensive January signing by a Premier League club was actually made in 2023, when Enzo Fernandez signed for Chelsea from Benfica for an incredible £106.8m.
In that same transfer window, Mykhailo Mudryk also signed for the Blues from Shakhtar Donetsk for £62m. Those moves show spending loads of money in January does not always bring an immediate change in results.
Below is a table of the most expensive signings by Premier League clubs in the January transfer window.
Chelsea have often been the most prolific January shoppers with four of the top ten deals being conducted by them.
The hit rate is not good, either, with Fernando Torres struggling at Chelsea, Christian Pulisic failing to make much of a mark, and Mudryk and Fernandez toiling to begin with.
Bruno Fernandes and Virgil van Dijk's signings appear to be the most successful out of the ten on the list above, with both having a clear impact on the team for fees that have aged well.
This article was originally published on 90min as When does the 2024 January transfer window open?.