January transfer window opening and closing time and everything you need to know

• Premier League
• January Transfer Window

Need to know

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham will have the chance to complete transfer business both in and out when the January window opens.

The Premier League transfer window opens at the start of January. (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming January transfer window:

1. Opening date: The 2026 January transfer window for English and Scottish clubs will open on Thursday, January 1. This date allows teams across the Premier League and EFL to begin officially registering new signings and reshaping their squads for the second half of the season.
2. Closing date: Deadline Day for the men's winter window will take place on Monday, February 2, 2026. This extension beyond the traditional January 31 date occurs because the end of the month falls on a weekend, pushing the deadline to the following Monday.
3. Deadline: The Premier League transfer window is set to close specifically at 7:00 PM UK time on the February 2 deadline. Clubs must submit all necessary paperwork by this cut-off, though deal sheets can sometimes be used to provide additional time for complex transfers, giving clubs an extra two hours.
4. Across Europe: Major European leagues including those in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain will also see their windows close on Monday, February 2. While the closing date is aligned across these nations, the specific time the window shuts may vary according to each country's local regulations.
5. WSL deadline: The Women’s Super League (WSL) and Women’s Championship operate on a slightly different schedule, opening on Friday, January 2. Their window will also remain open a day longer than the men's, officially closing at 11:00 PM UK time on Tuesday, February 3.
6. Free signings: Clubs are permitted to sign free agents at any time during the year because these players are not under contract with another team. However, any players currently under contract who are signed outside of the transfer window cannot be registered to play until the window officially opens, unless teams have space in their Premier League squads.
7. Free agent talks: Players entering the final six months of their contracts in January are eligible to negotiate and sign pre-contract agreements with clubs from foreign countries. This rule enables them to secure a move for the following summer without their current club receiving a transfer fee.
8. Loan signings: Premier League regulations limit clubs to registering a maximum of two players on loan from other English clubs at any single time. Additionally, teams are prohibited from loaning a player to another Premier League side if they were acquired during the same transfer window.