The winter transfer window opened officially on the 1st of January and closed on February 2, giving clubs a mid-season chance to strengthen their squad and push harder towards their season goals.
During the month-long window, several African players were on the moves, securing high-profile transfers to some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Here are four of the most expensive deals involving African players that happened in the recently closed transfer window.
Antoine Semenyo (€72 million)
Brentford to Manchester City
Ghanaian winger Antoine Semenyo sealed a €72 million transfer to Manchester City from Bournemouth in the early days of the transfer window, which ranks him as the most expensive African footballer during the 2026 January transfer window. The 26-year-old had attracted interest from English top clubs after his impressive performances for the Cherries, but the Cityzens were the quickest to pay up his release clause.
Semenyo has settled well at the Etihad Stadium, scoring four goals and registering one assist in his first six appearances for the club. Having found the net in each of his first two matches, the early signs suggest he is set for a highly successful spell with the team.
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Ademola Lookman (€40 million)
Atalanta to Atletico Madrid
Super Eagles superstar Ademola Lookman finally left Atalanta to join Atletico Madrid for a total transfer fee of €40 million, which includes a fixed €35 million and an additional €5 million in add-ons. The 28-year-old was denied an exit from La Dea last summer after the Italian club rejected multiple bids for his services, but have now finally granted his wish.
Lookman scored 55 times and provided 27 assists during his time in Italy, including scoring a remarkable hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final as Atalanta won their first-ever European trophy by beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0. The Nigerian forward could make his debut for the Spanish giants in their Copa del Rey last eight clash against Real Betis on Thursday.
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George Ilenikhena (€33 million)
Monaco to Al Ittihad
Nigerian-eligible forward George Ilenikhena ended his stay with French club AS Monaco by completing a €33 million transfer to Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad. The fee includes a fixed €30 million amount, with a further €3 million in performance-related add-ons.
The 19-year-old becomes the most expensive Nigerian teenager in football history, with his transfer fee surpassing the £16 million fee Chelsea paid to sign a 19-year-old John Obi Mikel from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2006.
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Sidiki Cherif (€25 million)
Angers to Fenerbahce
Guinea-born striker Sidiki Cherif ranks as the fourth most expensive African player during the 2026 January transfer window following his move from Angers to Fenerbahce.
The deal to sign the young striker is an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy, which would see the Turkish club pay an initial €4 million fee for the loan, with a further €18 million to sign permanently in the summer and €3 million in add-ons.
The 19-year-old was previously close to joining Crystal Palace in the English Premier League, before the move broke down due to disagreements over the transfer fee and payment structure.
