Bundesliga Winter Transfer Deadline Day: Clubs Make Last-Minute Moves Amid Financial and Squad Challenges

The Bundesliga winter transfer window closes today, February 2, 2026, spurring a flurry of last-minute activity as clubs seek to finalize their squads. Across Germany, teams face diverse challenges and opportunities, from injury crises to financial windfalls.

Bayern Munich is notably quiet this deadline day, with no new signings expected. However, the club is reportedly planning to loan out winger Bryan Zaragoza again, this time to AS Roma, potentially including a purchase option worth around €13 million. At RB Leipzig, the spotlight is on the imminent signing of 19-year-old winger Ayodele Thomas from PSV Eindhoven for €400,000. Financially, Leipzig stands to gain significantly as Ademola Lookman moves from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid for €35 million, earning Leipzig a €3.5 million cut due to a sell-on clause established during Lookman’s earlier transfer. Lookman had a modest stint at Leipzig but flourished in Italy, highlighted by a Europa League final hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt prepares for a potentially busy deadline day coinciding with Albert Riera’s arrival as head coach on Monday. The club awaits a possible financial boost from Saudi investors, adding to the speculation about lucrative outgoing transfers. Frankfurt is actively pursuing a defensive midfielder through loan deals, with Betis Sevilla’s Sergi Altimira a prime target.

Borussia Dortmund faces pressing needs after Filippo Mané suffered an injury, considering emergency reinforcements. Similarly, 1. FSV Mainz 05 seeks a striker due to Hollerbach's injury, while 1. FC Köln and Borussia Mönchengladbach explore options for defensive and midfield reinforcements with limited prospects. Other clubs such as VfL Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen seek defensive reinforcements, with Wolfsburg possibly letting players depart and Bremen also eyeing offensive midfield additions.

Several clubs have wrapped up their transfer activities, including SC Freiburg and VfB Stuttgart, though Stuttgart may loan out Lazar Jovanovic. FC Augsburg targets Uchenna Ogundu from Alanyaspor, and Hamburger SV is close to signing Philip Otele, potentially adding a left-back. FC St. Pauli, with three new signings, does not expect more additions.

The Bundesliga clubs have until 8 PM today to complete deals, with the atmosphere charged by both urgent team needs and significant financial movements. As the window shuts, clubs must balance urgent squad strengthening alongside strategic financial management to finish the season competitively.