Transfer Window: Big African hits of January 2026

Ademola Lookman at Atlético de Madrid: The flagship signature
It is one of the most striking transfers of this winter. After months of speculation, Ademola Lookman signed with Atletico Madrid, leaving Atalanta for a four-and-a-half year contract. The amount of the operation has not been formalized, but it would be around 40 million euros.

After three full seasons in Serie A, notably punctuated by a historic hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, the Nigerian came out of a more bumpy start to the season in Italy. His performance in the AFCON (3 goals, 4 assists) nevertheless reminded his status as a very high-level player. In Madrid, Diego Simeone bets on his explosiveness and offensive versatility.

Seko Fofana bounces back at FC Porto
Expected for several weeks, the departure of Seko Fofana from the Stade Rennais has materialized in a loan until the end of the season to FC Porto, leader of the Portuguese championship. With 29 caps with Côte d'Ivoire, the former Lens player will never have found his full potential in Brittany after his return from Saudi Arabia (29 matches, 2 goals). The Portuguese club offers him a competitive environment, with the Europa League and a context more favorable to his box-to-box profile, capable of bringing volume and projection.

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Terem Moffi also joins Porto
FC Porto also hit on the offensive plan by obtaining the loan from Terem Moffi, with a purchase option set at 8 million euros, from OGC Nice. The Nigerian striker, former of Lorient, was coming out of a difficult period on the Côte d'Azur, marked by a sick leave after the incidents with the supporters from Nice at the end of November. In Porto, Moffi will seek to relaunch himself in a championship he is discovering, with the prospect of regaining status and regular playing time.

Simon Adingra loaned to Monaco
AS Monaco strengthened offensively by obtaining the loan of Simon Adingra until the end of the season, with an option to buy, from Sunderland.
At 24 years old, the Ivorian international (26 caps, 4 goals) brings percussion and depth to the Monegasque attack, in a context of struggle for European positions. This loan also constitutes an opportunity to relaunch in Ligue 1 for a player who is struggling to play in England.

David Datro Fofana to Strasbourg
Strasbourg has officialised the arrival on loan of David Datro Fofana (23 years old), coming from Chelsea, another club owned by BlueCo. The Ivorian striker, already loaned successively to Union Berlin, Burnley and Turkey since 2023, will discover a new championship until the end of the season.

Bouna Sarr returns to FC Metz
Free since his departure from Bayern Munich, Bouna Sarr has officially returned to FC Metz. At 34 years old, the Senegalese right-back comes to bring his experience to a club committed in the fight for survival. A measured bet for the Grenats, and an opportunity to relaunch the former Marseille player in a championship he knows perfectly.


Tochukwu Nnadi and Himad Abdelli sign with OM
Olympique de Marseille has completed the recruitment of Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi (22 years old), from Zulte-Waregem, for an estimated amount of 6 million euros. International once again, Nnadi fits into a logic of projection, with an athletic and recuperative profile intended to densify the Marseille midfield. An interval that also reinforces Himad Abdelli. At the end of his contract in June with Angers, the midfielder committed to the Phocéens for an estimated amount of 2.5 million euros.

Moussa Ndiaye on loan to Schalke 04
Lacking continuity in Anderlecht, Moussa Ndiaye was lent without a call option to Schalke 04, leader of the 2nd German division. Under contract until 2028 with the Belgian club, the left-back Senegalese (23 years old) will seek playing time in a demanding context, within a historic club in search of stability.

Mamadou Sarr recalled by Chelsea
Captain of Strasbourg against PSG a few hours earlier, Mamadou Sarr saw his loan interrupted by Chelsea. Desired by Liam Rosenior, now on the Blues bench, the Senegalese central defender returns to England, another symbol of the changing workforce management within the BlueCo galaxy.