BBC Sport explains why the January transfer deadline is in February, and how that compares to other European leagues.

A very good Friday morning to you and welcome to our live coverage of football’s January transfer window. This is the sole mid-season period where clubs can buy and sell players to deal with their injury issues, repair summer mistakes or find solutions for a new head coach.

There's shades of the Randal Kolo Muani deal here, with Manchester United realising the same thing PSG did: The only way to stand any chance of one day recouping a decent fee for an unwanted player is to get him out on loan and playing first, in order to rebuild his confidence. But it's quite a turnaround from his €95m arrival.

Jutta Rantala and Lena Petermann – the club's two top scorers last season – are both currently sidelined, as is French striker Noemie Mouchon after repturing her ACL in October. Eiriksdottir may be able to fill the void left in Leicester's front line.

A groundbreaking record was set in the women's game over the summer, with total international transfer spending reaching $6.8 million from June 1 to Sept. 1 2024, according to FIFA -- almost double what was spent during the same period in 2023.

The January transfer window for the Women's Super League is now closed, but that doesn't mean we've had all the deals announced. We are still waiting for official confirmation from Chelsea of their expected signing of England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona.