Liga MX's January 2026 Transfer Window: The Five Blockbuster Moves That Shook Mexican Football
The winter transfer period has been particularly active for Liga MX clubs, with teams making strategic moves in the player market to strengthen their squads. Several franchises have distinguished themselves by securing transformative talents that could prove decisive in their championship aspirations.
While the Liga MX Clausura 2026 campaign has commenced, clubs throughout the league had until early February's first complete week to finalize player acquisitions and registrations.
Throughout recent weeks, organizations have unveiled numerous compelling signings that might enable them to unseat Toluca as Liga MX titleholders. As the campaign progresses, these fresh additions will prove crucial in the battle for playoff positioning.
Featuring promising emerging prospects, established league stars, and international newcomers arriving in Mexico, the January window provided all 18 clubs renewed optimism moving forward.
Below, Sports Illustrated evaluates the top five Liga MX acquisitions from the winter market.
5. Jordan Carrillo—Pumas
Jordan Carrillo emerged as a promising talent at Santos Laguna as an enthusiastic youngster in 2018, performing so impressively that he earned a European stint with Sporting Gijón in Spain. However, as Santos endured significant struggles recently, Carrillo's brilliance also faded—until this winter, when Pumas expressed interest.
A modest $1.5 million proved sufficient for Pumas to secure Carrillo from Santos. The inherent ability of the 24-year-old has never been questioned; he's an elegant performer in attacking areas, equally effective through the middle or wide positions. He's not a pace-dependent flank player relying on tricks, but rather an inventive footballer who excels through his awareness, skill and finishing ability.
These qualities were evident just three matches into his Pumas tenure, when he netted twice and provided an assist in the 4–0 victory over his previous team.
Given a new setting, Carrillo might finally realize the promise he demonstrated early on. He possesses the ability to succeed; now he must discover consistency and assist Pumas in reclaiming their status.
4. Uros Durdevic—Monterrey
Monterrey faced disruption when primary striker Germán Berterame departed for Inter Miami just three games into the season. Their response? Swiftly moving to secure one of Liga MX's most lethal forwards, Uroš Đurđević.
Little has favored Atlas in recent campaigns, yet the Montenegro forward continued to excel, becoming the inaugural player in franchise history to claim a Liga MX scoring title during Clausura 2025. Indeed, despite representing a considerably weaker squad, Đurđević netted 19 league goals in 2025 versus Berterame's 16.
Monterrey invested $5 million to obtain Đurđević, one-third of what they received for Berterame. Now joining a squad featuring numerous creators in the final third, Đurđević could become even more dangerous. Monterrey seem to have identified an ideal successor for their departed striker, once again establishing themselves among championship contenders.
3. Luca Orellano—Monterrey
Monterrey didn't merely sign Đurđević; they also brought in gifted Argentinian creator Luca Orellano from FC Cincinnati, introducing additional scoring power and ingenuity to an already formidable offense.
Orellano experienced a subdued 2025, but his breakthrough Major League Soccer campaign in 2024 established him among the competition's elite performers. At only 25 years old, Monterrey have bolstered an aging attack with a flexible forward who could evolve into the squad's cornerstone for the foreseeable future.
In his debut Rayados appearance, Orellano entered as a substitute to score a spectacular long-range effort, providing an early preview of his capabilities. The Argentine possesses a refined left foot, equally adept at delivering passes and finding the net's corners.
Alongside Sergio Canales, Monterrey may possess Liga MX's finest attacking midfielder partnership, potentially second only to the combination featuring our next selection.
2. Agustín Palavecino—Cruz Azul
Unsatisfied with acquiring José Paradela from Necaxa last summer, Cruz Azul returned to negotiate this winter, this time pursuing the other component of the attacking midfielder partnership that nearly guided Necaxa to the Clausura 2025 semifinals, Agustín Palavecino.
Palavecino has rightfully joined discussions as potentially Liga MX's premier player over the previous year. He's an adaptable midfielder capable of operating throughout central zones, but excels when deployed as an attacking midfielder, where his inventiveness, exceptional technique and close-quarters ability flourish.
More significantly, however, is his connection with Paradela. The duo have now been teammates across three different clubs: River Plate, Necaxa and currently Cruz Azul. Their developed understanding over years is apparent, and the pair of playmakers now anchor the creative core of one of Mexico's top-flight's strongest rosters. It's the ideal scenario for these friends to deliver their finest performances.
Palavecino's Cruz Azul influence has been instant, already scoring three goals since joining. With him, Cruz Azul—a team reaching the semifinals in each of the past four seasons—could potentially cross the finish line in Clausura 2026.
1. Raphael Veiga—Club América
Club América remained relatively inactive during the transfer window's initial weeks, but everything changed when the Mexico City powerhouse secured one of the continent's finest players from the past decade, Raphael Veiga.
Veiga represents a contemporary Palmeiras and Brazilian football icon. No 21st-century player has scored more goals for El Verdão than Veiga's 106, several proving vital for Palmeiras' consecutive Copa Libertadores triumphs in 2020 and 2021—including the opening goal in the 2021 final against rivals Flamengo.
América never adequately replaced attacking midfielder Diego Valdés' quality, who was instrumental in their historic three consecutive Liga MX championships before departing last summer. Now, Mexican football's most successful institution has not only found a replacement, but secured an improvement.
If the 30-year-old Veiga can replicate the standard he maintained through his final Palmeiras season upon joining Las Águilas, he possesses the talent to become Liga MX's premier player.