January transfer window: Key dates, Burnley needs and what Scott Parker has said
The key dates, targets and Scott Parker comments for Burnley heading into the January transfer window.
The January transfer window is approaching, and it could be a make-or-break month for Burnley in their battle for Premier League survival.
Scott Parker’s men snatched a late point away at Bournemouth on Saturday thanks to Armando Broja’s first goal for the club, ending a seven-game losing streak. However, the Clarets are still eight without a win, and seven points adrift of safety as we approach the halfway point of the campaign. Burnley aren’t scoring enough and are conceding too many, so January may be a key moment to add some much-needed reinforcements who could turn the tide.
So, when does the window open and close, what do Burnley need, and what has Scott Parker said about potential incomings?
January transfer window key dates
- Opens: Thursday, 1st January, 2026
- Closes: Monday, 2nd February, 2026 (11pm GMT)
What do Burnley need in the January transfer window?
As mentioned, Burnley aren’t scoring nearly enough goals to stand a realistic chance of survival, with only Everton (18), Nottingham Forest (17) and Wolves (9) netting fewer - though the former two boast much healthier defensive records.
With that in mind, a striker could be key. Zian Flemming is the top scorer with five Premier League goals, but beyond him, all four of Jaidon Anthony’s strikes came in his first six appearances of the season, while Broja has only just got off the mark. Josh Sargent has been heavily linked with Turf Moor, though concrete targets are yet to emerge.
Josh Brownhill has been a big miss since his summer departure, and while the likes of Lesley Ugochukwu and Josh Cullen have performed well in the Premier League so far, Parker is still lacking a creative spark in midfield. Don’t be surprised to see Burnley targeting a playmaker in January, even if it’s only on loan until the end of the season.
Burnley are well set in goal with Martin Dubravka, and full-backs Quilindschy Hartman and Kyle Walker have been among their top performers. However, Axel Tuanzebe is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while he’s been cycled in and out at centre-back with the likes of Maxime Esteve, Hjalmar Ekdal and Joe Worrall. A lack of stability at the heart of defence could suggest Parker is considering bringing in a leader next month. Burnley could also use January to cut down their wage bill. Bashir Humphreys has been linked with a loan move to the Championship, while the likes of Mike Tresor and Lucas Pires have only seen limited action this season.
What has Scott Parker said about the January transfer window?
Managers are often guarded when it comes to potential signings and the transfer window as a whole. Indeed, Parker has kept his cards close to his chest with recent comments, though he has promised ‘clarity’ on Burnley’s position in the coming weeks. “I think those talks will probably start happening next week a little bit,” said the Burnley manager. “We’ve edged around it a little bit, but nothing really concrete as you can imagine. It’s just been full focus in terms of what we need to do in the current moment, so I think there will be some real detail around that.
“I’m not 100% sure, but maybe in the next few weeks I could probably bring more clarity on exactly where we are in that situation.”