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Record money spent
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This 2025/26 summer transfer window saw record amounts spent by Premier League clubs. Teams in the English top-flight forked out over €3.93 billion over the course of the summer, with plenty of stars arriving at new clubs with hope and expectations riding upon their shoulders. Who will hit the ground running? Who will struggle to adapt to the ruthless conditions of the Premier League? Time to look into the crystal ball. Transfermarkt UK's writers have selected who they think will be the top five Premier League transfers from this summer based on the following criteria: quality, potential, role at new club, age, and fee.
Transfermarkt writers top five transfers this summer
Ben Littlemore:
5. Granit Xhaka to Sunderland - Sunderland have not messed about this summer breaking the record for the highest spend for a club promoted to the Premier League, but among the several young talents they have brought in, I feel the experience of their new captain Granit Xhaka could be the one that ultimately keeps them up.
4. Eberechi Eze to Arsenal - For such a long time, Arsenal have needed some serious competition for Gabriel Martinelli on the left-wing, and in Eberechi Eze they now have that. He is versatile, creative, fantastic to watch, and in the prime years of his career. I expect Martinelli's days as Arsenal's starting option off the left-wing to be numbered.
3. Estêvão to Chelsea - Chelsea have plucked a generational talent from Brazil for a relatively low fee, with Estêvão joining for just €34m. Some of their business in recent years has been gung-ho and ill-thought out, but this has the making of a great piece of business. He already has a market value of €60m.
2. Martín Zubimendi to Arsenal - There's a reason practically every top club in the world wanted Martín Zubimendi. It's a massive coup for the Gunners to have been able to pluck him ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid. Described by our Spanish colleagues as the 'best midfielder in LaLiga' I expect the Spaniard to be key to Arsenal's success.
1. Tijjani Reijnders to Man City - Manchester City have added the best goalscoring midfielder in Europe's top-five leagues to their ranks in Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutchman bagged 15 goals for AC Milan last season and was devastatingly good in the Sky Blues' opening day victory against Wolves. I feel he will thrive positioned as the most attacking midfielder in the trifecta in the middle - as he was against Wolves.
Stefan Bienkowski:
5. Gianluigi Donnarumma to Man City - Perhaps Pep Guardiola & Co. saved the best for last in the form of a new goalkeeper that could drastically improve the fortunes of the former English champions. While he wasn't perhaps appreciated enough in Paris, Gianluigi Donnarumma should be an immediate upgrade between the sticks for Man City and could potentially end up being the best goalkeeper in the Premier League if last season's Champions League form is anything to go by.
4. Tijjani Reijnders to Man City - Some form of cover for Rodri was vital for Man City this summer and they have perhaps found that in Reijnders. Like the Spaniard, he’s so much more than just a holding midfielder and may in fact prove to be an excellent playmaker in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence too.
3. Florian Wirtz to Liverpool - He may need some time to get up to speed with the physicality of the Premier League, but once Florian Wirtz clicks into gear for Liverpool he’ll very quickly offer a whole new dimension to the Anfield club’s attack. And perhaps provide the club with a long-term heir to Mohamed Salah’s throne.
2. Eberechi Eze to Arsenal - Arsenal’s over-reliance on Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka last season was a major flaw in their title-challenging plans. But the arrival of Eze should bolster their left wing and offer another route to goal for a team that were a little too defensive and a little too predictable in attack last season.
1. Hugo Ekitiké to Liverpool - Forget Alexander Isak, Liverpool already have an outstanding new No.9 and his name is Hugo Ekitiké. Irrespective of the Swede's move to Anfield, Ekitiké has already taken to English football with remarkable ease and will continue to be an extremely useful player for Arne Slot’s attack this season, with age on his side too.
Euan Robertson
5. Hugo Ekitiké to Liverpool - The 23-year-old has hit the ground running with three goals in three games at Liverpool. It’s often claimed that players need to acclimatise to the demands of English football but elite players don’t and Ekitiké could fit in that category. Would probably be higher on my list, if it wasn’t for concerns over where he will fit in Arne Slot’s best eleven after Isak also joined the club.
4. João Palhinha to Tottenham - The Portuguese international was outstanding for Fulham in the Premier League but struggled at Bayern Munich. João Palhinha will be determined to show Vincent Kompany that he was wrong about the midfielder and he’s a quality performer, at his best. Tottenham have numerous gifted young midfielders and Palhinha can provide guidance in that area of the pitch. He’s also a leader and he could thrive under the intelligent coaching of Thomas Frank.
3. Giovanni Leoni to Liverpool - On the surface, Liverpool’s €31m acquisition of Giovanni Leoni could be viewed as a steep price for a player with just one season in professional football to his name. But Leoni has the potential to become an elite centre-back and it’s an area of weakness at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk has entered the twilight years of his career and there’s doubts over Ibrahima Konate’s future. As an avid watcher of Serie A, Leoni was outstanding last season for Parma and he could be the next great Italian centre-back.
2. Rayan Cherki to Lyon - I’ve tracked Rayan Cherki’s development since he burst onto the scene at Lyon as a 16-year-old and I believe he’s a generational talent. In an era where football is often robotic and players are restricted by obsessive coaches, Cherki revels when afforded freedom and he’s incredibly creative. City could’ve landed the bargain of the summer at €36.5m, especially when you consider that Wirtz could end up costing more than €100m more. Is Wirtz more talented than Cherki? The jury is firmly out.
1. Estêvão to Chelsea - Renowned Brazilian football journalist and Transfermarkt colleague Thiago Rabelo believes Estêvão is the best talent to emerge from the South American country since Neymar. The talented attacker only cost €34m and it’s imperative to consider price when assessing the success of a transfer. Estêvão has already made an impact with an assist in his first Premier League start.
Joe Krishnan
5. Habib Diarra to Sunderland - This is going to be a bit of a left-field choice, but I've been keeping a close eye on Habib Diarra ever since Chelsea's owners BlueCo took over Strasbourg in 2023. Even at 19, he was putting in strong performances in the midfield and I genuinely believe Sunderland have pulled off a brilliant deal to sign Diarra for €31.5m. He's one of those players that, within a year, could double his market value. He showed his incredible ability between the boxes against West Ham and will only improve playing next to Granit Xhaka.
4. Eberechi Eze to Arsenal - Arsenal are focused on winning the title now rather than later and that's why they've signed a 27-year-old Eze. He has already entered his prime but there is still another level for him to ascend to and potentially become of the best players in the Premier League. Playing with Declan Rice, Saka, Ødegaard and Gyökeres will no doubt assist him in doing so. In my view, the €68m fee is a win-win situation for all involved.
3. João Pedro to Chelsea - Contrary to popular belief, Chelsea do not need a No. 9 like Didier Drogba. Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata showed us that. Instead, they need one who can link the midfield and attack, navigate through tight spaces and, most importantly, finish his chances. Nicolas Jackson was a step in the right direction, but João Pedro is more lethal in the latter area. He's already shown that with four goals for the Blues since arriving - I'd back him to score another 20 in all competitions. I'm also really excited about how he has linked up with Estêvão during his first few months in west London.
2. Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal - Power, speed, strength and a knack for finishing his chances. Arsenal haven't had a striker like that since... Thierry Henry. While I'm reluctant to say Viktor Gyökeres is anywhere near the Frenchman just yet, his arrival promises exactly what he was signed for: scoring 20 goals a season, and all for a measly €65.8m. A regular goalscorer is the only thing that has been missing from Arsenal's title charge - and now they have the indomitable Swede, I can't see them faltering at the fourth time of asking.
1. Florian Wirtz to Liverpool - I realise he hasn't made the lightning start at Anfield that was expected of him, which could be blamed on his deeper position under Arne Slot. However, I fully expect Wirtz to shine once he's got to grips with the Premier League. We've already seen glimpses of his quality - a Kevin De Bruyne-esque nonchalance on the ball when threading passes through - and he can score practically every type of goal. Liverpool expect a lot from him due to that fee, and sooner or later, they'll start to reap the dividends when he forges that connection with Ekitiké and Mohamed Salah.
