After months of chaotic scouting, insane rumours, and sleepless nights, teams finally have their new roster lists finalised and rearing to go with the new season underway. European football always seems to have the craziest transfer windows in the summer, but the zaniness of the 2025/26 summer transfer window reached to ultimate heights. You won’t be surprised if we make comparisons of the hectic media circus surrounding the summer transfer window with the caffeine-laden dark comedy movies of Hollywood (read Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle or Once Upon A Time in Hollywood). The summer transfer window script seems to have come out of a Guy Ritchie movie, with constant back-and-forth banter between rival fans, coupled with massive tug-of-wars on players in a “will he, won’t he” fashion reminiscent of the UK’s favorite TV show Love Island.
Now, with deadline day deals over the line and the market finally closing, journalists like Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein can finally see their families and live a normal life again. As for fans, well, this is the time for analysis, discussion and reflection. Football/soccer is indeed unpredictable, and we never know which high-profile signing might turn out to be a huge disaster in disguise, but that isn’t leaving anyone bereft of words when it comes to banter. With the international break on, now is the perfect time to reflect and recognize the formidable best, and absolute worst, of the blockbuster summer transfer window.
On today’s special Transfer Window post, here’s our recap and analysis.
Best Signings: Winners of the Transfer Season
Joao Pedro (Chelsea from Brighton, £55million)
Joao Pedro will prove to be an upgrade over Bayern-bound Nicholas Jackson. An intelligent striker with the affinity to create line-breaking through balls and tactical short passes, he is expected to have an amazing season at Chelsea, even if he doesn’t score as much as other strikers. This move will prove beneficial for Enzo Maresca’s team.
Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, £69million)
Hugo Ekitike has all the potential to be Liverpool’s best investment this season. A promising centre forward, his athletic build, quick runs and impeccable finishing have made the Frenchman one of the most sought-after names in Europe. Liverpool won the raffle with this one.
Aleksander Isak(Liverpool, £125 million)
Liverpool broke the British transfer record by poaching Isak after a long-drawn saga which could probably be made into a documentary on Netflix. The twists and turns, heightened drama, and anxiety surrounding the Swedish striker finally concluded on deadline day, with him becoming the most expensive transfer in England. The world-class striker will be expected to hit the ground running and make himself an Anfield favourite in no time.
Worst Signings: Losers of the Transfer Season
Benjamin Šeško (Man United from RB Leipzig, £67 million)
Manchester United in recent years has been a graveyard for young talent, with the latest victim being Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker has been loaned to Serie A champions Napoli, and his replacement is the 21-year-old Slovenian, Šeško. The young striker, also the first ever Slovenian to play for the Red Devils, comes off a promising couple of seasons at RB Leipzig. With a steep price tag and the expectations to lead a misfiring attack, Man United must keep their expectations grounded with Šeško.
James Trafford (Man City from Burnley, £31 million)
James Trafford returning to his boyhood club has not been met with much fanfare. The English goalkeeper is expected to fill the massive boots of Ederson, who left City after a glittering career laced with silverware. City’s transfer activity has been a bit wayward this summer, with Liverpool and Chelsea being much more proactive in getting their targets. Will Trafford be able to manage expectations? Cityzens have mixed opinions.
Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea from Man United, £45 million)
Alejandro Garnacho’s story is of his own undoing. Once seen as the natural heir to his idol Cristiano, the Argentine winger failed to show much beyond glimpses of his talent at United despite being a Carrington graduate. A fast left winger who likes to cut in on his right foot, Garnacho’s talent and ceiling is noticeably high, but his mentality has often drawn the ire of fans. Having severed his ties with the Old Trafford faithful, Garnacho was sold at a rate much below his market value to Chelsea, where he signed a seven-year contract. Whether he makes a fuss on the bench or stars for the Londoners, Manchester United fans won’t be happy either way.
Underrated Signings: Watch out for them
Tijjai Reijnders (Man City from AC Milan, £50 million)
Reijnders might actually be one of the sharpest moves in the transfer market. A versatile, tempo-building box-to-box player, the Dutch midfielder is a good ball-carrier who would take over the reins of the City midfield from departed midfield stalwarts Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne.
Jamie Gittens (Chelsea from Dortmund, £50million)
Gittens, a dynamic winger known for his pace and power, might have gone a bit under the radar among the mad happenings of the transfer window. But Chelsea actually have a gem on their hands. Gittens had a strong presence at Dortmund, and at the age of just 21, has miles left to run.
Matheus Cunha (Manchester United from Wolves, £62.5million)
Cunha was easily the best player in the Wolves line-up last summer, and his transfer to a revamped Man United under Ruben Amorim might just be the move that could make him a PL superstar. The Brazilian is versatile and talented, with the ability to play across the front line. He would be accompanied by Bryan Mbeumo and Benjami Sesko as a part of a new front three.
Overrated Signings: Too Much for Too Little
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal from Sporting, £65 million)
Gyokeres’ arrival at Arsenal has been met with media fanfare and worldwide hype. After all, he was one of the highest scorers in Europe and was linked to the biggest clubs. However, his return to England also brings about doubts over his playstyle. Gyokeres‘ earlier seasons in Brighton and Championship-side Coventry City were mediocre at best and forgettable at worst. Will he be able to break records in England? We shall see.
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, £105million)
Florian Wirtz put up world-class numbers during his stint at Bayer Leverkusen and is fondly remembered for his heroics in Xabi Alonso’s invincible Leverkusen team which won the Bundesliga undefeated. Much has been talked about the German attacking midfielder. Liverpool, who aren’t exactly known for being big spenders, splurged over £400 million this summer, with Wirtz being their primary target. There’s no denying Wirtz’s potential, but Liverpool fans should temper their expectations. The 21-year-old has the opportunity to come of age in a more difficult league, and should be allowed the space to breathe.
Unexpected Signings: When Did This Happen?
Granit Xhaka (Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen, £20 million)
Sunderland is a big, historical club that has had massive downturns in its fortunes. After almost a decade of struggling for stability, they are finally back playing at the highest level of English football, and a very unexpected signing in Granit Xhaka. The former Arsenal captain is coming back to England after a marvellous spell at Bayer Leverkusen, and it would be good to see him back in the Premier League, fighting as a tough midfield general.
Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur from RB Leipzig ,£52 million)
There’s always hype around Xavi Simons’ name every transfer window. The talented attacker known for his flair and intelligent runs was on the radar for most major European clubs, ranging from the Manchester Uniteds to the Real Madrids. After Chelsea courted him for almost all the window, he ended up at Spurs, in a surprising turn of events.
Final Takes:
Most Improved Teams: Liverpool, Manchester United
They got most of their targets and are looking in good shape for the rest of the season. Winning transfers: Wirtz, Ekitike, Cunha
Worst Transfer Window: Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace lost Eberechi Eze and have an unsettled captain in Guehi, with manager Glasner unhappy with the ownership.
