2025/26 Transfer roundup: Premier League’s best buys, worst deals and shocks

Last Updated on 3 September 2025

The 2025/26 summer transfer window has officially slammed shut—and what a spectacle it was.

Premier League clubs obliterated spending records, unleashing a torrent of high-profile moves that have truly turned the most entertaining league into a Super League.

From Liverpool recording the highest transfer spend in history, to six clubs spending more than £200m. The story goes far beyond flash and fanfare. Who emerged stronger, and who might already be regretting their decisions?

Dive into our full breakdown—starting with the ones too good to fail.

The winners of the 2025/26 transfer window

You can’t look past Liverpool as the outright winners of the 2025 summer window. The champions underwent a complete surgery under Arne Slot and Richard Hughes’ watchful eye. They carefully took apart the cogs that won the 2024/25 Premier League to replace them with potential upgrades.

Liverpool

The signings of former Bayer Leverkusen duo, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz kicked off the “big” summer that, Virgil van Dijk, had already hinted at. 

Then with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s hand was forced further. Not only did they sign Hugo Ekitike to replace Darwin Nunez, but also snatched Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. Liverpool broke the British transfer record for a second time in the same window, paying a staggering £125m to Newcastle United. 

Further investment includes the signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth and Giovanni Leoni from Parma. Most analysts had Liverpool winning the league before they made these signings, but they really are nailed on now after capping off a record breaking £446m summer window.

Another candidate for the winner of the transfer window are the runner-ups of the 2024/25 season, Arsenal. 

Arsenal

The Gunners finally addressed their striker concerns. They got Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon and further strengthened with the signings of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze. 

Mikel Arteta also replaced the outgoing Thomas Partey and Jorginho by signing Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard. It was a summer of bringing in quality depth for Arsenal, as Christhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie and Kepa came in to the fold.

Ultimately, Liverpool’s summer just about edges Arsenal’s because the Merseyside club also sold really well. To such an extent that despite spending a British record on transfers, Liverpool’s netspend is lower than Arsenal’s. But the real winner of the window will obviously be decided at the end of the season. Can Arteta finally get his billion pound squad over the line or will Liverpool go back-to-back?

The losers of the 2025/26 transfer window

It’s hard to judge signings before they’ve kicked a ball, but some transfers simply look bad on paper. In terms of a nightmare window, it’s truly difficult to look past Brentford. It was cursed from the get go as their manager, Thomas Frank, chose the greener pastures of North London.

Brentford

But it only went downhill from there. Bryan Mbeumo secured a move to Manchester United, while Christian Norgaard traded up to play for Arsenal. They also lost their goalkeeper, Mark Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen and were sucked into a summer-long saga with Newcastle United over Yoane Wissa. 

From the first official approach, Wissa threw a tantrum and confirmed his intention of leaving Brentford. The Congolese striker finally secured his dream move on deadline day. Meanwhile Brentford reluctantly accepted their fate, losing a reliable goalkeeper and two of their top scorers from last season.

As for the other loser of the transfer window, Newcastle United endured a tough summer, too. 

Newcastle United

Like Brentford, they were also subject to a drawn out summer saga involving their striker, Alexander Isak. And very much like Brentford, Newcastle also lost their striker on the final day of the window, accepting a British record £125m bid from Liverpool.

Unfortunately for Newcastle, Liverpool also stole their long-term target, Hugo Ekitike earlier in the summer. The Tyneside club had tracked Ekitike’s progress for years and were quietly confident of securing his services, only for Liverpool to snatch their no.9 and his dream replacement.

But that wasn’t the only rejection for Eddie Howe and his men. They were also snubbed by Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, with both players securing a move to Chelsea. Not long after that, Newcastle were left frustrated when the next name on the list, Benjamin Sesko, also said no to them, choosing to sign for Manchester United. This one hurt Newcastle fans the most as it happened after they had agreed a deal with RB Leipzig for Sesko’s transfer.

By deadline day, though, they ended up with Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade as their strikers. But paying £55m for a 28-year-old and a club record £69m on an unproven 23-year-old doesn’t reflect value for money or instill confidence. They’ll have to rely on Eddie Howe to work his magic, once again, if they are to have a successful season.

The Bargains of the 2025/26 Transfer Window

As far as value for money goes, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s deadline day transfer to Manchester City is certainly up there. £26m for one of the best goalkeepers in the world is a bargain, to say the least. But it’s still unclear if the Italian goalkeeper will be able to play the way Pep Guardiola wants him to play.

Another name that comes to mind is Granit Xhaka’s £17m transfer to Sunderland. Getting an experienced leader and a reliable midfielder for peanuts could be the difference between going down and staying up. It also showcases how big the Premier League truly is, given a Bundesliga champion jumped at the chance to return to the Premier League with a promoted club. 

Everton also made some really smart signings. Jack Grealish being the obvious standout, who joined from Manchester City on a loan. He’s already started the season extremely well, assisting four times in three games. 

Last, but not least, Spurs enjoyed a superb summer. To get Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons for a combined £106m in an inflated market could be the business of the summer.