5 big-money Premier League signings not living up to their price tag

Last Updated on 28 November 2025

Every summer, Premier League clubs convince themselves that this is the signing that will change everything. A record fee, a flashy announcement video, a social-media meltdown from excited fans, it’s all part of the ritual.

But once the hype fades and the football actually starts, reality in the Premier League can hit harder than a January away day at Turf Moor.

This list dives into five big-money arrivals who aren’t delivering the return their clubs paid for, despite the expectations that came wrapped in their transfer fee.

5 – Xavi Simons – £51 million to Tottenham Hotspur

At £51 million, Xavi Simons cost a lot less than most of the other big hitters in the Premier League. Unfortunately, even at that price, the former Leipzig man has failed to make his mark in England, so far.

Yet to score a goal for Spurs, Simons has only two goal involvements. One assist a-piece in the Premier League and the Champions League. There have been flashes of brilliance but nothing, so far, to justify Tottenham paying over £50 million for the Dutchman.

For what it’s worth, the 22-year-old is very young and has plenty of time to turn it around. Question is, after a difficult start to his career in North London, can he?

4 – Yoane Wissa – £55 million to Newcastle United

One of the longest and most drawn-out sagas of the summer saw Yoane Wissa complete a move to Tyneside from Brentford.

Unfortunately for the Wissa, he is yet to play a single game for his new team. He was given the number 9 jersey on arrival, but it already seems like he will have to fight just to get a place in the line-up after Nick Woltemade’s superb start to life in Newcastle.

Wissa’s bad luck with injury, though, seems to be coming to an end with the striker returning to training, recently, as per Chronicle Live. However, at 29, it already felt like a steep fee considering he was in the final year of his contract at Brentford, anyway.

3 – Matheus Cunha – £62.5 million to Manchester United

For many, one of the best business done by any club in the summer transfer window, Matheus Cunha’s move to Manchester United has not materialized the way it should have.

Signed for upwards of £60 million, the Brazilian has one goal involvement, so far, in his United career in 11 games. It also includes a missed penalty during the Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town in the second round.

Cunha has looked lively, though, and United fans will hope the goals and assists start to flow. But, so far, Bryan Mbeumo is doing the heavy lifting at Old Trafford.

2 – Alexander Isak – £125 million to Liverpool

Unsurprisingly, Alexander Isak is towards the top of this list. For many, Isak could easily be number one on this list, but given how he did not have a complete preseason with Liverpool, there is a bit of sympathy attached to this transfer.

That said, he has looked way off the pace for Liverpool. Only one goal and one assist for the Swede in 10 appearances in all competitions is a terrible start by all standards.

Liverpool are also on a terrible run, losing nine of their last 12 games and their big summer has only made things worse for the champions.

1 – Florian Wirtz – £116 million to Liverpool

By far, the worst signing of the summer has to be Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz.

Signed for a whopping £116 million, the German has failed to adjust to life, despite going through a full preseason. He has not looked at home in the Premier League with the physicality causing the 22-year-old significant problems.

Yet to score a goal or assist in the Premier League, Wirtz has two assists in the Champions League. But for a player signed for well over £100 million, the former Leverkusen man has been a major disappointment.