The 2025 summer transfer window closed on Monday, September 1, after months of speculation, tense negotiations, and the usual swirl of rumors that defined the off-season.
What stood out this year was not just the money being spent, but how widespread the big deals were. The Premier League remained the financial juggernaut, pouring hundreds of millions into new recruits, yet Turkey managed to steal headlines with a move that few saw coming.
Victor Osimhen’s decision to join Galatasaray broke the usual England-centric narrative and reminded everyone that football’s transfer market still has room for shocks.
The window delivered record-breaking figures, none larger than Alexander Isak’s blockbuster move to Liverpool, which not only became the biggest signing of the summer but also redefined the club’s approach after years of restraint.
Around him, familiar giants like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich reinforced heavily, while ambitious clubs in Saudi Arabia and continental Europe also dipped into their deep pockets.
Below is a detailed look at the 20 biggest and most expensive transfers of the 2025 summer, ranked by initial fee, with context around each deal, the stakes involved, and what it might mean for the season ahead.
- 1) Alexander Isak (Newcastle United → Liverpool) – £125m
- 2) Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen → Liverpool) – £100m rising to £116m
- 3) Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt → Liverpool) – £69m rising to £79m
- 4) Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig → Manchester United) – £66.2m rising to £73.4m
- 5) Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford → Manchester United) – £65m rising to £71m
- 6) Victor Osimhen (Napoli → Galatasaray) – £64.8m
- 7) Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart → Newcastle United) – £64.7m rising to £69m
- 8) Matheus Cunha (Wolves → Manchester United) – £62.5m
- 9) Luis Díaz (Liverpool → Bayern Munich) – £60.5m rising to £64.8m
- 10) Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace → Arsenal) – £60m rising to £67.5m
- 11) Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad → Arsenal) – £60m
- 12) Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig → Tottenham Hotspur) – £56.3m
- 13) Mateo Retegui (Atalanta → Al Qadsiah) – £56.3m
- 14) Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting → Arsenal) – £55m rising to £63m
- 15) João Pedro (Brighton → Chelsea) – £55m rising to £60m
- 16) Mohammed Kudus (West Ham → Tottenham Hotspur) – £55m
- 17) Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth → Paris Saint-Germain) – £54.3m rising to £57m
- 18) Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest → Newcastle United) – £52m rising to £55m
- 19) Yoane Wissa (Brentford → Newcastle United) – £50m rising to £55m
- 20) Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth → Real Madrid) – £50m
1) Alexander Isak (Newcastle United → Liverpool) – £125m
The biggest deal of the summer, and by a distance.
Alexander Isak had been Newcastle United’s crown jewel, their marquee signing in the post-takeover era, and the man around whom much of their attack revolved. Yet Liverpool, in need of fresh firepower and a central striker to lead their next era, pushed until deadline day to get the Swede.
At £125m, Isak became the most expensive transfer in Liverpool’s history and the Premier League’s headline arrival of 2025. The saga dragged for weeks, with Newcastle digging their heels in until Liverpool’s persistence and their failure to land defensive target Marc Guehi forced them to pivot aggressively.
For Liverpool, this is more than a luxury buy. It is a statement that they remain intent on competing at the very top after years of carefully measured recruitment.
Isak’s style, a blend of technical finesse and ruthless finishing, looks tailor-made for Anfield. The fee is staggering, but so are the expectations.
2) Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen → Liverpool) – £100m rising to £116m
If Isak was the headline, Wirtz was the sequel that confirmed Liverpool’s ambition.
The German playmaker had long been tipped for a move to England, and with Bayer Leverkusen unable to resist after yet another stellar season, Liverpool struck with a nine-figure bid.
At £100m up front, with add-ons pushing the figure closer to £116m, Wirtz joins the rare group of players to command such numbers.
His arrival signals a new creative heartbeat in midfield, adding invention and vision to complement Isak’s goals.
Twelve months ago, Liverpool had kept their spending quiet, content to rely on stability. Winning another Premier League title in 2024 convinced them to double down.
Wirtz’s transfer, combined with Isak’s, makes it clear that the club is planning for dominance, not just survival.
3) Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt → Liverpool) – £69m rising to £79m
Few could have predicted that Liverpool would make three of the top five signings in a single summer, yet here we are. Hugo Ekitike had been linked with Newcastle in the past, but once again, Liverpool pounced when the opportunity arose.
The French forward cost £69m, potentially rising to £79m with add-ons, and adds depth in attack.
With Isak as the main striker and Wirtz as the creator, Ekitike offers versatility across the front line. His move may have been triggered by Newcastle’s refusal to sell Isak earlier in the summer, ironically leading to a situation where both players ended up in red.
Ekitike’s task will be to prove that he is more than just a rotation option. Liverpool’s attack is crowded, but the club clearly believes his ceiling is high enough to justify the investment.
4) Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig → Manchester United) – £66.2m rising to £73.4m
Manchester United entered the summer desperate for a reliable striker. After a mixed debut season for Rasmus Højlund, the search intensified.
Sesko, long admired for his physical presence and goalscoring ability, became their solution.
United paid £66.2m, with add-ons bringing it to £73.4m. The move came after failed pursuits of Liam Delap and Viktor Gyökeres, underlining how tricky the market had been for them.
Critics suggest this could be a repeat of the Højlund gamble, but Sesko has proven himself more consistently in the Bundesliga.
At 22, he fits the profile of a forward who can grow with United’s young core.
Whether he thrives or struggles will define how their attack evolves under the new ownership structure led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
5) Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford → Manchester United) – £65m rising to £71m
Mbeumo had long been linked with bigger clubs, his consistency at Brentford impossible to ignore. United eventually won the race, but not without difficulty.
Negotiations were drawn-out, with Brentford holding firm on their valuation.
The £65m initial fee, rising to £71m, feels steep, but Mbeumo brings proven Premier League quality.
He will add pace and directness on the right wing, areas where United have lacked depth. Alongside Sesko, he is part of United’s attempt to build a refreshed front line.
6) Victor Osimhen (Napoli → Galatasaray) – £64.8m
One of the most surprising moves of the summer.
For years, Osimhen had been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, and other Premier League heavyweights. Instead, he chose Galatasaray, turning down massive offers from the Saudi Pro League.
The £64.8m fee is enormous for Turkish football and instantly places Galatasaray in the spotlight. Osimhen becomes the face of their project, a signing that could reshape how the Super Lig is viewed across Europe.
Some see it as a step down for a striker of his quality, but the choice reflects his desire to be the centerpiece of a passionate football culture, rather than another big name in an already crowded European giant or Saudi side.
7) Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart → Newcastle United) – £64.7m rising to £69m
With Isak departing, Newcastle moved quickly to secure his replacement. Nick Woltemade arrived from Stuttgart, a tall, imposing forward who had impressed in the Bundesliga.
The £64.7m initial fee shows how much faith Newcastle have in him.
With add-ons, the deal could rise to £69m, but the real pressure lies in filling Isak’s void. Newcastle supporters will hope Woltemade can slot in seamlessly, though comparisons with his predecessor will be inevitable.
8) Matheus Cunha (Wolves → Manchester United) – £62.5m
United’s spending spree continued with Cunha, a versatile forward who had been one of Wolves’ standout players. At £62.5m, the price raised eyebrows, but his ability to play across multiple attacking roles convinced United to invest.
The deal was nearly derailed by financial disagreements, with Wolves holding firm on their valuation. Eventually, United relented and “met the terms,” highlighting just how determined they were to get him.
Cunha’s unpredictability and flair could bring a new dynamic to Old Trafford, though whether he justifies the fee remains to be seen.
9) Luis Díaz (Liverpool → Bayern Munich) – £60.5m rising to £64.8m
As Liverpool welcomed new stars, they also parted ways with one of their most electric players. Luis Díaz joined Bayern Munich for £60.5m, a fee that could climb to £64.8m.
For Díaz, the move represents a fresh challenge after several years in England.
For Liverpool, it cleared the way for their incoming attackers. Bayern, meanwhile, gain a direct, explosive winger to replace aging options and maintain their dominance in the Bundesliga.
10) Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace → Arsenal) – £60m rising to £67.5m
Eze had been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time, and this summer they finally made their move. After brief hesitation that allowed Tottenham to believe they had a chance, Arsenal stepped in decisively.
At £60m, potentially rising to £67.5m, Eze becomes one of Palace’s biggest-ever sales and adds creativity to Arsenal’s attack.
His dribbling and flair could provide a different spark, especially against low-block defenses where Arsenal have sometimes struggled.
11) Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad → Arsenal) – £60m
Arsenal doubled down by landing Zubimendi, another long-term target. Liverpool had tried and failed to tempt him a year earlier, but Arsenal succeeded with a £60m deal.
The midfielder’s composure and intelligence fit perfectly into Mikel Arteta’s system.
With Eze and Zubimendi, Arsenal’s midfield looks refreshed, signaling a push to finally convert near-misses into silverware.
12) Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig → Tottenham Hotspur) – £56.3m
Tottenham have not always been known for pulling off headline transfers, but this summer they secured a coup. Xavi Simons, heavily linked with Chelsea, joined Spurs instead.
At £56.3m, the Dutchman adds technical brilliance and versatility.
Missing out on Eze stung, but landing Simons softens the blow. For Tottenham, this could be the move that elevates them back into consistent Champions League contention.
13) Mateo Retegui (Atalanta → Al Qadsiah) – £56.3m
Saudi Arabia’s summer spending spree continued, with Al Qadsiah securing Retegui for £56.3m. The Argentine forward arrives fresh from winning the Serie A Golden Boot with 25 goals.
For Saudi football, it is another statement signing.
For Retegui, it is a career-defining choice, leaving Europe after his best season to join the Gulf project.
14) Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting → Arsenal) – £55m rising to £63m
After months of speculation, Arsenal finally closed a deal for Gyökeres. The Swedish striker arrives for £55m, with add-ons potentially pushing it to £63m.
His physicality and goalscoring record in Portugal make him a valuable addition, though his role alongside Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remains to be defined.
Still, Arsenal’s willingness to spend heavily shows their determination to compete with Liverpool’s big moves.
15) João Pedro (Brighton → Chelsea) – £55m rising to £60m
Chelsea once again raided Brighton, this time for João Pedro.
Two years after signing for Brighton from Watford for a club-record fee, he now joins Stamford Bridge for nearly double that amount.
At £55m rising to £60m, he becomes another young attacking piece in Chelsea’s never-ending rebuild. Whether he finds consistency in a chaotic squad is the real challenge.
16) Mohammed Kudus (West Ham → Tottenham Hotspur) – £55m
Tottenham’s second big move of the summer was Kudus, prised from West Ham for £55m. The Ghanaian midfielder had impressed in his debut Premier League season, blending power, flair, and goals from midfield.
For Spurs, Kudus and Simons transform their options, injecting creativity and dynamism. For West Ham fans, the departure hurt, but the fee provided significant reinvestment funds.
17) Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth → Paris Saint-Germain) – £54.3m rising to £57m
PSG continued their strategy of signing young defensive talent, landing Zabarnyi from Bournemouth. At £54.3m, with add-ons taking it to £57m, this was another major outlay.
For Bournemouth, it was their third big defensive sale in two years, cementing their reputation as a club that develops and sells at a profit.
For PSG, Zabarnyi becomes part of a backline built for the future, with potential to anchor their defense for the next decade.
18) Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest → Newcastle United) – £52m rising to £55m
Newcastle may have lost Isak, but they added pace on the wings. Elanga joined from Nottingham Forest for £52m, potentially £55m with add-ons.
The Swedish winger had rebuilt his career at Forest after leaving Manchester United, and now steps back onto the biggest stage.
Alongside Anthony Gordon and Woltemade, he forms part of Newcastle’s new-look attack.
19) Yoane Wissa (Brentford → Newcastle United) – £50m rising to £55m
Another late move saw Newcastle grab Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
At £50m rising to £55m, the Congolese forward adds depth and goalscoring instincts.
Brentford held firm throughout negotiations, maximizing their return. For Newcastle, it was another example of the club scrambling on deadline day to replace Isak’s output.
20) Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth → Real Madrid) – £50m
The final spot goes to Real Madrid’s £50m swoop for Dean Huijsen. Just a year after joining Bournemouth for £12.6m, the young defender is on his way to the Bernabéu.
Madrid paid his release clause, spreading the fee across three instalments.
Juventus and Málaga, his former clubs, both benefit from sell-on clauses, making this one of the most lucrative exits Bournemouth have ever pulled off.
Final Thoughts on the 2025 Summer Window
This transfer window will be remembered for Liverpool’s audacity, Arsenal’s ambition, Manchester United’s scattergun spending, and Galatasaray’s unexpected coup. It was also a reminder of how much money continues to pour into football, reshaping squads and rewriting hierarchies every year.
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