As the 2025/26 football season gears up for action across Europe and beyond, the summer transfer window has once again provided major talking points. With leagues like the Premier League and La Liga kicking off in mid-August, clubs have made significant moves in the market to bolster their squads. Unsurprisingly, the Premier League clubs have led the way in spending, but teams across Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Germany have also made headlines. Liverpool dominate the top of the chart, making two of the summer’s most expensive signings. The headline-grabber is Germany’s Florian Wirtz, who joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen for a massive €125 million. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder arrives with high expectations after his stunning season in the Bundesliga and with the German national team at the Euros.Liverpool also landed French-Cameroonian striker Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt for €95 million, signalling a clear shift to rebuild their frontline after the departure of Luis Díaz. Díaz, in turn, left Anfield for Bayern Munich in a €70 million move. The Colombian winger will look to revitalize Bayern’s attack after a transitional season under new management. One of the more surprising deals this summer is Victor Osimhen’s transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray for €75 million. The Nigerian forward was expected to move to another top-five European league, but Galatasaray’s ambition and financial power brought him to the Turkish champions in a statement signing. Manchester United have been active as well, adding firepower with Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford (€75 million) and Matheus Cunha from Wolves (€74.2 million). Both bring Premier League experience, with Mbeumo expected to slot in as a wide attacker and Cunha offering depth behind the main striker. Arsenal, chasing depth for another serious title push, secured the services of Spanish midfielder Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for €70 million and Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP for €65.8 million. Zubimendi’s composure and tactical discipline will be a good fit for Arsenal’s midfield, while Gyökeres adds a dominant goalscoring presence up front.
Biggest signings so far ahead of the 2025/26 season
1. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool – €125.00m2. Hugo Ekitiké – Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool – €95.00m3. Victor Osimhen – Napoli to Galatasaray – €75.00m4. Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford to Manchester United – €75.00m5. Matheus Cunha – Wolves to Manchester United – €74.20m6. Martín Zubimendi – Real Sociedad to Arsenal – €70.00m7. Luis Díaz – Liverpool to Bayern Munich – €70.00m8. Mateo Retegui – Atalanta to Al-Qadsiah – €68.25m9. Viktor Gyökeres – Sporting to Arsenal – €65.80m10. Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea – €64.30m In the Saudi Pro League, Al-Qadsiah continued their recruitment drive, landing Italy international Mateo Retegui from Atalanta for €68.25 million. The 26-year-old forward is expected to be a key figure in their attacking plans.
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To complete the list of the top 10 most expensive signings, Chelsea brought in promising English winger Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for €64.3 million. At just 20, Gittens is seen as one for the future, but the price tag shows Chelsea’s continued commitment to investing in youth. With kickoff dates approaching fast and pre-season games already underway, fans won’t have to wait long to see how these blockbuster signings settle into their new roles.
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