Summer Transfer Window: Winners and Losers
The 2025-26 summer transfer window came to a bustling end on Monday, 1st of September 2025.
Satisfied or not, the top European teams must accept the present composition of teams for at least six months as the January transfer window offers unique solutions to problems that are yet to be solved or problems that lie ahead in the near future.
The urge to remain competitive remains the sole aim as clubs strive to add quality additions to the teams, for most now, it is the desperation to either qualify for major European competition or maintain their status amongst the elites in European competitions.
Due to the huge financial windfall, the Premier League expectedly led the way in spending this summer with £3 billion breaking its previous record of £2.36 billion, Liverpool, the leading ‘Culprit’ spending over £400m almost double that of rivals Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham.
At the time of this article, La Liga is ranked third according to UEFA Coefficient, behind Serie A and the Premier League, a position that is equally reflected in terms of spending, this summer window with all 20 teams accounting for just over €681m compared to Serie A spending €1.179 billion. Exploring the activities of the heavy spenders will enable us to identify the winners and losers of the 2025-26 transfer window.
Winner
Liverpool 10/10
Liverpool undoubtedly won this transfer window, breaking the transfer record twice by signing Florian Wirtz for £116m and Alexander Isak for £125m. Liverpool’s transfer tactics were a mixture of rash ruthlessness and a domineering panache that will live long in the hearts of the Newcastle hierarchy.
Liverpool did not just spend £418m on 6 new players (if you count goalkeeper, Mamardashvili) for the sake of it, it was calculated and intentional. From the addition of €46m Kerkez to step in for the ageing Andy Robertson to the €40m acquisition of Jeremie Frimpong, replacing Trent Alexander Arnold, while providing a healthy competition for the emerging Conor Bradley.
The addition of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak not only covers Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz’s exit but also guarantees the much sought-after firepower the Anfield faithful had clamoured for so long, giving reprieve to the ever-reliable Mohammed Salah in some ways.
Liverpool have been excellent in this window and not even missing out on Centre Back, Marc Guehi, will take the shine off a 10/10 transfer window for Liverpool, who will now hope to successfully defend its Premier League title while perfecting its strategies to win its 7th Champions League trophy.
Loser
Newcastle 5/10
Having secured Champions League qualification last season, expectations were high as Newcastle fans approached the 2025 summer transfer window.
The Alexander Isak transfer saga sadly dominated the window. The club initially resisted selling before succumbing.
Bullied out of the race for Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko was perhaps a clear indication of Newcastle’s place in the hierarchy. Despite these public embarrassments of rejection, Newcastle braced itself and eventually settled for the emerging German talent of Nick Woltemade €85m and Yoane Wissa, €57m. Both signings were the trigger as Liverpool claimed Alexander Isak, its final piece in the transfer puzzle.
Newcastle’s £249.95m spending in this window is quite commendable, given that it is more than Barcelona has spent in the last five transfer windows combined, but it leaves a sour taste in the lips of the Magpies’ faithful. The addition of €61m Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa adds more bite to the attack, but it can be argued that they are no ‘Next Level’ signings.
The same can be said of both Woltemade and Wissa. The reality of losing Isak was one thing; the ability to replace him was another, as Newcastle failed particularly to get its first choice (Sesko and Ekitike). Time will tell, though, with the additions of Woltemade and Wissa if they made the right decision.
Winners
Real Madrid 8/10
The 2025-26 La Liga season has seen the Los Blancos hit the ground running with maximum points from 3 matches as Xabi Alonso continues to implant his desired playing system into a team going through a rebuilding.
€167.50 million is the most Real Madrid has spent in the transfer window for some time which is a clear signal to the rest of La Liga and especially Barcelona of its intention to reclaim the league title.
‘Defence wins you titles’ they say and it’s no surprise that of the 4 new signings, 3 were in defence with Trent Alexander Arnold at Right Back to provide the much needed competition for Dani Carvajal, former Manchester United Academy product, Alvaro Carreras alongside Dean Huijsen have perhaps been the revelation of all signings so far, their defence ability has ensured Xabi Alonso’s philosophy has been a lot easier to implement on the field of play.
Winners
Everton 7/10
Adding Legendary manager David Moyes last season brought stability to the club and ensured the Merseyside club comfortably avoided the customary relegation scraps.
Everton fans are in Wonderland with three matches into the season. They have picked up 6 points from a possible 9. Moving into a new squad, alongside the instant contribution of new signings, has got the fans dreaming of great things this season.
£112m spent on six new players has boosted the quality of Everton, players like Tyler Dibling €40m from Southampton, Dewsbury-Hall €28m from Chelsea, Thierno Barry, €30m from Villarreal and Jack Grealish on loan will transform Everton into a potential Mid-table finish and possibly a good cup run.
Winners
AC Milan 7/10
A disappointing 8th-place finish in Serie A and a Coppa Italia final loss to Bologna last season meant it was a bad 2024-25 season for AC Milan despite employing two different managers.
The experienced Maximiliano Allegri has returned to the club he won the Scudetto with in 2010-11, a more experienced coach. Allegri is tasked with the responsibility of restoring Milan to its glory days, a task easier said than done.
Allegri won the league title in his first year with Milan. Given the competition in Napoli and Inter Milan, it’s a difficult feat, but fans will take Champions League qualification for starters. The club spent reasonably well in the window, acquiring the services of 10 new players for a combined fee of €164m.
€37m Christopher Nkuku, Ardon Jashiri, and Samuel Ricci are the headline additions that will excite the fans the most. However, Allegri’s harder task lies in finding a way to blend so many new players into the team and make it all work within a short time. If he can, then Milan could become an interesting prospect in Serie A this season.
Losers
Chelsea 6/10
The reigning Club World Cup champions have had a bright start to the 2025-26 season, 7 points from a possible 9 while being undefeated in the process with two clean sheets.
On paper, Chelsea’s €323m transfer deal with headline signings Joao Pedro and Alejandro Garancho might seem far more impressive, but failure to address lingering/pressing issues in goal and defence means yet another transfer window with so much gusto yet very little to ensure the team transcends to the next level.
A market that threw up AC Milan’s Mike Maignan and then PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma was never explored despite an obvious need, the uncertainty following the injury to Levi Colwill has was an opportunity for Chelsea to add a leader in the defence that has Just Tosin Adarabioyo and Chalobah as the recognised Centre back.
Up front, the Blues could have done more to keep Nicholas Jackson, especially after the injury to Liam Delap. An Injury to Joao Pedro could spell doom for a team that cannot afford any margin for errors this season.
The team has started well this season, but the VAR decisions in games against Palace and Fulham have shown that they are one decision away from a total collapse.
Losers
Manchester City 6/10
The Cityzens have done well on paper by signing 7 new players this summer. Players like Tijjani Reijnders (€55m), Rayan Cherki (€36m), and Gianluigi Donnarumma should instantly uplift a squad in need of resurrection.
The 4-0 season-opening win away at Wolves indicated progress from last season, but demoralising defeat at home to Tottenham and away at Brighton have raised familiar issues with the team.
Jeremy Doku issued a rallying call to his teammates not to ‘Drop their heads’ after conceding, a pattern that keeps recurring and one even the new signings cannot fix. Some have argued it will take time, while others believe it’s a more tactical issue that even Pep Guardiola has no solution to because, simply, Kelvin Debryune is no longer around.
The Highline football and constant press feels asking too much so soon of players like Reijnders and Cherki who appear to struggle in this new set-up in a new league. Time will tell if they quickly latch on or it’s the same old story from the previous seasons, with new signings struggling under Guardiola’s system
Winners
Arsenal 9/10
Mohamed Salah was right; Arsenal is the favourite for the Premier League title despite Liverpool’s acquisition.
Make no mistake about the defeat to Liverpool just before the international break or the Negative narrative that was peddled by mainstream media. Liverpool’s performance now looks the most complete team in England as they can play ‘Boring’ and can play attractive football when needed to ensure the maximum 3m points, something we cannot say of sides like Liverpool, Manchester City, or even Chelsea.
Such is the strength in depth with this current Arsenal squad that three key players missed the trip to Anfield, yet they impressed in all metrics in their clash against Liverpool.
The Gunners’ transfer spend of €293m with players like Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi all joining means the Gunners have 2 players for each position. Gunners have very little to differentiate in quality.
They are favourites for the title this season and it’ll take some huge.. like Liverpool to stop them.
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