The summer window saw football clubs scrambling for new players to build up their squad. While some successfully achieved what they wanted, others had hard luck. The signings even went down to the deadline day with last minute confirmations.
While transfers also means building squad, clubs also need to look into their budget. They are required to make their best buys considering monetary pressure.
In this article, let us have a look at the most expensive transfers in 2025 summer window.
1. Alexander Isak – Newcastle to Liverpool
Total Fee: £125 million
No add-ons
Alexander Isak become the most expensive transfers in the 2025 summer window. His switch from Newcastle to Liverpool broke transfer records at Anfield and also making him the third-most expensive footballer in history.
Isak enjoyed an incredible 2025-25 season- second only to Erling Haaland in Premier League goals. But this signing isn’t just about numbers. Isak offers a rare blend of composure, creativity, and intelligence. His balletic footwork and ghost-like movement make him the quintessential modern No. 9.
Arne Slot now has a world-class striker, but the challenge lies in orchestrating the talent around him. Liverpool are going for the jugular this season, but Isak’s integration will require systemic balance, especially with other new forwards arriving.
2. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool
Total Fee: £116.5 million
(£100m base + £16.5m add-ons)
Before Isak came Wirtz- a Bundesliga maestro and creative fulcrum for Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side. The 22-year-old has long been tipped for superstardom, and his move to Liverpool marked the start of a new attacking era under Slot.
Wirtz thrives in the left half-space, drifting between the lines and stitching play with flair and vision. While he’s had a shaky start at Anfield- struggling in his first couple of matches- his second-half performance against Arsenal hinted at what’s to come.
Slot’s tactical adjustments to accommodate Wirtz are already bearing fruit. Once he’s fully settled into the physical pace of the league, he could become Liverpool’s next elite playmaker.
3. Hugo Ekitiké – Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool
Total Fee: £79 million
(£69m base + £10m add-ons)
Liverpool’s third high-profile attacking recruit was also its most surprising. Hugo Ekitiké arrived from Frankfurt as a somewhat under-the-radar signing, but he’s wasted no time making his mark- scoring in both of his first two Premier League appearances.
The Frenchman is the definition of a modern hybrid forward. He can stretch defences, combine centrally, and even drift wide to create overloads. Ekitiké’s movement complements Liverpool’s high-pressing style, and his versatility offers Slot valuable tactical flexibility.
However, with Isak occupying the central role, it remains to be seen how the pair will co-exist. Is Ekitiké a second striker, a wide forward, or an impact sub? Regardless, he’s proven early on that he can deliver goals and energy at the highest level.
4. Benjamin Šeško – RB Leipzig to Manchester United
Total Fee: £73.5 million
(£66.2m base + £7.3m add-ons)
Manchester United’s move for Benjamin Šeško signaled another attempt to find a long-term solution up front. However, questions immediately arose: Did they simply replace one raw, unpolished striker with another?
Šeško is undeniably talented- standing tall, hitting the ball with venom, and boasting elite athleticism. But he remains a work in progress. While his Bundesliga flashes were promising, he’s still learning the nuances of movement, positioning, and pressing under pressure.
Add in United’s ongoing midfield issues and lack of service, and it’s hard to see Šeško hitting the ground running. This feels like a project signing that could pay off in 2-3 years- but in the current climate at Old Trafford, time isn’t always a luxury.
Also Read: Premier League 2025-26: Meet All The Team Managers
5. Nick Woltemade – VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle United
Total Fee: £69 million
(£64.6m base + £4.4m add-ons)
A 6’6″ striker who plays like a No. 10? Meet Nick Woltemade. The German U21 standout had suitors across Europe, including Bayern Munich, but Newcastle swooped in with precision to seal one of the most intriguing moves of the summer.
Woltemade may look like a traditional target man, but his game is built on guile, not brute force. He glides into space, links play beautifully, and acts as a facilitator more than a finisher. For Eddie Howe, who values intelligent, high-pressing attackers, Woltemade could be a perfect stylistic fit.
Still, this is a big fee for a still-developing player, and his unorthodox style might take time to mesh in the Premier League.
