The 2025/26 Premier League clubs led the charge with a record outlay north of £3 billion, and the ten priciest deals alone came in just shy of £800 million. 

Liverpool ripped up their forward line with two era-defining buys and a high-upside third, Manchester United stacked their attack with a trio of signings, Bayern Munich prised away a Champions League-level winger, Arsenal finally landed a long-term midfield target, Newcastle retooled, and Galatasaray delivered the shock of the window by landing Victor Osimhen. 

Here’s what happened, why it matters, and how these moves might reshape the campaign from August to May.

The Top 10 Deals—and why each matters

1) Alexander Isak — Newcastle → Liverpool, £125m (up to £130m)

Liverpool didn’t just buy goals; they bought a scheme. Isak’s press angles, drifting runs, and link play give the Reds a nine who can lead the line and knit attacks—vital if they’re evolving beyond the pure chaos of transition.

2) Florian Wirtz — Bayer Leverkusen → Liverpool, £116m

A statement of intent. Wirtz brings elite chance creation and press resistance between the lines. Pairing him with Isak suggests a shift toward sustained possession and high-zone shot creation, not just fast breaks.

3) Hugo Ekitike — Eintracht Frankfurt → Liverpool, £82m (incl. bonuses)

A swing upside down. Ekitike adds depth across the front three and insurance if injuries hit. If he tidies his off-ball work, Liverpool suddenly has three different ways to build an attack.

4) Benjamin Šeško — RB Leipzig → Manchester United, £73.7m

A modern No. 9 with sprint power and box craft. United finally get a vertical outlet that stretches the last line—and a finisher who turns low-xG looks into actual goals.

5) Bryan Mbeumo — Brentford → Manchester United, £71m

Underrated plug-and-play value. Pressing, crossing, set-piece delivery, secondary scoring—Mbeumo raises United’s floor and frees others to play closer to their strengths.

6) Nick Woltemade — VfB Stuttgart → Newcastle, £69m

The Bundesliga breakout gets a Premier League test. Newcastle lose Isak but gains a tall, technical forward who links midfield and attack. The question is the speed of adaptation.

7) Luis Díaz — Liverpool → Bayern Munich, £65.5m (incl. add-ons)

Bayern add a high-motor winger who tracks back, beats a man, and hits the back post. It’s a tactical fit that restores natural width and gives their nine clean service.

8) Victor Osimhen — Napoli → Galatasaray, £65m

The stunner. The Turkish champions smash their transfer record for a prime-age striker who presses like a demon and lives for near-post finishes. Title race tilt—and instant Champions League intrigue.

9) Matheus Cunha — Wolves → Manchester United, £64m

A connector who can drop, drive, and combine. With Šeško’s lane-running and Mbeumo’s delivery, Cunha’s ball-carrying should reduce United’s reliance on one-pass counters.

10) Martin Zubimendi — Real Sociedad → Arsenal, £60.5m

Arsenal get a metronome. Zubimendi’s first-touch positioning and progressive passing unclog build-up against deep blocks and should lower the team’s turnover risk in rest-defence.