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News
- 26 minutes ago
The 10 best signings of the summer transfer window
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 31 Jul 2025 19:50 BST
- 6 min read
Analysis
The 2025 summer transfer window has seen a multitude of high-profile transfers and most clubs in European football have signed a significant number of reinforcements.
While several teams have spent huge sums of money on new signings this summer, the biggest deals aren’t always the best.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through our top 10 signings of the summer transfer window so far, taking into account a number of different factors, including price and the potential impact they will have this season.
10. Tijjani Reijnders - €55m (AC Milan to Man City)
Tijjani Reijnders was AC Milan’s standout player by a significant margin last season and he will provide Pep Guardiola with another world-class midfielder to work with.
Man City now have a plethora of options to play alongside Rodri, but Reijnders is likely to establish himself as an integral member of the squad after registering 20 goals and assists during his final season at San Siro.
Current ETV
Tijjani Reijnders
M, DM (C)
Man City
Tijjani Reijnders
M, DM (C)
Man City
ETV Range
€57M - €69.6M
9. Jonathan Burkardt - €21m (Mainz to Eintracht Frankfurt)
After progressing through the youth ranks at Mainz, Jonathan Burkardt established himself as an important first-team player in 2020, although his true breakout season didn’t come until 2024-25.
Last term, he scored 18 goals in 29 Bundesliga games and he earned himself a €21m move to Eintracht Frankfurt. Given Frankfurt’s recent record of strikers (think Sebastian Haller, Luka Jovic, Randal Kolo Muani, Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike), he’s likely to become a household name by next summer.
8. Dean Huijsen - €62.5m (Bournemouth to Real Madrid)
Dean Huijsen enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at Bournemouth and Real Madrid were quick to finalise a deal for his signature amid competition from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
At €62.5m, the Spain international is a fairly pricey summer signing, but he’s still only 20 years old and he has the potential to become one of the best defenders in world football.
7. Yehvann Diouf - €6.5m (Stade Reims to Nice)
Yehvann Diouf’s move from Stade Reims to OGC Nice hasn’t made many headlines, but he could prove to be one of the bargain buys of the summer.
The 25-year-old had the best post-shot xG prevented of any goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues last season, conceding 14.6 less goals than xG suggests he should’ve, and he is therefore an immense signing at just €6.5m.
6. Roony Bardghji - €2.5m (Copenhagen to Barcelona)
Roony Bardghji was wanted by virtually every club in Europe after he netted a stunning winner against Manchester United in 2023, but an ACL injury significantly halted his career development and transfer interest.
However, Barcelona completed a surprise deal in mid-July for a measly fee of just €2.5m. It remains to be seen if Bardghji will live up to his potential, but Barca have secured a talented youngster for a very small price and his arrival could enable Lamine Yamal to be rested more frequently - which should be considered a necessity this season.
5. Kevin De Bruyne - Free Transfer (Man City to Napoli)
Kevin De Bruyne is perhaps past his best, but he could still prove to be a fantastic signing for Napoli, especially as he has arrived on a Bosman deal.
The Belgium legend is one of the best players of his generation and he will provide Antonio Conte with an elite creator to complement the attacking instincts of Scott McTominay and the predatory nature of Romelu Lukaku. De Bruyne could be sensational for Napoli and it’s a relatively no-risk transfer given the lack of a fee.
4. Rayan Cherki - €36.5m (Lyon to Man City)
Rayan Cherki was unstoppable at times during the 2024-25 campaign as he racked up 13 goals and 21 assists in 48 appearances for Lyon.
However, their financial issues forced them to accept a sale for just €36.5m and he could prove to be a bargain at that price. Cherki won’t be a guaranteed starter at Man City, given the attacking riches at Guardiola’s disposal, but he is likely to be an excellent signing.
3. Granit Xhaka - €15m (Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland)
The most random transfer of the summer? Perhaps. One of the best? Certainly. In 2024, Sunderland finished 16th in the Championship, while Granit Xhaka was a key member of the Bayer Leverkusen side that won the Bundesliga title without suffering a single defeat. He also came 16th at that year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Switzerland international remained a regular starter last season, yet he has opted to leave Champions League football to aid Sunderland’s push to stay in the English top flight. He’ll bring bucket loads of experience and immense quality to the Stadium of Light.
2. Viktor Gyokeres - €65.8m (Sporting CP to Arsenal)
Arsenal finally have a proper striker and Viktor Gyokeres is one of the best around. Although Kai Havertz has improved under Mikel Arteta, it was abundantly clear that Arsenal needed to sign a new centre forward if they were to dethrone Liverpool this year.
After weeks of negotiation, they finally completed the signing of Gyokeres on 26 July and he has arrived in north London after scoring 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP. This could be a game-changing signing for Arteta.
Current ETV
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€69.3M - €84.8M
1. Florian Wirtz - €125m (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool)
Florian Wirtz is the most expensive signing of the summer transfer window so far, and by a fairly substantial margin. However, he still tops this list.
That is because Liverpool have picked up a superstar. The Germany international notched 31 goal contributions in 45 matches during his final two seasons at Bayer Leverkusen, and his arrival means Arne Slot’s side are now arguably the favourites to win the Champions League this year.
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