Wirtz 1st, Sesko 4th: The 10 most expensive signings of the summer transfer window

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 31 Aug 2025 08:57 BST
• 6 min read

TRANSFERS

The 2025 summer transfer window has been extremely busy and a plethora of major deals have been completed across world football.

Clubs have spent an enormous amount of money in a bid to strengthen their squads, with Premier League teams once again dominating the market.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the 10 most expensive signings of the 2025 summer transfer window.

10. Eberechi Eze - €69.3m (Crystal Palace to Arsenal)

Eberechi Eze completed a dream return to Arsenal for €69.3m on 23 August, having been released by the Gunners during his teenage years.

The England international notched 25 goal contributions in 43 games during his final season at Crystal Palace and he looked set to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, before Arsenal lodged a last-minute bid to hijack the deal.

9. Martin Zubimendi - €70m (Real Sociedad to Arsenal)

Martin Zubimendi rejected the chance to join Liverpool last summer, but he has now completed a Premier League switch after finalising a move to Arsenal.

The Spain international has become Arsenal’s fourth-most expensive signing of all time and he has already slotted in nicely alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the Gunners’ midfield.

8. Luis Diaz - €70m (Liverpool to Bayern Munich)

Luis Diaz was eager to leave Liverpool this summer and Bayern Munich fought off competition from Barcelona to secure his signature for €70m in late July.

The Colombia superstar scored 41 goals in 148 appearances during an illustrious spell at Liverpool and he is expected to help Bayern in their bid to win the Champions League for the first time since 2020.

7. Matheus Cunha - €74.2m (Wolves to Man Utd)

Man Utd completed the signing of Matheus Cunha during the pre-Club World Cup transfer window after triggering the €74.2m release clause in his Wolverhampton Wanderers contract.

The Brazilian registered 17 goals and six assists in 36 Premier League games last season, and his arrival has shifted Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.

6. Bryan Mbeumo - €75m (Brentford to Man Utd)

After weeks of intense negotiations with Brentford, Man Utd finally reached an agreement to pay an initial fee of €75m in order to land Bryan Mbeumo.

Mbeumo was identified as a key target by the Red Devils after he notched 20 Premier League goals last term and he will likely become a key player at Old Trafford.

5. Victor Osimhen - €75m (Napoli to Galatasaray)

After months of speculation linking him with a Premier League switch, Victor Osimhen eventually opted to rejoin Galatasaray on a permanent deal this summer.

The Nigeria superstar spent last season on loan with the Turkish outfit, after failing to join Chelsea, and despite intense rumours of a move to the English top flight, Galatasaray pulled off a major coup and smashed their transfer record to sign him for €75m.

4. Benjamin Sesko - €76.5m (RB Leipzig to Man Utd)

Benjamin Sesko was widely expected to join Arsenal this summer, however Mikel Arteta’s side decided to sign Viktor Gyokeres instead, and the Slovenia striker eventually completed a €76.5m move to Man Utd in early August.

The 22-year-old left RB Leipzig having netted 39 goals in 87 matches for the club, and he is expected to fire Man Utd back towards the top of the Premier League table.

3. Nick Woltemade - €90m (Stuttgart to Newcastle)

Newcastle completed one of the biggest deals of the summer in the final days of the window, splashing up to €90m on Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade.

The Magpies sealed the deal within 24 hours after going on a 'secret mission' to Germany, with this transfer coming relatively out of the blue. Woltemade has joined the St. James' Park club as a replacement for Alexander Isak.

Having missed out on several top targets like Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro, Newcastle became desperate and splashed a hugely inflated fee on the Germany international, who had an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €33.4m at the time of the move.

2. Hugo Ekitike - €95m (Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool)

Hugo Ekitike has become one of the most expensive players in football history following his €95m move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool.

He scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances last season and he has become Liverpool’s new starting centre forward after snubbing interest from the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd and Newcastle to secure an Anfield switch.

Current ETV

Hugo Ekitiké

F (C)

Liverpool

Hugo Ekitiké

F (C)

Liverpool

€75.3M

ETV Range

€67.7M - €82.8M

View full profile

1. Florian Wirtz - €125m (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool)

Florian Wirtz was one of the most sought-after players in world football following a stellar stint at Bayer Leverkusen, and Liverpool won the race for his signature after agreeing a €125m transfer fee.

The Germany international has become Liverpool’s all-time record signing and, despite an underwhelming start, he is expected to add significant creativity to the Reds’ attack. He is the most expensive signing of the summer so far.

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