Power Rankings: The 20 best summer transfers from Europe

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 3 Sep 2025 07:56 CDT
• 8 min read

Analysis

The 2025 summer transfer window is over for clubs in Europe’s top five leagues after three months of intense action in the market.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through our top 20 signings of the summer transfer window, taking into account a number of different factors, including their price tag and the potential impact they will have this season.

20. Ritsu Doan - €21m ($24.4m) (Freiburg to Eintracht Frankfurt)

Ritsu Doan has been a reliable Bundesliga performer since his arrival at Freiburg in 2022 and Eintracht Frankfurt parted ways with $24m to sign him.

Their decision to sign him is already paying off, with the Japan international scoring four times in his first three games for the Eagles.

19. Enzo Millot - €30m ($34.93m) (Stuttgart to Al-Ahli)

France U21 midfielder Enzo Millot has completed a $34.93m move from Stuttgart to Al-Ahli after notching 20 goal contributions in 43 appearances across all competitions in 2024-25.

While it’s a shame to see a talented youngster leave the European game for the riches of Saudi Arabia, the signing of Millot is a great piece of business from Al-Ahli.

Current ETV

Enzo Millot

AM (C), M (CR)

Al Ahli

Enzo Millot

AM (C), M (CR)

Al Ahli

€44.2M

ETV Range

€39.8M - €48.6M

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18. Alex Baena - €42m ($48.9m) (Villarreal to Atletico Madrid)

Atletico Madrid have backed Diego Simeone in the transfer market this summer and Alex Baena is their most expensive new arrival, courtesy of his $48.9m move from Villarreal.

The Spain international registered 17 goals and assists in 32 La Liga matches last season, and he could help Atleti close the gap to both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

17. Alexander Isak - €145m ($167m) (Newcastle to Liverpool)

Alexander Isak finally completed his long-awaited move to Liverpool on Transfer Deadline Day and he became the most expensive player in Premier League history in the process.

Arne Slot’s side have parted ways with a huge amount of money to land the Sweden international, but he’s one of the best strikers in world football and his tally of 27 goals in 42 games last season proves that.

16. Joao Pedro - €63.7m ($74.1m) (Brighton to Chelsea)

Joao Pedro was seen as a slightly expensive signing when he joined Chelsea for $74.1m in July, having only scored five non-penalty goals in the Premier League last year.

But, he put any such doubts to bed with three goals in three games at the Club World Cup and he has settled in perfectly at Stamford Bridge.

15. Jonathan Burkardt - €21m ($24.4m) (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 $24.4m 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.

14. Dean Huijsen - €62.5m ($72.7m) (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 $72.7m, 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.

13. Roony Bardghji - €2.5m ($2.9m) (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 $2.9m. 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.

12. Jonathan David - Free (Lille to Juventus)

Jonathan David scored 25 goals in 49 appearances during his final campaign at Lille and he was linked with a plethora of top clubs around Europe.

While he may not be a guaranteed starter at Juventus due to competition from Dusan Vlahovic and fellow summer signing Lois Openda, David should be a reliable source of goals and the fact he was picked up on a Bosman deal is notable.

11. Petar Sucic - €14m ($16.3m) (Dinamo Zagreb to Inter)

Petar Sucic is rated as one of the most talented young midfielders in Europe and Inter have picked him up for a measly fee of just $16.3m from Dinamo Zagreb.

With Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both well into their mid-30s, Sucic’s arrival will bring new life into Inter’s midfield and he could be a crucial player this campaign.

Current ETV

Petar Sučić

M (C)

Inter

Petar Sučić

M (C)

Inter

€17.1M

ETV Range

€15.4M - €18.8M

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10. Rayan Cherki - €36.5m ($42.5m) (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 $42.5m 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.

9. Yehvann Diouf - €6.5m ($7.4m) (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 ($7.4m)

8. Estevao Willian - €34m ($39.5m) (Palmeiras to Chelsea)

Chelsea agreed to pay an initial €34m ($39.5m) to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao Willian last year and he finally completed his move to the club this summer after a fantastic final season in Brazil.

Estevao is still relatively unproven, but he has enjoyed an eye-catching start at Chelsea and just 18 years old, he could develop into a superstar at Stamford Bridge.

7. Eberechi Eze - €69.3m ($80.7m) (Crystal Palace to Arsenal)

Signing Eberechi Eze is a simply sublime piece of business from Arsenal and he will significantly improve their depth in attack.

The Englishman notched 25 goal contributions in 43 games for Crystal Palace last season, plus the Gunners hijacked Tottenham Hotspur’s deal for him, which will make the transfer even sweeter for supporters.

6. Florian Wirtz - €125m ($145.5m) (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool)

Florian Wirtz is the second-most expensive signing of the summer transfer window, however he is still near the top of this list, despite his slow start to life at Anfield.

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 could well be considered the favourites to win the Champions League this year.

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. Viktor Gyokeres - €65.8m ($76.6m) (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.

3. Granit Xhaka - €15m ($17.4m) (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. Tijjani Reijnders - €55m ($64m) (AC Milan to Man City)

Tijjani Reijnders was AC Milan’s standout player by a significant margin last season and his arrival at Man City means Pep Guardiola has 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

€63.4M

ETV Range

€57M - €69.7M

View full profile

1. Victor Osimhen - €75m ($87.3m) (Napoli to Galatasaray)

This transfer may be omitted from several lists due to the fact Galatasaray aren’t in one of Europe’s top five leagues, however their capture of Victor Osimhen is a simply sensational signing.

He scored 37 goals in 41 games on loan at Galatasaray last season and considering the fees paid for strikers this summer, $87,3m for one of the very best goalscorers in world football is fantastic business.

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