Premier League Summer Transfers 2025: What Are the Biggest Surprises
The 2025 Premier League summer transfer window has already been one for the books—and we’re only halfway through it. With a structure shaped by the FIFA Club World Cup, an early rush of deals in June kicked off what has quickly turned into one of the most unpredictable, free-spending summers in English football history.
Over £1 billion has already changed hands, and some of the names and numbers involved are turning heads across Europe.
While the usual suspects have been active—Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United—some of the biggest shocks have come from clubs no one expected. Newly promoted Sunderland is spending like a Champions League side. Burnley has poached a Premier League legend. And then there’s Liverpool splashing nine figures on a 21-year-old.
Let’s take a closer look at the biggest surprises of the 2025 summer window, from the record-breakers to the eyebrow-raisers.
Arsenal Strengthen a Strength: Martin Zubimendi for £60 Million

We did Arsenal transfer analysis, and there’s a lot to unpack. Gunners already had a crowded midfield, so when they dropped £60 million on Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, it raised more than a few questions. Tactical depth? Maybe. A statement of intent? Absolutely.
Zubimendi is a cerebral defensive midfielder, calm under pressure and intelligent in his positioning. He doesn’t grab headlines with goals but makes his team tick—snapping into tackles, intercepting play, and keeping the ball moving.
What’s surprising is not the player’s quality, but that Arsenal chose to spend that kind of money on a position where they already seemed well covered. With Rice, Ødegaard, and Partey still in the squad, Zubimendi’s arrival hints at Arteta preparing for a title run with no weak links or depth concerns.
Liverpool Land Florian Wirtz for £100 Million
You read that right—£100 million. Potentially £117 million with add-ons. Liverpool has shattered expectations (and nearly the British transfer record) by signing German sensation Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. He’s just 21 but already carries the composure of a seasoned pro, with a reputation for threading impossible passes, ghosting into the box, and pulling strings in the final third.
This isn’t just a flashy move. It’s strategic. Wirtz adds something Liverpool has arguably lacked since Philippe Coutinho left: a true creative force in midfield who can both score and assist at elite levels.
Still, the sheer size of the fee caught many off guard. Yes, he’s that good, but this level of investment signals Liverpool’s hunger to dominate both the Premier League and the Champions League. It’s not often you see Liverpool throw down a triple-digit fee, which is why Wirtz’s arrival is one of the most talked-about moves this summer.
Manchester United Splash £62.5 Million on Matheus Cunha

Here’s a transfer that caught many off guard. Matheus Cunha had a decent, if unspectacular, spell at Wolves. His effort and skill were clear, but his numbers didn’t exactly scream “£60-million forward.”
And yet, here we are—Manchester United paying £62.5 million to bring him in. United clearly see something in him that Wolves couldn’t fully unlock. Maybe it’s his versatility across the front line. Maybe it’s his work rate and potential fit in a pressing system.
Regardless, the fee is high for a player without a proven 20-goal season. That’s why this deal has made headlines—it feels like a gamble, especially for a club that needs sure things more than hopeful projects.
Sunderland Go Wild: £100 Million and Counting
Now here’s where things get wild. Sunderland, fresh off promotion, have decided to go all in. £100 million spent, including permanent deals for several key loan players and big-ticket signings like Habib Diarra (£30 million) and Simon Adingra (£21 million).
For a newly promoted team, that kind of outlay is unprecedented. It’s not just about staying up—they’re building to compete. This is a club that’s seen dark days and is clearly determined not to flirt with relegation.
There’s risk, of course. Spending big doesn’t always guarantee survival. But Sunderland’s ambition is refreshing. Fans are buzzing, and rightly so.
Newcastle Pay £55 Million for Anthony Elanga

Anthony Elanga’s rise has been one of quiet promise. After making his name at Manchester United and moving to Nottingham Forest, he’s shown glimpses of real talent.
Still, few expected Newcastle to spend £55 million on him. It’s a huge fee for a player who has yet to consistently deliver in the Premier League.
Clearly, Newcastle’s scouting department sees a high ceiling here—pace, strength, and a willingness to take on defenders. But the price tag has raised eyebrows. Elanga will need to prove he’s more than potential if he’s going to justify the cost.
Tottenham Bet on Kudus for £55 Million
Mohammed Kudus is electric. That much isn’t in question. But at £55 million, Tottenham are betting on him becoming a complete attacking force, not just a highlight-reel dribbler.
The Ghanaian winger had flashes of brilliance at West Ham, but his numbers weren’t consistent. Spurs, however, are banking on their coaching setup refining his raw edges. With the right development, he could become a game-changer.
Still, the risk is real. High fee, high expectations, and a player who hasn’t yet delivered across a full season. It’s a swing for the fences.
Chelsea Splash on Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens
Chelsea being big spenders isn’t surprising. But spending £55 million each on Joao Pedro (from Brighton) and Jamie Gittens (from Dortmund) has raised plenty of questions.
Pedro, with his clever movement and calm finishing, draws Firmino comparisons. Gittens has pace and flair but was inconsistent in Germany. Both are talented, sure. But £110 million combined?
Chelsea’s transfer strategy continues to baffle at times. They’re betting heavily on youth and potential again, and they’ll need results this time.
Kyle Walker to Burnley for £5 Million

No, it’s not a typo. Kyle Walker, at 35, has left Manchester City for Burnley. It’s a shocker not because of the fee, but because of the move itself.
Walker has been a key part of City’s dominance over the past several years. Seeing him join a newly promoted side is something few could have predicted.
For Burnley, it’s a statement. They want leaders. They want experience. And they’re willing to bring in a Premier League winner to help anchor their backline. At £5 million, it’s one of the smartest bargains of the summer.
A Few Surprises That Flew Under the Radar
Not all the surprising moves have been massive in scale. Some are surprising for what they represent.
- Arsenal signing Kepa Arrizabalaga for £5 million: A backup keeper move that still feels odd given their current depth.
- Manchester City bringing in Sverre Nypan for £12.5 million: A teenage midfielder from Rosenborg, likely to be loaned out.
- Liverpool selling Jarell Quansah to Leverkusen for £30 million: A highly rated prospect leaving amid major squad building.
- Brentford signing Jordan Henderson on a free: A Premier League return for the former Liverpool captain, now taking on a leadership role in West London.
Big Spenders vs. Silent Sidelines
Here’s how the spending race looks so far:
Club | Notable Signing (Fee) | Notable Departure (Fee) | Total Spent (£m) |
Liverpool | Florian Wirtz (£100m) | Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.4m) | 185 |
Chelsea | Joao Pedro (£55m), Jamie Gittens (£55m) | Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m) | 211 |
Manchester United | Matheus Cunha (£62.5m) | Jonny Evans (Retired) | 62.5+ |
Arsenal | Martin Zubimendi (£60m) | Kieran Tierney (Free) | 60+ |
Tottenham | Mohammed Kudus (£55m) | Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (£11.4m) | 122 |
Newcastle | Anthony Elanga (£55m) | Lloyd Kelly (£14.5m) | 55+ |
Sunderland | Habib Diarra (£30m), Simon Adingra (£21m) | Jobe Bellingham (£25.8m) | 100 |
Manchester City | Tijjani Reijnders (£46.3m) | Kyle Walker (£5m) | 113 |
Burnley | Kyle Walker (£5m) | CJ Egan-Riley (Free) | 5+ |
Fulham | None | None | 0 |
Crystal Palace | Borna Sosa (£2m) | None | 2 |
Some clubs are sitting it out—for now. Fulham have yet to make a single signing. Palace have only spent £2 million. West Ham’s focus seems to be on youth development, with only minor senior moves.
A Bigger Window Than Ever
Compared to last year, the 2025 summer window has gone nuclear. In 2024, only six deals cleared the £55 million mark. This summer? We’ve already got eight and counting.
Between the FIFA Club World Cup forcing an early shopping spree and the relentless demand for talent, Premier League clubs are throwing big money around with ease. It’s a reminder of how strong the league’s financial muscle remains—and how competitive the coming season will be.
Final Words
The 2025 summer transfer window has delivered surprises at every turn. From Liverpool’s nine-figure bet on Wirtz to Sunderland’s fearless spending spree, clubs are rewriting the rules of what’s expected.
Some are chasing titles. Others are chasing survival. But nearly all are making bold moves to shift the balance.
The Premier League has never felt more unpredictable. And if the transfer window is anything to go by, the 2025–26 season is going to be a wild ride. Buckle up.