Premier League Clubs Smash Records in Blockbuster 2025 Transfer Window

For the 20 clubs taking part in this season’s Premier League, the time for transfers in 2025 is done and dusted. After a record transfer window, which saw an eye-watering £3.1 billion spent by clubs, focus now turns back to the pitch after the international break. There were two Premier League transfer windows this summer: the first from June 1–10, due to the Club World Cup, and the second, which closed on September 1.

With this transfer window being the biggest ever seen in English football, clubs scrambled to get their business done — and several fell foul of overpaying; such is the desperation to remain in the Premier League and secure the riches it brings.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the biggest stories to emerge from the 2025 summer transfer window.

Strikers Retake Centre Stage

The time of the false 9 seems to be over. After a period when clubs moved away from out-and-out centre forwards in favour of No. 10s and wide attackers, the era of the striker has returned. Big hitters like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs and Manchester United have all invested in central strikers to boost their firepower for the new campaign.

Liverpool brought in Alexander Isak to be their No. 9, but they also added French striker Hugo Ekitike for around £79 million. Arsenal finally secured a proven striker when they signed Swedish international Viktor Gyökeres for £55 million, as they bid for a first title since 2004.

Chelsea added Liam Delap and João Pedro to their squad to bolster their goalscoring return, while Spurs recruited Randal Kolo Muani on loan. Newcastle, having lost Isak, reinvested in young German striker Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa from Brentford to replace their former scoring star.

Liverpool Break Records

Arne Slot’s team may have missed out on Marc Guéhi on deadline day, but that did not stop the Anfield club from recording the biggest ever transfer spend by a Premier League side.

They also brought in Hugo Ekitike for £79 million, Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million, Milos Kerkez for £40 million from Bournemouth, and Giovani Leoni from Parma for £26 million. The £29 million deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili was also finalised after being agreed last season.

All told, it was a relentless summer of spending from the defending league champions and suggests an attempt by the club to position themselves as the dominant force in English football for years to come.

Despite record spending, Liverpool also succeeded in generating significant income from sales. Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Jarell Quansah, Ben Doak, Caoimhín Kelleher, Tyler Morton and Harvey Elliott were all let go, raising over £200 million to help offset the outlay.

Arsenal to Spend Their Way to the Title?

While their performance against Liverpool highlighted why Arsenal may struggle under Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard cannot say he has not been backed. Arsenal laid out another massive outlay this summer as they look to finally lift the league or Champions League trophy and bring success back to the Emirates.

Over £250 million was spent by Arsenal on the likes of Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Christian Nørgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Unlike title rivals Liverpool, however, they were unable to generate significant funds from sales. While they did move on some unwanted players, they ended the window as the league’s biggest net spenders.

Manchester United Invest but Gaps Remain

Manchester United endured their worst ever league season in 2024/25. While Ruben Amorim was in charge for a good portion of it, the Portuguese coach has now been backed to get United climbing the table again.

Proven Premier League players Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have been added to their forward line alongside £73 million recruit Benjamin Šeško. Those three should add dynamism and, most importantly, goals to a side that scored just 44 last season. They also recruited a new goalkeeper, Belgian Senne Lammens.

For all the excitement, however, United fans may feel underwhelmed by the lack of a new midfielder — a position vital to Amorim’s style. With no reinforcement, the club are left with Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and the underperforming Manuel Ugarte as their only central options.

Conclusion

Can anyone stop Liverpool from claiming title number 21 this season? Despite the ambitious efforts of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, the Anfield club have put themselves in a strong position to succeed once more. Given the sheer money spent by clubs, however, the pressure to succeed in the Premier League has never been greater. Who can withstand it? We will just have to wait and see.

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