The 2025-26 season is far from over but it’s already time inspect the report card of the most expensive 2025 summer transfer window moves. Players like Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Benjamin Sesko kept us busy last summer with their moves, but their start of the season with their new clubs haven’t gone as expected, while others have performed up to expectations and beyond. With the 2026 winter transfer window about to start, let’s go back and grade the most expensive 2025 summer transfers:
10. Matheus Cunha
From Wolverhampton to Manchester United for $84.5 million (add-ons included)
Three goals scored so far in 16 games played between Premier League and EFL Cup with Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim, the former Wolverhampton striker has played regularly and he’s having an impact, starting the last nine Premier League fixtures, scoring also two goals in the last three. He’s improving, and the feeling is that things can get even better in the near future. Good start. Grade: B
9. Victor Osimhen
From Napoli to Galatasaray for $87.5 million (add-ons included)
Even if this signing wasn’t as exciting as the others on this list, the former Napoli striker performed wonderfully in the team he moved to in the summer of 2024 on loan. Galatasaray decided to invest big on him last summer, and they were wise in doing so — 12 goals scored in 16 games so far, including six scored in the four games played in the Champions League league phase. It looks like he’s fitting well in this team and he can achieve big things at Galatasaray this season. Grade: A
8. Luis Diaz
From Liverpool to Bayern Munich for $88.5 million (add-ons included)
By far the best signing in the top 10. Luis Diaz is doing great things in Germany at Bayern Munich where he has already scored 13 goals in the 22 matches he played so far in all competitions, and also seven assists provided to his teammates. One goal every 137 minutes and an incredible impact in the team coached by Vincent Kompany, he is quickly becoming one of the big stars of the German giants. Grade: A+
7. Eberechi Eze
From Crystal Palace to Arsenal for $91 million (add-ons included)
There were high expectations and ambitions after his late move to Arsenal after he almost agreed terms to join Tottenham. It was one of the biggest stories and surprises of the summer transfer window, and to be honest, we could expect a bit more from his performances. But he has done well in some exciting matches, particularly when he scored the hat trick, ironically against Tottenham in the North London derby won 4-1 by the Gunners. Grade: B
6. Nick Woltemade
From Stuttgart to Newcastle for $93 million (add-ons included)
The German striker suffered a bit from the poor performances and results of Newcastle in the opening part of the season, as the Magpies are currently sitting 14th in the Premier League standings with 23 points after 18 games. On the other hand, Woltemade already scored nine goals with his new team and showed to be at the level of the Premier League and his rivals. If his team also improve, we can expect a lot more goals from him. Grade: B-
5. Bryan Mbuemo
From Brentford to Manchester United for $95 million (add-ons included)
Let’s be honest — when Manchester United signed him this summer, we all thought this was going to be another disappointment. Welp. Seven goals scored so far in the 17 matches he played, he immediately became one of the key players of the team coached by Amorim. He’s now in Morocco where he’s playing the AFCON with Cameroon, and Manchester United hope to see him back in the team as soon as possible. They need him. Grade: B+
4. Benjamin Sesko
From RB Leipzig to Manchester United for $99 million (add-ons included)
The exact opposite of Mbuemo. Back in the summer, I thought he was going to shine and become an important player of Manchester United but so far he has only scored two goals in the 17 matches he has played with the Red Devils. I was expecting a bigger impact and stronger numbers from a player who has consistently impressed me in recent years, but he still has time. At just 22, there is a lot of potential waiting to be realized. Grade: C-
3. Hugo Ekitike
From Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool for $106 million (add-ons included)
The French international immediately proved to be a crucial player in the team coached by Arne Slot. Ekitike has already scored 11 goals in the 24 matches he played and was definitely the best signing made by Liverpool this season, also because the other ones were really disappointing, at least up to now. Grade: B+
2. Florian Wirtz
From Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool for $157 million (add-ons included).
If the Ekitike signing was one of the best ones, we can’t say the same about the Florian Wirtz move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, especially considering the money the English team spent for the German striker. Wirtz scored his first goal for his new club over the weekend against Wolverhampton, but expectations were higher. There is still time for him to improve and adapting to the Premier League is never easy in the short term. He will need to show more in the second half of the season. Grade: C-
1. Alexander Isak
From Newcastle to Liverpool for $168 million (add-ons included).
The Swedish striker was really disappointing so far, especially considering the money spent and the expectations after the saga of his transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool. He has scored only three goals in the first part of the season and is now sidelined with a leg injury that could keep him out for potentially months. They hoped something different in Liverpool. Grade: D
