Big Names, Short Window: The Biggest Deals Of The Mini Transfer Period
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Big Names, Short Window: The Biggest Deals Of The Mini Transfer Period

Big Names, Short Window: The Biggest Deals Of The Mini Transfer Period

The 2025 summer transfer window has been unlike any other for several reasons. Splitting into two halves, with top teams immediately competing and conducting their business to register players before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup.

With Chelsea and Manchester City being the Premier League’s representatives in the tournament, both clubs have been busy - adding to their rosters before the competition.

On the other hand, big money continues to be spent across the league, with Florian Wirtz set to sign for Liverpool, joining for a British transfer record, while Bryan Mbeumo is linked to reunite with Thomas Frank at Tottenham, with Manchester United battling for his signature too.

However, following a brief "mini window", the transfer window is now closed for five days, before restarting until the beginning of September.

But who are the best players that have been signed within the ‘mini’ transfer window?

Manchester City’s New Terrific Trio

It was a difficult campaign for the Citizens, losing their status as the champions of England as Liverpool rose under Arne Slot to clinch the title. Pep Guardiola’s team ended the season in a Champions League spot. However, the Manchester club were not able to secure silverware, making the Club World Cup a crucial part of City’s season.

Therefore, the blue half of Manchester have been incredibly busy at the start of the window, adding four new players to Guardiola’s side to prepare for a trip to the United States.

Rayan Ait Nouri was the first player through the door, joining the Citizens for a reported fee of £29m. With Josko Gvardiol the current left-back for City, the Algerian’s arrival allows for the 23-year-old to slot into central defence while the former Wolves-man drives and overlaps down the left flank.

Ait Nouri, a marauding and creative full-back, had a fantastic season for Wolves, recording four goals and seven assists in 37 Premier League appearances. For an alleged fee under £30m, the 24-year-old appears an outstanding addition for Guardiola.

Rayan Cherki was the second signing of the summer, joining the club from French side Lyon. Throughout the season, Cherki reintroduced himself to the world as one of the most exciting wonderkid's in European football, scoring 12 goals and assisting 20 in all competitions last season.

At 21 years of age, the France international is a phenomenal talent and a great start for City in replacing Kevin De Bruyne – Cherki will be able to contribute for several years.

City finalised their business during this summer’s mini window by adding another playmaking midfielder.

Following a brilliant season for a struggling AC Milan side, Tijjani Reijnders has put pen to paper at the Etihad for a reported fee of £42m. The Dutchman had a breakout year in Milan, scoring 16 goals and assisting four in all competitions.

Furthermore, following the departure of much-loved third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson, Chelsea's number three was also secured to fill that gap, in the shape of Marcus Bettinelli. The former Fulham shot-stopper is unlikely to provide much true competition to the likes of Ederson and Stefan Ortega, but is hoped to replace the huge morale presence of Carson, a dressing room character described as "vital" once by Pep Guardiola.

Potentially playing alongside Cherki, Reijnders will play a large part in filling the gap left by their Belgian hero, and with the Club World Cup pending, Ait Nouri, Cherki, and Reijnders could play a crucial role in City picking up their first trophy of the season (who knows, we might see Bettinelli as well).

Real Madrid’s Defensive Duo

Similar to Guardiola’s City, Madrid also had a disappointing campaign, finishing in 2nd place in La Liga, missing out on the title against Barcelona, and being knocked out of the Champions League at the spirited hands of Arsenal.

Arguably the biggest club in the world, Madrid flexed their muscle last summer – adding Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer.

Continuing their work in the free agent market, the Madridsta’s were able to tempt Trent Alexander-Arnold away from Anfield and get him to sign for the Spanish giants in this year's summer window.

A one-time Champions League winner and now a two-time Premier League winner, Alexander-Arnold played a huge part in Liverpool clinching the title in the English top-flight, providing six assists.

The 26-year-old sat above 97% of full-backs for touches, chances created, and shot attempts, providing a top-class addition to the squad available for the Spanish giant’s new manager, Xabi Alonso.

The Madrid club have further strengthened their defence, triggering the £50m release clause of Dean Huijsen. A 20-year-old central defender, Huijsen had a superb debut season in the Premier League for Bournemouth, impressing due to his rare defensive playstyle.

Operating as a central defender, the Spaniard boasts traits and abilities of an attacker with excellent dribbling ability and pin-point passing. With a pass success of 84.2% and having all of the desirable defensive tools, at 20 years of age, Huijsen has the world at his feet.

A Tremendous Trent Replacement

The main goal for this summer’s transfer window for Liverpool seemed to be replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold – at face value, it's a tough task to sign a player that could live up to the standards of a local hero and a unique full-back.

However, similar to the work of Arne Slot, the Reds were slick and efficient as they signed one of the highest-rated full-backs in Europe.

Jeremie Frimpong has had an outstanding time at Bayer Leverkusen in recent years, being a key cog in the machine that lifted the Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season. Within each his last four seasons, the Dutchman recorded over eight assists, coming close to the creative output of an Alexander Arnold.

During the club’s title-winning campaign, Frimpong also recorded 14 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

A player with a smaller frame, the Dutchman is additionally solid in his defensive duties, winning 75.8% of tackles and averaging 3.26 recoveries per 90. For around £35m, Frimpong looks an unbelievable signing for the Reds and an instant right-back replacement at Anfield.

A Brilliant Brazilian Moves To Old Trafford

Last season was a complete nightmare for the Red Devils, finishing in 15th spot and losing in the UEFA Europa League final.

For Ruben Amorim, his job seems to be on a tight-rope to start the season, needing to begin the Premier League campaign on a positive note and get United back to where they belong – causing the Manchester club to delve into the transfer market.

Matheus Cunha was one of the best players at the bottom of the Premier League table, scoring 15 goals and assisting six in 33 Premier League appearances for a Wolves side who finished in 16th.

Averaging a goal every 180 minutes of top-flight action, the Brazilian is a rare attacker, playing across the frontline instead of specialising in one role, but Cunha is an out-and-out goal-scorer, and that is exactly what Amorim’s side need.

Fuelled by Brazilian flair, United paid a reported £61m for the forward, but as the club searches for a route back into European qualification, Cunha will be under instant pressure to succeed.

Chelsea Invest For The Future

In recent years, Chelsea have not been afraid to spend money under American owner Todd Boehly, with the Blues prioritising young talents and splashing big amounts of cash depending on potential.

That has continued this summer, as Chelsea added one more big signing ahead of their involvement in the Club World Cup.

Despite the relegation of Ipswich Town, Liam Delap was one of the most eye-catching strikers in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals in the top tier of English football.

Delap is a large, physical striker who plays with an ‘old-school’ style, and the 22-year-old could be the future of English football, hoping to one day provide the goals in Thomas Tuchel’s team. The former Ipswich man joins Nicolas Jackson in the side’s striker department, the Senegal international having scored goals 10 of his own in the league last season.

For a reported fee of £29m Delap, on paper, appears as an obvious hit, having been one of the league’s best strikers. However, as the window is paused, The Blues’ business in their goal-scoring ranks does not seem to be over, as Enzo Maresca’s side are constantly linked with Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike.

If Enzo Maresca was able to add another striker to his team, Delap’s move could be negatively affected, and the Englishman may have to operate on the bench.

Following In The Footsteps Of His Brother

One of the stories of last season was Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League – the Black Cats finally making their way back to the big time after an eight-year hiatus.

Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid superstar Jude, was one of the star players for Sunderland in their promotional campaign, scoring four goals and assisting three in 43 appearances.

Bellingham, a similar player to his brother, is a lengthy, energetic, and technical midfielder – the 19-year-old can play across the midfield, operating in all three roles. Compared to other midfielders, Bellingham is outstanding across the board, sitting above 54% of players for touches, chances created, aerial duels won, defensive actions, goals, and shot attempts.

Winning 75% of his tackles in the Championship play-off final, Bellingham was the prized possession for Regis Le Bris’ side as they stepped up to the Premier League, attracting the attention of Borussia Dortmund.

Once the employers, and the breeding ground to superstardom, of his heavily successful namesake, the German side dug into their pockets once again for one of the Bellingham's, signing his 19-year-old brother for an apparent fee of £25m.

With the spotlight set to be bright on Jobe, the former Sunderland man will come into instant pressure at Signal Iduna Park to deliver similar results to his brilliant brother.

A West Ham Mistake Becomes Permanent

All in all, it was a dreadful season for West Ham, sacking Julen Lopetegui after a short period at the club and replacing him with Graham Potter, who has been relatively underwhelming since joining the club.

The Irons also spent an abundance of cash last summer, bringing in players such as Crysencio Summerville, Max Kilman, and Niclas Fullkrug, with almost all of their additions being labelled as flops.

However, the club also signed Jean-Clair Todibo who was, at the time, an impressive central defender playing at Nice, who was wanted by several clubs in Europe. The Frenchman signed for the London side on loan, making 29 appearances and looking relatively uncomfortable at the London Stadium for the majority of them.

But now, as teams plan for the 2025/26 Premier League season, Todibo is officially a West Ham player, joining the club for good at a fee of £32.8m. Following a tricky opening season at the club, the central defender will need to rediscover himself in claret and blue next season.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Josh Wyatt-Jones

Content Writer

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