The Best Business in the Premier League (So Far)

We are less than a month away from the return of the Premier League, and the transfer window is in full swing.

Can anyone dethrone Arne Slot's all-conquering and high-spending Liverpool side?

Will the newcomers find a hidden gem who can take the league by storm?

Let's take a look at the teams that have had the best transfer dealings so far.

Liverpool

Few people had high expectations for Liverpool at the start of last season. Legendary manager Jürgen Klopp had just departed, and the transfer business was underwhelming to say the least, with the only new addition being an injury-prone Federico Chiesa.

But Arne Slot's side defied the odds and claimed their 20th league title, somewhat comfortably. As such, the financial shackles are now off, and the cash is being splashed.

Liverpool have already welcomed club-record signing Florian Wirtz to Anfield, as well as his former Bayer Leverkusen team-mate, Jeremie Frimpong. Milos Kerkez has been added to the ranks after an impressive season at left back for Bournemouth.

🚨 Liverpool have completed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz for a Premier League-record fee 🇩🇪🔥 pic.twitter.com/oBbiv6vm5y

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) June 20, 2025

Additionally, there has been a goalkeeping reshuffle, with Giorgi Mamardashvili joining from Valencia, looking to challenge Alisson for the starting spot between the sticks. Meanwhile, Hungarian youngster Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman are now providing backup, following Caoimhin Kelleher's move to Brentford.

There have also been further outgoings on Merseyside, including Trent Alexander-Arnold's highly-publicised move to Real Madrid, and fellow academy graduate Jarrell Quansah moving to Leverkusen.

These departures could have been a hammer blow to the Reds, particularly with Trent leaving and Andy Robertson no longer the player he once was. Still, efficient and calculated moves in the market mean that any potential gaps have already been addressed.

A true indication of Liverpool's ambition is the signing of Florian Wirtz, which should put the entire league on alert. Wirtz is considered to be one of Europe's most exciting talents, and he will now be deployed alongside an already potent attacking lineup.

The business is seemingly not done either, as the rumour mill continues to churn for the Reds with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes busy behind the scenes, reshaping the league-winning side.

It is expected that Darwin Nunez's time on Merseyside will come to an end, with Liverpool having all but confirmed his replacement in Hugo Ekitike for around £69 million + add ons.

🚨 Liverpool reach agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign Hugo Ekitike. £79m (£69m fixed, £10m bonuses based on success for #LFC & 23yo forward). Below €95m+ #SGE targeted. 6yr contract. Medical then join tour. W/ @SebSB @JamesPearceLFC @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/qNT2KfsFiO

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 21, 2025

Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa are also eyeing exits from Anfield; however, Liverpool continues to rebuff approaches from Bayern Munich and Barcelona for the former.

After tying down their two biggest stars in Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at the end of the season, they are now adding quality to an already stacked squad. Liverpool will be many people's favourites for the Premier League title, and understandably so.

Sunderland

Suppose there is ever any doubt about the jump in quality from the Championship to the Premier League. In that case, you need only look at who was relegated last season to see the enormity of the challenge that any newly-promoted side will face.

Sunderland, however, looks determined to put up a real fight to cement their place in the division. After losing one of their star players in Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund and play-off final hero Tom Watson, many Sunderland fans would've been fearing the worst.

But the incomings on Wearside are providing a great deal of hope and potential belief amongst the Black Cats.

Enzo Le Fee, who quickly showed his quality while on loan last season, has made the permanent switch from Roma, and defender Reinaldo has signed from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. Both will bring European pedigree and experience to the young, inexperienced side.

Further additions include an exciting, young array of talent, such as Brighton's Simon Adingra, Belgian Pro League wonderkids Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki, as well as Strasbourg's highly rated midfielder Habib Diarra, who is expected to fill the void left by Bellingham.

Sunderland have agreed a club-record £30m deal to sign Habib Diarra from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg 💰 pic.twitter.com/lT8y9ZZy5i

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 28, 2025

Sunderland's expenditure appears set to surpass £100 million as they seek to bolster their attack, following a recent move for France U21 international Armand Lauriente that fell through at the last minute. The search for attacking reinforcements continues.

There is also a feeling among the fan base that more experience is needed in the dressing room, with recent links to former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka gathering momentum.

My biggest concerns about Sunderland's business this summer, as promising as it looks is...

1) The age of the signings made
2) Their lack of Premier League experience (except Adingra)
3) How many will be going to AFCON

Granit Xhaka solves all 3, and that's before you even get… pic.twitter.com/hFskqx2M8M

— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) July 16, 2025

Such is the financial might of the Premier League now, it is almost impossible for a side to put up a fight without spending these sorts of figures and the Black Cats will be hoping their long-awaited return to the Premier League is a successful one.

Chelsea

There is a real feeling of optimism currently in West London. Fresh off their dismantling of PSG to claim the Club World Cup title, Chelsea appear to be on a trajectory to success, and their transfer business is reflecting this.

🚨 Chelsea earned £85M for winning the Club World Cup, which is exactly the same amount they spent on signing Liam Delap and João Pedro. 💰 pic.twitter.com/oYJNg5aE5E

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 16, 2025

We know that Todd Boehly is not averse to opening his wallet and signing players on ludicrous contracts, but this summer, the dealings seem to make more sense as Enzo Maresca finally looks to be settled in his role as head coach.

Many clubs were clambering for the signature of Ipswich's Liam Delap after the young striker proved he was built for the Premier League, and ultimately signed for the Blues. Eager to compensate for the inconsistency in attack, Delap was joined by the signing of highly-rated Brighton forward Joao Pedro, both of whom have already shown their qualities in the recent Club World Cup.

Joao Pedro becomes the latest player to play for both Brighton and Chelsea in the Premier League ✍️ pic.twitter.com/b45jFvlyzj

— Premier League (@premierleague) July 2, 2025

After selling Noni Madueke, whose Chelsea career never truly took off, to London rivals Arsenal, Chelsea replaced him with Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens after the Englishman had impressed in the Bundesliga.

Chelsea's spending hasn't stopped there, as they continue to look to the future with a host of exciting young stars, most notably Estevao from Palmeiras and Kendry Paez from Independiente, who many are tipping to be two of South America's most promising talents. Further signings of Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr reinforce Chelsea's position as a club with a squad stacked with huge potential.

🔵🇧🇷 Cole Palmer: “Estêvão is a top player, we all can see that!”.

“I told him that we are excited for him to join, but he didn’t understand a single word I said…”. 😂 pic.twitter.com/pmOlFr8cKI

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2025

It would be naive, given their transfer track record, to be touting Maresca's side as challengers for the title, but the World Champions look more than capable of causing problems in the Premier League and Europe.

Honourable Mentions

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola's side had an uncharacteristically poor season and will be keen to bounce back. The Citizens were swift in their business as they welcomed Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan to partner Rodri in midfield, Rayan Ait-Nouri to fill the left-back position, and the exciting Rayan Cherki from Lyon.

This upcoming season may perhaps signify the end of an era, with stalwarts Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, and possibly Ederson, leaving big shoes to fill.

Tottenham Hotspur

The announcement of Thomas Frank is a statement signing from Spurs, following their European success, with the Dane taking over from Ange Postecoglou.

Mohamed Kudus has made the controversial switch from rivals West Ham, and Mathys Tel joined permanently from Bayern Munich, which makes Spurs a dangerous attacking prospect, particularly if the Morgan Gibbs-White deal comes to fruition.

However, last season highlighted a real dearth of defensive quality when the injury crisis hit. Until this is addressed, the North Londoners still possess an air of vulnerability.