How Premier League clubs drove a record €9.1bn transfer window

The 2025 summer transfer window smashed every previous benchmark. European clubs combined to spend €9.1 billion while pulling in €9.3bn from sales both record highs. At the heart of it all, as usual, was the Premier League. Nine of the ten biggest spenders came from England.

Chelsea — €485m spent, €340m earned

No club stirred more headlines than Chelsea. Their €485m outlay included a mix of marquee names and future prospects, signaling another full-scale rebuild. They also topped the selling charts, banking €340m by offloading senior players and academy products. Chelsea’s high churn remains their defining strategy: buy young, sell fast, and repeat.

Key deals:

Record signing of a U23 forward to lead the line.
Multiple teenagers from South America and Europe snapped up for future resale.
Departures of several high-profile midfielders trimmed the wage bill.

Manchester City — €328m

City’s €328m investment reflected Guardiola’s desire to keep the machine humming. The focus was on balance: adding depth to defense and midfield while securing another attacking option.

Key deals:

A versatile midfielder signed to rotate with Rodri.
Defensive reinforcements to cover aging players.
Young striker brought in as a long-term heir.

Manchester United — €294m

United kept pace with their rivals, putting €294m into retooling Erik ten Hag’s squad. Their biggest splash came in attack, while defensive signings showed intent to steady a shaky backline.

Key deals:

Big-money striker to finally solve their No. 9 problem.
A goalkeeper with Champions League pedigree.
Promising defender from Serie A.

Liverpool — €289m

Liverpool’s €289m spend was spread across key positions as Klopp sought to refresh a squad in transition. Much of the focus was on midfield and attack, building a new core for the next cycle.

Key deals:

Dynamic midfielder to replace outgoing veterans.
Wide forward to complement Salah and Núñez.
Future-focused teenage signing from South America.

Newcastle United — €251m

Ambition shone through Newcastle’s €251m spree. The club aimed at Champions League qualification again, adding proven quality while sprinkling in youth.

Key deals:

Highly rated European winger.
Young center-back to build for the future.
Smart depth signings to handle fixture congestion.

Arsenal — around €220m

Arsenal’s business showed a focus on consolidating title-challenger status. They didn’t overspend recklessly but targeted depth and versatility.

Key deals:

Box-to-box midfielder to partner Declan Rice.
Backup striker to reduce dependence on Gyökeres.
Full-back capable of playing both flanks.

Tottenham Hotspur — around €205m

Spurs stayed aggressive under Ange Postecoglou, spending heavily on attacking options and a goalkeeper upgrade. Their €200m-plus outlay underlined their intent to stay in the Champions League hunt.

Key deals:

New keeper to replace Hugo Lloris era.
Creative midfielder to link midfield to attack.
U23 winger to fit Ange’s fast-tempo system.

West Ham United — around €180m

Flush from strong recent European runs, West Ham invested €180m to push higher in the league table. They targeted ready-made experience mixed with future assets.

Key deals:

Striker to ease pressure on Bowen.
Physical central midfielder.
Two defensive signings for depth.

Aston Villa — around €170m

Unai Emery’s Villa continued their rise, spending €170m to balance a squad playing on multiple fronts. Their transfers reflected tactical flexibility and squad depth.

Key deals:

Champions League-level center-back.
Attacking midfielder to rotate with Buendía.
Young full-back for squad depth.

Bayer Leverkusen — €188m

The only non-English club in the top 10 spenders. Leverkusen’s €188m showed ambition to remain at the top in Germany and competitive in Europe, especially after selling some stars for profit.

The wider market
While Premier League clubs dominated buying, selling power was spread across Europe, with Benfica, Dortmund, Leipzig, Ajax, Atalanta, Real Sociedad and Monaco all cashing in on young talent.

The big trend
More than half of all money went to players aged 23 or younger, with nearly 10 percent invested in teenagers — a sign that clubs everywhere are prioritizing long-term value.