The 2025 summer transfer window was defined by the Premier League's audacious spending, with massive fees for midfielders and attackers reshaping the landscape. While Liverpool dominated the headlines with multiple record-breaking deals, other clubs made significant moves to address specific needs. The impact of these high-profile signings is already being felt, and analysts and supercomputers are weighing in on who has the best chance of winning the title.
The Most Expensive Midfield Deals
While forwards like Alexander Isak and Benjamin Šeško commanded the highest fees, midfielders were not far behind, with several playmakers and holding midfielders moving for huge sums.
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool): The most notable midfield transfer was Wirtz, who joined Liverpool for a reported fee of up to £116 million with add-ons. The German playmaker, known for his vision and creativity, is expected to provide the final piece to Liverpool's attack, which already includes new signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Analysts believe Wirtz's ability to orchestrate play could make Liverpool even more formidable as they aim to defend their title.
- Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace to Arsenal): Arsenal's pursuit of a creative force led them to sign Eberechi Eze for a fee of around £67.5 million. The English attacking midfielder's arrival provides another dynamic option in the Gunners' attack, adding depth and versatility alongside Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard. Analysts suggest Eze's signing could be crucial in helping Arsenal finally get over the line after coming close in recent seasons.
- Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad to Arsenal): Arsenal also invested in their midfield engine room, securing Martin Zubimendi for £70 million. The Spanish deep-lying midfielder is expected to provide composure and control at the base of the midfield, working alongside Declan Rice to strengthen the team's ability to dictate play and protect the backline.
- Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan to Manchester City): Manchester City, known for their tactical signings, brought in the Dutch midfielder for a fee of around £55 million. Reijnders, a box-to-box player with a talent for carrying the ball and breaking lines, fits Pep Guardiola's system perfectly. Analysts view this as a classic City move—a smart, low-key signing that adds significant quality and depth to their midfield.
Early Title Race Predictions
With the new signings settling in, supercomputers and football analysts have provided their initial predictions for the 2025/26 title race. The consensus is that it will be a three-horse race, but opinions differ on who will come out on top.
- Liverpool: The reigning champions are widely considered the favorites due to their aggressive transfer strategy. With key players already in place and new signings like Florian Wirtz adding a new dimension, many analysts believe they are the team to beat.
- Arsenal: After finishing second in recent seasons, Arsenal is tipped to be Liverpool's main challenger. The signings of Eze and Zubimendi address key needs and provide the squad with the quality and depth required for a title push.
- Manchester City: Despite a less-than-perfect start to the season, City's core strength and the managerial genius of Pep Guardiola cannot be underestimated. The signing of Tijjani Reijnders and other strategic moves are expected to help them get back on track. While some analysts believe their recent struggles will keep them out of contention, others are confident they will rebound.
- Chelsea: Considered the dark horse of the title race, Chelsea has been quietly putting together a formidable squad. With a mix of stability and new reinforcements, they are seen as a team with the potential to make a significant leap.
While computer models and experts have their say, the Premier League is famous for its unpredictability. The true impact of these massive midfield deals will be determined by how well the players adapt, how managers integrate them into their systems, and whether they can handle the immense pressure of the Premier League.
