Transfer Window Summer 2025
The summer transfer window is now open, earlier than usual, with the key dates decided some time ago for when clubs will be able to do business this summer. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest talking points!
The Deadlines
With the PL season now over, Liverpool being crowned champions and Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle United joining them in the 2025-26 CL, it’s time to turn our attention to the summer window. Clubs will have already been busy making their shortlists and plans and it’s time to put them into action. The PL has confirmed its summer window will open on Monday, June 16. That’s two days later than the same time last year, although as usual, most contracts agreed at this time will officially begin on July 1.
But there’s also a catch this year. The PL has approved an earlier opening window between Sunday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 10 to align with the ‘exceptional registration window’ approved because of the expanded CWC. This new version of the club tournament will only involve Chelsea and Manchester City as the only English clubs due to take part, but any club will be able to complete transfers in that period before the full summer window opens on June 16.
Every year there are debates by managers about whether the transfer window should close before the season starts or in its usual timeframe towards the end of the summer itself. Talks were held this year about closing the window before the season begins in mid-August, but ultimately there was a unanimous vote to keep the closing date in England the same as the rest of Europe. That means the 2025/26 season will be underway before the transfer window shuts, something that most football fans will say doesn’t make much sense. Therefore, the official deadline day in the summer has been confirmed by the PL to be on Monday, September 1. It’s also now been confirmed that the deadline will be at 7pm, which is earlier than the usual 11pm cut off point. This 7pm deadline will apply for both June 10 and September 1 and is expected to mirror other major European leagues.
The major European leagues mirror these transfer window dates, so the likes of Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Holland and Portugal will all use the July 1st to September 1st timeframe. Saudi Arabia might be a big player again this year and their window runs from July 18th until September 2nd.
Financial Fair Play rules are likely to have a major impact on the transfer window this season with a number of clubs struggling to remain in line, including some of Europe’s bigger teams and traditional big spenders. FFP is designed to prevent clubs that compete in European competitions from not spending more than they earn, while PSR demands clubs operate within their financial means and avoid excessive losses. It has become common practice in football for clubs to amortise and spread out the transfer fee they pay for any new signing.
With the first of the windows already open there have already been a number of big moves that have taken place. An expected move that was confirmed was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move from Liverpool to Real Madrid on a free transfer after his contract expired. Other moves that have been confirmed include Matheus Cunha’s move from Wolves to Manchester United, Dean Huijsen’s release clause at Bournemouth was matched by Real Madrid, unsurprisingly. Liverpool have moved to replace Alexander Arnold with Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong. Dortmund have signed Brazil international Yan Couto from Manchester City and another young Brazilian, Estavao Willian, moves to Chelsea from Palmeiras. Nico Gonzales moved from Fiorentina to Juventus after they decided to complete the deal following his loan. Tottenham have also taken up the option on a loan by signing defender Kevin Danso from Lens.
Silly Season Rumours
There are a number of rumoured big name moves lined up and what tends to happen is a domino effect. Once one player leaves a club that club can then go on to sign a replacement player. One club which needs to move players on is Manchester United, as Ruben Amorim needs to rebuild his squad. Jadon Sancho did not make his permanent move to Chelsea and Marcus Rashford and Antony will both return to the club after their loans. United will want to move them on, as well as other players, to try and get in the replacements needed. Another big name who is almost guaranteed to be on the move is Florian Wirtz, the German international player is keen to move on from Leverkusen which Liverpool seemingly the most likely destination. Another player who has also left Leverkusen is defender Jonathan Tah, who has moved on a free transfer to Bayern Munich. Martin Zubamendi is widely expected to become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer as he looks set to join from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal will surely need to focus their attention on a striker once that move is completed. Jonathan David is one such striker who is going to be on the move as he is a free agent and will leave Lille this summer, he has been linked with a number of PL clubs as well as others around Europe. Another striker who will be moving is Viktor Gyokeres, who had an excellent season at Sporting Lisbon and will surely be moving to one of the bigger teams around Europe. Victor Osimhen will surely not spend another season in Türkiye and he is a proven goalscorer in Europe so is likely to be in high demand. With strikers being so much in demand, another one who is set to move for what seems to be a cut price deal is Ipswich’s young forward Liam Delap, who has a release clause of 30 million and is set to join Chelsea.
Two of the top midfielders in England in recent years might not be there next season. Kevin de Bruyne has been told he is free to leave Manchester City after winning everything with the club, he has stated his preference to stay in England but might also move to Europe, with Napoli being a potential destination. Bruno Fernandes’ case is a bit more complicated, he is Manchester United’s best player but is in demand by the Saudi Pro League, however he has apparently turned down an offer from there. Another United forward who seems likely to be on the move is Alejandro Garnacho, the talented youngster seems to not be favoured by the manager and they can probably get good money for him. Should Liverpool complete the Florian Wirtz signing, that might open the door for Luis Diaz to move to Barcelona, with the Catalan giants very keen on the Colombian forward.
Another in demand player in the German league is RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The fact that they failed to qualify for the CL almost guarantees that he will move on and there is no shortage of admirers for the 21 year old Czech striker. One of the stars in Ligue 1, Rayan Cherki, has also stated his desire to move on, and the fact that he might be available for as little as €20 million has alerted clubs across Europe. Nico Williams at Athletic Bilbao is another player who is likely to attract attention due to his modest €48 million release clause. There are a number of goalkeepers set to move with Ederson, Emi Martinez, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Aaron Ramsdale, Joan Garcia, Diogo Costa and Andre Onana all rumoured to be on the move.
Despite the financial constraints in place and a number of teams trying to refinance their debts, there are always ways that clubs will come up with to finance deals. Long contracts are one way, ever more inventive sponsorship deals are another. Some moves have already been made and plenty more are in the pipeline so we can be sure that it will be another busy window. The fact the window is split over two separate windows will only mean that we are talking about transfers more now than we usually would as the clubs involved in the new tournament look to bring in a few players and the rest of the clubs try to not get left behind. For the next couple of months, we will all be listening to the news and waiting for updates on that special new signing that we all feel that our clubs need in the build up to next season.
Don’t forget to check out our transfer odds HERE.
Last updated: 05.06.25
