As Premier League clubs gear up for the 2025–26 season, a flurry of early transfer activity is already underway—fueled in part by preparations for the upcoming Club World Cup. Here are five standout names expected to dominate headlines this summer:
1. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Liverpool are wasting no time after clinching the league title, with manager Arne Slot receiving strong backing in the transfer market.
Wirtz, a key figure in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double and their Europa League final run under Xabi Alonso, is Liverpool’s top target.
The German star could become the Premier League’s most expensive signing. Reports suggest Liverpool have had a £109 million bid turned down, with Leverkusen demanding around £125 million.
Should the deal go through, it would eclipse Chelsea’s £115 million capture of Moises Caicedo in 2023.
Liverpool have already completed one deal with Leverkusen, signing Jeremie Frimpong to reinforce their right side.
2. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Manchester United’s disastrous season has raised questions about the future of their talismanic captain.
Bruno Fernandes, one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise dismal campaign, is drawing strong interest from Saudi giants Al Hilal.
United could bank around £100 million from a potential sale, giving new manager Ruben Amorim valuable funds to reshape the squad.
Fernandes contributed 19 goals and 19 assists across all competitions—second only to Mohamed Salah in combined goal involvements by a Premier League player last season.
While losing him would be a massive blow creatively, Fernandes himself has acknowledged that “football sometimes is like this” when asked about a potential exit.
3. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Mbeumo has emerged as a priority target for Manchester United’s attacking rebuild.
With Ivan Toney’s departure, Mbeumo stepped up for Brentford, scoring 20 goals and forming a lethal partnership with Yoane Wissa.
Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham are all monitoring the Cameroon international, but sources suggest Mbeumo prefers a move to Old Trafford—provided a deal can be reached.
United have already added Matheus Cunha and see Mbeumo as a key part of rejuvenating their frontline.
4. Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon)
After an astonishing 54-goal campaign for Sporting, Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres is on the radar of several top Premier League sides.
Arsenal, in particular, are keen as Mikel Arteta searches for a clinical finisher to lead their title charge.
Though Gyökeres has a €100 million buyout clause, Sporting may accept around €70 million.
While some question his ability to replicate his form in England, especially after a quiet spell at Brighton, his Champions League performances (six goals in eight games) have helped boost his stock.
Arsenal also continue to monitor Benjamin Šeško and Alexander Isak, though the latter appears out of reach after Newcastle secured Champions League football.
5. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
Eze etched his name in Palace history with the winning goal in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City—securing the club’s first major trophy.
The 26-year-old England international is drawing heavy interest from top sides thanks to his flair, creativity, and eye for goal.
City view him as a long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne, while Arsenal and Tottenham are also ready to activate his £68 million release clause.
Eze’s technical quality and versatility make him one of the most attractive domestic targets this summer.
As the window heats up, expect these five players to be central figures in one of the most competitive transfer markets in recent years.
