13 Premier League Transfers in 2025/26 That Just Don’t Make Sense
Not every signing is a smart one; as a Man United fan, I can tell you that firsthand. For every bit of clever business, there are deals that leave fans scratching their heads. Whether it’s the price tag, the fit, the timing, or just a lack of clear planning, the 2025/26 season has already produced plenty of odd and peculiar moves.
Here are 13 Premier League transfers that, for one reason or another, don’t quite add up.
1. Noni Madueke → Arsenal £52m
Arsenal’s summer should’ve been about plugging gaps, not stockpiling in areas already covered. Madueke is a fine talent, but he plays off the right — where Bukayo Saka has been undroppable.
With Ethan Nwaneri pushing through and no clear need on the right, this felt like an unnecessary splash, even if early on he has looked alright. It is probably fortunate for them now that Saka has gotten injured.
2. Jadon Sancho → Aston Villa (Loan)
Undisclosed loan fee, 80% wages paid
Aston Villa are taking on most of Sancho’s huge wage packet for a player whose form and attitude have been questioned for years now. The loan deal is short-term, the risk is high, and the upside is unclear.
Villa’s financial flexibility isn’t what it once was, and this deal doesn’t look like value.
3. Tom Watson → Brighton £11m
Watson was key to Sunderland’s promotion campaign. He looked set to make his mark in the Premier League with them, but a pre-agreed move saw him leave before the celebrations even died down.
Brighton often hoard young talent, but many fade into the background. Watson might’ve been better staying put for at least another season.
4. Armando Broja → Burnley £20m
There’s no doubting Broja’s potential, but Burnley need goals now. He’s had a torrid time with injuries, barely featuring consistently for two seasons.
“It’s a really positive time to be joining this club ahead of the start of the new Premier League season. I can’t wait to get going,” said Broja.
Chelsea didn’t hesitate to sell, and for a side like Burnley, this feels like a project they don’t have time to wait on.
5. James Trafford → Man City £27m
Trafford was brought back to Manchester City from Burnley as the long-term replacement for Ederson, who looked to be leaving for Turkey. It looked like City were planning to promote a keeper who had one of the best seasons in the Championship ever and who was also homegrown. But then came the blunders against Spurs.
Then came Gianluigi Donnarumma, signed days later for £500,000 a week. Trafford went from potential number one to second choice in no time. He might’ve been better off joining a club like Newcastle or United, where first-team football was more realistic.
6. Dário Essugo → Chelsea £18.5m
Essugo might turn out to be a top player, but Chelsea’s midfield is already full. At 20, he needs game time, not another developmental loan or bench role.
This is one of those deals that feels like a box-ticking exercise, not a response to an actual need. For Chelsea, it is a young prospect who they’ll probably end up loaning out, and selling for a profit. The Chelsea and Boehly way.
7. James Justin → Leeds United £10m (£8m + £2m add-ons)
Justin was once in the England squad. Last season, he struggled to get into Leicester’s team and was a weak link more often than not.
Leeds will hope to revive him, but most Foxes fans were fine with him moving on. There’s a reason he came cheap.
8. Hugo Ekitiké → Liverpool £79m
Ekitiké’s got quality, no doubt. I want to reaffirm this: Ekitiké’s got a hell of a lot of quality. But when your club go and break the English record for someone in your position in Alexander Isak, and with Wirtz also joining this summer, you start to wonder — where does Ekitiké fit in Slot’s system? Did they sign Ekitike because they thought Newcastle wouldn’t budge? It is a lot of money for someone who may not play a lot.
He’s not a left winger, and Arne Slot’s system might not suit him due to the wide players being forced super wide. For nearly £80 million, that’s a big question mark. I guess Isak is a little injury-prone.
9. James McAtee → Nottingham Forest £30m
McAtee’s tidy on the ball and has a lot to offer, but Forest already have Morgan Gibbs-White. They’ve also signed Omari Hutchinson.
Unless it’s longer-term planning for when Morgan Gibbs-White gets sold—and that doesn’t look likely anytime soon—McAtee could spend more time watching than playing.
10. Jacob Ramsey → Newcastle United £43m (£39m + £4m add-ons)
Ramsey’s a good player, but Newcastle’s midfield is packed. Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton, Willock, Tonali… it’s a long list of quality players.
Spending over £40 million on a player who might not start regularly seems like poor planning under financial constraints.
11. Aaron Ramsdale → Newcastle (Loan)
Undisclosed loan fee
Ramsdale needed a move, but this one’s odd. Nick Pope is still the number one. Ramsdale’s been part of three relegated squads and has struggled with long-range shots for a long time. Haha, long, get it, pun on his ability from long range.
Newcastle missed out on Trafford and settled for a high-risk alternative.
12. Granit Xhaka → Sunderland £17.3m
Xhaka left Bayer Leverkusen a year after they lifted the Bundesliga title — not fresh off the back of it. The timing of this move is strange. Maybe he just really hated Erik ten Hag.
He’s gone from a Champions League regular to a newly promoted side. His leadership might help, but you’d question why he was in such a rush to leave.
“I believe this experience at Sunderland will greatly benefit my future. I want to pursue a career as a coach. That’s why it’s important to experience moments of suffering and solidarity. We’ll have to suffer a lot in the coming months. That’s another side of football, and it will shape me.”
Ah, so he is a bit of a masochist and wants to lose some matches. To each their own.
13. Randal Kolo Muani → Tottenham (Loan)
£4.3m loan fee
Tottenham already had Richarlison and spent big on Dominic Solanke. Adding Kolo Muani, who may not even be a clear upgrade, complicates things.
Unless they move one of those forwards on, someone is going to be annoyed about minutes. Feels like a problem Spurs created for themselves. I guess it is better to have options than to have none.
Who Got It Wrong?
Some transfers take time to make sense, but others look confused from day one. Whether it’s clubs chasing names, players picking odd projects, or boards acting on impulse, these 13 deals could backfire fast.
We’ll see how many of them prove everyone wrong — or just prove the point. No doubt in one way or another I’m going to look like an idiot in a couple of years time due to this article.
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