There’s something akin to an extended Christmas about the summer transfer market. You know who you want your team to sign and wait patiently, hoping that before the end of August your club will unwrap – metaphorically – that visionary No10 or quicksilver winger. Some signings aren’t a surprise but are still gratefully received. Others carry a whiff of last-minute desperation.
Plenty of pounds have left the Premier League in the last few months. Liverpool were busy from the start, most notably recruiting Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké. Then, right at the end of the window, they prised Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a reported British record fee of £125m (€144.5m), with Arne Slot’s reshuffle also including Luis Díaz flying to Bavaria to light up Bayern München’s left flank. Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid didn’t dally either, unveiling defensive duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen as early as June. Trent needn’t worry if he finds himself missing his old home and team-mates – he’ll be back at Anfield on Matchday 4.
The Premier League’s financial power has never been more evident. Winger Jamie Gittens bade farewell to Borussia Dortmund for newly crowned world champions Chelsea while fellow wide man Alejandro Garnacho joined the Blues from Manchester United. Across London, last season’s semi-finalists Arsenal took the plunge on Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, and fans will be hoping he keeps on replicating his mask celebration, apparently based on the iconic villain Bane, from The Dark Knight Rises. Among a clutch of ante-upping moves, the Gunners also brought former youth player and lifelong fan Eberechi Eze back from Crystal Palace for £60m (€69m) plus add-ons, their significant activity – and that of their rivals – pushing the Premier League’s summer outlay to an eye-watering €3.55bn.
Over in Italy, eyebrows were raised to Carlo Ancelotti levels when Napoli gave new playmaker Kevin De Bruyne their sacred No10 shirt. The Belgian, snapped up from Manchester City, was only wearing Diego Maradona’s old digit for his pre-season training kit, however. The anticipation for the fair-haired star representing the Partenopei in the Champions League is already sky high (in the No11 shirt, by the way) and not least from fellow Napoli new boy Rasmus Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, who is no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of linking up with KDB. Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, is waving a permanent goodbye to Naples. The Nigerian striker has joined Galatasaray in a Turkish record of
€75m, after spending 2024/25 there on loan.
Barcelona have pinned their hopes on an Englishman for the first time since Gary Lineker, with the loan arrival of Marcus Rashford. Hansi Flick’s high-line, all-out attack philosophy might just suit the former Manchester United forward, while another Premier League striker, Nicolas Jackson, will be trying his luck at Flick’s old side Bayern on loan from Chelsea. Then there’s our glove-wearing friends. Lucas Chevalier is taking up position in the Paris Saint-Germain goal this season, snaffled from Lille, with his predecessor Gianluigi Donnarumma teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The reported £30.4m (€35m) shelled out for the Italian shot-stopper, who had more than a large hand in Paris’ Champions League triumph last season, could be the deal of the summer.
Of course, it’s not always a new face who inspires joy. Athletic Club’s thrilling winger Nico Williams is staying with the Basque side despite being heavily linked with an exit, while Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur convinced captain Cristian Romero to sign a new contract. Finally, one old friend of the Champions League won’t be gracing the competition this term but has definitely caused a stir. Luka Modrić fulfilled a lifelong dream to wear the famed red and black of AC Milan when he left Madrid over the summer. Having just turned 40 on 9 September, the six-time European champion still has plenty to offer – as he showed with a player of the match award in just his second appearance.
There’s something akin to an extended Christmas about the summer transfer market. You know who you want your team to sign and wait patiently, hoping that before the end of August your club will unwrap – metaphorically – that visionary No10 or quicksilver winger. Some signings aren’t a surprise but are still gratefully received. Others carry a whiff of last-minute desperation.
Plenty of pounds have left the Premier League in the last few months. Liverpool were busy from the start, most notably recruiting Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké. Then, right at the end of the window, they prised Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a reported British record fee of £125m (€144.5m), with Arne Slot’s reshuffle also including Luis Díaz flying to Bavaria to light up Bayern München’s left flank. Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid didn’t dally either, unveiling defensive duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen as early as June. Trent needn’t worry if he finds himself missing his old home and team-mates – he’ll be back at Anfield on Matchday 4.
The Premier League’s financial power has never been more evident. Winger Jamie Gittens bade farewell to Borussia Dortmund for newly crowned world champions Chelsea while fellow wide man Alejandro Garnacho joined the Blues from Manchester United. Across London, last season’s semi-finalists Arsenal took the plunge on Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, and fans will be hoping he keeps on replicating his mask celebration, apparently based on the iconic villain Bane, from The Dark Knight Rises. Among a clutch of ante-upping moves, the Gunners also brought former youth player and lifelong fan Eberechi Eze back from Crystal Palace for £60m (€69m) plus add-ons, their significant activity – and that of their rivals – pushing the Premier League’s summer outlay to an eye-watering €3.55bn.
Over in Italy, eyebrows were raised to Carlo Ancelotti levels when Napoli gave new playmaker Kevin De Bruyne their sacred No10 shirt. The Belgian, snapped up from Manchester City, was only wearing Diego Maradona’s old digit for his pre-season training kit, however. The anticipation for the fair-haired star representing the Partenopei in the Champions League is already sky high (in the No11 shirt, by the way) and not least from fellow Napoli new boy Rasmus Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, who is no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of linking up with KDB. Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, is waving a permanent goodbye to Naples. The Nigerian striker has joined Galatasaray in a Turkish record of
€75m, after spending 2024/25 there on loan.
Barcelona have pinned their hopes on an Englishman for the first time since Gary Lineker, with the loan arrival of Marcus Rashford. Hansi Flick’s high-line, all-out attack philosophy might just suit the former Manchester United forward, while another Premier League striker, Nicolas Jackson, will be trying his luck at Flick’s old side Bayern on loan from Chelsea. Then there’s our glove-wearing friends. Lucas Chevalier is taking up position in the Paris Saint-Germain goal this season, snaffled from Lille, with his predecessor Gianluigi Donnarumma teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The reported £30.4m (€35m) shelled out for the Italian shot-stopper, who had more than a large hand in Paris’ Champions League triumph last season, could be the deal of the summer.
Of course, it’s not always a new face who inspires joy. Athletic Club’s thrilling winger Nico Williams is staying with the Basque side despite being heavily linked with an exit, while Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur convinced captain Cristian Romero to sign a new contract. Finally, one old friend of the Champions League won’t be gracing the competition this term but has definitely caused a stir. Luka Modrić fulfilled a lifelong dream to wear the famed red and black of AC Milan when he left Madrid over the summer. Having just turned 40 on 9 September, the six-time European champion still has plenty to offer – as he showed with a player of the match award in just his second appearance.
There’s something akin to an extended Christmas about the summer transfer market. You know who you want your team to sign and wait patiently, hoping that before the end of August your club will unwrap – metaphorically – that visionary No10 or quicksilver winger. Some signings aren’t a surprise but are still gratefully received. Others carry a whiff of last-minute desperation.
Plenty of pounds have left the Premier League in the last few months. Liverpool were busy from the start, most notably recruiting Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké. Then, right at the end of the window, they prised Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a reported British record fee of £125m (€144.5m), with Arne Slot’s reshuffle also including Luis Díaz flying to Bavaria to light up Bayern München’s left flank. Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid didn’t dally either, unveiling defensive duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen as early as June. Trent needn’t worry if he finds himself missing his old home and team-mates – he’ll be back at Anfield on Matchday 4.
The Premier League’s financial power has never been more evident. Winger Jamie Gittens bade farewell to Borussia Dortmund for newly crowned world champions Chelsea while fellow wide man Alejandro Garnacho joined the Blues from Manchester United. Across London, last season’s semi-finalists Arsenal took the plunge on Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, and fans will be hoping he keeps on replicating his mask celebration, apparently based on the iconic villain Bane, from The Dark Knight Rises. Among a clutch of ante-upping moves, the Gunners also brought former youth player and lifelong fan Eberechi Eze back from Crystal Palace for £60m (€69m) plus add-ons, their significant activity – and that of their rivals – pushing the Premier League’s summer outlay to an eye-watering €3.55bn.
Over in Italy, eyebrows were raised to Carlo Ancelotti levels when Napoli gave new playmaker Kevin De Bruyne their sacred No10 shirt. The Belgian, snapped up from Manchester City, was only wearing Diego Maradona’s old digit for his pre-season training kit, however. The anticipation for the fair-haired star representing the Partenopei in the Champions League is already sky high (in the No11 shirt, by the way) and not least from fellow Napoli new boy Rasmus Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, who is no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of linking up with KDB. Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, is waving a permanent goodbye to Naples. The Nigerian striker has joined Galatasaray in a Turkish record of
€75m, after spending 2024/25 there on loan.
Barcelona have pinned their hopes on an Englishman for the first time since Gary Lineker, with the loan arrival of Marcus Rashford. Hansi Flick’s high-line, all-out attack philosophy might just suit the former Manchester United forward, while another Premier League striker, Nicolas Jackson, will be trying his luck at Flick’s old side Bayern on loan from Chelsea. Then there’s our glove-wearing friends. Lucas Chevalier is taking up position in the Paris Saint-Germain goal this season, snaffled from Lille, with his predecessor Gianluigi Donnarumma teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The reported £30.4m (€35m) shelled out for the Italian shot-stopper, who had more than a large hand in Paris’ Champions League triumph last season, could be the deal of the summer.
Of course, it’s not always a new face who inspires joy. Athletic Club’s thrilling winger Nico Williams is staying with the Basque side despite being heavily linked with an exit, while Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur convinced captain Cristian Romero to sign a new contract. Finally, one old friend of the Champions League won’t be gracing the competition this term but has definitely caused a stir. Luka Modrić fulfilled a lifelong dream to wear the famed red and black of AC Milan when he left Madrid over the summer. Having just turned 40 on 9 September, the six-time European champion still has plenty to offer – as he showed with a player of the match award in just his second appearance.
There’s something akin to an extended Christmas about the summer transfer market. You know who you want your team to sign and wait patiently, hoping that before the end of August your club will unwrap – metaphorically – that visionary No10 or quicksilver winger. Some signings aren’t a surprise but are still gratefully received. Others carry a whiff of last-minute desperation.
Plenty of pounds have left the Premier League in the last few months. Liverpool were busy from the start, most notably recruiting Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké. Then, right at the end of the window, they prised Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a reported British record fee of £125m (€144.5m), with Arne Slot’s reshuffle also including Luis Díaz flying to Bavaria to light up Bayern München’s left flank. Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid didn’t dally either, unveiling defensive duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen as early as June. Trent needn’t worry if he finds himself missing his old home and team-mates – he’ll be back at Anfield on Matchday 4.
The Premier League’s financial power has never been more evident. Winger Jamie Gittens bade farewell to Borussia Dortmund for newly crowned world champions Chelsea while fellow wide man Alejandro Garnacho joined the Blues from Manchester United. Across London, last season’s semi-finalists Arsenal took the plunge on Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, and fans will be hoping he keeps on replicating his mask celebration, apparently based on the iconic villain Bane, from The Dark Knight Rises. Among a clutch of ante-upping moves, the Gunners also brought former youth player and lifelong fan Eberechi Eze back from Crystal Palace for £60m (€69m) plus add-ons, their significant activity – and that of their rivals – pushing the Premier League’s summer outlay to an eye-watering €3.55bn.
Over in Italy, eyebrows were raised to Carlo Ancelotti levels when Napoli gave new playmaker Kevin De Bruyne their sacred No10 shirt. The Belgian, snapped up from Manchester City, was only wearing Diego Maradona’s old digit for his pre-season training kit, however. The anticipation for the fair-haired star representing the Partenopei in the Champions League is already sky high (in the No11 shirt, by the way) and not least from fellow Napoli new boy Rasmus Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, who is no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of linking up with KDB. Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, is waving a permanent goodbye to Naples. The Nigerian striker has joined Galatasaray in a Turkish record of
€75m, after spending 2024/25 there on loan.
Barcelona have pinned their hopes on an Englishman for the first time since Gary Lineker, with the loan arrival of Marcus Rashford. Hansi Flick’s high-line, all-out attack philosophy might just suit the former Manchester United forward, while another Premier League striker, Nicolas Jackson, will be trying his luck at Flick’s old side Bayern on loan from Chelsea. Then there’s our glove-wearing friends. Lucas Chevalier is taking up position in the Paris Saint-Germain goal this season, snaffled from Lille, with his predecessor Gianluigi Donnarumma teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The reported £30.4m (€35m) shelled out for the Italian shot-stopper, who had more than a large hand in Paris’ Champions League triumph last season, could be the deal of the summer.
Of course, it’s not always a new face who inspires joy. Athletic Club’s thrilling winger Nico Williams is staying with the Basque side despite being heavily linked with an exit, while Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur convinced captain Cristian Romero to sign a new contract. Finally, one old friend of the Champions League won’t be gracing the competition this term but has definitely caused a stir. Luka Modrić fulfilled a lifelong dream to wear the famed red and black of AC Milan when he left Madrid over the summer. Having just turned 40 on 9 September, the six-time European champion still has plenty to offer – as he showed with a player of the match award in just his second appearance.
There’s something akin to an extended Christmas about the summer transfer market. You know who you want your team to sign and wait patiently, hoping that before the end of August your club will unwrap – metaphorically – that visionary No10 or quicksilver winger. Some signings aren’t a surprise but are still gratefully received. Others carry a whiff of last-minute desperation.
Plenty of pounds have left the Premier League in the last few months. Liverpool were busy from the start, most notably recruiting Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké. Then, right at the end of the window, they prised Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a reported British record fee of £125m (€144.5m), with Arne Slot’s reshuffle also including Luis Díaz flying to Bavaria to light up Bayern München’s left flank. Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid didn’t dally either, unveiling defensive duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen as early as June. Trent needn’t worry if he finds himself missing his old home and team-mates – he’ll be back at Anfield on Matchday 4.
The Premier League’s financial power has never been more evident. Winger Jamie Gittens bade farewell to Borussia Dortmund for newly crowned world champions Chelsea while fellow wide man Alejandro Garnacho joined the Blues from Manchester United. Across London, last season’s semi-finalists Arsenal took the plunge on Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, and fans will be hoping he keeps on replicating his mask celebration, apparently based on the iconic villain Bane, from The Dark Knight Rises. Among a clutch of ante-upping moves, the Gunners also brought former youth player and lifelong fan Eberechi Eze back from Crystal Palace for £60m (€69m) plus add-ons, their significant activity – and that of their rivals – pushing the Premier League’s summer outlay to an eye-watering €3.55bn.
Over in Italy, eyebrows were raised to Carlo Ancelotti levels when Napoli gave new playmaker Kevin De Bruyne their sacred No10 shirt. The Belgian, snapped up from Manchester City, was only wearing Diego Maradona’s old digit for his pre-season training kit, however. The anticipation for the fair-haired star representing the Partenopei in the Champions League is already sky high (in the No11 shirt, by the way) and not least from fellow Napoli new boy Rasmus Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, who is no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of linking up with KDB. Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, is waving a permanent goodbye to Naples. The Nigerian striker has joined Galatasaray in a Turkish record of
€75m, after spending 2024/25 there on loan.
Barcelona have pinned their hopes on an Englishman for the first time since Gary Lineker, with the loan arrival of Marcus Rashford. Hansi Flick’s high-line, all-out attack philosophy might just suit the former Manchester United forward, while another Premier League striker, Nicolas Jackson, will be trying his luck at Flick’s old side Bayern on loan from Chelsea. Then there’s our glove-wearing friends. Lucas Chevalier is taking up position in the Paris Saint-Germain goal this season, snaffled from Lille, with his predecessor Gianluigi Donnarumma teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The reported £30.4m (€35m) shelled out for the Italian shot-stopper, who had more than a large hand in Paris’ Champions League triumph last season, could be the deal of the summer.
Of course, it’s not always a new face who inspires joy. Athletic Club’s thrilling winger Nico Williams is staying with the Basque side despite being heavily linked with an exit, while Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur convinced captain Cristian Romero to sign a new contract. Finally, one old friend of the Champions League won’t be gracing the competition this term but has definitely caused a stir. Luka Modrić fulfilled a lifelong dream to wear the famed red and black of AC Milan when he left Madrid over the summer. Having just turned 40 on 9 September, the six-time European champion still has plenty to offer – as he showed with a player of the match award in just his second appearance.
There’s something akin to an extended Christmas about the summer transfer market. You know who you want your team to sign and wait patiently, hoping that before the end of August your club will unwrap – metaphorically – that visionary No10 or quicksilver winger. Some signings aren’t a surprise but are still gratefully received. Others carry a whiff of last-minute desperation.
Plenty of pounds have left the Premier League in the last few months. Liverpool were busy from the start, most notably recruiting Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké. Then, right at the end of the window, they prised Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a reported British record fee of £125m (€144.5m), with Arne Slot’s reshuffle also including Luis Díaz flying to Bavaria to light up Bayern München’s left flank. Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid didn’t dally either, unveiling defensive duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen as early as June. Trent needn’t worry if he finds himself missing his old home and team-mates – he’ll be back at Anfield on Matchday 4.
The Premier League’s financial power has never been more evident. Winger Jamie Gittens bade farewell to Borussia Dortmund for newly crowned world champions Chelsea while fellow wide man Alejandro Garnacho joined the Blues from Manchester United. Across London, last season’s semi-finalists Arsenal took the plunge on Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, and fans will be hoping he keeps on replicating his mask celebration, apparently based on the iconic villain Bane, from The Dark Knight Rises. Among a clutch of ante-upping moves, the Gunners also brought former youth player and lifelong fan Eberechi Eze back from Crystal Palace for £60m (€69m) plus add-ons, their significant activity – and that of their rivals – pushing the Premier League’s summer outlay to an eye-watering €3.55bn.
Over in Italy, eyebrows were raised to Carlo Ancelotti levels when Napoli gave new playmaker Kevin De Bruyne their sacred No10 shirt. The Belgian, snapped up from Manchester City, was only wearing Diego Maradona’s old digit for his pre-season training kit, however. The anticipation for the fair-haired star representing the Partenopei in the Champions League is already sky high (in the No11 shirt, by the way) and not least from fellow Napoli new boy Rasmus Højlund, on loan from Manchester United, who is no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of linking up with KDB. Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, is waving a permanent goodbye to Naples. The Nigerian striker has joined Galatasaray in a Turkish record of
€75m, after spending 2024/25 there on loan.
Barcelona have pinned their hopes on an Englishman for the first time since Gary Lineker, with the loan arrival of Marcus Rashford. Hansi Flick’s high-line, all-out attack philosophy might just suit the former Manchester United forward, while another Premier League striker, Nicolas Jackson, will be trying his luck at Flick’s old side Bayern on loan from Chelsea. Then there’s our glove-wearing friends. Lucas Chevalier is taking up position in the Paris Saint-Germain goal this season, snaffled from Lille, with his predecessor Gianluigi Donnarumma teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The reported £30.4m (€35m) shelled out for the Italian shot-stopper, who had more than a large hand in Paris’ Champions League triumph last season, could be the deal of the summer.
Of course, it’s not always a new face who inspires joy. Athletic Club’s thrilling winger Nico Williams is staying with the Basque side despite being heavily linked with an exit, while Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur convinced captain Cristian Romero to sign a new contract. Finally, one old friend of the Champions League won’t be gracing the competition this term but has definitely caused a stir. Luka Modrić fulfilled a lifelong dream to wear the famed red and black of AC Milan when he left Madrid over the summer. Having just turned 40 on 9 September, the six-time European champion still has plenty to offer – as he showed with a player of the match award in just his second appearance.
