A number of deals are expected to be announced on day one of the summer transfer window, which will be paused in 10 days’ time for almost a week due to the Club World Cup
The 2025 summer transfer window is open and it is set to get off to a flier with most of the Premier League ’s big guns expected to complete deals in the opening days.
That is predominantly on account of the controversial new Club World Cup that sees Chelsea and Manchester City head to the United States next week for a financially-lucrative month of action that many players are unhappy to be a part of. But its consequences are extending into this summer’s recruitment as some clubs race to make signings so their new faces can compete.
That includes Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid for £10m – despite being available for free at the end of the month. Equally several sides not competing in the CWC are getting active with Manchester United set to bring in Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m and Liverpool wrapping up a deal for Jeremie Frimpong, with Florian Wirtz potentially following right behind on the path from Leverkusen.
Here are some of the big things to look out for in the first part of a two-segment window.
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Fernandes’ £100m ultimatum, Wirtz nears Liverpool move, Arsenal latestREAD MORE: Tottenham release 13 players and complete £21m transfer as Ange Postecoglou awaits decision
Early moves
The CWC is a driving factor but so too is the fact several of the big teams – believing they have a window to grab success after Liverpool ended City’s dominance – are active immediately.
Another theory is that they are all keen on adding goalscorers and the pool is very small – hence why Liam Delap is such hot property and expected to join Chelsea.
Last summer the window was three weeks old before one of the traditional big six confirmed a move – but we already know Frimpong will be made official on Sunday and United’s deal for Cunha could follow soon.
Window pause
A lull is guaranteed, however. Again as a consequence of the CWC, the window will shut on June 10 for six days before then running through to September 1’s deadline.
The early flurry suggests a very quiet second half of June is in store.
Anfield activity
Frimpong has already posed with the Liverpool shirt and his team-mate at Leverkusen, Wirtz, is the subject of a £109m bid that massively goes against the grain of how the champions have operated in the market for years.
Alexander-Arnold’s switch to Real will be confirmed at some point on Sunday and the £10m fee gained for letting him move a month early is handsome business.
Man Utd woe
If it all looks like sunshine and rainbows at Liverpool, down the East Lancs Road it is mostly misery at Old Trafford. United may be closing a deal to sign Cunha but there are set to be a series of high-profile exits, including Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and, possibly, captain Bruno Fernandes.
Saudi giants Al Hilal have given him another few days to decide whether to accept a bumper pay day worth up to £200m across three years. Serious consideration is being given but Al Hilal want him in place in time for the CWC.
Chelsea’s chase
Enzo Maresca’s side are heading there no matter what and the signing of Delap for £30m from relegated Ipswich Town looks all but sealed. He had several clubs interested but should usurp Nicolas Jackson quickly.
With a Champions League return and the £100m on offer for the CWC, expect another busy summer at Stamford Bridge.
Arteta’s final step
And there could be an early signing at the Emirates too as Mikel Arteta looks to boost Arsenal from second to first. As long expected, Martin Zubimendi will join from Real Sociedad.
But the need for a striker remains as pressing as ever and Viktor Gyokeres is fancied to make the switch from Sporting Lisbon, although there is long-term interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
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