Premier League Clubs Spend £400m in Early Transfer Spree
The first half of a split summer window saw Premier League clubs spend £400m as teams prepare for the Club World Cup and the upcoming season.
Unique Two-Part Window Explained
Premier League clubs spend £400m during a rare, two-phase summer transfer window created to align with FIFA Club World Cup rules. The initial period has now closed, but will reopen on 16 June.
This format allows clubs playing in the Club World Cup—starting 15 June—to register new signings early. The second phase runs until 1 September at 19:00 BST, covering all Premier League, EFL, and Scottish Premiership teams.
Chelsea and Manchester City Prepare for Club World Cup
Premier League clubs spend £400m, with Chelsea and Manchester City among the biggest movers. Both clubs are competing in the Club World Cup and made strategic signings ahead of the first phase deadline.
City secured Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31m, added goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea, and signed Lyon’s Rayan Cherki for £30.45m.
Chelsea splashed out £89.5m on four players, including Liam Delap (£30m), Dario Essugo (£18.5m), Mamadou Sarr (£12m), and Estevao Willian (£29m), the latter having agreed his move last year.
Manchester United Splash Big Without Club World Cup
Premier League clubs spend £400m, and Manchester United contributed the most expensive transfer so far—£62.5m for Wolves striker Matheus Cunha.
Despite not playing in the Club World Cup, United moved early to secure their top attacking target, surpassing last summer’s biggest deal—Spurs’ £55m signing of Dominic Solanke.
Real Madrid Make Key Defensive Moves
Premier League clubs spend £400m, but European giants like Real Madrid also made high-profile signings early for Club World Cup eligibility.
Real paid £50m to activate Dean Huijsen’s release clause at Bournemouth, beating several English clubs to his signature. They also brought in Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold before his contract expired, allowing him to feature in the U.S.-hosted tournament.
Dortmund Sign Another Bellingham
Premier League clubs spend £400m, but Borussia Dortmund continued their English connection by signing Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland for £27.8m.
The younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham joins after an impressive season and follows in his sibling’s Bundesliga footsteps.
Liverpool and Brentford Swap Goalkeepers
Premier League clubs spend £400m, and Liverpool reacted quickly to losing Alexander-Arnold by signing Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
Brentford signed Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher as Mark Flekken headed to Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Everton turned Carlos Alcaraz’s loan from Flamengo into a permanent deal.
Sunderland Break Record After Bellingham Exit
Premier League clubs spend £400m, and Sunderland reinvested quickly after losing Jobe Bellingham by signing French midfielder Enzo Le Fee from Roma for £19m.
The fee sets a new club transfer record as they prepare for a return to top-flight football.
Final Thoughts Before the Window Reopens
Premier League clubs spend £400m, but the summer is far from over. The transfer window reopens on 16 June and remains active until 1 September.
With more blockbuster deals expected, the stage is set for another record-breaking window before the 2025/26 season begins.
Also Read: Portugal win Nations League after penalty drama vs Spain
Premier League: Clubs spend £400m in mini transfer window with early deals – BBC Sport
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