The 2025 summer transfer window will be one to remember for all time, highlighted by record breaking spending with a Premier League record spend of over 3 billion GBP and dynamic shifts across Europe. This figure exceeded the combined total from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga, and Serie A. Liverpool headlined the charge with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, with other signings such as Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, and Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich being notable. As the European windows draw to a close, some transfer hotspots remain.
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The prime available markets
The Turkish Süper Lig officially opened on the 30th of June, and is set to close shortly on the 12th of September, with clubs still having availability to complete deals before the transfer window shuts. Some notable transfers this summer already include Galatasaray signing Victor Osimhen for £64.8m and Ilkay Gündoğan, as well as Fenerbahçe signing Jhon Duran.
The Saudi Pro League which opened in mid to late July before closing on the 23rd of September meaning that it is open for over 2 weeks. This provides clubs with ample time to make signings after most major windows shut, capitalising on failed opportunities in Europe. Some significant movements earlier comprise of Al Hilal signing Darwin Nunez for £56m and Al Ahli signing Enzo Millot.
United fullback seeking resurgence after injuries
Erik Ten Hag’s first signing Tyrell Malacia in July 2022 has had minimal play in the last 2 years due to his knee surgery taking him out of action for 18 months, resulting in him playing only 8 club matches since the summer of 2023. In early February 2025, Malacia then joined Eredivisie title winners PSV Eindhoven on loan for the remainder of the season, playing 12 matches among the league, KNVB Cup and Champions League.
Talks regarding Malacia’s potential loan to Spanish club Elche collapsed over a clause regarding permanence at the club at the end of the season. His contract is set to expire next summer, with United having an option to extend for a further year. Other members of Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ have already secured transfers, Malacia hasn’t been so lucky, showing increasing likelihood of him staying at the Red Devils.
Chelsea forward at crossroads
In their run to the Euro final in 2020, Raheem Sterling was widely regarded as England’s best player. Since then, his career has been on a steady decline after his bench time at Manchester City, followed by his move to Chelsea, a move that hasn’t shown much promise. Following Sterling’s loan to Arsenal, making 28 appearances for the Gunners in the 24-25 season, it was announced that he would return to Chelsea.
Offers from Champions League teams Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus, along with Premier League sides Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham were dished out, but Sterling’s desire to stay closer to his family hindered his ability to change clubs. Despite the Turkish and Saudi league transfer windows remaining open after failing to complete a summer move, staying at Chelsea seems increasingly likely as he becomes a part of Enzo Maresca’s newly labeled ‘bomb squad’ contains Axel Disasi and David Fofana, who have all fallen out of the lineup in recent time for Chelsea.
Arsenal winger with limited minutes
After aiding Arsenal to their third straight second place finish in the premier league, Leandro Trossard looked to be compensated for his efforts. Last year, Trossard competed with Gabriel Martinelli for the left wing spot, resulting in 16 G/A in his 28 starting appearances. This season, he remains as an untouched bench player with only 37 minutes, a stark difference to his previous campaign. New signings Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have dropped him down the pecking order.
Clubs such as Roma, Fenerbahçe and Borussia Dortmund showed interest earlier in the window, however none of the moves materialised. Since the transfer deadline day occurred, Super Lig club Beşiktaş is the only team to send an offer for the Belgian International, a £19m fee. The Gunners aren’t tempted to sell him as his contract extends to 2027, but there is still a possibility before the window closes.
Madrid’s star with an uncertain future
David Alaba has fallen out of the Real Madrid lineup, behind players such as Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy and playing only 14 matches for the Spanish giants last season. He claims that he is ready to play a full 90 minutes this season for Xabi Alonso on his return from his meniscus tear, but that opportunity has not been given yet.
The Austrian legend has been pursued by Turkish giants Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, but seems committed to Los Blancos. The Bayern Munich Legend is under contract with Real Madrid until 2026, and intends to stay among offers from the Super Lig. As the Turkish transfer window draws to a close on September 12, moves seem unlikely for any fee or loan to either club.
