GOAL runs through the deals you might have missed amid a hectic summer of transfers for top-flight clubs in England
It feels like just yesterday that the curtain was pulled down on the 2024-25 campaign, and yet we're now just three days away from the opening game of the new Premier League season, which will see champions Liverpool begin their title defence with a home fixture against Bournemouth. Arne Slot's side are favourites to lift the trophy again after a busy summer that has seen the Reds invest almost £300 million ($404m) on new players, including British-record signing Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, but they are by no means the only club to have splashed the cash.
Arsenal have spent £190m ($256m) to bring in Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga; Manchester City have signed Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijanji Reijnders, Sverre Nypan and James Trafford for a combined £153m ($206m); Chelsea's transfer outlay has hit £250m ($336m) after their captures of Jorrel Hato, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez.
Even fallen giants Manchester United have gone transfer crazy, despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe's claims the club is running out of money, by snapping up Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for a combined total of £205m ($276m). Many more high-profile deals will likely be pushed through before the September 1 deadline, too, meaning the Premier League's record £2.4bn spree of 2023 could well be broken.
However, not all of the best transfers of the summer so far have been accounted for by the so-called elite clubs. GOAL has picked out the top 10 under-the-radar Premier League signings who will shine brightly in the 2025-26 campaign, starting with a Brazilian powerhouse making his first foray into European football…
Getty ImagesIgor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)
Described as the "Didier Drogba of modern times" by South American football expert Tim Vickery, Igor Jesus has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Botafogo from Shabab Al Ahli in July 2024. The physically-imposing frontman, ironically nicknamed 'The Little Frog', helped Botafogo clinch a league and Copa Libertadores double last season while also breaking into the Brazil national team.
Nottingham Forest's £10m ($13.5m) investment in Jesus looks like a snip based on how he performed for Botafogo during their run to the last 16 at the Club World Cup. The 24-year-old scored winning goals against the Seattle Sounders and Paris Saint-Germain, and Botafogo were a constant threat on the counter because of his superb hold-up play.
Jesus is a relentless ball winner with an incredible spring that more than makes up for his 5'10 stature, and should be equally as effective in a similar system at Forest.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesEvann Guessand (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa finally completed their first major transfer of the summer in the first week of August, bringing in Ivorian forward Evann Guessand from Nice. The 24-year-old has become the club's tenth-most expensive signing ever at £30m ($40m), but it looks like a shrewd move given he has the potential to add a whole new dimension to Unai Emery's attack.
Guessand is versatile enough to operate as No.9 or on either of the flanks, and boasts the strength and speed to be an instant hit in the Premier League. The Ivory Coast international notched 12 Ligue 1 goals for Nice last term, with most of those coming from the right wing, and also laid on eight assists, which suggests he can also provide high-quality service for Villa's first-choice striker Ollie Watkins.
Getty ImagesAntoni Milambo (Brentford)
Brentford won the race for Antonio Milambo's signature ahead of a host of top European clubs, much to the delight of new head coach Keith Andrews: "I love the way that Antoni takes the ball and drives – he has the ability to go past players and he's a goal threat. He will complement the midfielders we have in the building."
Milambo may even become the best midfielder at the club if he reaches the same level he did at Feyenoord. The supremely talented Dutchman, who broke into the Feyenoord senior team at 16, registered 16 goal contributions last season, with four of those coming in the Champions League. He's also a pressing monster who looks perfectly suited to Brentford's high-octane style of play and should help to offset the loss of Mbeumo.
Getty ImagesMaxim De Cuyper (Brighton)
Brighton have added nine new players to their squad this summer in response to losing key names like Pedro, Pervis Estupinan, Simon Adingra and Evan Ferguson as they continue to set the standard as the most efficient club in the Premier League when it comes to transfers. Maxim De Cuyper looks best placed to be the next success story at the Amex Stadium, having been signed from Club Brugge as a like-for-like replacement for Estupinan.
De Cuyper is an extremely creative full-back with an eye for goal, as Aston Villa found out to their peril in the Champions League last season. He could also provide a real threat for Brighton with his wicked set-piece delivery, and his defensive awareness is impressive for a 24-year-old. But most importantly, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler believes he will bring a "winner's mentality" as his team aim for European qualification once again.