We are days into the 2025 summer transfer market, but this one has a twist.
Due to an exceptional registration period mandated by FIFA for the Club World Cup, there will be two: first, a mini-window running between 1 June and 10 June—ensuring participating clubs can complete planned signings ahead of the competition (for instance, Real Madrid wants to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in time to play at the Club World Cup, but his contract at Liverpool expires on 30 June. This gives them a chance to negotiate with the Premier League champions) and then between 16 June and 1 September 2025.
It is understood that other European leagues will implement a similar change to that made by the Premier League, introduced to allow a more normal working pattern for football clubs. As touched upon, Alexander-Arnold swapping Merseyside for Madrid has been the biggest headline, with fellow Premier League defender and Spanish international centre-back Dean Huijsen also making the same move. But for every big story, some moves go under the radar. Here are some examples from the last couple of days.
Jeremie Frimpong
From: Bayer Leverkusen
To: Liverpool
Even if some consider Alexander-Arnold has lost a step or retains some flaws in his game (particularly when it comes to his defensive acumen), there are very few right-backs active today who could fill his shoes, but Liverpool may have acquired one of them. After being unable to break through at Manchester City, where he had been part of their youth setup since nine, Jeremie Frimpong somewhat established himself at Celtic before really introducing himself at Bayer Leverkusen, where he became a tour de force. The native of Amsterdam seemingly could do it all while being utilised as a wing-back, and even with the Dutch national team, he is often deployed on the right wing. It will be interesting to see how Frimpong fits into compatriot Arne Slot’s starting lineup, but Reds supporters can rest assured that right-back will not be a problematic position, with homegrown talent Conor Bradley offering credible competition.
Matheus Cunha
From: Wolves
To: Man Utd
This appears to be a marriage of convenience. Manchester United underperformed their xG by 14.66, the second-largest underperformance in the Premier League last season. At the same time, Wolves forward Matheus Cunha overperformed his xG by 6.3, the second-largest in England’s top division across the same period. Top spot belonged to Brentford marksman Bryan Mbumo, whom the Red Devils also seek to add. Now the question is whether this will be sustainable and how the Brazilian forward, who finished with 15 goals in 2024/25, seven more than any United player, will fit into Ruben Amorim’s expected 3-4-2-1 shape, especially with Bruno Fernandes remaining.
Jorginho
From: Arsenal
To: Flamengo
A seven-year Premier League odyssey concludes for Jorginho, during which he established himself as one of Europe’s premier midfielders at Chelsea, lifting both the Europa League and Champions League titles. It was less successful in terms of silverware with Arsenal, although he slotted into a squad role under head coach Mikel Arteta, predominantly opting for Declan Rice and Thomas Partey in midfield. With no long-term future in north London, the 57-time capped Italian international relocated to his birth nation, signing for Flamengo, which offers him the opportunity to participate in this summer’s Club World Cup.
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Luis Henrique
From: Marseille
To: Inter
Inter Milan begin their post-Inzaghi era with two new acquisitions: defensive midfielder Petar Sucic joining from Dinamo Zagreb, while Brazilian winger Luis Henrique relocates from Marseille. Henrique, who managed 11 goals and 16 assists in 108 appearances for the French club, will be hoping whoever succeeds Simone Inzaghi is winger-friendly, but to say there’s competition for places, especially if the Nerazzurri continue down the wing-back route, is an understatement.
Gabriela Veiga
From: Al-Ahli
To: Porto
Many, notably Toni Kroos, bemoaned Celta youngster Gabri Veiga opting for the Saudi Pro League in 2023, especially with interest from Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Napoli. But the Spanish under-21 international has returned to Europe with Porto, now looking forward to enjoying his services after the Galicia-born attacking midfielder netted 11 goals across 50 league outings for Al-Ahli. This turned out to be his exact record for his boyhood club in Spain’s top division.
Liam Delap
From: Ipswich
To: Chelsea
Being in the shadow of Erling Haaland was both a positive and a negative for Liam Delap, who studied the Norwegian machine from close quarters but with full knowledge that he would never usurp him unless Haaland left, which never looked like a remote possibility. Ipswich offered the former City graduate a place to start fulfilling his promise, and in the club’s first Premier League season for over two decades, he was one of the few under Kieran McKenna’s leadership that bolstered his profile (by netting 12 goals in 37 outings). Having seen former teammate Cole Palmer leave Pep Guardiola’s nest and enjoy incredible success at Chelsea, who secured Champions League football, the former England U21 international decided it was time for a reunion and will now battle with Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu for that number nine position.
Mark Flekken
From: Brentford
To: Bayer Leverkusen
Among the first moves by Erik ten Hag after succeeding Xabi Alonso as Bayern Leverkusen head coach was signing Dutch international goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford, where he had seven clean sheets from 37 appearances while producing a league-high 153 saves. This feels like a reward/risk acquisition, with Flekken producing four errors leading to shots or goals, but only Jordan Pickford completed more long passes.