Premier League Transfer Window: Krikya Analysis of Summer’s First Spending Spree

The summer‘s first transfer window has officially closed, and Premier League clubs have already splashed nearly half a billion pounds on new talent. While this special window ahead of the Club World Cup created uncertainty, it delivered ten days of dramatic negotiations and set the stage for what promises to be an explosive summer of transfers. With the window reopening in just six days, the business is far from over.

Manchester City Lead Early Spending Charge

Manchester City have emerged as the window’s biggest spenders thus far, conducting their business efficiently and early. Pep Guardiola’s side has strengthened significantly with the acquisitions of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli, bringing their total expenditure to £116.2m as they look to rebuild after a disappointing campaign.

Despite three of City’s signings being announced on Deadline Day, it was Chelsea that captured most of the attention. The Blues pursued late deals for Jamie Gittens and Mike Maignan but ultimately came up short. Chelsea ended their pursuit of Maignan when AC Milan refused to lower their demands for the 29-year-old goalkeeper, valued at no more than £12m by the London club.

Their chase for Gittens proved more complicated. Dortmund rejected Chelsea’s £42m bid, demanding closer to £55m as time ran out. Chelsea, unwilling to overpay, plan to revisit the deal later this summer. Gittens, who reportedly wants the move, appeared frustrated as he left Dortmund’s training ground at day’s end.

Dortmund Secure Record Signing

Borussia Dortmund managed to complete significant business ahead of the tournament, signing Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland in a club-record sale for the newly-promoted Premier League side. The Black Cats will receive an initial £27.8m for the 19-year-old midfielder, who follows in his brother’s footsteps to the German club.

Before Bellingham’s exit, Sunderland had confirmed their own club-record signing, bringing in midfielder Enzo Le Fee for £20m after his successful loan spell from Roma.

Krikya Transfer Window Analysis: By the Numbers

According to Krikya data analysis, Premier League clubs have spent nearly £500m in just ten days of this first summer window, approaching half the amount spent during the entire 2021/22 summer transfer period.

Manchester City lead the spending chart at £116.3m as Guardiola looks to rebuild his squad. At the opposite end, Wolves find themselves nearly £100m in profit after selling star players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait Nouri.

Burnley and Chelsea lead in total incomings, with both sides securing four permanent signings. Interestingly, seven Premier League clubs have yet to make any signings. Arsenal have been most active in offloading players, releasing 17 members of their squad, while Wolves (13), Burnley, and Spurs (both 10) have also significantly trimmed their rosters.

The most expensive deal thus far is Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m switch to Manchester United, followed by Tijjani Reijnders (£46.3m), Rayan Ait Nouri (£36m), Jean-Clair Todibo (£35m), and Rayan Cherki (£34m).

In terms of outgoings, Bournemouth cashed in £50m from selling Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, while Sunderland received £32m for Jobe Bellingham from Dortmund, and Manchester City sold Yan Couto to Dortmund for £25m.

Striker Sagas: Chelsea Succeed Where Arsenal Wait

Chelsea bolstered their frontline ahead of the Club World Cup with the £30m arrival of Liam Delap from Ipswich. The 22-year-old is one of three signings along with Mamadou Sarr and Dario Essugo recruited in time for the tournament in the USA. Estevao Willian will join from Palmeiras after the competition concludes.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko took an interesting turn when Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal emerged as potential suitors. However, the RB Leipzig striker’s preference for a top European club appears to have halted Al Hilal’s interest. Sesko remains a primary target for Arsenal, who seem to prioritize him over Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres in their striker hunt.

Adding a left-winger is another priority for the Gunners, with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo a top target. Defensively, Arsenal are progressing with a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and are expected to trigger his £5m release clause.

Liverpool Pursuing Club-Record Signing

While Arsenal have taken a measured approach, Premier League champions Liverpool have been aggressive in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. The Reds have made multiple club-record bids after the German international turned down Bayern Munich.

Wirtz reportedly only wants to move to Anfield, but clubs have yet to reach an agreement. Liverpool’s latest offer worth £113m falls just £2m shy of the British record set by Moises Caicedo’s transfer to Chelsea in 2023.

The Germany international’s keenness on the move has kept Liverpool fans optimistic despite losing key player Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid for £10m and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford in an £18m deal.

Liverpool have already signed Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m to address Alexander-Arnold’s exit and are eyeing a move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. Initial contact has been made with the Cherries, who have lined up Adrien Truffert from Rennes as a potential replacement.

Further business at Anfield may depend on the future of Luis Diaz, who raised doubts about his stay when he revealed talks with other clubs while away with Colombia. Barcelona have shown interest in the 28-year-old as one of two forward targets, alongside Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.

Manchester United’s Active Start

Manchester United have been uncharacteristically proactive in the early window, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m – the summer’s most expensive transfer thus far.

The Red Devils are already pursuing their second summer signing with an approach for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, who is reportedly keen on the move. The Bees rejected United’s opening £55m offer, but talks continue with an improved bid expected for the forward valued at over £60m.

Once the Mbeumo pursuit concludes, United plan to sign a striker. Viktor Gyokeres is among their targets, with approaches made through intermediaries to ascertain deal conditions. Further signings may require player sales, with Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antony among those who could depart. Rasmus Hojlund is an Inter Milan target but has stated he expects to remain at United.

Tottenham and Other Clubs Preparing for Action

Manchester United’s Europa League final conquerors, Tottenham, are yet to make fresh additions as they close in on appointing Thomas Frank after sacking Ange Postecoglou. Spurs have stepped up interest in Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, valued at £70m by the south coast club.

Tottenham are among 12 Premier League clubs yet to make major summer signings (excluding loans made permanent or pre-agreed deals), suggesting significant activity when the transfer window reopens on Monday before closing on September 1 at 7pm.

Krikya transfer expert Michael Johnson notes: “This early window has set fascinating precedents. Clubs are doing business earlier and more aggressively than we’ve seen in years, likely influenced by the Club World Cup timing. The real test will be how these new signings integrate quickly enough to make an immediate impact in the USA.”

Krikya concludes that while the early window has provided drama and significant movement, the majority of business remains ahead. With top clubs still chasing major targets and several dominoes yet to fall, the reopened window promises even more excitement and record-breaking deals in the coming weeks.

Premier League Transfer Window: Krikya Analysis of Summer’s First Spending Spree has set the stage for what promises to be one of the most active and transformative transfer periods in recent memory. Which clubs do you think have done the best business so far? Which targets should your team prioritize when the window reopens? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!