It was an enormous 12 months for Premier League spending with the British switch file damaged for Alexander Isak’s transfer to Liverpool, though it was not the largest charges that made Telegraph Sport’s high 20 purchases of the season.
The record relies on influence made this season, with sporting administrators placing their necks on the road as they regarded to get the very best worth for cash for his or her golf equipment.
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20. Rayan
Phil Noble/Reuters
It has solely been 4 matches since he arrived from Vasco da Gama in a deal value £24.7m up entrance, however the Brazilian teenager has scored two targets and appears to be a future star of the Premier League. In comparison with Vinícius Júnior in his homeland, he’s on a contract for five-and-a-half years on the Vitality Stadium and turned down big-money affords from Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Numbers to again his declare: With an help on debut, adopted by a purpose in every of his subsequent two outings, Rayan turned simply the third teenager in Premier League historical past to file a purpose or help in every of his first three appearances, after Robbie Keane and Anthony Martial.
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19. Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor
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Everton additionally picked up Jack Grealish on mortgage, which was a very good signing earlier than damage struck. Dewsbury-Corridor had a run of 4 targets in eight matches which helped David Moyes’ workforce climb into the highest half. Dewsbury-Corridor appears good worth at £24m from Chelsea after a season at Stamford Bridge.
Numbers to again his declare: No participant has scored extra Premier League targets for Everton this season than Dewsbury-Corridor (5), whereas being fourth for anticipated assists (3.38), third for possibilities created (24), joint-first for through-balls (8), and third for possession gained within the last third (13).
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18. Dango Ouattara
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He was not low-cost, costing Brentford a club-record £42.5m from Bournemouth, however the Burkina Faso winger has added a distinct dimension to their assault and compensated in a point for the lack of Bryan Mbeumo. The 23-year-old ahead has 5 targets as his workforce pushes for a spot in Europe.
Numbers to again his declare: Ouattara’s 5 Premier League targets this season have been value eight factors. Among the many gamers with not more than 5 targets this time period, it represents probably the most factors earned.
17. Malick Thiaw
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The German centre-back has been constant for Newcastle following his £30m transfer from AC Milan, beginning in each single sport within the Premier League, Champions League and home cups since September 21. He has loved the bodily duels with Erling Haaland within the run of video games Eddie Howe’s workforce have had in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.
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Numbers to again his declare: No defender has scored extra targets within the Premier League this season than Thiaw (4). Amongst gamers to have contested 100 or extra aerial duels within the Premier League this season, solely Virgil van Dijk (133/177 – 75.14 per cent), Ibrahima Konaté (96/134 – 71.64 per cent) and James Tarkowski (120/168 – 71.43 per cent) have the next success charge than Thiaw (84/122 – 68.85 per cent).
16. El Hadji Malick Diouf
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West Ham have struggled this season, however in Diouf, they landed a participant who matches into Premier League soccer together with his dynamic performances from left wing-back. Crystal Palace wished him beforehand when he was at Slavia Prague but it surely was West Ham who landed him in a £19m transfer, which implies he’ll make them a wholesome revenue ought to he transfer on.
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Numbers to again his declare: No defender has recorded extra assists within the Premier League this season than Diouf (4). Three of Diouf’s 4 Premier League assists this season have come through crosses. Solely Bruno Fernandes (6) has extra in 2025-26.
15. Anton Stach
The 27-year-old midfielder flew into Leeds United below the radar however has proved to be a priceless participant following his transfer from Hoffenheim. The central midfielder is 6ft 4in and has presence in the midst of the park, with the leg work to make his workforce tough to beat. Had performed commonly within the Bundesliga and in addition been capped for Germany, however was not linked with different golf equipment over the summer time. He was a very good discover.
Numbers to again his declare: Stach has recorded extra shot-ending possession begins within the Premier League this season than some other participant (13). No participant has scored extra targets from direct free-kicks within the Premier League this season than Stach (3), whereas solely Antoine Semenyo (4) has extra targets from outdoors the penalty space than the German’s 4.
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Solely Bruno Fernandes (24) and Dominik Szoboszlai (23) have created extra possibilities from set-plays within the Premier League this season than Stach (21).
14. Estêvão
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There’s an argument {that a} participant who has solely began 10 Premier League video games throughout the marketing campaign needs to be excluded from the signings of the season however Chelsea have landed such an thrilling expertise. The 18-year-old price simply £29m up-front though that determine will improve to as a lot as £51m. That appears like cash effectively spent for a participant with years in entrance of him.
Numbers to again his declare: Solely Eli Junior Kroupi (8 targets) has been concerned in additional Premier League targets this season as a youngster than Estêvão (4 – 2 targets, 2 assists). Solely Erling Haaland (2.4) and Jérémy Doku (2.36) have the next anticipated purpose involvements following a take-on within the Premier League this season than Estêvão (1.6 – 0.63xG, 0.97xA). Amongst gamers with no less than 450 minutes within the Premier League this season, solely Jeremy Doku (4.7 per 90) and Kevin (3.58 per 90) common extra profitable take-ons per 90 than Estêvão (3.15 per 90).
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13. Eli Junior Kroupi
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Technically, he’s a signing from final season however he was loaned again to Lorient and arrived at Bournemouth in the summertime to start out his profession in England. He has made a huge impact this season, with eight targets to point out why he was thought of one of many brightest prospects in French soccer whereas taking part in in Ligue 2.
Numbers to again his declare: Amongst gamers with 25+ pictures within the Premier League this season, Kroupi has the very best shot conversion charge, scoring eight targets from his 26 pictures (30.77 per cent).
12. Dominic Calvert-Lewin
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There should not many real No 9s available on the market. Nonetheless, Calvert-Lewin’s damage file at Everton meant he was seen as a threat. However Leeds made their transfer for him and he has been glorious, main their assault and scoring 10 targets, giving Daniel Farke’s workforce a very good probability of survival.
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Numbers to again his declare: Has gained the second most aerial duels (81) amongst forwards within the Premier League this season, whereas Raúl Jiménez (4) is the one ahead to attain extra headed targets (3). Calvert-Lewin has scored the joint-most targets from contained in the six-yard field within the Premier League this season, stage with João Pedro (5 every). He has scored over 1 / 4 of Leeds’ Premier League targets this season, one in all solely 4 gamers to take action in 2025-26.
11. Rayan Cherki
Manchester Metropolis pulled off a shock transfer to land the France midfelder. His expertise was not questioned, however at Lyon he was seen as a luxurious participant. He has confirmed his critics improper together with his shows this season, defying the notion that gamers want time to get used to Pep Guardiola’s strategies. Has proven work charge in addition to influence.
Numbers to again his declare: Solely Bruno Fernandes (12) has recorded extra Premier League assists this season than Cherki (7). Because the begin of the Membership World Cup, solely Erling Haaland (82 minutes) has a greater purpose + assists charge for Premier League golf equipment in all competitions than Cherki (89 minutes, 10 targets, 11 assists – min 500 minutes).
10. Jordan Henderson
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It was unclear which course Henderson’s profession would take after his spells at Saudi Arabia after which with Ajax. There was curiosity from European golf equipment and in England, with the transfer to Brentford wanting shrewd for participant and membership. He has performed commonly for Keith Andrews within the shock package deal of the Premier League this season and is a mainstay within the England squad.
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Numbers to again his declare: Solely Nathan Collins (54) averages extra passes per 90 minutes than Henderson (53) for Brentford within the Premier League this season, whereas solely Vitaly Janelt (4) has extra assists than Henderson (3).
9. Robin Roefs
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The Netherlands Beneath-21 worldwide was purchased from NEC for round £9m and he could go down as the cut price of the season. The 23-year-old has put himself on the radar of different Premier League golf equipment after such an assured begin in English soccer. His shot-stopping has been a part of Sunderland’s success this season and he has an enormous presence.
Numbers to again his declare: Has the third-best save charge within the Premier League this season (71 per cent – min 5 apps). Solely 5 goalkeepers have extra clear sheets than his eight.
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8. João Pedro
One other participant who was wished by Newcastle however the Brazil ahead ended up heading to Chelsea in a £60m deal. He arrived in time to win the Membership World Cup in America final summer time and his targets – 14 of them to this point – have put his new membership in a very good place to qualify for the Champions League once more.
Numbers to again his declare: Because the begin of the Membership World Cup, solely Erling Haaland (32) and Igor Thiago (18) have scored extra targets for Premier League golf equipment than João Pedro (17).
7. Hugo Ekitike
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It was a double blow for Newcastle final summer time when Liverpool managed to land Alexander Isak from them and in addition take Ekitike, who was wished at St James’ Park. Whereas Isak has struggled to make an influence at Anfield, Ekitike has led the assault for the Premier League champions together with his direct operating, bringing him 15 targets in complete to this point.
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Numbers to again his declare: Has the ninth-best minutes-per-goal charge in Premier League historical past for Liverpool (min 10 targets), scoring 10 targets at a mean of 1 each 161 minutes. He’s the sixth-quickest participant to succeed in 10 Premier League targets for the membership (21 apps).
6. Martín Zubimendi
Beforehand stayed at Actual Sociedad when the prospect to maneuver to the Premier League, with Liverpool, got here round. However he has been a superb addition to the Arsenal squad following his £60m switch, in a market the place the very best central midfielders are being purchased for greater than £100m. Has solely missed one Premier League sport.
Numbers to again his declare: Solely 4 gamers have began extra open-play sequences within the Premier League this season than Zubimendi (296) and he ranks sixth amongst midfielders for the variety of sequences ending in a shot that he was concerned within the build-up to (63). He has began probably the most video games (27) and performed probably the most minutes (2,360) within the league amongst outfielders for Arsenal this season.
5. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Manchester Metropolis moved late within the window when the Italian turned obtainable from Paris St-Germain, having already introduced again James Trafford to the membership following Ederson’s departure. Produced finger-tipped saves within the final levels of wins in opposition to Liverpool and Newcastle. He’s having an enormous say within the title race.
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Numbers to again his declare: Ranks second behind David Raya (13) for Premier League clear sheets this season with 10. He additionally ranks second behind Emiliano Martínez (77 per cent) for save charge within the competitors in 2025-26 (73 per cent). He has made the third most punches (23) and has the second-best passing accuracy (78.2 per cent) behind Alisson (79.5 per cent).
4. Senne Lammens
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Manchester United had an enormous choice to make on the ultimate weekend of the switch window, with Emiliano Martínez additionally a possible goal. Martínez would have been a very good short-term answer however they seem to have a long-term No 1 in Lammens. He nonetheless has technical changes to work on however has been the calming shot-stopper United have regarded for after André Onana struggled final time period.
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Numbers to again his declare: Solely Bart Verbruggen (5.64) and Jordan Pickford (5.61) have prevented extra targets within the Premier League this season than Lammens (5.59).
3. Marc Guéhi
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The England centre-back might simply have seen out the remaining six months of his Crystal Palace and moved as a free agent. However Manchester Metropolis noticed a possibility for the 25-year-old to influence on the Premier League title race. His efficiency at Anfield was an instance of what he brings to massive matches.
Numbers to again his declare: Guéhi is to this point unbeaten in matches for Metropolis, having joined simply after their defeat within the Manchester derby and whereas they tried to bounce again from dropping factors of their first three matches of 2026.
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2. Granit Xhaka
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There have been query marks over this signing when Sunderland made their transfer. Now in his 30s, would the previous Arsenal captain go well with a return to the Premier League after two seasons in Germany? Would he have the starvation after being topped an Invincible with Bayer Leverkusen? His reply was given in performances the place he has proven his management and midfield management. All for simply £13m.
Numbers to again his declare: Ranks first for Sunderland this season for passes (1,176), possibilities created from set-plays (11), assists (5), and in addition ranks second for complete possibilities created (25).
1. Bryan Mbeumo
The main target on the finish of final season was Manchester United’s pursuit of Matheus Cunha however within the background, they had been engaged on this steal. At £65m from Brentford he has proved big worth for his presence throughout the entrance line, with work-rate and physicality together with high quality in entrance of purpose.
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Numbers to again his declare: Mbeumo is Manchester United’s main goalscorer within the Premier League this season with 9 targets – he ranks third for pictures (56), first for touches within the opposition field (105) and joint-second for possibilities created (34) within the league for United in 2025-26.
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