Xhaka tops, Spurs spring a surprise and Man United’s Cunha shines in WhoScored’s 25/26 signing charts

Only in the Premier League could clubs torch through £3.19bn and still argue they’ve done it on the cheap. Liverpool famously smashed the British transfer record twice to land Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m), yet both have spluttered so far. Proof, if you needed it, that the price tag doesn’t always buy the performance.

This rundown leans on WhoScored’s ratings — a stats-led ranking that separates the hype from the hard yards. If you’re eyeing the form with a flutter in mind, our handy best betting sites guide is a tidy place to start.

There are curveballs galore — not least Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha placing fourth despite just two league goals — and a clutch of bargains making a mockery of mega-money moves.

20–16: Bargains bite as sensible spenders get their rewards

Leeds’ £17m anchor Anton Stach has been a revelation under Daniel Farke, sticking in two goals and two assists — including a thumper in that 3-3 ding-dong with Liverpool. Bournemouth, who rarely miss in the market, nabbed Adrien Truffert from Rennes for £11.4m; he’s slotted in so smoothly you’d think he grew up on the south coast, while poor Milos Kerkez can’t buy rhythm on Merseyside.

Newcastle gambled big at £69m for Stuttgart giant Nick Woltemade, which even drew a chuckle from Bayern royalty. Who’s laughing now? Five in 13, a debut winner versus Wolves, and he’d be higher but for that Tyne–Wear Derby own goal. Liverpool’s other new face, Hugo Ekitike (£79m from Eintracht Frankfurt), is outscoring Isak with seven in 15. And Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi (£55m) looks tailor‑made alongside Declan Rice — a brace against Forest being his early calling card. Talk about value.

WhoScored top summer signings (20–16):
20) Anton Stach (Leeds United) — 6.86
19) Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth) — 6.87
18) Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United) — 6.87
17) Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) — 6.89
16) Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) — 6.89

15–11: United get their man, Leeds land a lifter, City find a creator

Manchester United chased Bryan Mbeumo all summer and paid the £70m going rate in the end — and fair play, he’s earning it under Ruben Amorim. Six in 16, including the nerve-settler in a 2-1 scalp of Liverpool, and operating like a proper talisman. Leeds pounced for Sean Longstaff at around £15m; he looks reborn, shuttling, sniping and giving Elland Road a Premier League heartbeat.

Spurs, for all their chaos, nailed a loan for Joao Palhinha — a human wrecking ball who’s brought order to the Lilywhites’ midfield. Surprise package Sunderland are purring thanks to Robin Roefs: five clean sheets already and playing as if the PFA Team of the Season is a realistic invite. And at Manchester City, Rayan Cherki (£30m) took a minute to warm up, then turned on the artistry; only Bruno Fernandes has more assists, and that cheeky rabona in a 3-0 against Sunderland will live long in the memory.

WhoScored top summer signings (15–11):
15) Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) — 6.92
14) Sean Longstaff (Leeds United) — 6.95
13) Joao Palhinha (Tottenham Hotspur) — 6.96
12) Robin Roefs (Sunderland) — 6.96
11) Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) — 6.97

10–6: Blue resurgence and smart buys

Everton fans have reasons to smile. Jack Grealish, borrowed from Manchester City, looks revitalised at Hill Dickinson — swagger back, shoulders loose, tormenting full-backs off the left and nudging Gareth Southgate with timely reminders ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Arsenal splashed £67.5m on Eberechi Eze, who delivered a North London derby hat-trick and the flexibility Mikel Arteta craves.

Chelsea’s £60m on Joao Pedro felt pragmatic rather than reckless; four goals, three assists and a selfless shift since that eye-catching Club World Cup cameo in the States. Everton doubled down with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£28m from Chelsea) — four goals and three assists in 15, plus a ten‑man winner at Old Trafford. Not bad for a lad who managed just 13 league appearances (two starts) last season. And Sunderland’s £12m swoop for Nordi Mukiele looks a masterstroke: right-back, centre-back — whatever you need, he’s delivered, including a crafty assist for Dan Ballard in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

WhoScored top summer signings (10–6):
10) Jack Grealish (Everton) — 6.98
9) Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) — 7.01
8) Joao Pedro (Chelsea) — 7.01
7) Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton) — 7.03
6) Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland) — 7.06

5–1: Toon steel, a United spark, Spurs’ star turn and the Black Cats’ king

Newcastle’s summer wasn’t all smooth, but Malick Thiaw (£34.6m from AC Milan) has been immense — even bagging a brace in a 4-1 dismantling of Everton. Manchester United’s headline grab? Matheus Cunha. Signed the day after last season ended for £62.5m, he’s all flicks, nutmegs and menace — just two in 13 so far, granted, but the eye test and the numbers say he’s driving United up the pitch. Fourth feels bang on.

Sunderland’s recruitment deserves a standing ovation. Omar Alderete (£10m from Getafe) has settled like a veteran: rugged in the duels, calm in build-up, and high on progressive metrics. Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus (£55m) is the lone bright spark in a rough campaign — two goals, five assists, and a constant threat that makes West Ham’s sale look generous in hindsight.

Top of the pile, though, is Granit Xhaka. £13m back to the Premier League and playing arguably the best football of his career. The bite is still there — just ask Arsenal after that feisty 2-2 — but it’s his leadership and tempo-setting that have the Black Cats hunting European dreams. A deserved No 1 on the spreadsheet and to the naked eye.

WhoScored top summer signings (5–1):
5) Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United) — 7.09
4) Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) — 7.09
3) Omar Alderete (Sunderland) — 7.11
2) Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur) — 7.15
1) Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) — 7.18

The pundit’s verdict

Spurs fans can cling to Kudus, United supporters can see the method in Amorim’s madness with Cunha, and Sunderland — well, drink it in. When the bean-counters and the eye test agree, you know you’ve nailed the window. The chequebook might shout loudest in August, but by Christmas it’s the shrewd operators who are setting the pace.