We’ve ranked the top 10 Premier League signings of the 2025/26 season. The biggest takeaway? Sunderland have absolutely smashed it.
Arsenal spent big on Zubimendi and it’s instantly paid off, with those around him taking their game to another level, namely Declan Rice.
Sunderland, meanwhile, were ambitious enough to convince Xhaka to return to the Premier League. They immediately gave him the captaincy, and his leadership and quality have elevated the Black Cats.
Anyway, signings of the season ahoy. Here’s our Premier League top 10. Click here for those signings who might just be a bit sh*t.
10) Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, £15m)
From Bertrand Traore for only £2.1m to Habib Diarra for £27m via Granit Xhaka for £13m, Sunderland’s summer business has aged tremendously. We honestly can’t believe how successful their signings have been.
With the exception of Simon Adingra, Sunderland didn’t waste a single penny. Reinildo on a free transfer has been a revelation and Sadiki has made £15m look like an absolute bargain as well.
The former Union St-Gilloise midfielder gave up Champions League football to join the ambitious Black Cats and will not regret that decision. Of all the players Regis Le Bris brought to the club last summer, he feels the most likely to land a huge transfer to a Big Six club.
9) Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United, £65m)
Summer signings Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are proving to be very good, very important Manchester United players.
The Red Devils missed Mbeumo during his Africa Cup of Nations exploits and his return has added new life to an attack enjoying their football under Michael Carrick.
Naturally a right-winger, Mbeumo has been played through the middle for United and looks a handful for defenders. His link-up play is good and while he doesn’t win many aerial duels, he is competing for the ball and allowing his team-mates to gobble up second balls. He has been crucial.
8) Omar Alderete (Sunderland, £10m)
Sunderland dominate this ranking, with Alderete coming in as the second of five Black Cats summer signings.
This guy is a dog. His player-of-the-match performance against Manchester City epitomised everything he’s about. He has that South American bravery that sees him put his body on the line time and time again. He’s just fantastic.
We’re not sure how Sunderland have nailed their summer business to this extent, but they’ve made some absolutely outstanding signings for very modest fees.
7) Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City, £26m)
Manchester City signed arguably the best goalkeeper in the world for just £26m. That’s probably all that needs to be said.
Yes, Donnarumma isn’t entirely convincing with the ball at his feet, but he’s hardly clumsy and is arguably underrated in that regard. Pep Guardiola wouldn’t sign him if he didn’t fit the plan, even as Pep adapts to a more direct style in his latest football revolution.
The Italian’s presence has brought calm to City’s backline and he is a monster of a signing in every sense.
6) Rayan Cherki (Manchester City, £34m)
Another monster Man City signing.
Cherki has shown he can win City points on his own and, aside from the goals and assists, he’s simply an incredibly exciting player to watch.
The Frenchman’s flicks and tricks are a joy to behold – a breath of fresh air in an otherwise robotic sport.
5) Anton Stach (Leeds, £17.3m)
Leeds made some solid additions last summer but none have been better than brilliant German midfielder Stach.
He has added a threat to set-pieces with his ability to take them and his incredible height. Stach brings control to the Leeds midfield and dominates most of his individual battles. Simply put: he’s brilliant.
Stach’s team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin deserves an honourable mention.
4) Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland, £9.5m)
If we’re being brutally honest, the signing of Mukiele looked nailed on to be a waste of time and money. It’s been anything but.
Arriving from Paris Saint-Germain after a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, he seemed destined to flop.
Instead, the Frenchman has adapted seamlessly to Premier League football, excelling in both a back four and a back five under Regis Le Bris.
3) Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal, £60m)
Premier League pacesetters Arsenal look excellent and Zubimendi is a big reason why.
The Spaniard has slotted perfectly into the No.6 role, freeing Declan Rice to push forward and setting off a domino effect that’s lifted Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard too.
He keeps things ticking over beautifully, with the defensive steel Mikel Arteta craves. It will take something special to reach Rodri levels of control, but Zubimendi might be the final piece of Arsenal’s title-winning puzzle.
2) Robin Roefs (Sunderland, £9.5m)
Sunderland’s summer business has been a roaring success, and Roefs has been at the heart of it.
The young Dutch goalkeeper has brought calm, composure and confidence between the sticks. We can’t quite believe how good some of Sunderland’s signings have been, and having five of them in this ranking says it all.
1) Granit Xhaka (Sunderland, £13m)
Premier League signing of the season: Granit Xhaka.
We couldn’t believe Xhaka wanted to swap Bayer Leverkusen for Sunderland, especially given the record of newly promoted sides. But his arrival has gone a long way to ensuring the Black Cats buck that trend.
Le Bris’ side remain unbeaten at home since returning to the top flight, with the only game they’ve failed to score in coming in the 0-0 draw against Man City on New Year’s Day.
The Switzerland and Sunderland captain has clearly raised the levels at the Stadium of Light and looks one of the best No.6s in the league, underlining just how vital that position has become.
It’s no coincidence that Zubimendi, Sadiki, Stach and Xhaka are all in this top 10, and that Rodri won the Ballon d’Or last year. The defensive midfield role has become the position every manager wants to build around.
READ MORE: Premier League player power rankings
