While the likes of Alexander Isak will get most of the attention following this summer’s record-breaking transfer window, there are plenty of deals that were just as impressive which went under the radar.
Here, we’ve ranked what we think are the best underrated Premier League transfers of the window. These are players who may not seem like immediate successes, but could turn out to make a huge impact on their respective teams’ fortunes.
From left-field signings to snazzy loan deals, there have been plenty of intriguing transfers at the start of the 2025/26 season.
Ranking factors
To put these transfers in the right order, we have considered the following factors:
- Quality – how much quality they add to their new team
- Expected success – the heights they could reach at their new club
- Financial sense – comparing the quality of the player to their transfer fee
- Club status – whether a club has punched above their weight to seal a transfer
- Importance – how vital they could be to their new club’s season
8: Anthony Elanga to Newcastle
Signed from Nottingham Forest for £55m
Newcastle United’s capture of Anthony Elanga may not have been the most glamorous of signings, with the Swede just the latest player to move between Tyneside and Nottingham in recent years.
But with the Toon’s right wing looking somewhat stale, the pacey Elanga could be just what they need to bolster their attack – particularly in the wake of Alexander Isak’s exit.
It’s a hefty fee, but with one of the league’s fastest players joining Eddie Howe’s side, they have a new dimension that could worry a few top-flight defences.
7: Estevao to Chelsea
Signed from Palmeiras for £29m
Estevao arrived at Chelsea in the summer following a lot of hype, and at just 18, he won’t be expected to hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.
But this move has the makings of a slow burner, and if his performances for Palmeiras and his early outings for the Blues are anything to go by, he could yet blossom into one of the game’s finest young talents within a few years.
Who knows, their £29m outlay might look like nothing if he starts to deliver the goods.
6: Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford
Signed from Liverpool for £18m
Brentford pulled off a fine coup by securing the services of Caoimhin Kelleher, who was seeking first-team opportunities following years as Liverpool’s No 2.
That the Bees found themselves at the front of the queue is a credit to their recruitment team, while their sale of Mark Flekken means that they didn’t dip too deep into their pockets to seal the deal.
Kelleher has proven himself as one of the league’s more reliable shot-stoppers in recent years, and recorded the second-highest percentage of clean sheets in the Premier League (40%) among those who appeared at least 10 times (as per FBref).
With Brentford losing some star names, having a quality goalkeeper between the sticks could be a masterstroke in the long run.
5: Anton Stach to Leeds
Signed from Hoffenheim for £17m
It was imperative that Leeds United got their transfer business right as they seek to stay up as a newly promoted club, and their signing of Anton Stach from the German Bundesliga may well turn out to be an inspired one.
With Stach ranking highly last season in that competition for tackles and interceptions, he could yet provide the defensive solidity required to keep seasoned Premier League defences at bay.
Perhaps understated because of his role in a struggling Bundesliga side, the two-cap 26-year-old clearly knows what it takes to prevail in a relegation scrap, which could help Leeds’ cause immensely.
4: Harvey Elliott to Aston Villa
Signed on loan from Liverpool
Aston Villa had a rather underwhelming window, with Unai Emery’s side making just two signings before a late flurry of action on deadline day.
Part of their last-minute activity was an exciting deal for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who joins the Villans on loan with an obligation to buy for £35m, albeit with a sell-on fee and a buy-back clause.
Liverpool’s insistence on the latter clause is evidence of the promise Elliott possesses, and he joins just months after helping to steer England U21s to European Championship glory.
Villa will be grateful that they won the race for his signature, particularly after selling Jacob Ramsey as PSR constraints bite. With not having to pay anything until next year, this deal could yet become a raving success.
3: Joao Palhinha to Tottenham Hotspur
Signed on loan from Bayern Munich
Spurs signing Joao Palhinha would have been impressive enough had they prised him from Fulham before his move to Bayern Munich, but capitalising on an opportunity to bring him to north London could be a stroke of genius from Thomas Frank.
While his loan transfer points to things not going to plan in Bavaria, Spurs will surely be on to a winner if they can restore the Portuguese midfielder to the levels he displayed at Craven Cottage between 2022 and 2024, where he was key to Fulham consolidating themselves as a solid Premier League outfit after promotion.
Palhinha was the Premier League’s top tackler in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, while among Spurs midfielders, only Yves Bissouma placed inside the top 20 in the latter season.
So, there is data to suggest Frank may have made a significant upgrade to his midfield in N17 without even paying a transfer fee.
2: Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal
Signed from Real Sociedad for £60m
With all the pre-summer talk at Arsenal being dominated by who would fill the gaping void at centre-forward, there was considerably less fanfare when Martin Zubimendi joined from Real Sociedad in the window’s early weeks.
Another potential reason for this is that the Gunners had worked for so long on this deal, that many knew it was coming. But it was perhaps not until the Spaniard pulled on an Arsenal shirt when he looked like he could be a very shrewd signing indeed.
He came in for praise during pre-season and entered the first international break with Arsenal yet to concede from open play, before scoring twice on his return from Spain duty.
It is early days, but if he continues to dictate games from midfield in this manner, Arsenal’s £60m fee will look a snip – particularly if they end up with silverware.
1: Tijjani Reijnders to Man City
Signed from Milan for £46.5m
A £46.5m signing is cheap by Manchester City’s standards, but to get a player of Tijjani Reijnders’ class is a deal worth celebrating.
The Dutchman was named the best midfielder in Serie A during 2024/25, as he almost quadrupled his goal tally from the previous season, shining in a rather uninspiring Milan side.
He also scored on his City debut to suggest his performances were no flash in the pan, and for a player hitting his prime years, Pep Guardiola perhaps won’t have believed his luck, having had to face the unenviable task of replacing Kevin De Bruyne.
With other deals stealing the limelight this summer, we wouldn’t be surprised if this one ends up as one of the best.
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