TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Premier League transfer window for the summer is closing on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Over the past few months, 20 clubs are shopping around for players to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2026/2027 season.
While there was a lull in the transfer market after the World Cup ended, clubs are now "rushing to get deals done," as the summer deadline is approaching. The Telegraph, citing a leading football agent, said they expect £1 billion to have been spent by the Premier League by the time the window is closed.
The majority of big spenders come from Premier League elites, or 'The Big Six'—Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Manchester United. All of them, bar the Red Devils, have all made nine-figure signings this summer, according to Planet Football.
In fact, Manchester City recently signed Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from France's Lille for 100 million euros, making him the most expensive teenager in Premier League history.
Outside 'The Big Six,' clubs are also making waves as they scramble to rebuild, including Newcastle United and Aston Villa, who are the fourth and eighth biggest spenders this summer, respectively.
Citing Planet Football, here are the top 10 most expensive signings by mid-tier Premier League clubs over the years:
10. Luka Vuskovic - £50 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2026
Clubs: Tottenham - Brighton
The 19-year-old Croatian defender joined Brighton this summer in a £50 million deal, broken up into a guaranteed £46 million plus £4 million in achievable add-ons, according to Sky News. Vuskovic was Spurs' fourth-biggest sale after Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker.
9. Richarlison - £50 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2018
Clubs: Watford - Everton
In 2018, Richarlison was identified as Everton's top transfer target, with The Toffees agreeing to pay £35 million and another £15 million in potential add-ons, breaking the club's record of most expensive signing.
The Brazilian player was sold to Tottenham in 2021, in a package deal worth £60 million, despite his pivotal role in keeping Everton in the Premier League at the time.
8. Amadou Onana - £50 Million
Year of transfer: 2024
Clubs: Everton - Aston Villa
Aston Villa signed Onana to bolster their midfield options after finishing fourth during the Premier League 2023 season.
Despite his impressive performance during the Europa League in 2025/26, he struggled with injury issues, including a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the World Cup.
7. Moussa Diaby - £51.9 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2023
Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen - Aston Villa
Aston Villa agreed to pay a record-breaking £51.9 million for the France international in 2023, where he went to registered six goals and 10 assists that season.
He was later transferred to Al Ittihad for £50.4 million in 2024, and the Saudi Pro League club sold him for reportedly just under €30 million to Leverkusen this year.
6. Yoane Wissa - £55 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2025
Clubs: Brentford - Newcastle United
Yoane Wissa joined Newcastle last summer on a £55 million deal with Brentford. He finished the season with just three goals in 28 appearances, but pledged to "help the team achieve something great" this year under new manager Mattias Jaissle.
5. Sandro Tonali - £55 Million
Year of transfer:
Clubs:
Tonali was among Newcastle's top primary transfer targets in 2023, and a £55 million deal with AC Milan made him The Magpies' first summer transfer that year.
He left the club this year after joining Tottenham in a £100 million deal, with an initial £92.5million and £7.5million in add-ons.
4. Anthony Elanga - £55 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2025
Clubs: Nottingham Forest - Newcastle United
Newcastle gained Elanga in last year's transfer market in a £55 million bid to Nottingham Forest, with add-ons accepted. Planet Football noted his difficult debut that season, registering three goals and two assists across 49 appearances across all competition.
3. Johan Manzambi - £59.5 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2026
Clubs: Freiburg - Aston Villa
After a breakout World Cup with Switzerland, Manzambi signed with Aston Villa for a record-breaking deal of £59.5 million, beating Eddie Howe to the signing.
2. Alexander Isak - £63 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2022
Clubs: Real Sociedad - Newcastle United
Newcastle signed Swedish striker Alexander Isak in a £58 million fee, rising up to £63 million, including add-ons, in 2022. He netted 52 goals the following two seasons, including the winning goal against Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.
He joined Liverpool in September 2025 for a £125 million fee after a summer of protracted negotiations.
1. Nick Woltemade - £69 Million
Year of transfer: Summer of 2025
Clubs: Stuttgart - Newcastle United
The same year of Alexander Isak leaving for Liverpool, Newcastle signed Nick Woltemade for a record-breaking Premier League transfer outside 'The Big Six.' The Magpies dished out an initial £64.7 million plus another £4.3 million in add-ons, taking the overall package to £69 million.
Read: Top 10 Highest-Paid Premier League Signings 2026-27
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
