·26 May 2026

Premier League clubs spent over £3 billion during the 2025/26 season, but a significant portion of that investment failed to deliver results. Here’s a look at the transfers that disappointed the most this campaign.

Alexander Isak’s immense talent is undeniable, yet his first season at Liverpool has been largely forgettable. After deliberately missing pre-season in order to push through his move from Newcastle to Anfield, he struggled for match fitness. When he finally returned, he appeared off the pace, and a serious leg injury then ruled the Swedish forward out for three months. The £125 million British record signing ended his debut season with only four goals, leaving Liverpool fans expecting far more next year.

At Newcastle, the man brought in to replace Isak forced his own transfer from Brentford under similar circumstances. Following a 19-goal haul in the Premier League last season, Yoane Wissa was seen as an exciting capture, even though the £55 million fee seemed excessive given he had just one year left on his contract. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone according to plan—he managed only one league goal and started just one of Newcastle’s final 22 matches across all competitions. A summer exit now seems likely.

Tottenham’s signing of Randal Kolo Muani last summer was initially considered a major coup after his impressive loan spell at Juventus. The Frenchman had scored eight goals in 16 Serie A appearances during that six-month stint, but in North London, he managed just one in 31 matches for an underperforming Spurs side. Unsurprisingly, the loan deal will not be made permanent.

Harvey Elliott’s loan to Aston Villa turned out to be a complete misstep. The move yielded a mere 110 league minutes, with Villa reportedly preventing him from reaching the 10-game mark that would have triggered a mandatory permanent transfer. Unai Emery openly admitted that the situation was “embarrassing for everyone involved,” and Elliott spent most of Villa’s successful season watching helplessly from the bench.

Armando Broja’s career continues to stall despite multiple opportunities at the top level. The 24-year-old joined Burnley last summer for around £20 million, despite concerns over his fitness and scoring record. He found the net only once as Burnley were relegated, meaning he now has just four goals in his last 84 league outings. A spell in the Championship might be what he needs to revive his faltering career.

Everton made Tyler Dibling their second-most expensive signing ever last summer, but the young winger barely got a chance to prove himself. The 20-year-old featured for just 343 minutes in the Premier League, with David Moyes publicly stating that he needed to “pull his finger out.” That remark does little to inspire optimism about his prospects of turning things around.