Despite the Premier League splashing a record-setting $4.5 billion in this transfer window and its spending power making it the most lucrative league to play in, the other top leagues have not shied away from showing their financial might to secure eye-catching deals. While the combined total of the transfer fee spent by the top leagues in Europe is just half of what the English top flight spent in the transfer window, the clubs still managed to lure players with their ambitious projects and season objectives, rather than only spending figures. In this article, we list the top five moves that happened outside of the Premier League in the summer transfer window 2025.
Alex Baena (Villarreal to Atletico Madrid) - $49 million
Turned into a star midfielder for Villarreal, Alex Baena made the next big step of his career by joining one of La Liga’s top three sides in Atletico Madrid this summer window. His transfer cost $49 million, with the 23-year-old playmaker hoping to be the creative hub for Diego Simeone’s side from midfield, which they lacked last season. Baena’s creativity and recording a league high 14 assists last season to help the Yellow Submarine secure Champions League football showed the reason Los Rojiblancos were desperate to pull off his signature.
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth to Real Madrid) - $73.2 million
Dean Huijsen had a breakthrough season with Bournemouth, leading them to their best-ever Premier League performance and catching the eye of city rivals Real Madrid to complete a major $73.2 million deal after activating his release clause. From getting released by Juventus and then reflecting his talent with the Cherris, the 20-year-old turned into a high-profile centre-back for Los Blancos in a season’s time. Huijsen joined to strengthen an injury-ridden defence of Xabi Alonso’s men through his crafty passing skill and excellent positioning with a five-year contract signed at the club.
Ilya Zabarnyi (Bournemouth to PSG) - $73.8 million
Huijsen’s partner at the back, Ilya Zabarnyi, also left Bournemouth this summer to join Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain with a similar fee spent in the transfer. The Ukrainian formed one of the best duos at the centre-back role with Huijsen in the Premier League and caught attention for his leadership qualities and dominance in defending. He adds to the already stacked defensive backline of PSG and offers more options and stability in the club’s hunt to retain their European honour in a more intense season than before.
Luis Diaz (Liverpool to Bayern Munich) - $77 million
One of the most exciting transfers of this summer is Colombian star Luis Diaz moving to Bayern Munich for $77 million. The exciting winger became a key player for Liverpool in three seasons spent with the club, including winning the Premier League in the final one. Diaz contributed to 57 goals, winning the FA Cup and League Cup twice, while also helping the Reds reach the Champions League final in 2022. He expressed his desire to leave Anfield after failed contract extension talks and will now play in the Bundesliga as the third most expensive signing in Bayern’s history. Diaz is another glittering piece to add to the attack for Vincent Kompany’s men, which already contains Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
