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SCMP Sport

The English Premier League’s elite have been busier than ever this summer.
Whether it’s bringing in top-class talent from abroad or raiding the mid-table clubs for their most important assets, no one seems to be standing still.
Of course, it’s been a more productive summer for some than others.
So as we near the end of pre-season, let’s take a look at how a busy summer of transfer business is shaping the 2025-26 campaign – and the consequences for your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team.
Liverpool

The champions have not rested on their laurels, with a spending spree in the region of US$340 million ... so far.
An eye-watering British record sum of US$145m (before add-ons) was splashed out on midfielder Florian Wirtz alone. Known for his industry and creativity, his FPL price is £8.5m.
Defenders Emmanuel Frimpong and Milos Kerkez also arrived this summer, with both available at £6.0m – the highest fee available for a defender.
Attacking addition Hugo Ekitike (£8.5m) could see his status change should the Reds strengthen further amid interest in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£10.5m).
Arsenal
Runners-up for the third season running, with many observers pointing to a lack of firepower.
Well, step up, Viktor Gyokeres (£9.0m), who arrived from Sporting Lisbon off the back of a season in which he scored 54 goals across all competitions.
Other noted arrivals were midfielders Martin Zubimendi (£5.5m) from Real Sociedad, Noni Madueke (£7.0m) – who scored 120 FPL points last campaign – from Chelsea and Christian Norgaard (£5.5m), as well as defender Cristhian Mosquera (£5.5m) from Valencia.
Manchester City
The reaction to an uncharacteristically poor campaign was an outlay of more than US$200m this summer.
Midfield reinforcements Tijjani Reijnders (£5.5m) and Rayan Cherki (£6.5m) will be tasked with bolstering the supply line to star striker Erling Haaland (£14.0m).
Goalkeeper James Trafford (£5.0m) and defender Rayan Ait-Nouri (£6.0m) will look to improve things at the other end of the pitch.
Chelsea

The recently crowned Club World Cup winners have been busy as ever when there is transfer activity to be had.
Forwards Joao Pedro (£7.5m) and Liam Delap (£6.5m), midfielders Jamie Gittens (£6.5m), Estevao (£6.5m) and Dario Essugo (£4.5m) as well as defenders Mamadou Sarr (£4.5m) and Jorrel Hato – who has yet to receive an FPL rating – are in.
And there are likely to be more arrivals, with Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho (£6.5m) and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons linked with moves.
Tottenham Hotspur
It’s been a summer of change for the Europa League winners, with Thomas Frank taking over as manager and captain Son Heung-min departing.
Midfielders Mohamed Kudus (£6.5m) and Joao Palhinha, along with defenders Kevin Danso (£4.5m) and Kota Takai (£4.0m), have been the big bits of incoming business so far.
After a failed bid for Morgan Gibbs-White, more incomings are expected.
The rest
Despite Newcastle United ending their 70-year domestic trophy drought and qualifying for the Champions League, it’s been a frustrating summer.
Midfielder Anthony Elanga (£7.0m) and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale are their two main pieces of business, with several players linked opting for moves elsewhere.
Among them were midfielders Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m), who scored 236 points last campaign, and Matheus Cunha (£8.0m), who both joined Manchester United.
Recent reports suggest both clubs are keen on Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.
Brighton’s business is always worth keeping an eye on, and they splashed out US$40m on 18-year-old Greek forward Charalampos Kostoulas (£5.0m) as well as Italian defender Diego Coppola (£4.5m).
Nottingham Forest replaced Elanga with Bologna’s Dan Ndoye (£6.0m) in a deal worth US$48.6m, while Everton signed striker Thierno Barry (£6.0m) from Villarreal.
Elsewhere, newly promoted Sunderland have made seven first-team signings – including Bundesliga winner Granit Xhaka.


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English Premier League

Fantasy Premier League: all you need to know, as Liverpool, Arsenal, City spend big

Record Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz in pre-season action against AC Milan at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: AP

New Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike (left) with Virgil van Dijk in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro celebrates his goal against PSG in the Club World Cup final. Photo: Kyodo

Son Heung-min makes tearful farewell to Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul

Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min applauds fans after playing what is expected to be his last game for the club. Photo: Reuters

Son Heung-min acknowledges fans at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

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Arsenal fans watch their team’s match against Tottenham Hotspur last Thursday. Photo: Elson Li

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard leads his team in thanking the Kai Tak Stadium crowd. Photo: Sam Tsang

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah takes on AC Milan at Kai Tak. Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Football

Champions get even stronger while challengers aim to close the gap, as season kick-off approaches


Champions get even stronger while challengers aim to close the gap, as season kick-off approaches.


Fantasy Premier League (FPL)

Noni Madueke

Alexander Isak

Fantasy Premier League: all you need to know, as Liverpool, Arsenal, City spend big

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Champions get even stronger while challengers aim to close the gap, as season kick-off approaches

Liverpool

Champions get even stronger while challengers aim to close the gap, as season kick-off approaches