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Premier League

Midseason Review: Signings That Have Underperformed in 2025–26

Eight costly 2025/26 signings have so far failed to justify the large fees paid for their transfers.

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Premier League clubs again spent heavily in 2025–26, and several high-profile arrivals have fallen short of expectations. The following profiles focus on transfers that, so far, have failed to deliver the impact their fees suggested.

Conor Gallagher arrived at Tottenham Hotspur from Atlético Madrid for $46.6 million amid a relegation fight. His work rate remains evident, but in nearly two months in north London he has had little influence on results. Supporters have grown frustrated by his lack of quality in possession as the team searches for a winter catalyst.

Liam Delap joined Chelsea for $40.6 million but has managed only three goals in 38 appearances, one of which came at the Club World Cup before the current campaign. The towering striker has looked uninspiring under both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, and João Pedro’s strong form has only intensified scrutiny on Delap.

James McAtee cost Nottingham Forest $40.6 million after leaving Manchester City. He has played just 20 times this season and, despite the disruption of four different managers, has missed chances to establish himself domestically and in Europe. Other Forest recruits also disappointed, though some avoided this list.

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Anthony Elanga moved to Newcastle United from Nottingham Forest for $74 million. After productive seasons earlier in his career, he took until November to register his first goal contribution for the Magpies and has produced three goals and an assist across all competitions this term.

Armando Broja’s transfer to Burnley for $26.5 million has not paid off. Having previously scored nine goals with Southampton, Broja has struggled with injuries and form across spells at Chelsea, Fulham, Everton and now Burnley. He has 22 appearances and one goal this season.

Arnaud Kalimuendo completed a summer move to Nottingham Forest but made only 14 appearances and scored two goals before a January loan to Eintracht Frankfurt that includes an option to buy.

Jamie Gittens has scored once in 27 appearances for Chelsea, the goal coming in the Carabao Cup at Molineux, and injuries have limited his impact after a $61.2 million transfer.

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Harvey Elliott left Liverpool for Aston Villa on a loan that could become a $40.6 million permanent move. Villa have restricted him heavily and he has made nine appearances, four in the Premier League, making the future of the deal uncertain.

Premier League

Latest transfer rumours: deals, valuations and reported negotiations

Transfer roundup: United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real linked to multiple targets and fee talks more

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A consolidated look at the latest reported transfer activity, based only on published reports.

Man Utd could lose midfielder Manuel Ugarte as the Red Devils are now reportedly open to doing a deal after previously rejecting loan offers from both Aston Villa and Newcastle (Source: El Pais).

Liverpool face multiple issues on the market. The club are frustrated with Ibrahima Konaté’s continued delays over his contract decision and have issued a deadline for a final verdict. Chelsea and Manchester City have both explored moves for the Frenchman, while there is also interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich (Source: TEAMtalk). Liverpool are also involved in high-profile recruitment battles with Tottenham Hotspur for Al Hilal striker Marcos Leonardo, who is valued at $73.2 million (£55 million) (Source: Fichajes). The same two clubs are set to compete for Juventus centre back Bremer, with Liverpool currently leading Tottenham (Source: Tuttomercatoweb). Liverpool are also considering a move to re-sign former academy winger Harry Wilson on a free transfer (Source: TEAMtalk).

Chelsea are said to need to raise money after posting the biggest losses in Premier League history. The Blues have contacted Barcelona to offer left back Marc Cucurella in a deal worth $46.4 million (€40 million, £34.9 million) (Source: El Nacional).

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Several younger targets and defensive profiles are attracting interest across Europe. Palmeiras have rejected bids of over $29 million (£21.8 million) for 16-year-old winger Eduardo Conceição, after enquiries from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Newcastle (Source: UOL). Newcastle are reportedly looking to sign 19-year-old Real Madrid centre back Diego Aguado (Source: AS). Udinese centre back Thomas Kristensen is being tracked by Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, while AC Milan, Bologna and Juventus are also keen (Source: Tuttomercatoweb). Barcelona want a left-sided defender capable of playing centrally and out wide, with Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori emerging as a target (Source: Fichajes).

In midfield market moves, Real Madrid expect a discount over Enzo Fernández from Chelsea amid tension after the player’s recent comments. Fernández’s price is cited at over $160 million (€140 million, £122 million) (Source: Defensa Central). Chelsea would now be prepared to negotiate with Real Madrid for closer to $116 million (€100 million, £87.2 million) (Source: SPORT). Real Madrid have concerns about paying that figure and would prefer Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha at that price point, with a deal only possible if the Portugal international requests a transfer (Source: AS).

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Real Madrid

Camavinga’s Options: PSG, Liverpool or Staying at Real Madrid

Camavinga weighs leaving Real Madrid after limited minutes; PSG, Liverpool and Madrid remain options. too

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Once viewed as untouchable at Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga finds himself at a career crossroads. Reports suggest the 22-year-old is unhappy with his lack of minutes under Álvaro Arbeloa and could be open to pursuing a transfer this summer, especially if the club follows through with plans to sign a blockbuster midfielder. There is reported interest from several clubs and a baseline valuation of at least $57.7 million (€50 million).

Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain are reported to have reignited interest in Camavinga, who had been admired while at Rennes. The move would be a return to his homeland, but breaking into Luis Enrique’s midfield would be difficult. Vitinha, João Neves and Fabián Ruiz are described as PSG’s controlling trio, which could leave Camavinga without a guaranteed place and facing a similar fight for minutes as he now experiences at Real Madrid. Likelihood: 3/10

Liverpool
Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs linked with Camavinga. Despite a summer in which the club spent around $595 million (£450 million), they did not acquire a defensive midfielder. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister established themselves as Arne Slot’s double pivot in 2024–25, though a steep decline in form for Mac Allister could force Liverpool to consider options. Observers question whether Camavinga is the tempo-setter Liverpool would need if Mac Allister moves on. Likelihood: 4/10

Stay at Real Madrid
Remaining at Real Madrid is still a realistic outcome. Camavinga remains a valued part of Arbeloa’s squad, preferred in more defensively oriented lineups and often the first insertion when midfield injuries occur. He also has established relationships within the dressing room, playing alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, Kylian Mbappé and Ferland Mendy, and he has a good relationship with Vinicius Junior. For a player chasing further success in white, staying at the Bernabéu is an appealing option. Likelihood: 6/10

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Man Utd

Casemiro Urges United to Back Kobbie Mainoo After Midfield Rebound

Casemiro calls for faith in Kobbie Mainoo after his return to the United midfield this season. again.

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Casemiro has publicly urged Manchester United to retain faith in Kobbie Mainoo, stressing the teenager’s potential to be a long-term midfielder for the club. The academy graduate was largely overlooked by former United manager Ruben Amorim, not starting a single Premier League game in the first half of 2025–26. After a minor Christmas injury, Mainoo has been a fixture since Michael Carrick took charge in mid-January, playing all but 14 minutes of the 900 available in the league and starting alongside Casemiro on each occasion.

“Kobbie is the present and the future,” Casemiro told ManUtd.com in a fan Q&A. “I think that he is one of the best eights and can be for that for the next 12 years. He is a player I really like—he always wants the ball.

“It is true that football can’t change your mentality, but Kobbie demonstrated that he hasn’t changed his focus once. He has to continue focusing like he is now and continue playing the important role he is now. But what a player he is, he is a great player. He has demonstrated this, in the Euros final with England, he has demonstrated it in finals, he scored in the [2024] FA Cup final.

“He is the present and the future.”

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Mainoo forced his way into England’s midfield after establishing himself in United’s first team at 18. He had only three caps when Euro 2024 began but won a place in the starting lineup after the group stage as England reached the final. His international involvement then stalled; he played only once more for his country in September 2024 before a club resurgence prompted a recall last month. Mainoo appeared off the bench in England’s draw with Uruguay, started the defeat to Japan and will be targeting a place in Thomas Tuchel’s XI for the Group L opener against Croatia in Arlington on June 17.

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