There’s a lot of wild transfers that have shook up the footballing landscape across the summer, but these 10 players who have recently found a new club are going to be part of the Top 10 Wonderkid’s One’s to Watch for the upcoming 2025/2026 campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. There are a multitude of fascinating transfers with promise, but these are proportionally interesting moves that could revolutionize a specific team rather than the biggest 10 names in the transfer market.
10. Timothy Weah (Juventus -> Marseille)
Joining on loan with an obligation to buy, the American Timothy Weah is hoping to revolutionize his career under a team that is willing to give him the spotlight he deserves. The versatile right-sided player wasn’t given much playing time at Juventus for various reasons and leaves the club with his agent and himself having a tenuous relationship with the club. Marseille being an ambitious side in Ligue 1 will be challenging titans PSG and AS Monaco who strengthen with Ansu Fati and Paul Pogba. Various additions join Marseille, though, and Weah is an exciting addition to the rapidly changing side who also recruit the likes of Igor Paixāo and Angel Gomes. They bring back Gabonese veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and finalize the loan of experienced dane Pierre-Emile Højbjerg from Tottenham Hotspur as well, which are indicating of a very exciting and rapidly changing side who already placed well in the previous campaign and hope to improve even further in the coming season.
9. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City -> Napoli)
The Belgian midfielder joins Italian champions Napoli off the back of a disappointing campaign for the former treble-winners Manchester City. A season of hardship and ups and downs saw the experienced Belgium International become a rotation player. Seeking a new challenge, de Bruyne hopes to go back to back and/or reach European glory in the Champions League as he did at Manchester City. It’s a tall task as the champions of Italy see the departure of Osimhen who was already on loan in the last season and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who left after the first part of their title-winning season. Fellow new arrivals such as Noa Lang of PSV and Vanja Milinković-Savić on loan from Torino will hope to be all they need to replicate success but Kevin De Bruyne will provide another element of leadership alongside fellow Belgian veteran Romelu Lukaku. His passing range and winning experience, Napoli hope, will be a welcome addition to an already promising and successful football team.
8. Jhon Arias (Fluminense -> Wolves)
Hopefully you already know who the breakout star at the Club World Cup for Fluminense was, as they barged their way to the semi-finals, proving Brazilian football’s level in the footballing ranking system. It’s Jhon Arias, obviously, and he has proved how amazing he is at this sport at both the Club World Cup and, maybe more quietly, at the 2024 Copa America for Colombia. The right winger has already scored for the club, coming on as a sub in a friendly appearance and is part of a Wolves side that has been stripped of key players in various positions: Matheus Cunha to Manchester City, Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City, Nelson Semedo to Fenerbahçe and Gonçalo Guedes to Real Sociedad just to name a few. They’ve recruited well enough, finalizing loans and bringing in underrated gems, with the main one being Jhon Arias for a bargain at only 17 million euros. He’s a serial winner, having won the league in the Colombian first division and the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense (the South American Champions League equivalent) as the notable silverware in his cabinet. He is also used to struggle, with Fluminense experiencing a recent relegation battle in which he was one of the stars that helped the Brazilian side stay in the top flight. With all of this trophy-winning and relegation-battling expertise, he’ll be a perfect fit to Wolves and one to watch in the upcoming Premier League campaign.
7. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen -> Liverpool)
Liverpool are definitely contenders this summer for the best transfer window in the world. They’ve strengthened across the board whilst also getting rid of players who weren’t comfortable staying at the club and the upgrade of Jeremie Frimpong from Trent Alexander-Arnold cannot be overstated. Whilst Trent’s distribution of the ball is one of the best in the world, Frimpong is one of the worlds’ best in his position. His pacey attributes and ability to go forward and stay back make him a jack of all trades. His parternships already formed with the likes of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and also Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch from the Netherlands national team are going to allow him to slot in perfectly in the backline. The potential for Frimpong is unlimited and the expectations aren’t set too high, with Liverpool already having just won the Premier League. With all of these things in mind, it would not be surprising if he hits the ground running, and don’t be shocked if he ends up being the best right back in the world by the time the season ends.
6. Luis Diaz (Liverpool -> Bayern Munich)
Luis Diaz has been an integral piece in a successful Liverpool side ever since touching down in England. It was clear, though, that some needs were not being met and the two parties were ready to move away from each other. Now moving to German champions, Bayern Munich, Luis Diaz will be linking up with Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala. These exciting attacking options throughout the front four could prove to be the most threatening attack in Europe. Alongside being clear Bundesliga favorites, they could be quite a dark horse for the 25/26 UEFA Champions League. With former left-sided attacker Kingsley Coman finding a move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, the slot is Luis Diaz’s alone to own. The Colombian wingers’ profile is not really that of a marksman, he enjoys influencing the game and making the pass before the assist. Goal contributions are definitely an element of his game but it goes beyond that. It would not be shocking if Luis Diaz rocks the Bundesliga from matchday one.
5. Dean Huijsen (AFC Bournemouth -> Real Madrid)
Dean Huijsen has already been a Real Madrid player for months, but we have yet to see the best of the young Spanish defender. In the club world cup, Huijsen was far and away the best defensive player, key in buildup play out the back for Madrid. His ball distribution paired with defensive capabilities made him one of the better defenders in the tournament, much less Real Madrid. In the Premier League, his calm handling of attackers and height which allowed him to net a plethora of goals off of set pieces. Despite all of the young talent emerging in the Spanish national team in central defense being Pau Cubarsí, Raul Asencio, and Cristhian Mosquera, Huijsen consistently finds himself starting. The promising Spanish defender’s move to the Spanish giant of Real Madrid gives him the stage to prove his quality for the world to see. Huijsen is certainly one to keep an eye on as the 25/26 campaign unfolds.
4. Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad -> Arsenal)
As pre-season concludes, the most impressive and standout performer thus far for Arsenal has undoubtedly been Spanish midfielder Martín Zubimendi. His control of the match is not the only thing he has to offer, but also goal contributions in key moments such as his assist to new Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres in their final match of preseason in a 3-0 win over Athletic Club. After the departure of Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, who now plays for Villarreal in LaLiga, there was a significant hole in the midfield of the Gunners. Zubimendi is proving to be a very promising signing going into the 25/26 season and has pre-established connections with the likes of David Raya, Kepa, and Mikel Merino from the Spanish national team, and the latter also playing with Zubimendi at Real Sociedad. A serial winner for club and country, Zubimendi has already won the Copa Del Rey with Real Sociedad and both the 2024 Euros and 22/23 Nations League. His winning experience and bottomless toolbox will be crucial for any run in any competitions for Arsenal in the 25/26 season and he is definitely a player to keep track of going into the season.
3. Richard Rios (Palmeiras -> Benfica)
This may be a surprising pick to the casual football viewer but Richard Rios was the most important piece to the puzzle that was Palmeiras. He was instrumental in their deep run in the Club World Cup and impressed for Colombia at the 2024 Copa America in the United States. Being scouted by big European teams for seasons on end, no-one was willing to take a chance on him. Benfica swooped in and he already featured in the Portuguese Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, a cup final that featured Portuguese champions Sporting CP and Benfica. Richard Rios was a revelation, creating the chance that led to the winning goal in their 1-0. Additionally he featured in a 2-0 win in Champions League qualifying against OGC Nice of France. The ability to control the match is present in each match he plays, with an impressive passing range, ability to create and finish off chances, even from far out, and a physical tenacity, he is going to revolutionize the Benfica side, similar to how Enzo Fernandez did in the 22/23 campaign, likely to a less impactful degree. It would not be shocking if Rios finds a move to an even bigger European giant after what will (I predict to) be a successful season.
2. Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting -> Arsenal)
This may be the pick with the least to explain out of all of them. The swedish striker is coming off of having the most goals in all of Europe and winning the Portuguese league and cup. His goalscoring ability is world-renowned and he was a target for various European giants such as Manchester United, Arsenal, their eventual buyers, and so-on. He’s already hit the ground running, having scored in pre-season against Athletic Club and linking up with established players and fellow newcomers. His aspirations are that of a serial winner, having already played in England for Coventry and Brighton and won in a competitive league and cup competition for Sporting. Whilst there are plenty of people skeptical of how he sizes up to Premier League opposition, his hat-trick in a win against Manchester City in the Champions League last season is proof that he has what it takes to get the win over a Premier League team. Arsenal have been calling out for an out-and-out striker for seasons on seasons, with forwards like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus missing out on areas of their game, largely goalscoring ability. The amount of chance creation facilitated by the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice and so on is so plentiful that the missed chances often cost Arsenal massively. Viktor Gyökeres, and to a greater extent, Arsenal, is certainly one to watch for the 25/26 season.
1. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen -> Liverpool)
It would be strange to pick someone other than German star Florian Wirtz as the player with the greatest potential heading in to the 25/26 season. English title holders Liverpool want to level up to the next level and Wirtz could very well be the key to them reaching the next step. With key departures in attacking areas such as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nuñez, the creative output must be maintained by the german in tandem with Hugo Ekitike, who could have been a candidate for this list. Wirtz is largely considered as the best attacking midfielder in world football and his place in the team is already confirmed after two amazing seasons at Bayer Leverkusen where he won the DfB Pokal as well as the Bundesliga whilst going unbeaten. He’s already netted a goal contribution via an assist in the Community shield loss to Crystal Palace as well as a pre-season friendly goal against Yokohama Marinos. The depth he provides is also substantial, with his backup in the attacking midfielder position now being Dominik Szoboszlai and even Harvey Elliott. He does have a lot of pressure though, seeing as his transfer broke the English transfer record and he is coming into an already successful side. Despite all of these factors, though, Florian Wirtz is the most promising transfer to keep watch of in the 25/26 campaign for Liverpool.