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As the 2025-26 Premier League season nears its end, it’s time to reflect on a campaign packed with drama and unpredictability. Arsenal ultimately overcame Manchester City to secure the championship, while the battle for European qualification and the fight to avoid relegation are still alive heading into the final matchday.

Like every season, several new arrivals have made a big impact – though identifying hidden gems has become increasingly challenging for Premier League clubs due to the global nature of scouting. Spending heavily on proven talent, however, carries its own risk – with expectations so high that any underperformance is harshly judged.

That has certainly been the case for several high-profile and costly signings this season. The GOAL editorial team in the UK has ranked the top 20 most disappointing transfers of the Premier League campaign, evaluated on performance, expectations and overall value for money:

20. Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea & Leeds United) – loan

Facundo Buonanotte’s season has been one of frustration, featuring two failed loan spells. After impressing at Leicester City, Leeds United moved to secure him from Brighton, only for Chelsea to hijack the deal. Questions about his suitability for Chelsea quickly proved valid as he was subbed off at halftime in his debut and didn’t feature again before moving to Leeds in January. Unfortunately, his time in West Yorkshire was no better – managing just two substitute appearances by the end of January and failing to even make the bench for much of the second half of the season.

19. Evann Guessand (Aston Villa) – £26m

Restricted by Profit and Sustainability Rules, Aston Villa made mostly low-cost moves last summer, but spent £26 million on Nice forward Evann Guessand after his productive Ligue 1 season. The gamble didn’t pay off – Guessand went goalless and assist-less in 13 league outings before being loaned to Crystal Palace in January. With four years left on his contract, his Villa Park future looks uncertain.

18. Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool) – £29.5m

Liverpool’s £450 million summer splurge has largely disappointed, and Jeremie Frimpong’s debut season has been blighted by injuries. The Dutch full-back, seen as a potential successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold, has struggled to stay fit and find consistency. Even when available, Arne Slot often used Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones at right-back instead, suggesting Frimpong may be better suited to a more advanced role – though he will need to improve significantly if he is to eventually replace Mohamed Salah.

17. Xavi Simons (Tottenham) – £52m

After Chelsea cooled their interest, Tottenham signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig to fill their attacking midfield void. Despite flashes of skill, the Dutchman’s first Premier League season has been underwhelming, registering just two goals and five assists before an ACL injury ended his campaign in April. Spurs will hope he recovers well and can fulfil his potential under Roberto De Zerbi next season.

16. Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City) – £46.5m

Tijjani Reijnders made a stunning debut for Manchester City, scoring and assisting against Wolves, but his form quickly faded. The ex-AC Milan midfielder has slipped down the pecking order, making only five league appearances since February. His tally of five goals and two assists is far below expectations, and he will need to improve under Enzo Maresca to make a lasting impact at the Etihad.

15. Arnaud Kalimuendo (Nottingham Forest) – £26m

Nottingham Forest won the race to sign prolific Ligue 1 striker Arnaud Kalimuendo last summer, but his impact has been minimal. Without a single league start and only 88 minutes across nine substitutes’ appearances, he was loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt in January. Forest will hope the German club make his move permanent soon.

14. Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace) – £35m

Brennan Johnson, Tottenham’s Europa League hero last season, joined Crystal Palace in January after falling out of favour under new manager Thomas Frank. But his fresh start has yet to bear fruit – 18 league games without a goal and just one assist. Restoring his form will be a major challenge for Palace’s next boss.

13. Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United) – £65m

Nick Woltemade began brilliantly at Newcastle, scoring four goals in his first five games, but his momentum evaporated after an own goal handed Sunderland derby victory in December. A 17-match scoring drought followed, and Eddie Howe eventually used him more in midfield than attack, raising doubts about his future as Newcastle’s main striker.

12. Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest) – £34m

Dan Ndoye seemed destined for a strong season after scoring on his Forest debut and assisting the following week. But those proved to be his only league contributions. Out of the starting XI since early December, most of his minutes came in Europe. With Forest likely trimming their squad, Ndoye could be among those moved on.

11. James Trafford (Manchester City) – £27m

Manchester City triggered James Trafford’s buy-back clause after his impressive stint at Burnley, intending for him to replace Ederson. However, a poor debut against Tottenham saw him replaced by Gianluigi Donnarumma, relegating him to cup duties only. Though he helped City lift two trophies, Trafford will likely need to move again to get consistent top-flight football.

10. Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) – £40m

With Andy Robertson nearing the end of his contract, Liverpool brought in Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth as his successor. The Hungarian’s debut was disastrous as he struggled against Antoine Semenyo, and opposition teams often targeted him thereafter. Though he improved slightly, Kerkez still has a long way to match Robertson’s influence.

9. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) – £100m

Liverpool beat Bayern Munich and Manchester City to sign Florian Wirtz in a club-record deal, but the German star has underdelivered. His first assist came only in December, and his first goal soon after. Wirtz’s struggles with the league’s physicality and Arne Slot’s tactical setup have limited him to five goals and four assists – far below the lofty expectations.

8. Tyler Dibling (Everton) – £35m

After catching the eye at Southampton, teenager Tyler Dibling joined Everton to bolster their attack. But he has rarely featured – starting only four matches and appearing once as a late substitute since February. The potential return of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City could push Dibling even further down the pecking order.

7. Liam Delap (Chelsea) – £30m

Liam Delap’s move to Chelsea has continued the club’s No.9 curse. After joining from Ipswich Town, he has managed just one goal in 27 league appearances. Injuries, poor finishing and a lack of confidence have defined his disappointing first season in west London.

6. Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) – £40m

After falling out with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, Alejandro Garnacho joined Chelsea for £40 million. However, the Argentine has struggled to impress, scoring only once in the league back in October and providing four assists. His work ethic and attitude have been questioned by fans increasingly frustrated with his inconsistency.

5. Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United) – £52m

Anthony Elanga excelled at Nottingham Forest but has failed to replicate that form at Newcastle. The Swedish winger has not scored in the league and has only one assist since November. Despite his hefty transfer fee, his performances have been poor, and he has started less than half of Newcastle’s league matches.

4. Harvey Elliott (Aston Villa) – loan

Harvey Elliott’s loan to Aston Villa was supposed to revitalize his career after shining for England’s Under-21s. However, Unai Emery was unwilling to trigger the £35 million obligation clause, resulting in Elliott making just four league appearances. Unable to move again due to FIFA rules, he spent most of the season sidelined, with Emery labelling the situation “embarrassing.”

3. Jamie Gittens (Chelsea) – £48.5m

Dubbed the ‘new Jadon Sancho’, Jamie Gittens joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund but has failed to impress. Limited to five league starts before a hamstring injury in January, the 21-year-old has much to prove as Xabi Alonso prepares to take charge at Stamford Bridge.

2. Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) – £50m

Yoane Wissa’s transfer from Brentford to Newcastle has been a major letdown. After forcing his move through a pre-season strike, he arrived injured and didn’t debut until December. Despite scoring once that month, he has since gone 14 league games without a goal. Having lost his place in February, Wissa could depart after representing DR Congo at the World Cup.

1. Alexander Isak (Liverpool) – £125m

Liverpool’s record-breaking £125 million signing of Alexander Isak was one of the summer’s biggest stories. The striker forced his exit from Newcastle by refusing to train, but his lack of match fitness was evident immediately. A broken fibula sustained while scoring against Tottenham in December compounded a miserable debut season that yielded just three league goals in 14 appearances. Isak has struggled to fit into Arne Slot’s system, and unless things change quickly, he risks being remembered as one of the Premier League’s most expensive flops.