Top 10 Premier League Signings of the 2024-25 Season

 

Top 10 Premier League Signings of the 2024-25 Season

As the 2024-25 Premier League season nears its end, TRENDINGBLOG247 highlights the new signings who have made the biggest impact in England’s top flight. Premier League clubs spent over £2 billion ($2.7bn) on new players in the 2024-25 transfer windows, reinforcing England’s status as the prime destination for Europe’s elite talent. However, many high-profile signings have failed to justify their price tags or reputations. Some have been outright flops, like Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho at Chelsea, while others, such as Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt, are still proving their worth. Federico Chiesa’s lackluster debut season at Liverpool after his move from Juventus has been particularly disappointing. Smaller clubs haven’t fared much better, with Niclas Fullkrug and Eddie Nketiah underperforming at West Ham and Crystal Palace, respectively. Loan deals like Kalvin Phillips to Ipswich Town and Raheem Sterling to Arsenal have also flopped. Yet, amidst the missteps, several signings have shone brightly, with this season marking a high point for savvy recruitment in the Premier League. Unexpected bargains have emerged, challenging the dominance of the wealthiest clubs. With that, TRENDINGBLOG247 ranks the top 10 signings of the season...

Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) - £59m Omar Marmoush, Manchester City's sole January signing on this list, has made an immediate impact at the Etihad. The 26-year-old Egyptian striker, previously prolific at Eintracht Frankfurt, has scored six goals in his first 14 Premier League games, including a brilliant hat-trick in a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle. Capable of playing across the front line, Marmoush is seen as a long-term replacement for Julian Alvarez, excelling in half-spaces and stepping up as a central striker during Erling Haaland’s injury absence. His seamless adaptation is even more impressive given City’s recent struggles, as noted by Pep Guardiola: "He joined mid-season when we’re not at our best. It’s easy to adapt when everything’s flowing, but to perform when the team’s struggling shows real quality." Despite City’s dip in form, Marmoush’s early performances suggest a bright future—though the FA Cup final remains a sore subject!

Evanilson (Bournemouth) - £40m Bournemouth shattered their transfer record to sign Evanilson from Porto after losing Dominic Solanke to Tottenham. The Brazilian striker has admirably filled Solanke’s shoes, scoring 10 Premier League goals despite missing the first two months of 2025 with a broken foot. Since regaining fitness, Evanilson has been exceptional, netting five goals in nine starts, including a dramatic late winner against Arsenal. Andoni Iraola’s recruitment coup has delivered a clinical finisher and commanding target man poised to lead Bournemouth’s attack for years. “He’s a top-class striker with great movement and natural finishing ability,” said former midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, praising Evanilson’s impact. A key factor in Bournemouth’s push for a top-10 finish, Evanilson now has his sights set on a Brazil call-up for the 2026 World Cup.

Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) - £13m Ismaila Sarr showed flashes of potential at Watford but truly began to shine at Marseille last season, prompting Crystal Palace to bring the dynamic Senegal forward back to the Premier League. He’s seamlessly integrated into Oliver Glasner’s attacking system, thriving as a supporting act to Jean-Philippe Mateta and linking up effectively with Eberechi Eze. Sarr’s 13 goal contributions in the top flight highlight his growing impact, with his late box runs and rapid dribbling slicing through defenses. His improved end product is evident, leading Palace in big chances created this term. Having found his groove, Sarr is a key reason Palace look more potent than ever. If he maintains this trajectory, a European push in 2025-26 is within reach for Glasner’s side.

Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves) - Loan Celta Vigo endured a lackluster 2023-24 La Liga season, finishing 13th for the second consecutive year, but Jorgen Strand Larsen stood out as their star performer. The Norwegian striker’s 13 goals in Spain’s top flight caught Wolves’ attention, leading to his loan move. In the Premier League, he has matched that tally with two games remaining. While Matheus Cunha has earned praise for keeping Wolves clear of relegation, Strand Larsen trails him by just two league goals and excels in hold-up play. His tireless off-the-ball work has also won over manager Vitor Pereira, who in April praised his fighting spirit and defensive contributions, saying, “He’s a player that I like the profile of.” Wolves can reportedly secure Strand Larsen permanently for £23m ($31m) this summer—a likely priority for Pereira, especially with Cunha linked to Manchester United.

Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace) - £15m Crystal Palace faced a tough start to the season after losing key players like Michael Olise, Joachim Andersen, and Jordan Ayew. New signing Maxence Lacroix, a standout centre-back from Wolfsburg in last season’s Bundesliga, initially took time to settle but has since shone in the Premier League. Playing in a back three with Marc Guehi and Trevor Chalobah, Lacroix has been pivotal to Palace’s turnaround since November, even scoring in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester City. The Frenchman’s blistering pace, high footballing intelligence, and precise passing make him a formidable presence. His commanding style has bolstered Oliver Glasner’s side, turning them into tough opponents. If Lacroix maintains this form at Selhurst Park, top clubs are likely to come calling.

Liam Delap (Ipswich Town) - £20m

Liam Delap, a Manchester City academy graduate, made only six senior appearances under Pep Guardiola before joining Ipswich Town on a five-year deal in 2024. Despite Ipswich's relegation, the 21-year-old English striker excelled, scoring 12 Premier League goals, including a notable brace in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. Pundit Danny Murphy, on BBC's Match of the Day 2, hailed him as a potential successor to Harry Kane for England. Son of former Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap, Liam combines physicality, technical ability, and a natural goal-scoring instinct. His performances make a strong case for him to stay in the Premier League, with Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly vying for his signature.

Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) - £35m

Newcastle reluctantly sold Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest to meet the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), a move that frustrated manager Eddie Howe. The 22-year-old has since elevated his game to new heights at Forest, proving his worth. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo praised Anderson’s talent, telling Sky Sports in November, “He’s an amazing talent for such a young player. He knows he’s good but wants to improve. We’re thrilled to have him. It was a great deal.” Given Anderson’s performances, his value has likely doubled since the transfer. Versatile enough to play centrally or wide, Anderson has been pivotal in Forest’s rise from relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls. The England U21 star excels as a progressive dribbler with an outstanding passing range, notching six assists so far. Adding goals to his repertoire could make him a complete midfielder, with senior England call-ups potentially on the horizon.

Mikel Merino (Arsenal) - £32m Mikel Merino’s arrival at Arsenal from Real Sociedad last summer wasn’t the glamorous signing fans craved. Fresh off Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, some questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to sign another midfielder instead of a top striker. Yet, the 28-year-old has proven his worth, evolving into a dual-threat for the Gunners. Injuries hampered his early season, but Merino has been pivotal in 2025, stepping into a centre-forward role to cover for absent stars Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Six of his seven Premier League goals have come since January, including a decisive strike in a London derby against Chelsea. A composed technician with sharp game-reading skills, Merino’s aerial prowess has added a fresh dimension to Arsenal’s attack. His versatility has been crucial in keeping Arsenal competitive, likely sparing them a battle for a top-five spot.

Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) - £13m "Composed and effortless, he makes the game look so easy," Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports, praising Dean Huijsen's standout performance in Bournemouth's victory at Arsenal. "For a 20-year-old to play at this level, it’s no wonder he’s coveted across Europe. He’s the complete package." Redknapp’s assessment rings true. Huijsen has shone in his debut season at Bournemouth, leaving Juventus regretting their bargain sale. Now the continent’s most sought-after young centre-back, he’s earned a Spain national team call-up and is set to join Real Madrid for £50m ($67m), fending off Premier League rivals. An aggressive defender with exceptional distribution, Huijsen has been pivotal to Bournemouth’s success, while also contributing offensively, including a superb header in his third Premier League goal at Arsenal. Despite English media’s tendency to overhype talent, Huijsen’s potential is limitless, poised to become a global star at the Bernabeu.

Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest) - £12m Nikola Milenkovic stands out as the premier signing of the 2024-25 Premier League season and one of the best value-for-money acquisitions in the competition’s history. After a standout Euro 2024 with Serbia, the 27-year-old joined Nottingham Forest from Fiorentina, forming an impregnable defensive partnership with Murillo. This duo has neutralized some of the league’s top strikers, transforming Forest’s backline. Last season, Forest had the fifth-worst defensive record in the Premier League, struggling particularly with set-pieces. Milenkovic, at 6'4, has rectified these issues. Forest have conceded just 45 goals this season—only five teams have a better record with Milenkovic excelling both aerially and on the ground. Described as a “man-mountain” by Jamie Carragher, Milenkovic combines strength, speed, composure, and exceptional game-reading ability. He’s also a menace in attack, scoring five league goals. His impact keeps Forest in contention for Champions League qualification. Milenkovic’s dominance raises questions about why clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham, previously linked with him, didn’t secure his signature earlier. He’s been nothing short of monumental.

See also: Wolves' Vitor Pereira Wins Manager of the Month Award After Dramatic Turnaround