Every season, there are some high-profile moves that involve obscene amounts of money. But not all of them impress the crowds. This term is no different, though it is early to judge signings after two months. Nonetheless, the more expensive the price tags, the more clubs and fans bank on rapid results. Here are five of the most overrated transfers of the 2025/26 campaign so far.
5. Loïs Openda
You might recognise his name from RB Leipzig. After two years of rocking the Bundesliga, the striker was loaned to Juventus, where he was expected to showcase his skills.
Despite netting over twenty balls with Leipzig, Openda has struggled to adapt to his new squad in Italy. Not only is he without a goal in his first month, but he was also benched in the 2-2 draw against Villarreal in the Champions League. Other than strikes, he should be more involved in the team’s build-up.
4. Douglas Luiz
While Openda was among the disappointing newcomers to arrive at Juventus, Luiz was loaned by the club to Nottingham Forest. He found it challenging to adjust in Italy and was expected to bring more energy to Forest’s dull midfield. However, he battled to impress, with the only highlight being an assist against Real Betis in the Europa League.
Luiz spent his first three games on the bench, though it may have come as a consequence of arriving at a difficult time, shortly before Nuno was fired. His performance against Burnley, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was equally disappointing. Douglas was meant to take more risks and control the match as a midfielder, but so far, that hasn’t been the case.
3. Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha entered the Premier League in 2023 and established himself as the most important forward in Wolverhampton’s attack, leading to a Manchester United move this Summer.
With the institutional crisis the club is going through, it was hoped that Cunha be a relief, but he hasn’t found his place in Ruben Amorim’s puzzle.
He’s become shy on the ball and doesn’t create as much as he used to. His defensive performance has also taken a hit, which raises the question about what he’s become exactly since his transfer. In six appearances, he hasn’t netted a single ball.
Matheus Cunha 👔 pic.twitter.com/c1Kzje0NPQ
— centredevils. (@centredevils) October 9, 2025
It’s not only Cunha’s performances that have become worrying. He came to Manchester as one of the most expensive Summer signings. Priced at 74M€, there were reasonably high expectations. He’s been trusted and given the playtime, but the Brazilian forward has struggled to find his former self.
It does make one wonder about the Red Devils’ scouting, more than the man himself.
2. Benjamin Šeško
Also, a Man United signing, choosing Benjamin Šeško may confirm the hypothesis that it is less about the talent and more about the club’s decisions. Amorim’s side have been looking for a new striker for years, and Šeško answered the call. He was among the promising frontmen and happened to tear the league with Openda.
Šeško entered with the promise of powerful shot-taking technique, who, unlike many in his role, only needed a few touches to make an impact. Instead, he has remained uninvolved in the build-up and has’t been able to replicate his magic at Old Trafford. Red Devils fans waited until late September to see the Slovenian score.
🚨🗣 – Benjamin Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic on Instagram:
“Years ago, I made a promise to a young boy with a dream: together, we would reach the very top.
“Today, that promise has been fulfilled.
“Proud of you, Benjamin.
“The Theatre of Dreams awaits. 🔴.” pic.twitter.com/WaekHXsfey
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) August 9, 2025
A large amount was invested in the player, around 76M€, and Man United were banking on more than two goals by this stage of the campaign. Even when he finds the net, the returns are too few. He’s faced similar issues to Cunha in the sense that he seems void of confidence, incapable of finding comfort in his new team.
The majority of Šeško’s skillset revolve around his powerful ball-strike, which means specific things are expected from him. Yet he’s struggled to make an impact so far and is barely involved in the action. The forward, known for scoring low xG chances, seems to have lost belief in himself.
To his credit, this may be more of a ‘Manchester United’ issue than a Šeško problem. But at the price, and given he knew what he was getting himself into, the sportsman shares responsibility.
1. Florian Wirtz
The transfer fee speaks for itself. Florian Wirtz cost Liverpool 125M€ and has not justified his price tag yet. He still hasn’t scored or assisted in the Premier League. It doesn’t help the ongoing discussion that Bundesliga players struggle in the PL.
Wirtz didn’t just represent any high-profile signing. He was Bayer Leverkusen’s wonderkid in the team who claimed Germany’s top division trophy, and became an academy graduate. He also became a pillar of the DFB, which he continues to do.
However, with Liverpool, it’s a different reality. This was unpredictable, given that he started out well, especially in the pre-season. As time passed, the Reds have seen less of Witz’s adventurous personality and instead have witnessed a more passive impact despite giving him playtime.
Florian Wirtz vs Chelsea
pic.twitter.com/AH8voEUvRw— 🃏 (@kfjcomps_) October 6, 2025
His creativity and chemistry with his teammates at Leverkusen are gone, and he’s instead busier chasing possession instead of showing his creative qualities. This may be linked to the Reds’ faster approach (and the Premier League adaptation), but he is in a functioning system.
At his cost, more is expected of him, especially since some lower-profile signings have performed better.
