The 2025-26 summer transfer window saw significant movement across Europe’s top leagues, with clubs spending heavily to address squad needs. While transfer fees often dominate headlines, the true measure of a successful signing lies in on-pitch impact.
As we approach the October international break, several new arrivals have already justified their moves through exceptional performances. This list examines five transfers that have made the biggest impact in the season’s opening months, from strategic bargains to marquee signings.
5. Martin Zubimendi
Although fans didn’t fall in love with the midfielder from the first game, he has proven to be essential to Mikel Arteta’s tactical plans. The Spanish international, long pursued by multiple Premier League clubs including Liverpool, arrived amid questions about whether his technical style could thrive in England’s physically demanding league. Such doubts often surround elite continental midfielders making the switch.
While Zubimendi lacks imposing physicality, he compensates through exceptional technique and positioning. His distribution of the ball is impeccable, and his presence has helped Arteta improve his team’s efficiency in possession.
Martin Zubimendi at Arsenal so far.
Our signing of the season. pic.twitter.com/u65CavsXBO
— Uzumaki Tony (@thearsfamily97) October 7, 2025
Before his arrival, Declan Rice handled Arsenal’s midfield organization but lacked the same range of passing. Zubimendi’s diagonal balls allow Arteta to stretch opposing defenses, pinning them deeper into their own half while Arsenal maintains territorial control.
Such technical proficiency is common among elite Spanish midfielders, which explains why national team coach Luis de la Fuente selected Zubimendi to replace the injured Rodri. Few players can match Rodri’s dual role as both deep-lying playmaker and defensive screen, but Zubimendi’s skill set makes him one of the rare viable replacements.
4. Dean Huijsen
Dean Huijsen needed just one impressive season at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola to earn a move to Real Madrid. Recruited for his exceptional ball-playing abilities from defense, the young center-back has transformed Xabi Alonso’s tactical approach since the Spanish coach arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu.
In recent seasons, Real Madrid lacked a center-back capable of comfortably advancing the ball under pressure while pushing the defensive line higher. Huijsen has filled this void impressively.
🚨 114 touches, 16/17 long balls, 7 clearances, 7 duels won, 94% passing.
Dean Huijsen is the definition of class. ✨ pic.twitter.com/POFM46ZH1I
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 19, 2025
The 20-year-old has earned similar responsibilities with Spain’s national team, where his maturity and composure belie his age, allowing coaches to trust him with major playmaking duties from deep positions.
When partnered with a more aggressive defender, Huijsen’s lack of physical dominance becomes less problematic as his passing range helps maintain possession. Rather than recycling the ball sideways, he consistently seeks progressive passes that break pressing lines, allowing his team to quickly transition from defense to attack and exploit space in advanced areas.
3. Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona raised eyebrows across both clubs. The Manchester United academy graduate had faced persistent criticism for inconsistent form and questions about his commitment.
After falling out of favor at Old Trafford under new manager Ruben Amorim, the 27-year-old opted for a temporary switch to Catalonia to revive his career and rediscover his confidence.
Rashford’s adaptation proved challenging initially, as he struggled with the intense pressing demands central to Hansi Flick’s philosophy. Under a coach notorious for requiring relentless off-ball work, such deficiencies represented a significant obstacle.
Marcus Rashford – Season So Far pic.twitter.com/qlvjMBAMHm
— Khan (@khanmufc_) October 5, 2025
However, the Englishman has evolved his game, streamlining his dribbling approach and delivering crucial contributions during Barcelona’s difficult patches. His four goals and three assists have often arrived when the team needed them most.
Meanwhile, his developing chemistry with Lamine Yamal and Ferrán Torres has added another dimension to Barcelona’s attack.
After initially serving as backup, Raphinha’s injury thrust Rashford into the starting lineup, where he has since cemented his place. While Barcelona supporters expected a traditional touchline winger who hugs the byline, Rashford’s tendency to drift inside and combine with teammates has brought unexpected benefits to the team’s attacking fluidity.
His success carries added significance given English players’ historically mixed record at Camp Nou, making his adaptation all the more noteworthy.
2. Etta Eyong
Unlike the previous entries featuring Europe’s elite clubs, Etta Eyong has made his mark at newly-promoted Levante.
The 21-year-old initially impressed during Villarreal’s pre-season, scoring multiple goals that earned him supporters’ early approval. His subsequent loan to Levante seemed a step down, but the Cameroonian forward has thrived in Spain’s second city, establishing himself as one of La Liga’s breakout stars and a genuine bargain of the window.
El control de Etta Eyong es salvaje. Si le sale la definición acaba coronándose.
— GRADA B pro (@GradaBpro) September 27, 2025
In eight league appearances, Eyong has scored five goals and provided three assists – exceptional production for a 21-year-old at a newly-promoted side. His profile combines explosive pace with refined technique, while his 181cm frame allows him to compete aerially against La Liga’s physical defenders. Remarkably, he has contributed a goal or assist in seven of Levante’s eight matches, failing to impact only the 1-1 draw with Getafe.
Perhaps most intriguing is Eyong’s modest valuation. While the exact transfer mechanics remain complex due to his loan status, clubs can initiate negotiations from just €15 million – a bargain for a forward averaging a goal contribution every 90 minutes in Europe’s top five leagues.
As January approaches, expect significant interest from mid-table sides across Spain, Germany, and England seeking affordable striking options.
1. Hugo Ekitiké
Hugo Ekitiké headlines this list as the summer’s most impactful signing. Liverpool invested €95 million to secure the 23-year-old French striker from Eintracht Frankfurt, where he terrorized Bundesliga defenses with 28 goals in 34 appearances last season.
Manager Arne Slot desperately needed attacking reinforcement following Darwin Núñez’s €53 million departure to Al-Hilal. While the club also acquired Alexander Isak from Newcastle, it is Ekitiké who has seized the starting role through early-season brilliance. His explosive combination of pace, power, and technical quality has immediately justified Liverpool’s substantial investment.
Ekitiké’s profile combines explosive pace with physical power and sophisticated technical ability. These qualities make him uniquely suited to the Premier League’s demands. His willingness to attempt shots from difficult angles sets him apart from more conservative forwards, and this confidence has translated to immediate production.
hugo-ekitike-lfc.mp4 @hekitike9 pic.twitter.com/9V3PJ6Jplw
— Ous (@fukxumean) October 6, 2025
He marked his Liverpool debut with a goal and assist in the 4-2 demolition of Bournemouth, before netting crucial winners against Newcastle United (3-2) and Southampton (2-1). Through his first nine Premier League appearances, Ekitiké has recorded seven goals and four assists, placing him among the league’s top scorers despite still adapting to a new league and system.
Beyond the statistics, Ekitiké has demonstrated remarkable passion for his new club, though this occasionally manifests as excessive exuberance – his red card for removing his shirt while celebrating against Southampton reflected both his emotional investment and areas for maturity at 23 years old.
This video perfectly encapsulates Hugo Ekitike’s game to a tee.
The ability to control the ball under such duress and then look at his realm of motion empowering him. Those long limbs to carry the ball with such positive intent.
He’s such a genius
— CounterPressers (@CounterPressers) October 1, 2025
More significantly, his tactical versatility enhances his value to Slot’s system. While primarily deployed centrally, Ekitiké’s ability to drift wide or operate as an inside forward provides Liverpool with multiple attacking configurations. His early success has already drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland’s immediate Premier League impact, though Ekitiké’s more complete link-up play suggests a different but equally valuable profile.
At €95 million, Liverpool have acquired not just goals, but a versatile forward capable of defining their attack for the next decade.
