The 2026 FIFA World Cup ended and clubs rushed to reshape squads for the 2026-27 season. Barcelona made an early splash, signing England forward Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for €70 million, signalling renewed spending power after navigating La Liga’s financial rules. Not to be outdone, Real Madrid secured left back Marc Cucurella from Chelsea for €55 million before he helped Spain win the tournament.

The Julián Álvarez saga dominated headlines, with Atlético Madrid rejecting bids from both Barcelona (€100 million) and Real Madrid (€150 million) while the player insisted on a move. Meanwhile, AC Milan stunned Serie A by paying €74 million for PSG striker Gonçalo Ramos. Free agency flourished: Real Madrid added Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konaté, while Tottenham Hotspur splurged on defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, then landed midfielders Mateus Fernandes (£85 million) and Sandro Tonali (£92.5 million).

Spurs’ spending spree continued with a £52 million deal for Jan Paul van Hecke and a £46 million sale of Luka Vuskovic to Brighton. Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move to Nottingham Forest briefly made him the most expensive British player ever, setting a benchmark for midfield fees. Manchester United avoided that premium, signing Andrey Santos for £48 million and Youri Tielemans for £35 million, while Newcastle United saw their Víctor Muñoz deal hijacked by Liverpool.