The summer transfer window opened on June 1, with clubs beginning to bolster their rosters for the 2025/26 season. Football writer Alex Keble highlights five intriguing attacking talents who could be making their way to the Premier League.
This summer is poised to bring significant attacking additions to the Premier League, possibly ushering in a new generation of stars.
With Kevin De Bruyne leaving the league and only Manchester City maintaining a world-class striker among the top four from the 2024/25 season, clubs are looking to fill the voids.
This transfer window may change the landscape with several prominent No. 9s and No. 10s reportedly attracting interest from Premier League teams.
Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres has emerged as one of Europe’s most coveted strikers after a challenging start at Brighton & Hove Albion and Swansea City.
Under Ruben Amorim at Sporting, he evolved into a versatile centre-forward, showcasing his ability to score in various ways. The 27-year-old demonstrated remarkable skill by netting 39 goals in 33 Primeira Liga matches and an additional six in the UEFA Champions League.
Benjamin Sesko
While he may not match Gyokeres in goal-scoring, 22-year-old Sesko has immense potential to become one of Europe’s leading strikers. Last season, he scored 21 goals in 45 matches for RB Leipzig, including 13 in the Bundesliga.
Despite inevitable comparisons to Haaland due to his height and athleticism, Sesko still needs to refine his skills. He opted to stay at Leipzig last summer for development but may be ready to take on a greater challenge soon.
Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike is proving to be a remarkable talent at just 22. He scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season, demonstrating remarkable creativity beyond his stats.
His ability to generate chances and execute powerful dribbles makes him a special player, justifying the reported £80 million transfer fee.
Rayan Cherki
Just like Ekitike, Cherki has shown rapid growth over the past year. After establishing himself at Lyon, he contributed significantly with 19 goals and assists in Ligue 1 last season.
Regularly compared to Lionel Messi for his dribbling and creativity, Cherki’s playful style is refreshing in modern football. He mainly plays as a No. 10 but can also adapt to different attacking roles.
Florian Wirtz
Wirtz is already an established star and valued highly by Bayer Leverkusen, with a remarkable tally of 67 goal involvements in 75 matches across competitions over the last two seasons.
His ability to excel in transitional play, along with impressive physicality, indicates he would quickly adapt to the Premier League’s demands. If he joins players like Gyokeres, Sesko, Ekitike, and Cherki, the 2025/26 season could witness the emergence of a dazzling new class of superstars.
