Five players who didn’t make expected summer transfers

The summer transfer window has closed for Europe’s top leagues and many big-name players failed to change clubs as expected.

Five high-profile players who didn’t make expected summer transfers

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon)

Goals are arguably the biggest contributing factor to transfer interest and few forwards scored more than Viktor Gyokeres last season. The summer signing from Coventry exploded in a Sporting shirt, netting 43 times in all competitions for the Portuguese champions.

Gyokeres’ goals had Premier League clubs scratching their heads at how they missed out on a talent right on their doorstep, with the Swedish striker swapping the Championship for the Primeira Liga. He ended his debut campaign with 58 goals and assists to earn the Primeira Liga Player of the Year and Bola de Prata (top scorer) awards and attract interest from Europe’s elite.

A hefty €100m (£84m) release clause saw Sporting hold onto their talisman but it remains to be seen for how long. The 26-year-old has picked up where he left off, with seven goals in five games to start the new season.

Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

Martin Zubimendi looked set to leave Sociedad this summer after persistent links with a move away from San Sebastien in recent years. The long-term Arsenal and Barcelona target looked likely to be Liverpool’s first signing under new head coach Arne Slot, though turned down a move to the Premier League in favour of remaining with his boyhood side.

Speaking to Marca on his failed £51m move to Anfield, Zubimendi said: “Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I have spent half my life there. A lot of what I am is part of la Real, it is my life. [Our goal to qualify for] Europe is clear. The higher the position, the better.

“We have to look for our best version and, above all, compete. To feel competitive, to be recognised and to be seen with personality.”

Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)

Despite ending the campaign 15th in the Premier League table, Everton boasted the fourth-best defensive record in the division in 2023/24. A large factor in that was Jarrad Branthwaite, who enjoyed a coming-of-age campaign at Goodison Park.

The 21-year-old returned from a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven to form a strong centre-back partnership with James Tarkowski, providing the foundation for Everton to escape trouble despite their PSR sanctions.

Everton fought to hold onto the defender, who made his England debut in June, in the summer, turning down several offers from Manchester United.

Despite the club’s uncertain financial situation, Everton insisted Branthwaite would not be sold for less than their valuation in excess of £70m. His absence through injury has contributed to the Toffees’ shaky start to 2024/25 and Everton will want him back as soon as possible. Just four Premier League defenders have won a higher percentage of their aerial duels (70.8%) since the start of 2024.

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said this month that he was ‘astounded’ at the lack of concrete interest in Eberechi Eze.

The midfielder scored 11 league goals during an excellent season for the Eagles and was expected to receive serious transfer interest in the summer, with Manchester City and Tottenham admirers. Palace sold Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen for sizeable fees, though managed to hold onto Eze – much to the club’s surprise.

“I was really worried from a club point of view of losing Michael and Ebbs in the same window and we didn’t have in Ebbs the interest that I thought we would have,” Parish told Sky Sports News.

“I was astounded. Genuinely astounded. I mean, the guy’s just an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person.”

Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Nico Williams proved he belonged on the biggest stage after starring during Spain’s success at Euro 2024.

The 22-year-old impressed for Athletic Bilbao in 2023/24 with eight goals and 19 assists in all competitions, before taking that form into the European Championship. He emerged as one of the players of the tournament in a thrillingly dynamic wing partnership with Lamine Yamal and opened the scoring in the final win over England.

Barcelona looked almost certain to sign Williams at one stage this summer, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all monitored his situation closely. Athletic managed to hold onto their leading asset, however, with Williams unwilling to kick up the required fuss to force a move. Expect big bids to arrive for the winger when the window next opens.

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