European clubs have already blown past last summer’s spending pace, with nearly a billion dollars committed before August. Some of these deals were months in the making. Others came together in a matter of days. Either way, the 2026 summer window is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in recent memory.
Here is the most expensive XI assembled from this summer’s transfers so far. Whether these players actually fit together as a team is another question entirely. But the math is what it is.
Goalkeeper: Ewen Jaouen — Newcastle United ($30.8M)
Newcastle kicked off their summer by grabbing the 20-year-old from Reims for around $30.8 million. Jaouen broke through in Ligue 2 last season, helping Reims push for promotion before falling just short. He’s raw but athletic, and the club is betting on his upside.
Right Back: Marco Palestra — Chelsea ($59.8M)
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso got his first big signing in Marco Palestra, a 21-year-old who spent last season on loan at Cagliari. Palestra was named Serie A’s Best Defender and earned his first Italy cap. Chelsea paid around $59.8 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Center Back: Jeremy Jacquet — Liverpool ($70M)
Liverpool agreed to this one back in January, with Jacquet staying at his club until the summer. He joins at a tricky time. Ibrahima Konate left for Real Madrid, so the pressure is on the 23-year-old to hit the ground running.
Center Back: Jan Paul van Hecke — Tottenham Hotspur ($66.2M)
Tottenham has been the most aggressive club in Europe this window. Van Hecke reunites with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who brought him to north London for about $66.2 million. Spurs have spent over $250 million total so far, and they aren’t done yet.
Left Back: Marc Cucurella — Real Madrid ($60.5M)
Cucurella wanted back to Spain and Chelsea was willing to let him go. Real Madrid beat out both Atletico and Barcelona to land the left back for roughly $60.5 million. That gives the defending European champions another versatile piece on the back line.
Midfield: Elliot Anderson — Manchester City ($147.6M)
This is the monster deal of the summer so far. Anderson moves from Newcastle to Manchester City for a fee that makes him the most expensive English player in history. The 24-year-old is versatile across the midfield and attack, and City clearly sees him as a long-term replacement for aging legs in the squad. The price tag is eye-watering, but City has the cash and the ambition.
Midfield: Sandro Tonali — Tottenham Hotspur ($127.3M)
Spurs broke their transfer record twice in one week. First they grabbed Mateus Fernandes, then they topped it by signing Tonali from Newcastle for $127.3 million. The Italian midfielder is one of the Premier League’s best box-to-box players, and his arrival signals that Tottenham is serious about competing at the top level again.
Midfield: Mateus Fernandes — Tottenham Hotspur ($108.2M)
Fernandes was Spurs’ record signing for exactly three days. The Portuguese playmaker joined from relegated West Ham for $108.2 million, turning down interest from several top European clubs. He’s creative, technical, and still only 23.
Right Wing: Ismael Saibari — Bayern Munich ($59.8M)
Bayern moved early to lock down Saibari after his strong performances at the World Cup for Morocco. The 25-year-old won Eredivisie Player of the Year at PSV last season, scoring 19 goals in all competitions. He should add some directness to Bayern’s wide attack.
Left Wing: Anthony Gordon — Barcelona ($87.8M)
Gordon becomes only the third Englishman to play for Barcelona in the last century. The winger scored 10 goals in 12 Champions League games last season for Newcastle, which caught the eye of the Spanish champions. It’s a big move for a player who has steadily improved over the last few years.
Forward: Goncalo Ramos — AC Milan ($80.2M)
AC Milan broke their club record to bring Ramos in from PSG. The Portuguese forward never got the consistent minutes he wanted in Paris, but new Milan manager Ruben Amorim knows him well from their time together at Benfica. The hope is that Ramos can lead the line and help Milan push for the Scudetto.
That eleven comes to a combined $1.04 billion in transfer fees. And we’re still only halfway through the window.
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