The summer transfer window is already in full flow, and there can be no denying which team has stolen the show thus far. Liverpool romped to the Premier League title last season, and their dealings so far this summer prove that they mean business in 2025/26 as well. The Reds have already brought in Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Milos Kerkez for a combined outlay of around £250m, and further signings are expected.
Their shopping spree has prompted online betting sites to take notice. Last term, Liverpool were a distant third favorite to win the Premier League title, sitting well behind both Arsenal and Manchester City in the odds list. Next season will be much different, however, with the popular Bovada betting site already making Arne Slot’s men a 2/1 favorite to successfully defend their crown next term, just ahead of the aforementioned Gunners and Blues, both of whom are priced at 9/4.
But even though there has already been a slew of transfer activity throughout the opening weeks of the summer transfer window, further huge deals are expected to follow, both at Anfield and elsewhere. But which players are the ones being coveted the most at the moment? Well, here are four names to watch out for.
Alexander Isak
Despite winning the title next season, Liverpool is still in dire need of a new striker. With Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz both rumored to be leaving Merseyside in the coming weeks, there should still be just enough money remaining in the transfer kitty for one last blockbuster signing. That signing is expected to be Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker has been in devastating form for the Magpies since making the move from Real Sociedad three years ago. He has fired 62 goals in 109 appearances so far on Tyneside, with last season’s 27 in all competitions a career high. His exploits helped Newcastle claim a major trophy for the first time in 70 years as he scored in the League Cup final victory against Liverpool at Wembley back in March, and now he could be set to join the team that he helped sink that day under the arch.
Newcastle wins the Carabao Cup Final 2-1 🏆👏
Alexander Isak Anytime Goal✅ https://t.co/tQUaLxYVfp pic.twitter.com/DRgfjgyIqv
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) March 16, 2025
Should the Reds wish to take Isak to Anfield, they will certainly have to pay a premium. Newcastle is one of the planet’s richest clubs, and after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last season, they are certainly in no dire need to sell their prized asset. As such, Liverpool may well have to pay more than the £116m they have just paid to sign Florian Wirtz, and if they do indeed stump up the cash, it would take a brave punter to bet against them winning the title for a second straight year next term.
Viktor Gyökeres
Sweden certainly isn’t short of prolific strikers at the moment. Viktor Gyökeres is another Swede who has scored goals for fun over the last couple of years, and he is perhaps the most coveted hitman on the planet at present. Since moving to Sporting CP from English second-tier side Coventry City in 2023, he has racked up a whopping 97 goals in just 102 appearances, with a mighty 39 of them coming in just 33 Portuguese league games next term.
Those exploits have put the 26-year-old firmly in the shop window, and it remains to be seen who will win the race to secure his signature. Arsenal are thought to be the front runners, and if their Premier League title challenge next season is to be taken seriously, then they will certainly need a striker of Gyökeres’ ilk to provide the goals needed to be crowned champions.
However, Manchester United – managed by Gyökeres’ former manager at Sporting, Ruben Amorim – are also lurking, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the goal machine head to Old Trafford rather than the Emirates this summer.
Benjamin Šeško
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško is another man who is being chased relentlessly this summer, albeit as somewhat of a second choice. Both Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in the Slovenian striker; however, he is both teams’ backup option behind the aforementioned Isak and Gyökeres. Even so, his name is already dominating the headlines, and it will continue to do so in the coming weeks.
Unlike both Isak and Gyökeres, Šeško had a somewhat underwhelming season last term. He could only manage 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances last term, and he is considered somewhat more of a budget option than the two prolific Swedes.
Hugo Ekitike
Young French striker Hugo Ekitike stepped into the void left by Omar Marmoush at Eintracht Frankfurt last season to become the Eagles’ main man. Now, though, after 22 goals in a breakout campaign, he could be set to join his former strike partner out the door.
There is no shortage of potential suitors in the race for the 23-year-old’s signature. Liverpool is reportedly interested, and he could well be the go-to choice for the Reds should a deal for Isak fall through. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal are also on the prowl.
