Every Summer, clubs rush to sign new players for the upcoming season. By the end, some sign the talents they need, others cannot. Many enter a bidding war, where there can only be a winner and a loser. This year’s transfer window was a story of many successes, which also means there was more than one disappointment between players who stayed and those who moved to other clubs. But which are the five biggest ones? [banner][/banner]
5. Fermín López
One of the late drama transfers concerned Barcelona. Unlike the others, López would be forced to move due to the club’s financial situation, looking to free up space to register newcomers Rashford, Roony Bardghji, and Joan Garcia. He wasn’t someone the club didn’t want, but Barça didn’t mind sacrificing him for the new signings. After all, he competes with Dani Olmo in an overcrowded position.
Fermin Lopez - 2024/25.
(Re-upload)pic.twitter.com/rikb76lYdK — 🕊️ (@MagicalXavi) August 29, 2025
However, the club had been clear: Fermín would only move for a minimum fee of 60M. Chelsea knocked on Barcelona’s door, looking to add a playmaker. Their offer of 40M was denied as Barça judged it too low, and López seemed rather opposed to the move. In the end, nothing happened, and he stayed in Catalonia while the Blues signed Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
4. Dani Ceballos
It’s not the first time Dani Ceballos has been linked with a move away from the capital, though it never seemed as close as this Summer. He’s often struggled to find regular playtime, despite getting more this season. Everything seemed to suggest this was the year, as Marseille looked to sign the Spaniard.
Dani Ceballos #UCL pic.twitter.com/zAIgwD6uaK
— H (@HQpcrt) September 1, 2025
However, an agreement was never reached between the two clubs, and Marseille soon pulled out of the race. Spanish club Real Betis was also waiting for Ceballos. But, this move didn’t materialise either, as Real Betis soon realised they couldn’t afford to pay his wages. So, they focused on re-signing Manchester United winger Anthony.
3. Marc Guéhi
One of the late transfers in the Premier League was Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi. Liverpool knocked on his door, confident they could strike a deal. Rumours believed that they offered a £35 million fee. All that was left was a medical and to sign the final papers. Crystal Palace agreed, until they changed their minds. The London-based club soon realised that they couldn’t get the targeted players to replace Guéhi, and were happy enough to keep him, even if he seemed to have a deal with Liverpool. In the end, Palace didn’t get as many signings as they wanted in the defence, and Marc stayed, while refusing to comment on the bizarre scenario.
2. Benjamin Šeško
Benjamin seemed long destined to join Newcastle United. The Magpies would choose him as Isak’s replacement, who had gone to Liverpool. However, an internal war between Newcastle United and the Reds meant that Isak’s transfer only materialised much later. By then, Newcastle allowed Isak to leave after a mediatic sum, and Šeško had already signed for Manchester United. Instead, it was Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade who made it to St James Park.
1. Nico Williams
He may have been forgotten by now, but Barcelona’s failure to sign Nico Williams is one of the biggest disappointments of the Summer. Joan Laporta had already tried to create an agreement with him in the previous transfer window. His board spent weeks trying to convince the Athletic Club forward, only to eventually be forced to sign Marcus Rashford on loan instead. [banner_third][/banner_third]