2025/26 Premier League’s Biggest Transfer Disappointments: Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa and Liverpool’s Costly Gamble

As the 2025/26 Premier League season approaches its conclusion, attention is shifting from title races and European qualification battles to another defining theme of the campaign:

The transfers that failed to work.

Big fees, huge expectations and ambitious projects produced several disappointing stories across the league, with some of the summer’s headline signings struggling badly.

Alexander Isak – Liverpool (£125M)

At the top of the discussion sits Alexander Isak.

Liverpool broke records to sign the Swedish striker from Newcastle after a transfer saga that lasted all summer.

Expectations were enormous.

The output was not.

Despite injury problems affecting parts of his season, Isak finished with only:

⚽ 3 Premier League goals
📊 14 league appearances

Liverpool’s tactical setup also appeared uncomfortable for the striker, who often looked isolated when available.

With the scale of the investment involved, questions are already emerging over whether the move can still justify its price tag.

Yoane Wissa – Newcastle (£50M)

Newcastle’s difficult transfer window was reflected by Yoane Wissa’s first season.

After scoring 19 league goals for Brentford in 2024/25, expectations were that he would strengthen Eddie Howe’s attack immediately.

Instead:

• Injury issues delayed his debut

• Form never arrived

• He lost his place in the starting XI

Wissa has not started a league game since early February and reports already suggest his long-term future could become uncertain.

Florian Wirtz – Liverpool (£100M)

Liverpool also invested heavily in Florian Wirtz.

The German playmaker arrived with superstar expectations after beating major European competition for his signature.

However his first season produced:

⚽ 5 goals
🎯 4 assists

Those numbers fell far below expectations.

Wirtz often struggled with the physical intensity of Premier League football while Liverpool also failed to build the attack fully around his strengths.

Jeremie Frimpong – Liverpool (£29.5M)

Another Liverpool signing facing scrutiny is Jeremie Frimpong.

Injuries interrupted his season repeatedly and even when fit he struggled to establish himself.

Instead of becoming Trent Alexander-Arnold’s immediate successor, he frequently found himself outside preferred tactical plans.

Other Names Under Pressure

Several additional signings also failed to meet expectations:

• Jamie Gittens (Chelsea) – limited impact before injury ended his season early

• Harvey Elliott (Aston Villa – loan) – barely used despite expectations of regular football

• Liam Delap (Chelsea) – only one league goal in 27 matches

• Anthony Elanga (Newcastle) – dramatic drop after leaving Nottingham Forest

• Nick Woltemade (Newcastle) – promising start followed by a long scoring drought

• Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) – struggled defensively during his first year

Big Spending, Bigger Risks

The Premier League continues to spend at historic levels.

But the 2025/26 season once again showed that expensive transfers bring pressure as much as promise.

For some clubs, next season may determine whether these moves become delayed successes…

or expensive mistakes.

Transfers change squads. Data shows whether they actually work.
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