Watching Alexander Isak complete what was a blockbuster move to Anfield on Deadline Day, the Premier League’s elite once again broke a string of financial records over the summer transfer window.
In what was an astonishing summer, all 20 of the Premier League clubs spent a combined tally that surpassed £3billion for the first time in history. The spending was significantly more than last summer, when the outlay by top-flight teams was £1.96bn.
However, although some of Europe’s hottest superstars might be just getting respective new adventures underway, there are plenty of big-name players who are still sat by the phone.
With clubs from across the continent still able to recruit free agents, we have taken a look at some of the European aces who are yet to be snapped up.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
While Takehiro Tomiyasu might have immediately cemented his spot as a real fan favourite around the red half of north London after arriving back in the summer of 2021, the Japanese international dealt with a string of public injury issues.
Failing to make a single appearance so far this calendar year and only getting a single Premier League outing under his belt during the 2024/25 campaign, the 26-year-old announced his Arsenal departure back in July.
In fact, featuring for just six minutes of Premier League action last season, the former Bologna defender mutually agreed to end his contract with immediate effect.
Stating that the decision was “in order for him to start a new chapter in his career”, Tomiyasu is still waiting to get a new adventure underway.
However, despite still working his way back to full fitness, it was reported last month that both Eintracht Frankfurt and Italian giants AC Milan are keeping close tabs on the 42-cap international.
Thank you, Tomi ❤️
We have reached a mutual agreement with Takehiro Tomiyasu to end his contract with immediate effect.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 4, 2025
Hakim Ziyech
While Hakim Ziyech might have announced last year that he would be leaving Turkish giants Galatasaray, plenty of eyebrows were raised when the Moroccan record-breaker arrived in Qatar.
With his contract with Qatar Stars League outfit Al-Duhhail terminated by mutual consent in May and only making eight appearances in the Middle East, it has been widely suggested that the 32-year-old is keen on an immediate return to Europe.
Although it might have been reported over the past couple of months that clubs from across the continent have approached the one-time Ajax winger with initial one-year contract proposals, Ziyech and his team are demanding a more lengthy offer.
Making 103 appearances for Premier League outfit Chelsea after completing a move to west London from Ajax back in 2020 for a reported fee of £30.3million, a potential move to Spain has been the most widely anticipated.
Alongside speculation over a potential move to Elche, it was also suggested last month that the likes of Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca have all expressed an interest.
🚨🆓 #SevillaFC 🇲🇦
Sevilla are working to clear salary space in order to finalize the signing of Hakim Ziyech, who’s been without a club since leaving Al Duhail earlier this summer. pic.twitter.com/PHA0HZLKpV— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) September 7, 2025
Dele Alli
Making his senior England debut back in 2015 as a 19-year-old sensation, Dele Alli had the world at his feet and was almost universally regarded as a generational talent.
However, although the former Tottenham superstar might have embarked on a dramatic rise to superstardom, Alli has endured an infamous career nosedive over almost the past decade.
Despite completing a shock switch to Italian outfit Como earlier in the year, the one-time MK Dons prodigy made only one appearance for the club, in which he was sent off 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Reportedly informed by Como boss Cesc Fabregas that he would not be part of his plans for the 2025/26 campaign, there has been some speculation that the 29-year-old could make the decision to hang up his boots.
Publicly discussing his lengthy lay-off due to injuries, addiction and mental health problems, it remains to be seen where Alli will end up next.
🚨 Dele Alli, available as free agent after contract terminated with immediate effect at Como. pic.twitter.com/IDSiBcSBzo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 2, 2025
