The 20 Biggest Transfer Flops of the 2024-25 Season – Ranked
The 2024-25 season saw clubs across Europe once again break the bank in search of success. A staggering £6.6 billion was spent in the summer and January windows by top-tier teams and English Championship sides alike. While some new arrivals delivered instant impact, others left fans and executives scratching their heads.
Whether due to injuries, tactical misfits, mental blocks, or plain underperformance, plenty of transfers failed to live up to expectations. From big-money busts to highly anticipated loans gone wrong, these are the 20 signings that simply didn’t work out.
20. Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United – £43m)
Hailed as the centerpiece of United's defensive rebuild, De Ligt failed to live up to the lofty expectations. Though solid individually, he couldn't elevate one of the leakiest defenses in the Premier League. With 54 goals conceded, United finished with one of their worst defensive records ever. He'll need to draw on his experience to bounce back next season.
19. Jadon Sancho (Chelsea – loan)
After shining on loan at Dortmund, Sancho arrived at Chelsea with high hopes—but the revival was short-lived. He started strong but quickly faded, reverting to the inconsistency that plagued him at United. Rumors swirled of Chelsea paying to terminate the deal early. It’s unclear whether he has a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
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18. Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham – £34m)
Smith Rowe’s early impact at Fulham suggested Arsenal had made a mistake letting him go. But injuries and inconsistency returned, causing him to lose his starting role. Marco Silva openly questioned his physical readiness. Once Fulham's record signing, he now faces an uncertain road back to form.
17. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea – £30m)
Signed from Leicester with great expectations, Dewsbury-Hall struggled to make an impact in a crowded Chelsea midfield. Despite working under his former coach Enzo Maresca, he rarely featured. With Palmer and Fernandez ahead of him, the Premier League step-up proved too steep. A summer move now looks likely.
16. Alvaro Morata (AC Milan – £11m)
Morata’s move to Milan added another chapter to his nomadic career, but it was a short and forgettable one. Just five goals and personal struggles led to a midseason loan to Galatasaray. Even he admitted the move was a mistake. Milan will regret spending on a player already past his peak.
15. Douglas Luiz (Juventus – £42m)
After excelling in the Premier League, Luiz's switch to Juve was expected to solidify their midfield. Instead, injuries and coaching decisions kept him out of the XI. His frustration boiled over publicly on social media. With links to a Premier League return, his time in Turin may already be over.
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14. Vitor Roque (Real Betis – loan)
Roque was once one of Brazil’s brightest young stars, but his loan at Betis did little to reignite his promise. Following a failed stint at Barcelona, he scored only four times before being sold back to Brazil. At just 20, he still has time—but the hype has cooled significantly.
13. Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus – £46m)
A major signing from Atalanta, Koopmeiners was meant to bring creativity to Juve’s midfield. But injuries and poor tactical fit hampered his season. He was even booed by home fans and later sidelined with an Achilles issue. A disappointing year for a player once considered Serie A’s best No. 8.
12. Eddie Nketiah (Crystal Palace – £30m)
Nketiah left Arsenal for more minutes but couldn't displace Jean-Philippe Mateta in the Palace lineup. Three goals all season wasn't the return fans hoped for. Despite his tireless work ethic, he often looked lost in front of goal. His future at Selhurst Park already looks uncertain.
11. Noah Okafor (Napoli – loan)
Napoli brought Okafor in from Milan to provide depth, but he barely got on the pitch. He played under 45 minutes in Serie A without a goal or assist. For a team chasing titles, it was a bizarre and wasteful signing. Even his only goal of the season came for his former club.
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10. Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United – £36.5m)
Zirkzee’s cut-price release clause made him look like a steal, but he failed to settle at Old Trafford. Three league goals and a thigh injury derailed his campaign. Overshadowed by Hojlund’s own struggles, he couldn't shoulder the attacking burden. More was expected after his breakout season at Bologna.
9. Elye Wahi (Marseille – £25m)
Marseille hoped Wahi would lead their return to Champions League football, but the plan fell apart. After a decent start, he scored only three league goals before being sold in January. A rapid fall from grace for a player signed with high hopes.
8. Elye Wahi (Eintracht Frankfurt – £24m)
Wahi’s second club in the same season fared no better. He failed to score in 11 games and suffered a knee injury. Once seen as a top French talent, he's now seen as a risk. Frankfurt may soon regret making him their record signing.
7. Endrick (Real Madrid – £50m)
Endrick’s highly anticipated debut at Madrid was overshadowed by Kylian Mbappe's arrival. Limited game time stunted his development, though he did score five Copa del Rey goals. Still, for a generational talent, more was expected. He may seek a loan ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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6. Federico Chiesa (Liverpool – £12.5m)
Chiesa arrived with the hope of rejuvenation, but injuries quickly killed any momentum. He played just 104 Premier League minutes all season. At £140k per week, his signing looks like a costly mistake. He’s almost certain to move again this summer.
5. Joao Felix (AC Milan – loan)
Felix failed to impress at Chelsea, and things didn’t improve at Milan. The Italian press criticized his lack of impact and drive. Once again, he looked like a player without a defined role. Another wasted spell for a once world-class prospect.
4. Youssoufa Moukoko (Nice – loan)
Once hailed as a wonderkid, Moukoko’s move to Nice turned into a disaster. He scored just twice all season and barely played in Ligue 1. Nice won’t trigger the buy option. At only 20, his career needs serious rescuing.
3. Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich – £47m)
Palhinha finally got his Bayern move, but injuries and rotation kept him sidelined. He struggled to adapt and watched others take his minutes. After all the transfer drama, it’s unclear if Bayern still see him as a long-term solution. A swift return to Fulham has been floated.
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2. Raheem Sterling (Arsenal – loan)
Sterling’s stint at Arsenal was short and uninspiring. He looked off the pace and low on confidence, contributing almost nothing. Even with attacking injuries, Arteta left him on the bench. He now returns to Chelsea as an expensive problem.
1. Joao Felix (Chelsea – £46m)
Felix tops the flop list with a double failure: first at Chelsea, then at Milan. The Blues spent big hoping to unlock his talent, but he managed just two league contributions. Out of sync with Maresca’s system, he flopped again. Once a €120m star, his future looks bleak.
