These are the 10 best wide forwards available in the 2025 summer transfer window. Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United should be taking notes…
And here are the best available strikers. And attacking midfielders.
Top 10 wingers available for transfer this summer
10) Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur)
The South Korea and Spurs captain endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign but still ended up with 11 goals and 12 assists in 46 matches, including 17 goal involvements in 30 Premier League appearances. Those numbers mask what was a disappointing season overall, with it increasingly clear that Son is in sharp decline.
That being said, it could simply have been an off year, and there’s a growing willingness at Spurs to part ways with one of their greatest-ever players. His respectable output last season, combined with elite numbers in years gone by, makes Son an intriguing potential target for clubs abroad.
9) Malick Fofana (Lyon)
Lyon were prepared to sell Fofana amid interest from clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but their financially-influenced relegation to Ligue 2 means there’s now no chance the young Belgian sticks around.
His sale could help Lyon retain their Ligue 1 status, but there’s no immediate rush on Fofana’s part to leave. Nottingham Forest had a bid accepted and are on the brink of selling Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United for £55million, but Fofana wants Champions League football. Chelsea are an option but have already signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, while Borussia Dortmund have confirmed Jamie Gittens’ move to Stamford Bridge.
What is clear is that, at just 20 years old, Fofana is one of the most intriguing prospects on the market this summer.
8) Jack Grealish (Manchester City)
There are younger options like Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Johan Bakayoko and Tyler Dibling, while Gabriel Martinelli’s availability is up for debate (that’s the honourable mentions out of the way), but we reckon Jack Grealish just edges them. Why? SEO, maybe. But also because he’s a Premier League-proven talent who, under the right manager, can still be one of the most dangerous wingers in Europe.
We’re not sure if Grealish is the type of player who lacks confidence, but what we do know is that the freedom and eccentricity he once oozed have been stripped away under Pep Guardiola. He was so exciting to watch at Aston Villa, prompting Man City to break the British transfer record to sign him, only to reinvent him as a risk-averse wide-midfielder who keeps the ball safe at all costs. Jeremy Doku, by contrast, has been given a free pass to run at full-backs like it’s a playground kickabout.
Someone needs to get us the old Grealish back. We miss him dearly.
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7) Mohammed Kudus (West Ham)
Spurs and Newcastle are in the frame for Kudus, who is available this summer as West Ham boss Graham Potter looks to rebuild the squad and correct the missteps of Julen Lopetegui’s 2024 summer recruitment.
Kudus is coming off an underwhelming season following an impressive debut Premier League campaign in 2023/24, but he’s still attracting plenty of interest. That first season alone is enough for the Hammers to believe they can command a significant fee.
Versatile and devastating on his day, Kudus could be a top-class signing for any Premier League side.
6) Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)
There’s a £50.2million release clause in Kubo’s contract, with Real Madrid due 50% of any sale – meaning they could bring him back for a bargain £25m if they wanted. But Los Blancos already have more attacking depth than they know what to do with. Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz barely get a look-in as it is.
Kubo was one of Europe’s top take-on artists in 2024/25, even if five goals and zero assists in 36 La Liga games is bleak. Still, Alexander Isak only got six in his final season at Sociedad, and he’s done alright since.
The Japanese winger is a menace in possession, with progressive carry and foul-winning numbers that compare well with Mo Salah, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr. He’s also one of the best defensive workers among that group. There’s a serious Premier League player in there.
5) Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Are we naïve to keep convincing ourselves he’s still a potentially elite forward? Possibly. But Marcus Rashford’s brief resurgence on loan at Aston Villa reignited that belief. Confidence and happiness make all the difference, and for the first time in ages, he looked like he was enjoying himself.
Playing for Manchester United could make Mr Tumble miserable these days. It’s a graveyard for players. Scott McTominay, Antony and Rashford have all escaped and immediately thrived elsewhere. McTominay has been named Serie A’s best player, for crying out loud.
His salary is the crucial stumbling block; only a few clubs can afford his wages, and many might think twice. Did Rashford down tools after signing a big-money contract extension, or was he just another victim of the Old Trafford malaise?
Either way, the Villa revival has been massive. A move abroad may be best, but don’t rule out an intra-Premier League switch.
4) Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Twenty Premier League goals this season says it all, really. At 25, Mbeumo is a proven scorer, versatile, and should be available for a cut-price fee with just one year left on his deal. We say should, but Brentford have other ideas.
He feels like a can’t-miss signing. Arsenal, Newcastle and Man United have all been linked. Surprisingly, he wants to join the Red Devils over the other two clubs. Thomas Frank to Spurs has potentially thrown a spanner in the works.
Mbeumo is clearly an elite talent, capable of scoring goals from the right. It’s no wonder United have made two bids for him already. But Brentford are standing firm.
3) Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
A £45m release clause for a player of Nico Williams’ talent is outrageous. But the full cost – including wages and bonuses – makes him an expensive project. Barcelona seemingly walked away, but are back in the picture. Last summer, Arsenal and Chelsea didn’t bite the bullet.
His Euro 2024 was electric, but five goals and five assists for Bilbao this past season didn’t boost his stock much. That said, the talent is unquestionable. He’s ready for a step up.
2) Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
It feels like time for Leao to leave Milan. Chelsea are probably out – they’re welcoming Gittens, Estevao and Kendry Paez this summer – but Arsenal’s need for a left-winger is glaring. How they let Khvicha Kvaratskhelia go to PSG without a fight is baffling.
With Grealish likely off and Doku not fully convincing, City could come calling too. Newcastle or Liverpool would also make sense – the former especially, as Leao would be a major statement.
His performance in the Nations League final for Portugal would have convinced a few potential suitors.
1) Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
If Arsenal sign Rodrygo, it would have real Alexis Sanchez vibes. A genuine elite winger, an X-factor star, and the sort of player who deserves to be more than a supporting act.
Real Madrid are all about Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr now. Rodrygo, despite being a proven match-winner with two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles, is expendable.
He should be one of the poster boys at a top club – and most English sides can offer him that. He might just be the best player available this summer.
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