Premier League players set to be like new signings in 2025/26 | OneFootball

Whether it’s returning loanees or those injured for extended periods last season, we’ve looked at the Premier League players who will be like new signings in 2025/26.

Premier League players who will be like new signings in 2025/26

Igor Thiago – Brentford

Brentford broke their transfer record to sign Igor Thiago last summer, with the forward arriving from Club Brugge in a £30m deal. Billed as Ivan Toney’s replacement after 29 goals for the Belgian side the previous season, disaster struck in pre-season when the 24-year-old suffered a meniscus injury.

He returned briefly in November, but was then sidelined by another knee injury. Thiago’s first season at Brentford resulted in just one Premier League start and 164 minutes of league action.

Brentford look likely to lose Bryan Mbeumo this summer, while there’s interest in fellow forward Yoane Wissa. That duo combined for 39 league goals last season and Thiago will hope to fill that void if either – or both – leave West London.

Andrey Santos – Chelsea

Chelsea continue to stockpile talent young talent with a loan armada departing Stamford Bridge last summer.

Among the most impressive performers on their temporary spells elsewhere was Andrey Santos, who thrived at sister-club Strasbourg. Santos scored 10 goals in Ligue 1 as Strasbourg qualified for Europe and led France’s top division for tackles.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez is a tough partnership to break up in the Chelsea midfield but Santos can offer an alternative that has been missing amid Romeo Lavia’s persistent fitness issues.

Rodri – Manchester City

The injury that perhaps changed the course of the campaign. Manchester City had made a perfect start to their title defence after four games, until Rodri was struck down in September’s draw with Arsenal at the Etihad. It was bad news for Spaniard, as an ACL injury was confirmed a long spell on the sidelines.

The injury virtually ended Rodri’s campaign and City struggled in his absence. A run of six defeats in eight league games over the autumn left the champions in a battle to secure a top-four finish.

Rodri was named winner of the Ballon d’Or last year and Player of the Tournament as Span won Euro 2024 last summer. Replacing a player of that quality is impossible and Pep Guardiola will be delighted to have him back.

Lisandro Martinez – Manchester United

Lisandro Martinez was available for just 11 league games under Ruben Amorim last season, with the Argentine another to see his season ended by an ACL injury.

Martinez is perhaps perfectly suited to Amorim’s back-three system, one in which his progressive passing and natural fit on the left side improve build-up and balance. A three-man central defence also helps combat his physical deficiencies and Amorim will want one of the few stylistically suitable options in his squad back and available.

He’ll be eased back into action, but few defenders in the division are as capable of line-breaking passes. His will be a welcome return.

Sven Botman – Newcastle United

Newcastle United continue to be linked with centre-backs but having Sven Botman back and available is perhaps more important than any new signing. The Dutch defender has struggled with fitness issues since a standout debut season at St James’ Park and made just six league starts in 2024/25.

With both Fabian Schar and Dan Burn approaching their mid-thirties, Newcastle need Botman’s body to weather the rigours of Premier League football. An elite duel-winner when available, he can be a crucial cog for Eddie Howe’s side.

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