Man Utd Summer Signing Voted 'Worst Deal of Window' By Agents in Damning Report

A group of 20 agents have taken part in a survey which featured questions on the best and worst deals from this summer's transfer window, as well as the most surprising.

It was an expensive window, to say the least, with Premier League clubs forking out a record-breaking £3.11bn on new signings, surpassing the previous record of £2.46bn set in 2023.

Some of the standout deals include Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, who all joined Liverpool in big-money moves.

The somewhat tedious transfer saga involving Viktor Gyokeres was eventually won by Arsenal as they signed the Swedish striker from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth up to £64 million.

Manchester United, meanwhile, spent £236 million to strengthen Ruben Amorim's squad after a dismal 15th-place finish last season, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Senne Lammens all arriving at Old Trafford.

Benjamin Sesko was United's most expensive transfer of the summer, arriving from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in a deal worth £73.6million with add-ons.

The Slovenian striker has made a great impression of late, scoring in his last two Premier League games against Brentford and Sunderland, but some of the agents surveyed by The Athletic have been left unimpressed.

In fact, Sesko was deemed the worst deal of the summer window, receiving six votes from those who took part.

One agent said: “Way too much money and much too soon," while another commented: "A lot of money for not much of a pedigree." A third added: “They were pressurised into making that signing."

James Trafford's move from Burnley to Manchester City was named the second-worst deal with three agent votes, while transfers involving Yoane Wissa, Jadon Sancho and Facundo Buonanotte received one vote, as seen below.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜’𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲

We asked the game’s dealmakers about:

▪️ Best and worst deals
▪️ Under-the-radar signings that could surprise people
▪️ Will more players go on strike?https://t.co/hQKjJaUXKh pic.twitter.com/doBWACUUAB

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 13, 2025

In terms of the best deal, Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City topped the standings, while Jack Grealish's loan move from City to Everton featured in second place with four votes.

Christian Norgaard's move from Brentford to Arsenal was considered the most surprising deal of the window alongside Donnarumma's switch to the Etihad.

Mark Goldbridge reacts to 'best and worst deals of the summer' survey

Speaking on The United Stand's YouTube channel, Goldbridge was far from happy with the Sesko criticism.

"He's literally not started games in the Premier League and then he's scored two goals in two games. But he is the worst deal of the summer? Tell me Manchester United don't boil people's p*** without telling me," he said.

"It's ridiculous. It's absolutely incredible. On what planet is Benjamin Sesko even near one of the worst signings of the summer? The hate is real. This is making your mind up about something before you've had it."

Thoughts on the survey? Let us know in the comments.