The Eredivisie summer transfer window slammed shut last night, ending a summer full of bold moves, missed opportunities, and a few outright surprises. Some of the Eredivisie’s best emerged stronger, and some weaker, and several players now look poised to define the months ahead.
Will Burns is here with a comprehensive breakdown of who he thinks had the best window, who improved, who declined, and which players could make the biggest impact.
THE BIGGEST WINNERS OF THE WINDOW
In my opinion, AJAX walk away as one of the window’s clear winners. I can only praise this window, at the height of their obvious rebuild that finally addressed long‑standing issues from seasons past. Especially the need for a true defensive midfielder, goalkeeper and much-needed strengthening in defence. The arrivals of DM Sofyan Amrabat (free from Fenerbahce), goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen (loaned from Barcelona), left-back Caio Henrique (€10.5m) and centre-back Thilo Kehrer (loan) arrived from AS Monaco, and the return of Daley Blind (free from Girona) injected experience and stability at the back. The highly rated Jofre Torrents, left-back from Barcelona, signed on permanently and the 19-year-old may struggle to find time on the pitch now with the positions stacked.
Ahead of them, the addition of Julian Brandt from Dortmund was a massive injection of a top class midfielder that can protect the defence and score goals… and he has already, scoring three in 7 appearance, the majority of those coming off the bench. Also, exciting left-winger Simon Adingra arrived on loan from Sunderland and the Amsterdammers will be hoping he replicates the form he showed at Brighton as he failed to impress on Wearside. The Ukrainan right-winger, and one-time wonderkid, Viktor Tsygankov also came in from Girona. He scored seven and created five last year for the La Liga side over 34 games, and if he does those numbers in the Eredivisie this season, he’ll be deemed a bargain for the €4m he cost.
Up front, Tolu Arokodare, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has burst onto the scene, scoring four goals in his last three matches while Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo has settled quickly as well, finding the net twice in the same period. He arrived from Al-Hilal for nearly €20m.
Financially, Ajax were ruthless: they generated €92 million in sales, including high‑value departures like Mika Godts and Sean Steur. For a club that needed balance, this was a near‑perfect window even though Director of Football Jordi Cruijff failed to offload many of the squad back-ups: Owen Wijndal, Kasper Dolberg, and Oliver Edvardsen. Wijndal’s contract termination collapsed on Deadline Day, and FC Midtjylland’s pursuit of Dolberg was too late to finalise the deal. These leftovers now represent a significant drain on the wage bill.
However, all in all, a team that was in dire need of some direction, experience and quality have all three now and instead of lingering around third place this season, they look the most likely to push their rivals in Eindhoven to a proper title race.
Talking of PSV EINDHOVEN, they continued their Bayern Munich‑esque dominance of the domestic market, raiding the rest of league of their top talent, and they strengthened elsewhere too. Key arrivals included Kodai Sano (€15m) and Sami Ouaissa (€9m) both from NEC, Sven Mijnans (€13m) from AZ, Ayoni Santos (€5m) from Sparta Rotterdam. Sam Lammers, who was publically unhappy at his chances at FC Twente, returned to Eindhoven adding great depth up front.
They also brought a few in on a budget to enhance positions. The vast experience of Filip Kostic, who was made in the Eredivisie at Groningen, arrived on a free from Juventus, and Lutsharel Geertruida signed on loan from RB Leipzig adding a defender that can play across the back line. This deal was a psychological and tactical blow to Feyenoord and when he returns to De Kuip on 10th January 2027 he should get some shit off the Rotterdam faithful.
One to watch is 17-year-old, Mikkel Bro Hansen. The young 6ft 2inch Danish striker arrives from Bodo/Glimt for a small fee of €3m, but with high potential. He scored eight goals and three assists in 15 substitute appearances in Norway and the majority before he blew 17 candles off his birthday cake.
Yes, Joey Veerman (€25m) headed to Dortmund and Ismael Saibari (€50m) left for Bayern in big money moves, but this PSV team have recruited well, reinvested that money and have a squad so stacked that Champions League‑level competition exists in every position. They strengthened like champions and look most likely to be champions.
AZ ALKMAAR’s biggest victory was simply holding onto their young stars. Despite heavy interest from abroad, Kees Smit, Wouter Goes, and Peer Koopmeiners all stayed put. Additions like the returning pair of Wesley Hoedt and Calvin Stengs brought maturity and balance to a young squad. Their nabbed defensive midfielder Stije Resink from FC Groningen, goalkeeper Jari De Busser from Go Ahead and the €5.5m transfer of Valdemar Byskov raised some eyebrows. The central midfielder arrived from FC Midtjylland with some high regard after scoring 10 goals and five assists last season. Currently sitting top of the league, on maximum points, AZ do not usually make headlines, and their transfer business didn’t, but for me, that’s a good window for them and they deserve credit.
For a newly promoted side, WILLEM II punched above their weight. They pulled off genuine stunts by signing veteran Tonny Vilhena and securing young striker Chido Obi on loan from Manchester United. These are statement signings for a club returning to the top flight.
AND THE BIGGEST LOSERS…
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst can’t be happy with FEYENOORD’s window, who know look like a team that will be primed for your favourite YouTuber to do a “Football Manager 2026 Rebuild”. The window was shaped by an unmistakable sense of austerity. Long‑term financial obligations, in particular stadium debt and payments on past transfers, prevented the club from reinvesting its outgoing fees, leaving the squad worryingly thin for a Champions League campaign. This financial squeeze contributed to the club’s struggle to match the ambition shown elsewhere in the league.
Key departures created gaps that were never adequately filled. Losing top scorer Ayase Ueda (€15m to Lille) and Leo Sauer (€15m to Stuttgart) stripped Feyenoord of elite output. Up front, the reliance on the untested Nacho Ferri, a summer arrival from KVC Westerlo for €9m, and the inexperienced Shaqueel Van Persie for goals represents a major gamble with both performance and revenue implications – especially with Champions League football coming to De Kuip. Also, the return of Arsenal reserve Reiss Nelson at left-wing felt more like a late get-a-body-in option than a strategic coup.
The Anis Hadj Moussa situation summed up the club’s dilemma: a late €25–€30 million offer from Al‑Ittihad was tempting, yet selling him would have left Feyenoord without more star power, with no replacement lined up. The failure to secure a high‑impact winger or a proven striker leaves Feyenoord exposed. With AZ looking strong early doors, Van Bronckhorst and his side maintaining a top‑three position looks far from guaranteed.
SC CAMBUUR enter the season in a dangerous position. They lost key players Remco Balk and Jordy van der Worp, leaving behind one of the youngest — and most naïve — squads in professional football. Relegation concerns are already growing.
Financial limitations crippled FC UTRECHT’s ability to fix a squad that started the season poorly. Supporter frustration boiled over, with protest banners hung at the stadium targeting the board. A stagnant window for a club that desperately needed change.
WHICH PLAYERS WILL MAKE THE MOST IMPACT?
I feel these players are the four standout names embodying the strategic direction of their respective clubs. At Ajax, Sofyan Amrabat arrives as the long‑missing balance guard, finally solving the Number Six problem that has haunted the club since 2023. He isn’t the traditional conductor that Ajax go for, but his role is essential: protect the back line, stabilise transitions, and free Julian Brandt to dictate play higher up the pitch.
PSV’s domestic scouting masterstroke comes in the form of Kodai Sano, a versatile midfielder who fits seamlessly into Peter Bosz’s high‑intensity system. He becomes the glue for a squad that has lost its marquee creators – Veerman and Saibari.
At NEC Nijmegen, 19-year-old left-wingwer Dele Thomas may prove the window’s biggest bargain. Signed for just €1 million, his PSV academy pedigree and RB Leipzig development point to a talent far beyond his price tag. He is capable of becoming the creative heartbeat of Dick Schroeder’s attack.
For AZ, the most important “signing” was simply keeping Kees Smit. Fending off concrete interest from Manchester City and other European giants signals a shift in identity: AZ are no longer just a selling club, but one determined on retaining their core talent. Smit’s presence ensures AZ remain the strongest challenger beneath the traditional top tier and positions him as one of the league’s most influential players this season. Also, staying in the Eredivisie for another season, or even four months, is better than sitting on a Premier League bench and will aid his career in the long run.
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