Premier League transfer regrets: Who joined the wrong club—and where they should have gone instead | OneFootball

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, particularly when it comes to football transfers. Several signings deemed good business last summer have struggled, while others have flourished despite limited expectations.

As we reach the run-in, we've looked at those who fall into the former category and wonder whether they would have been better choosing alternative destinations...

Premier League signings who maybe joined wrong club - and where they should have gone

Liam Delap - Everton

Liam Delap had quite the choice last summer. The forward was in demand after impressing in a relegated Ipswich Town team, with 12 league goals proving that he could cut it in thePremier League. A £30m release clause made a deal for Delap even more attractive, with Chelsea beating serious competition to land the youngster.

Things haven't quite worked out. Delap has started just nine league games, scoring only once, and has found himself on the fringes of the team.

Would the 23-year-old have beenbetter served at Everton? The Toffees are crying out for a reliable centre-forward, with neither Thierno Barry nor Beto filling fans with much confidence.

Delap's rough-and-tumble style would have earned endearment from Evertonians. At the same time, a regular run of games could have placed him in England contention, in a World Cup year where reliable deputies to Harry Kane appear in short supply.

Nick Woltemade - Bayern Munich

Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, and Benjamin Sesko. A list of forwardsNewcastle United reportedly tried and failed to sign before diverting to Nick Woltemade. The giant German signed for Newcastle in a £69m club-record deal in August, as the Magpies looked to spend their imminent Alexander Isak windfall.

Woltemade was hot property after a breakout season at Stuttgart, followed by Golden Boot success at the u-21 European Championship, but has endured an up-and-down time at St James' Park. Eddie Howe has recently tried to shoehorn his centre-forward signing into a midfield three, with mixed results.

Bayern Munich had been keen on Woltemade, though they were reluctant to meet the asking price. He appeared to be an ideal option to both deputise for Harry Kane and combat the loss of the injured Jamal Musiala in a deeper role.

Alexander Isak - Arsenal

Ok, this one might come back to haunt us.

Alexander Isak is a top, top player, but his time atLiverpool to date has been disastrous. The £125m British record recruit arrived after no pre-season, struggled to get going, and then fractured his leg. In his absence, Hugo Ekitike has proven he can lead the Liverpool line, and the similarities between the pair have raised question marks over their compatibility.

Over atArsenal, Viktor Gyokeres has found form in recent weeks but has faced criticism for much of the campaign. The Swedish striker will score goals, but he has faced flat-track bully accusations and debate over whether he's stylistically suited to the North Londoners.

Having watched Isak dazzle in the number 14 shirt at Newcastle, comparisons were made between the forward and Gunners great Thierry Henry. Arsenal invested heavily in their frontline last summer, but were any of the arrivals world-class or capable of getting there? Isak has shown he can.

Harvey Elliott - RB Leipzig

Player of the Tournament at last summer's u-21 European Championship, Harvey Elliott inevitably had offers. A loan move toAston Villa looked like a good move, providing the Liverpool midfielder with a chance to play regularly at a high level.

Instead, he's struggled to win favour, playing just 110 league minutes with Unai Emery adamant the midfielder is not part of his plans. Villa do not want Elliott to sign permanently and have therefore opted against using the 22-year-old, in order to avoid a mandatory appearance-related purchase clause.

Elliott has spent the 2025-26 season on the sidelines in a campaign that will stall his development.

RB Leipzig had been interested last summer and would have been the better move in hindsight. Elliott appears to lack the athleticism to shine at the very top level in England, but could overcome that in a less-demanding division.