Liverpool's hero-in-waiting, Brighton's latest gem, and Man City's answer to Eric Cantona: Meet the Premier League's new boys (and some familiar faces!)

The Premier League is almost upon us once again, and with it the buzzing feeling of seeing new men walk out in your club's colours.

Will they be heroes? Will they be flops? Nobody really knows at this stage. From bank-breakers to cheaper punts, top-flight sides have made 106 signings between them at the time of publication, but there are no guarantees of success.

That won't stop us talking about them. And so, without further ado, Daily Mail Sport's Joe Bernstein brings you all you need to know about some of the Premier League's most significant new boys.

Florian Wirtz, £116m, Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool

Bayern Munich normally buy up the best in the Bundesliga but were shocked this summer when Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz chose Liverpool instead.

The Reds had to break the Premier League transfer record to land the 22-year-old forward but nobody is complaining.

Wirtz is creative, mobile and skilful. English fans had their first glimpse of him in last weekend’s Community Shield when he twice linked up with Hugo Ekitike to set up Liverpool’s opening goal against Crystal Palace.

Wirtz was key to Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten title in 2024 and followed that up with 16 goals and 15 assists in all competitions last season, which saw him voted Germany’s Footballer of the Year.

Though he can comfortably drift wide, Wirtz looks set to be a proper No 10 at Anfield. If he hits it off with Mohamed Salah, Liverpool will have a great chance of retaining their title.

Liverpool have a great chance of retaining the title if Florian Wirtz hits it off with Mo Salah

Viktor Gyokeres, £64m, Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal

Arsenal’s quest for a proper striker was in Lord of the Rings territory until they finally got a deal for Gyokeres over the line. Now there is pressure on the 27-year-old Sweden international to prove himself the final piece in the Gunners’ title jigsaw.

Gyokeres has had an unusual journey to the top via Brighton (where he never made a Premier League appearance), St Pauli, Swansea, Coventry and latterly Sporting Lisbon, where he scored 97 goals in 102 games.

It begs the question why it has taken him this long to blossom but the number of goals he scored in Portugal — and last season’s Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City — tells you he is a natural finisher. It could make all the difference for Arsenal this season.

Viktor Gyokeres brings his trademark celebration to Arsenal after 97 goals in two seasons

Benjamin Sesko, £74m, RB Leipzig to Manchester United

Whereas his idol Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a veteran when he joined United, at 22 Sesko will hope to enjoy the best years of his career at Old Trafford.

The most important signing of Ruben Amorim’s rebuild, he has been watching videos of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to get in the mood for Sunday’s big kick-off against Arsenal.

Sesko replaced Erling Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg and the pair boast a similar height (6ft 4in) and speed. ‘The characteristics we needed,’ said Amorim.

The Slovenian’s goal tally at Leipzig, 39 in 87 games, suggests he will be a significant upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund. United fans will love the fact he chose them over Newcastle, who had Champions League football to offer.

Benjamin Sesko adored Zlatan Ibrahimovic - now he is tasked with leading Man United's attack

Rayan Cherki, £34m, Lyon to Manchester City

Probably the Premier League’s most maverick Frenchman since Eric Cantona. At 21, Cherki has already made his debut for France and has been open about his desire to win the Ballon d’Or.

City fans got a taste of Cherki at the Club World Cup and his arrival has allowed Pep Guardiola to let Jack Grealish leave on loan.

Left-footed Cherki is a crowd-pleaser; flicks and drag-backs are part of his repertoire. But there is an end product, too: last season he scored 13 goals for Lyon in addition to providing 21 assists. City fans will also have seen him score in both legs of their Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United.

Rayan Cherki is a gifted star with end product to match; Man City hope he can be a successful maverick like Eric Cantona

Jamie Gittens, £48.5m, Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea

An Englishman who hasn’t yet played senior football in this country, having joined Dortmund at 16 from the Manchester City academy. Now 21, Gittens is ready to show the Premier League what he’s all about.

A predominantly left-sided winger, his direct dribbling and early delivery from crosses could make him more suitable for

Chelsea under Enzo Maresca than Noni Madueke or Jadon Sancho, who have both left.

Ironically, the Reading-born player trained with Chelsea as a nine-year-old and admits: ‘This feels very full-circle.’ He has since played in a Champions League final for Dortmund and was part of the England side that won the Under 19 Euros in 2022.

Youngster Jamie Gittens will hope to show his flair for Chelsea and England for years to come

Evann Guessand, £30m, Nice to Aston Villa

In Guessand, Unai Emery has a forward who can share the workload with Ollie Watkins as Villa juggle four competitions including the Europa League.

Besides getting his quota of goals — 13 for Nice last season — Guessand, 24, is admired for his pressing from the front and versatility, both prerequisites in an Emery team. The Ivory Coast international is 6ft 1in and carries an aerial threat. He speaks good English and should ensure Marcus Rashford is not missed after his loan spell at Villa Park.

‘I watched Emery’s coaching when he was at Paris Saint- Germain. He improves players,’ says the new arrival.

Evann Guessand is tasked with sharing the load with Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa, as Jhon Duran so brilliantly did

Thierno Barry, £27m, Villarreal to Everton

Everton fans were crying out for a top centre forward to see them into their new home at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Even though Barry is only 22, he has pedigree having helped Villarreal qualify for the Champions League last season with 11 goals in La Liga.

The departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin left a hole up front for David Moyes but the fact Everton swooped for Barry early, with a deal concluded in early July, indicates their faith in him.

Barry began last season with Basle, before moving to Spain, and ended it by helping France reach the semi-finals of the Under 21 Euros. Evertonians will love his movement inside the penalty area to lose defenders and composed one-touch finishing.

Thierno Barry has the pedigree to be the top centre-forward Everton have been crying out for

Max Weiss, £4m, Karlsruher to Burnley

He faces a daunting task filling the gloves of James Trafford at Turf Moor but Weiss has made an impressive start, saving a penalty in Burnley’s final pre-season friendly against Lazio.

It may seem a gamble to let Trafford join Manchester City and replace him with a 21-year-old from the German second division, but Weiss is considered a major talent between the sticks and is noted for his bravery in one-on-one situations.

He kept 10 clean sheets last season, a tally that would do promoted Burnley nicely on their return to the top flight. Trafford’s record of 29 in the Championship last season will be impossible to match.

‘That was amazing. Not normal,’ acknowledges the new No 1.

Max Weiss has a task on his hands in replacing James Trafford and keeping Burnley up

Habib Diarra, £30m, Strasbourg to Sunderland

The most expensive of Sunderland’s 11 summer signings following their promotion via the play-offs, Diarra cost a club-record transfer fee but made a good first impression with Black Cats supporters by scoring the winner in their pre-season friendly at Augsburg.

Besides impressing in Ligue 1 last season, 21-year-old Diarra also scored for Senegal against England when they won 3-1 at the City Ground in June.

Aware of rival interest from Leeds, Sunderland moved quickly to snap up the midfielder. He proved his leadership qualities last season by captaining Strasbourg to qualification for the Conference League despite his young age.

His midfield partnership with Granit Xhaka could be key to Sunderland’s survival prospects under Regis Le Bris.

Habib Diarra has cost Sunderland a club record £30m fee, but can he keep them safe?

Charalampos Kostoulas, £29.7m, Olympiacos to Brighton

Brighton think they have uncovered another gem in the 18-year-old Greek forward. If they are right then he could become a household name of English football like fellow Seagulls discoveries Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.

Olympiacos believe Kostoulas will become one of the best strikers in Europe but it remains an eye-catching fee for someone with only seven senior goals.

Kostoulas was monitored by Bayern Munich after he helped Olympiacos win the UEFA Youth League in 2024, so Brighton had to strike fast. His appeal is that he is strong enough to play as a traditional target man but also has the touch and change of direction to be a second striker.

Brighton believe Charalampos Kostoulas could be the latest gem they have unearthed

And welcome back to...

Jordan Henderson

Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League-winning captain is back in England with Brentford after eventful spells in Saudi Arabia and at Ajax.

A 35-year-old Jordan Henderson still has something to give in the red and white of Brentford

Joao Palhinha almost won the UEFA Super Cup on his competitive debut with Tottenham

Granit Xhaka has been entrusted with the armband after swapping Bayer Leverkusen for Sunderland

Joao Palhinha

An integral part of Fulham establishing themselves in the top flight, the Portugal midfielder has joined Tottenham on loan from Bayern Munich.

Granit Xhaka

Former Arsenal captain won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen but, despite interest from elsewhere, has decided that Sunderland is the club for him for the next three years.

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