The 10 best Premier League midfielders on the summer 2026 transfer market

With the 2026 summer window still months away, Premier League power brokers are already sketching blueprints for the midfield overhaul they believe will define next season’s title race. From home-grown talents seeking a bigger stage to proven internationals eyeing one last blockbuster move, these ten names dominate early conversations inside recruitment rooms across England.

Curtis Jones tops the list of potential movers. Liverpool have rebuffed all enquiries for the 25-year-old, yet sources close to the player say he is open to becoming the focal point of a new project rather than rotating through Anfield’s engine room. Tottenham, linked since January, are unlikely to be alone in their pursuit if Jones formally asks to leave.

Elliot Anderson has transformed into Nottingham Forest’s standout performer, prompting both Manchester clubs to test the East Midlands resolve in the last window. Forest resisted, but senior figures expect the 23-year-old to graduate to Champions-League level football in 2026.

Adam Wharton is already being discussed as a nine-figure transfer. The 21-year-old Crystal Palace anchor has matured into one of Europe’s premier holding midfielders, and with Real Madrid among those courting him, Premier League suitors know the price will only rise.

Bruno Guimaraes continues to set extraordinary benchmarks at Newcastle: nine goals, four assists, a team-best 2.1 tackles and 1.6 key passes per match. Manchester City have long seen him as the ideal partner for Rodri, while Manchester United would sanction a record outbound spend to secure the Brazilian.

Carlos Baleba’s situation appears simpler. The Brighton enforcer has signalled a desire to leave, and United are odds-on favourites to secure his signature; anything less would register as the shock of the summer.

Sandro Tonali’s trajectory has shifted since swapping Milan for Tyneside. Newcastle have not seen the regista they expected, and Arsenal are monitoring the Italian should he seek a swift Premier League upgrade.

Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, is the wild card. With 12 assists and six goals this season, the Portuguese remains indispensable to United, yet a managerial change or Saudi Pro League megadeal could tempt the 31-year-old to cash in on his prime.

James Garner’s understated excellence at Everton has put Spurs on alert. The England international offers ball-winning and distribution at a fraction of the market’s top-tier cost, making him an appealing fallback for budget-conscious buyers.

Alex Scott represents another value proposition. Bournemouth’s 22-year-old technician is expected to leave for a mid-sized fee, with Tottenham again circling a player who could elevate their possession metrics without shattering the wage structure.

Joao Palhinha completes the list. On loan from Bayern Munich, the Portuguese destroyer has added spectacular goals to his elite defensive output. Tottenham hold a sub-€30 million option, and if they pass, a queue will form for a proven Premier League ball-winner at a cut-rate price.

As clubs weigh age profiles, resale value and tactical fit, these ten midfielders will shape the narrative of the 2026 window long before the first fax machine whirs into life.