The Domino Effect of Contract Extensions

In the world of football, big transfers often create a domino effect, but contract renewals can be just as impactful. When star players decide to stay with their current clubs, it forces other teams to rethink their strategies and pursue alternative targets. This article delves into the major contract renewals of 2025 and how they shaped the summer transfer window.

Alphonso Davies: The First Domino

The first significant renewal came in February 2025, when Alphonso Davies committed to Bayern Munich for another five years. Many expected him to join Real Madrid, but his decision to stay in Bavaria forced Madrid to look elsewhere. They eventually signed Álvaro Carreras from Benfica for €60 million.

Joshua Kimmich: Midfield Stability

Just over a month later, Joshua Kimmich also extended his contract with Bayern Munich. This move left Manchester City, Barcelona, and Liverpool scrambling for alternatives. City ended up signing Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for €55 million.

Liverpool's Key Renewals

In April 2025, Liverpool managed to extend the contracts of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. This was a significant win for the club, especially with Saudi Arabian clubs showing strong interest in Salah. The ripple effect saw Saudi clubs turning to other targets like João Félix, Kingsley Coman, and Darwin Núñez.

Nico Williams: The Biggest Renewal

The most notable renewal of the summer was Nico Williams, who signed a 10-year deal with Athletic Club. Despite interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Williams chose to stay, forcing both clubs to look elsewhere. Barcelona ended up loaning Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, while Bayern signed Luis Díaz from Liverpool for €75 million.

The Gibbs-White Saga

Morgan Gibbs-White's decision to stay with Nottingham Forest after a failed move to Tottenham Hotspur was another major storyline. Spurs had to pivot to other targets, eventually signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig for €60 million.

Conclusion

The 2025 summer transfer window was heavily influenced by key contract renewals. These decisions not only kept star players at their current clubs but also created a ripple effect that reshaped the strategies of many top teams across Europe.