As the 2025 summer transfer window approaches, clubs are already on the lookout for potential signings to improve their teams, and one of the most prominent demands for top teams is creativity.

There, the spotlight shifts to playmakers, the gifted orchestrators who dictate tempo and unlock defenses with vision and flair.

With several European giants recalibrating their midfield options, demand for elite creators is at an all-time high. Bayern Munich is one of the teams in search of a new attacking heartbeat, as finding a successor to Thomas Muller becomes a priority.

Premier League giants Manchester City also want to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, while Liverpool aim to add ingenuity to their evolving midfield, even so, in appreciation of their manager, Arne Slot, who delivered the league title in his first season without any major signings.

Arsenal may also seek depth and versatility behind their strikers. There have been questions about the creativity of their Chief creator, Martin Ødegaard, and they could be forced to bring in competition, with the opportunities available in the summer window.

Our list highlights five playmakers whose form, potential, and tactical intelligence could reshape the fortunes of top clubs. Their blend of technique and final-third productivity makes them standout options for managers chasing silverware.

Top 5 Playmakers in the 2025 Transfer Window

1. Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen 

Unarguably the most exciting and has been on the radar of only the top clubs, with Liverpool now reported to have joined both Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the race for his signature.

• Age: 21
• Nationality: Germany
• Positions: AM, LW, RW, ST

Florian Wirtz appears to be the epitome of playmaking amongst midfielders his age. He has been a revelation since his breakthrough, and his achievement for Bayer Leverkusen against the odds also makes him a standout.

He has been the best player in the German topflight since his breakthrough, considering overall performances and consistency, even though he has had battles with serious injuries, he has made his comeback to get even better.

Currently, the holder of the Bundesliga player of the season award, having been crowned in the wake of leading Leverkusen to their first-ever League title last campaign, Wirtz will be a massive signing for any team that successfully lures him away from the BayArena.

He remains the player to achieve double digits for both goals and assists in the last two Bundesliga seasons, amassing 34 goals and 33 assists across all club competitions in that time.

City wants him as Kevin De Bruyne's replacement, Bayern Munich wants him as Thomas Muller's successor, and Liverpool requires his services to improve creativity through the middle.

It will be interesting to see where Florian Wirtz moves come the summer, with Bayer Leverkusen expected to demand more than €100 million from a potential buyer.

2. Xavi Simons of Red Bull Leipzig

It's difficult to see this coming when the Dutchman signed a permanent contract with the Red Bull club in January, with PSG Paris Saint-Germain having around €81 million from the deal.

• Age: 21
• Nationality: The Netherlands
• Positions: AM, CM, RW, LW, LM

Unfortunately, their failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League means Xavi Simons will have to find a new environment where he can compete in the major competitions to continue his development, and RB Leipzig has been informed.

Xavi Simons has had a tough start to his career, moving from one club to another almost every season. At 22, his next club will be his fourth since his first team debut in 2020.

There can be no question about his talent and performances. He has thrived in every environment where he has been given the chance to express himself.

In his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven in 2022, Simons won the Eredivisie top scorer as well as the player of the season. He was also named in the team of the season in his first Bundesliga spell, on loan from PSG.

He can be the creator-in-chief and score the goals. The former La Masia player has scored double-digit goals in the last three seasons, while his assist tally has equally been impressive.

It may cost a fortune to lure him away from the Red Bull Arena, and if he can stay healthy, it will be worth every penny spent on his acquisition.

3. Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyon

A potential deal for the French youngster represents a market opportunity because he will be available for €22.5 million this summer, which is a modest fee considering what he offers.

• Age: 21
• Nationality: France
• Positions: AM, RW, ST, CM

Rayan Cherki is odds-on to leave Olympique Lyonnais in the summer. It could have happened sooner, but the club was reluctant to sanction his request to leave in the January window, when Borussia Dortmund was high on his trail.

He is one of those few playmakers with staggering numbers. Cherki has been the bright spark in a season marred by uncertainty for Lyon, leading their Europa League run and placing them in a position of prominence in the Ligue 1.

He is joint top for most Ligue 1 assists this season with 10, despite playing fewer games compared to his counterparts. Cherki has also scored eight league goals, making him Lyon's most productive player in the competition.

Cherki led the way for assists and goals involvement in the Europa League with eight and 12, respectively. Across all competitions for Lyon, he has made a direct contribution to 31 goals. He has just been named in the Ligue 1 Team of the season.

For a player capable of deciding games on his own with his creativity and goalscoring, Cherki will not be a sort of suitor when push finally comes to shove.

4. Kang-In Lee of PSG Paris Saint-Germain 

After two successful seasons in Paris, the South Korean will reportedly seek an exit from PSG Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, as the collective success has barely shown reflections of his effort.

• Age: 24
• Nationality: South Korea
• Positions: AM, RW, ST

Kang-In Lee, a technically gifted midfielder known for his vision, close control, and creative passing, thrives in tight spaces and often operates as a playmaker with quick turns and sharp decision-making.

Though not physically dominant, Kang-In compensates with intelligence and excellent spatial awareness, making him a key link between midfield and attack.

After a slow start at Valencia, where he made his professional debut in 2018, the 24-year-old moved to Mallorca, where he would stay one season before securing a PSG Paris Saint-Germain in a €22 million deal.

At PSG, he has been very effective in his considerably limited play time. Kang-In, who won the Golden Ball at the 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup, has also added the Trophée des Champions Best Player in the 2023 final, where he starred in a 2-0 win over Toulouse.

With PSG also looking to offload him, it opens up a great opportunity for a potential buyer, because he could be available for less than his transfer value of around €35 million, depending on the clubs vying for his signature.

5. Sem Steijn of FC Twente

Best player in the Eredivisie this season despite playing his trade for an average Twente side — he has been their difference maker this season, and one will wonder how high they'll have been on the log had his teammates been a little bit as good.

• Age: 23
• Nationality: The Netherlands
• Positions: AM, CM

Sem Steijn is a dynamic attacking midfielder renowned for his intelligent positioning, sharp off-the-ball movement, and clinical finishing.

Standing at 173 cm, he compensates for his modest stature with exceptional awareness and timing, often arriving late in the box to capitalize on loose balls and rebounds.

His versatility allows him to score in various ways, including volleys, headers, acrobatic efforts, and even set pieces.  Steijn's ability to exploit defensive gaps and his keen sense for goals make him a formidable playmaker. 

In the ongoing Eredivisie season, Steijn has been outstanding, leading the league with 24 goals and contributing seven assists in 32 matches, a total goal contribution of 31, which is at least six more than any other player.

Steijn's remarkable season has not gone unnoticed; he was named Eredivisie Player of the Month in September 2024 after scoring five goals in that month alone.

His consistent performances have been pivotal in FC Twente's strong league campaign, and he will take some beating for the Eredivisie Player of the Season.

Given his age, technical prowess, and impressive statistics, Sem Steijn stands out as one of the most promising playmakers available in the upcoming summer transfer window, and if he can be this good in a Twente team, imagine what he could do in a much-improved environment.

Although he recently signed a contract extension that ties him with Twente until the summer of 2028, the deal does include a gentleman's agreement that allows him to leave for €10 million as early as this summer.

Reports have it that fellow Dutch club Feyenoord has successfully activated the clause, and Steijn will join the Rotterdam-based club at the end of the season.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi