Top 10 African Stars to Watch in 2025-26 Premier League

Brief Summary:

· Sunderland returns to the Premier League, signing six African players, while stars like Carlos Baleba, Alex Iwobi, and Antoine Semenyo look set to shine this season.

· Elite Premier League teams invested heavily in African talent. A big money move for Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo to Premier League giants Manchester United, followed by Mohammed Kudus £55M move to the reigning Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspurs, and Algerian Rayan Aït-Nouri £31m to Man City.

· At 33, Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool’s attacking force. He sealed the scoring at Anfield during the Reds 4-2 win against Bournemouth in the premier League’s season opener and looks set to challenge for a fifth Golden Boot after 29 goals and 18 assists last season.

Deep Dive!!

Monday, August 25—About a week ago, on August 15th, the 2025-26 Premier League season kicked off, leaving fans buzzing with excitement for what is to come. As we know, Egyptian powerhouse Mohamed Salah is the reigning Player of the Season, and there is absolutely no doubt that he would be looking to pick up his fifth Golden Boot this season, with Liverpool’s brand new front 3 when Arne Slot added Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz to his attacking options.

However, Salah isn’t the only African star player to look out for this season. Some African players secured high-profile transfers this season and are expected to put on a show.

In this article, we bring you the Top 10 African stars that are worth watching and are anticipated to bring joy to our screens in the 2025-26 Premier League season.

10. Sunderland’s New African Stars

Sunderland returns to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, and the first thing they did was to make about 11 signings to ensure their continued stay in the competition.

Among all signings, six of them are Africans, who are all worth a total of whooping $84M. The Black Cats secured Senegalese midfielder Habib Diarra for a club record £30million. 

They also signed the Democratic Republic of the Congo duo: Noah Sadiki, a defender who cost Sunderland £15 million and Arthur Masuaka, another defender who came in as a free agent from Besiktas.

Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava also joined the squad as a free agent following his departure from Atletico Madrid, and 20-year-old Moroccan winger Chemsdine Talbi signed a five-year deal worth £18million with a potential £2.5 million add-ons that will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2029.

Ivory Coast's AFCON24 winner, Simon Adingra, joined the squad from Brighton for a fee of £21 million in a five-year deal. These new acquisitions are expected to put on a show in the Premier League this season and keep Sunderland competing to earn their place in the competition.

9. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo, West Ham United)

Wan-Bissaka could be essential to West Ham’s defence since he had a good run in his first season at the club, leading all defenders with the most interceptions (66) and successful dribbles (64). He’ll be looking to add to his numbers in the 2025-26 season.

8. Carlos Baleba (Cameroon, Brighton & Hove Albion)

Carlos Baleba had such a good season last season that Manchester United were keen to include him in their squad and energise their defence. At just 21 years old, it is safe to say that his tackles and interceptions make him one of the continent’s most effective midfielders. All eyes are on him for the new season.

7. Alex Iwobi (Nigeria, Fulham)

Alex Iwobi led Africans when it comes to chances created (59) in the Premier League last season. The Nigerian midfielder also scored 9 goals and provided 6 assists for Fulham, a performance that ignites hopes to be a key playmaker for the new season. The 29-year-old has already registered an assist this season when The Cottagers secured a much-needed 1-1 draw against a new-look Manchester United over the weekend.

6. Antoine Semenyo (Ghana, Bournemouth)

On a personal record, Antoine Semenyo enjoyed one of his best seasons in the 2024/25 outing, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists for his team. The Ghanaian and the Cherries forward have started this season on a very high note. He netted a brace against the defending Champions Liverpool in the Premier League opener. With the World Cup in sight, the striker is approaching the new season with great enthusiasm after extending his contract at Bournemouth until 2030.

READ MORE: Top 10 Goalkeepers Under 30 Lighting Up CHAN 2024

5. Yoane Wissa (DR Congo, Brentford)

Brentford’s hopes to build on their success last season has a lot to do with Yoane Wissa as a part of their team. The striker had a tremendous impact last season alongside Bryan Mbuemo, scoring 19 goals. His success and prowess have stirred continued interest from other Premier League teams like Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal. For now, Brentford Boss Keith Andrews still counts on the  lethal Congolese forward despite the transfer interest from top clubs.

4. Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria, Manchester City)

Aït-Nouri joined Manchester City from Wolves in a deal worth £31 million. The 24-year-old’s addition to the team is evident since Manchester City ended the previous season without a major trophy. Aït-Nouri could be an asset to their defence, scoring 4 goals and providing 7 assists from his left-back position at Wolves in the 2024/25 season. The Centre Back started both two Man-City’s opening matches before being taken off at Etihad on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat at the hands of Spurs.

3. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana, Tottenham Hotspur)

Of course, there’s a reason why Tottenham splashed £55 million on Kudus in a six-year contract. He is expected to replace Son Heung-min following his departure, and fans are eager to see what he brings. The 25-year-old is off to a great start as he earned the Man of the Match title in his first outing against Burnley after providing two assists in a 3-0 win.

2. Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon, Manchester United)

Manchester United, in a bid to seek redemption after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, signed Bryan Mbuemo in a five-year deal worth £71 million. The 26-year-old forward enjoyed a breakout season at Brentford with 20 goals and 7 assists in the 2024/25 season. He has become the centre of attention as fans are looking to see his contribution with his new side. The Cameroonian forward is yet to open his Premier League account in Manchester United colours.

1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)

After winning the PFA Player of the Year Award for the 3rd consecutive time, the ‘Egyptian King’ still leads the list of top African football stars on your watch list this 2025. Talk about his 2024-25 stats? Salah scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists, contending with legends for the highest goal involvements in a single campaign. At 33, he remains Liverpool’s attacking asset and will be chasing his fifth Golden Boot, which makes him a top pick to watch.