The 2025 summer transfer window could be a big win for UK landlords in these areas
An early kickoff due to this year’s FIFA Club World Cup has signalled the start of a longer-than-usual summer transfer window that is shaping up to be particularly active.
This is the view of property group Savills, which notes that high-end rental properties in football’s premier locations are seeing strong demand. For landlords in the right position, this will be an active window of opportunity, it said.
“Throughout the coming months until deadline day on 1 September, top footballers will be making the move to new clubs and, like any other job relocation, that means finding a new place to call home.
“For many players – especially those early in their careers or moving internationally – renting is the preferred option, offering flexibility while they and their families settle in.
“Some may go on to buy at a later date, particularly if they want a long-term UK base or are looking at property as an investment, but initially a rental property is the norm, which means luxury accommodation that ticks all the boxes is in demand.”
Savills said that at this time of year, as well as during the shorter January transfer window, it typically works directly with clubs, which have increasingly brought relocation and housing in-house to better support their players.
“And these strong relationships mean we are often instructed to let the properties of players who are departing on loan, or permanently, in cases where those players value complete discretion and often an off-market service. This can be especially appealing for privacy or security-conscious landlords and tenants,” it said.
Savills said some of the most in-demand areas include:
- The North West: Manchester, Liverpool (Formby), Hale, Bowden, Alderley Edge and Wilmslow, for example, are popular with players from Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton and Burnley
- South-west London: Richmond, Barnes, Fulham and Ealing tend to be sought after by players transferring to Fulham & Brentford
- Elmbridge and Surrey in general: A natural focus for Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham
- East London/Essex: within easy reach of central London, these areas generally feature highly for West Ham and Charlton
- North London: Hampstead and St John’s Wood, up to Hertfordshire, are typically magnets for Spurs and Arsenal
