Premier League transfer window verdicts

Every club's summer business assessed, from record signings to deadline day chaos.

Sep 2, 2026

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Premier League transfer window verdicts

Every club's summer business assessed, from record signings to deadline day chaos.

In brief

Every club's summer business assessed, from record signings to deadline day chaos. The transfer window saw record spending across the Premier League, with some clubs making transformative moves while others faced chaos and missed targets. Originally reported by the Guardian.

Arsenal's attacker search falls short

Arsenal signed Bruno Guimarães, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis but failed to land a marquee forward. They chased Morgan Rogers and Vinícius Júnior before both moves fell through.

Villa's major overhaul reshapes squad

Aston Villa sold nine players for about 300 million pounds and brought in ten for around 250 million, lowering wages and changing their squad profile under manager Unai Emery.

Bournemouth keeps key players intact

Bournemouth keeps key players intact

Bournemouth's best business was retaining Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams while adding young centre-back António Silva from Benfica.

Brentford avoids repeat upheaval

Brentford avoids repeat upheaval

Brentford held onto their best players and made smart additions including Mamadou Sangaré from Lens, who looks the bargain of the summer at 39 million pounds.

“Mamadou Sangaré looks the bargain of the summer”

Brighton's 12 signings continue model

Brighton made 12 signings including Luka Vuskovic and Femi Azeez while selling Carlos Baleba and Jan Paul van Hecke for over 140 million pounds combined.

Chelsea's Alonso era begins

Chelsea's Alonso era begins

Xabi Alonso's appointment was Chelsea's biggest signing. They brought in Morgan Rogers for 117 million pounds but sold Enzo Fernández to Manchester City for 125 million.

Coventry seeks Premier League balance

Coventry made 11 signings to add Premier League experience and physicality, bringing in Taiwo Awoniyi and Ethan Pinnock while relying on young talent like Sidiki Cherif.

Palace's chaotic deadline day scramble

Crystal Palace confirmed arrivals of Ben Chilwell, Quinten Timber and Darío Osorio after the window shut following a tug of war with Sunderland over Malick Fofana.

Everton's window reveals ownership issues

Everton's window reveals ownership issues

Everton's modest window descended into chaos as their best player was sold below market value and a move for Folarin Balogun collapsed, leaving David Moyes with fewer options.

Fulham's youth-focused rebuild begins

Fulham appointed inexperienced Álvaro Arbeloa to replace Marco Silva and focused on adding youth, bringing in Gonzalo García, César Palacios and Shea Charles.

Hull erupts with 18 signings

Hull erupts with 18 signings

Hull owner Acun Ilicali presided over 18 signings investing over 150 million pounds after spending last season under a transfer embargo, with Joe Gelhardt signing permanently.

“Think of us like a volcano. It's boiling right now and it's going to erupt.”

Ipswich spends 200 million on survival

Ipswich spent close to 200 million pounds bringing in Julio Enciso, Exequiel Palacios and Zian Flemming to give themselves a genuine shot at Premier League survival.

Leeds makes sensible attacking additions

Leeds signed England goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City for 40.5 million pounds and defensive prospect Tarik Muharemovic, plus Harry Wilson on a free transfer.

Liverpool's big money shift continues

Liverpool's big money shift continues

Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for 123 million pounds but weaknesses remain at right back, defensive midfield and on the right wing.

Manchester City breaks British record

Manchester City spent 457.5 million pounds with Enzo Fernández's deadline day signing for a British record-equalling 125 million, following signings of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Manchester United focuses on midfield

Manchester United recruited three midfielders in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba but missed out on left-back targets despite defensive needs.

Newcastle transforms after major sales

Newcastle transforms after major sales

Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães for around 250 million pounds combined, then signed eight young players including Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.

Nottingham Forest balances Anderson sale

Nottingham Forest received 116 million pounds for Elliot Anderson and used it to sign Liam Delap for a club record 45 million pounds plus Ousmane Diomande.

Sunderland wins Fofana deadline day battle

Sunderland and Crystal Palace engaged in an astonishing deadline day tug of war over Lyon winger Malick Fofana, with private jets on the tarmac before Fofana chose Wearside.

Tottenham's lavish De Zerbi reboot

Tottenham's lavish De Zerbi reboot

Tottenham spent a club record amount in their first window since Daniel Levy's departure, backing Roberto De Zerbi with signings of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Sávio.

What it means

The transfer window saw record spending across the Premier League, with some clubs making transformative moves while others faced chaos and missed targets.

Read the original on the Guardian

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