Premier League clubs have smashed their summer transfer record with over £3.3bn spent. More than half of the Premier League’s clubs broke their transfer records in a summer window featuring four of the top flight’s five most expensive ever deals.
Manchester City completed the biggest deal on the final hours of the window by singing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for £125m, while Liverpool paid £120m for Bradley Barcola, Chelsea made Morgan Rogers their record signing for £117m and Tottenham also broke the £100m barrier by recruiting midfielder Sandro Tonali.
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City were the biggest spenders overall with around £435m paid in transfer fees, followed by Chelsea (£349.8m) and Tottenham (£315m). Chelsea recouped the most in sales (£385m) with Aston Villa also receiving more than £300m in transfer fees after selling six of the players who started last season’s Europa League final.
But who got value in the market or which club is now fearing the worst? Here’s how every club rated at the end of another hectic transfer window:
Arsenal
Ins: Bruno Guimaraes (£75m), Ezri Konsa (£51m), Piero Hincapie (£45m), Christos Tzolis (£34m), Illan Meslier (free), Elijah Upson (free), Igor Tyjon (undisclosed fee), James Scanlon (undisclosed fee)
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Outs: Gabriel Martinelli (£55.7m, still to be confirmed), Leandro Trossard (£15.3m), Jakub Kiwior (£14.5m), Gabriel Jesus (£8.6m) Fabio Vieira (£7.7m), Christian Norgaard (£7m), Karl Hein (£2.6m), Ismeal Kabia (loan), Reiss Nelson (released), Takehiro Tomiyasu (free), Josh Nichols (free), Samuel Chapman (free), Ethan Nwaneri (loan), Tommy Setford (loan)
Verdict: All the noises coming out of the Premier League champions this summer suggested that Mikel Arteta wanted to add a marquee attacking signing to his title-winning squad. With all due respect to Christos Tzolis, he is not it. Instead, Arsenal were beaten to the signing of Morgan Rogers by Chelsea, saw Vinicius Jr remain at Real Madrid after a very public courting, and did not make an approach for Julian Alvarez after Atletico Madrid refused to negotiate with Barcelona. Having sold the popular Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, there is a danger that Arsenal are found short on the left side of their attack, although they have also avoided making expensive splurges on second-choice options. Still, Arsenal’s strength and depth across the rest of their squad is surely the envy of the Premier League and in Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa they have made two shrewd additions. This perhaps wasn’t the window Arsenal fans wanted. It is still good enough to win defend their title. – Jamie Braidwood
Grade: B+
Arsenal have hugely strengthened in midfield but still lack a striker (PA)
Aston Villa
Ins: Johan Manzambi (£51m), Nicolas Jackson (£47.5m), Ibrahim Mbaye (£47m), Joao Gomes (£34m), Zion Suzuki (£30m), Taylor Hawood-Bellis (£30m), Matteo Ruggeri (£21.4m), Leon Goretzka (free), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (loan), Alejandro Garnacho (loan), Modou Keba Cisse (joins next summer), Blade Earley (free)
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Outs: Morgan Rogers (£117m), Ollie Watkins (£51m), Ezri Konsa (£51m), Youri Tielemans (£35m), Donyell Malen (£21.6m), Enzo Barrenechea (£12m), Lewis Dobbin (£9m), Lucas Digne (£8.5m), Emi Martinez (£7.5m), Josh Feeney (loan), Lino Sousa (loan), Kosta Nedeljkovic (loan), Samuel Iling-Junior (loan), Evann Guessand (loan), Joe Gauci (loan), Sam Proctor (loan), Andres Garcia (loan), Oliwier Zych (loan), Kadan Young (loan), Zepiqueno Redmond (loan), Benjamin Broggio (loan), Yeimar Mosquera (undisclosed fee), Louie Barry (undisclosed fee), Sil Swinkels (undisclosed fee), Cole Ramsey (free), Thierry Katsukunya (free), Ronnie Hollingshead (free), Junior Wilson, (free), Brad Burrowes (loan), Aidan Borland (loan)
Verdict: This was a painful summer for Villa, of that there is no doubt. Beloved Istanbul heroes have vanished in the shape of Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins. However, Villa did what they felt was necessary, to safeguard their future and wriggle free of Uefa’s FFP regulations. The verdict may take some years, but Johan Manzambi, Ibrahima Mbaye and Zion Suzuki look like pillars for the long-term, while Nicolas Jackson, Joao Gomes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and the experienced Leon Goretzka bring immediate experience to maintain Unai Emery’s ability to compete. Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka may not fall in either camp, though more optimism arrives in the shape of talented youngsters Brian Madjo and George Hemmings. The strategy was probably a little too drastic to realistically compete for a trophy and retain a place in the top four, but Emery is just about the perfect manager to oversee this transition. – Jack Rathborn
Grade: C-
Unai Emery’s squad has a much different look to last season (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
Bournemouth
Ins: Antonio Silva (£21.4m), Alvaro Rodriguez (£21.3m), Juanlu Sanchez (£11.1m), Michele Di Gregorio (loan)
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Outs: Hamed Traore (£6.5m), Luis Sinisterra (£5.2m), Enes Unal (£1.2m), Matai Akinmboni (loan), Alfie Merritt (loan), Archie Harris (undisclosed fee), Alex Jimenez (loan), Alex Paulsen (loan), Owen Bevan (free), Romain Faivre (loan), Michael Dacosta (undisclosed fee), Marcos Senesi (free), Will Dennis (undisclosed), Ollie Morgan (free), Ashley Clarke (free), Noa Boutin (free), James Davies (free), Koby Mottoh (free)
Verdict: Keeping ahold of Alex Scott was the priority and Bournemouth were resolute in their stance even Arsenal and Chelsea circled. Eli Junior Kroupi may have been sold had it not been for a pre-season foot injury. It means new boss Marco Rose still has a talented squad to work with as he takes over from Andoni Iraola and leads Bournemouth into a history European campaign. The signing of 22-year-old centre-back Antonio Silva from Benfica could prove to be a bargain at £21.4m but Bournemouth’s lack of depth could yet be tested by the extra workload of the Europa League. – JB
Grade: B
Bournemouth have kept hold Alex Scott, although he has turned down a new contract (PA Wire)
Brentford
Ins: Mamadou Sangare (£39m), EL Hadji Malick Diouf (£35m), Jaidon Anthony (£15m), Jannick Schuster (£14m), Darwin Guagua (undisclosed fee), Callum Wilson (free), Joseph Wheeler-Henry (undisclosed fee)
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Outs: Ethan Pinnock (£6m), Josh Stephenson (loan), Jordan Henderson (free), Yunus Konak (loan), Iwan Morgan (undisclosed fee), Ben Krauhaus (loan), Romelle Donovan (loan), Michael Olakigbe (loan), Ethan Brierley (undisclosed fee), Frank Onyeka (undisclosed fee), Tony Yogane (undisclosed fee), Ethan Laidlaw (undisclosed fee), Ryan Trevitt (free), Staitham Bowen (free), Conor McManus (loan), Julian Eyestone (loan), Benjamin Arthur (loan), Matthew Cox (loan), Jayden Meghoma (Brentford)
Verdict: Brentford have shopped around Europe this summer and look set to be rewarded for looking further afield. They’ve pulled off what could be one of the signings of the season in midfielder Mamadou Sangare, bringing the 24-year-old to west London for a club record £39m after he impressed at French club Lens. The Mali international is already making an impact in the Premier League and may yet prove a bit of a bargain. Left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf was one of few bright lights in West Ham’s dire campaign last term and is another eye-catching signing, while the Bees have also brought in reinforcements up front in Callum Wilson for free and winger Jaidon Anthony, who impressed at Burnley last season. Brentford lived up to their reputation as one of the Premier League’s most organised clubs by completing their business early and avoided any major sales. – Flo Clifford
Grade: A+
Mamadou Sangare looks to be an excellent signing for Brentford (Reuters)
Brighton
Ins: Luka Vuskovic (£46m), Zadok Yohanna (£21.5m), Pascal Struijk (£18m), Chema Andres (£15.5m), Jaouen Hadjam (£11.1m), Costinha (£11m), Michael Svoboda (£4.3m), Matias Orozco (£3.5m), Promise David (loan), Rodrigo Rego (undisclosed fee), Valentin Joseph (undisclosed fee), George Munday (undisclosed fee), Oliver Mayer (free)
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Outs: Carlos Baleba (£70m), Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m), Carl Rushworth (£22.5m), Diego Coppola (£15.3m), Danny Welbeck (£5m), Jeremy Sarmiento (£3.4m), Harry Howell (loan), Facundo Buonanotte (loan), Joel Veltman (free), Tommy Watson (loan), James Beadle (loan), Brajan Gruda (loan), Yoon Do-young (loan), Adam Webster (released), Jacob Slater (free), James Milner (retired), Solly March (released), Zane Albarus (free), Billy-Ray Cullinane (free), Matthew Hayden (free), Charlie Pennan (free), Will Rutter (free), Nils Ramming (loan), Caylan Vickers (undisclosed fee), Igor Julio (loan), Eiran Cashin (loan), Charlie Tasker (loan), Freddie Simmonds (loan), Mark O’Mahoney (loan), Amario Cozier-Duberry (loan), Kamari Doyle (loan)
Verdict: Another window of savvy business from Brighton? Carlos Baleba’s loss will be felt and the £70m fee the Seagulls will get from Manchester United is significantly less than the £115m or so they were holding out for last summer. But Brighton have been active in strengthening in several areas. The biggest coup was landing highly-rated centre-back Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham for a club record fee of £46m, while the surprise deadline signing of Spain Under-21 midfielder Chema Andres from Stuttgart appears a classic piece of Brighton business. The former Real Madrid academy prospect is nicknamed “baby Rodri”. – FC
Grade: B+
Luka Vuskovic became Brighton’s record signing (Getty)
Chelsea
Ins: Morgan Rogers (£117m), Maxence Lacroix (£52m), Marco Palestra (£47m), Geovany Quenda (£40m), Valentin Barco (£34m), Emmanuel Emegha (£21.6m), Pep Chavarria (£16.3m), Emi Martinez (£7.5m), Danny Welbeck (£5m), Jordan Henderson (free), Harrison Bettoni (undisclosed fee), Dastan Satpayek (£2.1m), Alfie Osborne (£400k)
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Outs: Enzo Fernandez (£125m), Marc Cucurella (£52m), Andrey Santos (£50m), Nicolas Jackson (£47.5m), Liam Delap (£45m), Trevoh Chalobah (£25.7m), Tyrique George (£18m), Deivid Washington (£17.2), Marc Guiu (£14.6m), Tosin Adarabioyo (£7m), Omari Kellyman (£5.1m), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (£4m), David Datro Fofana (undisclosed fee), Caleb Wiley (loan), Mamadou Sarr (loan), Mykhailo Mudryk (loan), Axel Disasi (loan), Benoit Badiashile (loan), Reggie Walsh (loan), Dastan Satpayev (loan), Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (loan), Ishe Samuels-Smith (loan), Filip Jorgensen (loan), Ollie Harrison (loan), Alejandro Garnacho (loan), Chris Atherton (undisclosed fee), Kaiden Wilson (loan), Jesse Derry (loan), Harrison Murray-Campbell (loan), Frankie Runham (undisclosed), Joseph Wheeler-Henry (undisclosed), Jimi Tauriainen (free), Dario Essugo (loan), Robert Sanchez (loan), Dujuan Richards (loan), Borna Sosa (loan)
Verdict: The sheer number of comings and goings, and scale of their spending and selling, is simply astonishing. But it is hard to argue that Chelsea have not also done some very good business, particularly in receiving £125m for Enzo Fernandez. With the record buy of Morgan Rogers adding to a devastating front three of Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, Chelsea have also strengthened key areas by signing centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and addressing the problem position of goalkeeper by swapping the experienced Emiliano Martinez for the error-prone Roberto Sanchez. By managing to move on so many players (33 in total) Xabi Alonso now has a relatively slimmed-down squad that may now have a chance of challenging Arsenal for the title this season. The only regret, however, is their deal for Lamine Camara collapsed at the last minute after agreeing to sell Fernandez to City – and that was hardly their fault, with Monaco pulling out of an agreed deal. – JB
Grade: A-
Chelsea have again spent big in their first transfer window under Xabi Alonso (Reuters)
Coventry
Ins: Caleb Yirenkyi (£23m), Carl Rushworth (£22.5m), Sidiki Cherif (£20.5m), Loum Tchaouna (£20m), Aurele Amenda (£15.4m), Taiwo Awoniyi (£9m), Ethan Pinnock (£6m), Gustavo Hamer (£6m), Stephen Mfuni (loan), Dan Bentley (undisclosed fee), Frank Onyeka (undisclosed fee), Billy-Ray Cullinane (free)
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Outs: Kai Andrews (loan), Miguel Angel Brau (loan), Jahnoah Markelo (undisclosed fee), Norman Bassette (loan), Callum Perry (loan), Brad Collins (free), Isaac Moore (loan), Liam Kitching (loan), Charlie Finney (free), Rylie Siddall (free), Oliver Dovin (loan), Raphael Borges Rodrigues (loan)
Verdict: Ambitious. Frank Lampard has been backed without totally disrupting the group that impressively won the Championship last term. Well over £100m spent, which might now just be a necessary entry point to a promoted side having a realistic chance of survival. But Caleb Yirenkyi is an exciting addition and Taiwo Awoniyi could prove a shrewd buy with the Nigerian striker’s disruptive presence and potential for more goals than his recent time with Forest, should Lampard afford him a run of games. – JR
Grade: B-
Coventry twice broke their transfer record this summer and signed midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi (Getty)
Crystal Palace
Ins: Anan Khalaili (£21m), Zavier Gozo (£11m), Axel Disasi (loan), Evann Guessand (loan), Dwight McNeil (swap deal), Takehiro Tomiyasu (free), Oscar Mingueza (free), Honest Ahanor (loan), Ben Chilwell (free), Quinten Timber (undisclosed), Dario Osorio (loan)
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Outs: Maxence Lacroix (£52m), Daniel Munoz (£22m), Danny Imray (£5m), Mofe Jemide (loan), Tayo Adaramola (loan), Brennan Johnson (swap deal), Owen Goodman (loan), Jackson Izquierdo (free), Hindolo Mustapha (loan), Craig Farquhar (free), Asher Agbinone (free), Jemiah Umolu (free), Rio Cardines (loan), Joe Whitworth (undisclosed), David Ozoh (loan)
Verdict: Palace have lost a couple of key figures this summer. The departures of Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz are blows, and while they have kept ahold of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, you fear their burning desire to leave may end up impacting their performance. They didn’t spent big to fill the voids – their biggest acquisition being Anan Khalaili, Munoz’s replacement at right wing-back – and it took until deadline day for them to get particularly active. But after the signings of Honest Ahanor and Quinten Timber among other late acquisitions, Palace fans won’t be complaining too much. – Will Castle
Grade: C
Crystal Palace had a difficult summer as stars like Ismaila Sarr attempted to leave (Getty)
Everton
Ins: Tyrique George (£18m), Merlin Rohl (£17.3m), Hayden Hackney (£16.5m), Christian Norgaard (£7m), Brennan Johnson (swap deal), Jack Grealish (loan), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (undisclosed)
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Outs: Iliman Ndiaye (£60m), Beto (£17m), Tim Iroegbunam (£13m), Adam Aznou (loan), Joel Catesby (loan), Roman Dixon (free), Dwight McNeil (swap), Idrissa Gueye (released), Tyler Onyango (free), Reece Welch (free), Demi Akarakiri (free), Frankie Okoronkwo (free), Isaac Heath (undisclosed fee), Seamus Coleman (released), Cody Ebere (free), Goodness Gospel-Eze (free), Elijah Campbell (loan), Nathan Patterson (undisclosed fee)
Verdict: The Toffees will come out of this summer with a sour taste in the mouth. Yes, they got the return of Jack Grealish they wanted, but it came at the almighty cost of losing Iliman Ndiaye on deadline day. That departure by itself arguably leaves Everton in a worse place to where they ended last season, which isn’t a great reflection on the window. They did look to spend some of the Ndiaye money before the deadline, only to see their pursuit of Folarin Balogun fall through at the very last moment due to the player having a change of heart. They sold Beto expecting to sign a striker on deadline day, but haven’t. Now, they go into the season short in important positions. – WC
Grade: D
Jack Grealish’s arrival was one of the few good moments in a torrid end to the transfer window for Everton (PA Wire)
Fulham
Ins: Gonzalo Garcia (£34.3m), Shea Charles (£30m), Cesar Palacios (£8.6m), David Affengruber (Undisclosed), Jonah Kusi-Asare (£5.2m), Manuel Angel (£3m), Hugo Larsson (loan), Erskine Rennie (compensation)
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Outs: Sasa Lukic (£9m), Issa Diop (£8.5m), Luke Harris (loan), Harvey Araujo (loan), Steven Benda (free), Alfie McNally (loan), Harry Wilson (free), Olly Sanderson (undisclosed fee), Raul Jimenez (free), Callum Cliff (free), Oliver Mayer (free), Matthew Dibley-Dias (loan), Aaron Loupalo-Bi (loan)
Verdict: Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez leave a huge amount of production in their departures. Alvaro Arbeloa’s arrival and an appetite to do things differently is exciting, but the unknown brings a certain trepidation. How quickly can the Real Madrid Castilla group settle? Gonzalo Garcia looks both a top talent and character, but more needs to be done to dismiss any fear of relegation. WC
Grade: C-
New Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has brought three players with him from Real Madrid (Reuters)
Hull City
Ins: Nobel Mendy (£20m), Konstantinos Tzolakis (£20m), Lucas Herrington (£17.1m) Ilyas Ansah (£14.5m), Mohamed-Ali Cho (£13m), Tim Iroegbunam (£13m), Jens Hjerto-Dahl (£10m), Joe Gelhardt (£6.5m), Jack Butland (£3m), Lucas Gourna-Douath (3.4m), Elliot Stroud (£3m), Hidemasa Morita (free), Matt Targett (free), Oscar Zambrano (undisclosed fee), Ben Robinson (free), Christos Mouzakitis (undisclosed fee), Sorba Thomas (undisclosed fee), Robinio Vaz (loan), Brooke Norton-Cuffey (loan)
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Outs: Ivor Pandur (£6m), Abu Kamara (£2.5m), Aidon Shehu (2.5m), Cathal McCarthy (loan), Enis Destan (undisclosed fee), Thimothée Lo-Tutala (loan), Nathan Tinsdale (loan), Mason Burstow (loan), Harvey Cartwright (loan), Kyle Joseph (undisclosed fee), Kasey Palmer (undisclosed fee), James Debayo (loan), Akin Famewo (undisclosed fee), Harry Vaughan (free), Liam Millar (loan), Cody Drameh (loan)
Verdict: Hull went into this window, first of all, needing to sell. Their promotion through the play-offs had triggered bonus clauses in players’ contracts that meant their overspend was on course to leave them in breach of financial regulations, which could have led to a points deduction. They did sell to avoid this, with outgoings including their first-choice keeper Ivor Pandur, but they’ve since stocked heavily to prepare for a first season back in the Premier League. Nobel Mendy and Konstantinos Tzolakis headline a summer that has seen 18 (EIGHTEEN) additions, and after the Tigers notched two wins in their first two games, both already look like steals for club-record fees of £20m. Hull were quickly written off when they got promoted, possessing a squad that had been tipped for relegation into League One at the beginning of last season. They’ve seemingly done all they can to strengthen, adding six more on deadline day, but will it be enough? And will it perhaps be too much of a personnel shake-up for manager Sergej Jakirovic to handle? WC
Grade: B+
Nobel Mendy celebrates after scoring on his debut against Man Utd (Reuters)
Ipswich Town
Ins: Julio Enciso (£26m), Emersonn (£24m), Exequiel Palacios (£23.5m), Abdul Fatawu (£20m), Zian Flemming (£20m), Abdoul Ouattara (£17m), Florentino Luis (£16m), Daizen Maeda (£10m), Sasa Lukic (£9m), Kjell Scherpen (£8.6m), Issa Diop (£8.5m), Chuba Akpom (£7m), Kayne van Oevelen (£3.4m), Cédric Kipre (£1.7m), Chris Atherton (undisclosed fee), Frankie Runham (undisclosed fee), Lucca Fletcher (undisclosed fee)
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Outs: George Hirst (£6m), Arijanet Muric (£6m), Harry Clarke (£3.5m), Wes Burns (£100k), Cameron Humphreys (loan), Ali Al-Hamadi (loan), Kayne van Oevelen (loan), Ben Johnson (loan), Finley Barbrook (loan), Sam Szmodics (loan), Conor Townsend (loan), Conor Chaplin (loan), Elkan Baggott (£2m), Cieran Slicker (loan), Leon Ayinde (undisclosed fee), Ryan Carr (free), Somto Boniface (loan), Henry Gray (loan), Ashley Young (retired), Tudor Mendel (loan), Chieo Ogbene (loan)
Verdict: You certainly can’t accuse Ipswich of failing to give it a go this summer, given they’ve spent around £170m – breaking the record for the most by a newly-promoted club in Premier League history. Of course, they splashed the cash after promotion two years ago and still recorded just four wins all season as they slipped to a limp relegation… But there has been a concerted effort to bring in some attacking talent with Paraguayan livewire Julio Enciso already looking dangerous in the heavy defeat to Manchester United and the likes of former Toulouse striker Emersonn and ex-Leicester winger Abdul Fatawu also offering exciting young quality. Exequiel Palacios, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, should bring a touch of class in midfield, while Sasa Lukic and Issa Diop offer Premier League experience and ex-Celtic man Daizen Maeda is also a veteran of British football. They may not stay up but the Tractor Boys have at least taken a big swing. – Luke Baker
Grade: B
The return of Julio Enciso is a welcome addition of creativity (Getty)
Leeds United
Ins: James Trafford (£40.5m), Tarik Muharemovic (£34.1m), Nico Elvedi (£6.8m), Michael Zetterer (£4.2m), Harry Wilson (free), Jean-Matteo Bahoya (loan), Melvin Bard (loan)
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Outs: Pascal Struijk (£18m), Joe Gelhardt (£6.5m), Isaac Schmidt (£1.1m), Lucas Perri (loan), Sam Byram (free), Sebastiaan Bornauw (loan), Wilfried Gnonto (loan), Joël Piroe (loan), Charlie Crew (loan), Jack Harrison (undisclosed fee), Maximilian Wöber (released), Karl Darlow (free), Illan Meslier (free), Harry Gray (loan), Sam Chambers (loan), Largie Ramzani (loan)
Verdict: An aggressive window from Leeds and one that puts faith in Daniel Farke. A massive move for James Trafford provides a foundation and sign that the Whites intend to be a Premier League side for years to come, given the England shot-stopper’s best years are ahead and the lack of stability so far in his short but promising career meant his next move would have to be highly convincing. To be an attractive free agent destination, for Harry Wilson, and then to acquire the talented centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, with the older Pascal Struijk going out for a lesser fee, shows Leeds have spent with intent, while not operating in a reckless way like some of their rivals. A couple late loans to add depth to the left flank also doesn’t go amiss. – JR
Grade: A-
James Trafford was Leeds’ headline signing this summer (Getty)
Liverpool
Ins: Bradley Barcola (£123m), Jeremy Jacquet (£55m), Victor Munoz (£34.5m), Lucca Brughmans (£30m), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (undisclosed fee), Ronald Araujo (loan), Samuel Martinez (joining in 2027)
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Outs: Curtis Jones (£25.7m), Stefan Bajcetic (undisclosed fee), Calvin Ramsay (loan), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (loan), Kieran Morrison (loan), Calum Scanlon (loan), Mohamed Salah (free), Amara Nallo (loan), Armin Pecsi (loan), Luca Stephenson (undisclosed fee), Carter Pinnington (undisclosed fee), Ibrahima Konate (free), Andy Robertson (free), DJ Bernard (free), Rhys Williams (released), Lucca Brughmans (loan), Harvey Elliott (loan), Keyrel Figueroa (loan)
Verdict: The long-awaited signing of Bradley Barcola brings an injection of excitement into Liverpool’s window but, as so adeptly described by my colleague Adam Clery in his latest YouTube video, it’s a bit like buying a Ferrari while your house is burning to the ground. The Reds remain conspicuously short in defensive midfield and at right-back, though they did strengthen in central defence with Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo. Victor Munoz looks a strong wing option further forward – but it is somewhat questionable that they’ve not brought in a left-footed wide option to replace Mohamed Salah. – Kieran Jackson
Grade: B
Manchester City
Ins: Enzo Fernandez (£125m), Elliot Anderson (£116m), Ayyoub Bouaddi (£85.6m), Iliman Ndiaye (£60m), Allan (£32m), Mathys Detourbet (£21.6m), Jeremy Monga (£12.5m), Pierce Charles (£3m), Gerónimo Rulli (£1.7m)
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Outs: Savio (£75m), Nico González (£52m), Tijjani Reijnders (£52m), Rodri (£51.3m), James Trafford (£40.5m), Nathan Ake (£7m), Issa Kaboré (£2m), Reigan Heskey (£2m), Stephen Mfuni (loan), Manuel Akanji (undisclosed fee), Jack Grealish (loan), Omar Marmoush (loan), Divine Mukasa (loan), Max Alleyne (loan), Finley Burns (undisclosed fee), Lakyle Samuel (loan), Emilio Lawrence (loan), Divin Mubama (loan), John Stones (free), Joel Ndala (undisclosed fee), Spike Brits (loan), Matty Warhurst (undisclosed fee), Sverre Nypan (loan), Pierce Charles (loan), Mathys Detourbet (loan), Isaac Smith (undisclosed fee), Oliver Whatmuff (loan), Bernardo Silva (free), Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (undisclosed fee), Jaden Heskey (loan), Luca Fletcher (undisclosed), Kalvin Phillips (loan), Christian McFarlane (loan)
Verdict: There has been a lot of change at the Etihad in what is Enzo Maresca’s first window in charge. Just look above: for nine signings, see 33 departures. A new midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi is extremely exciting but the exit of Rodri – the favourite to claim a second Ballon d’Or – is unequivocally a huge blow. Club stalwarts like Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Ake have also left and Maresca may have quite the job on to get all his big-money signings to gel in the absence of such huge squad characters. – KJ
Grade: A-
Elliot Anderson will anchor Manchester City’s new midfield (Getty)
Manchester United
Ins: Carlos Baleba (£70m), Andrey Santos (£50m), Youri Tielemans (£35m), Tynan Thompson (£4m), Cristian Orozco (£700k), Karl Darlow (free), Kit Margetson (compensation)
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Outs: Rasmus Hojlund (£43.2m), Radek Vitek (£14m), Jayce Fitzgerald (loan), Toby Collyer (undisclosed fee), Jacob Devaney (loan), Ethan Ennis (undisclosed fee), Ethan Williams (undisclosed fee), Sonny Aljofree (undisclosed fee), Altay Bayindir (loan), Tyler Fredricson (undisclosed fee), Casemiro (free), André Onana (loan extended), James Scanlon (undisclosed fee), James Bailey (free), Ethan Wheatley (loan), Sekou Kone (loan), Elyh Harrison (loan), Tyrell Malacia (released), Jadon Sancho (released)
Verdict: Another Manchester club, another extensive midfield rebuild. Yet while the Red Devils missed out on Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, there is an abundance of potential in the acquisitions of Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. And yet… the highest of hopes for Michael Carrick’s squad this campaign is a return of one of their own. Marcus Rashford, now adorning the No 9 jersey, is back after steering his career back on track at Barcelona last season. Should Carrick unlock Rashford’s quality, United could be potent up top. But could failing to sign a left back, despite a late effort to bring Rayan Ait-Nouri from Manchester City on loan before the deadline, come back to haunt them?
Grade: B+
Newcastle
Ins: Nico González (£52m), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (£51m), Bazoumana Toure (£43m), Aladji Bamba (£30m), Amar Dedic (£29.5m), Lukas Hornicek (£25.7m), Ewen Jaouen (£21.6m), Sean Steur (£20m)
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Outs: Sandro Tonali (£92.5m), Bruno Guimaraes (£75m), Anthony Gordon (£69.3m), Nick Woltemade (loan), John Ruddy (free), Anthony Munda (loan), Alex Murphy (loan), Matt Targett (free), Joe White (free), Antonio Cordero (loan), Harrison Ashby (loan), Odysseas Vlachodimos (loan extended), Charlie McArthur (free), Kieran Trippier (free), Travis Hernes (undisclosed fee), Kayden Lucas (free), Ezra Tika-Lemba (free), Rory Finneran (loan), Emil Krafth (released)
Verdict: Honestly, who knows?! On paper, Newcastle have been hit very hard, losing star players like Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon, as well as their manager Eddie Howe midway through pre-season. However, new boss Matthias Jaissle has impressed in his opening two games – a draw against Liverpool and a win at Spurs – and new signings such as Nico Gonzalez, Amar Dedic and goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek have been crucial to that positive start. They’ve also signed highly-regarded Belgian attacker Matias Fernandez-Pardo at the eleventh hour. – KJ
Grade: C
Nico Gonzalez has been crucial to Newcastle’s positive start (Reuters)
Nottingham Forest
Ins: Liam Delap (£45m), Ousmane Diomande (£34.2m), Daniel Munoz (£22m), Steven Benda (free), Gustavo Sa (undisclosed fee), Xaver Schlager (free), Boyd Fraser (undisclosed), Mason Ayre (undisclosed), Blaine McClure (undisclosed), Grady McDonnell (free), Kasen Brown (free)
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Outs: Elliot Anderson (£116m), Taiwo Awoniyi (£9m), Omari Hutchinson (loan), Tyler Bindon (loan), Lamin Sillah (loan), Dilane Bakwa (loan), Eric da Silva Moreira (loan), Omar Richards (undisclosed fee), Stefan Ortega (released), Danny Anisjko (free), Jota Silva (free), David Carmo (undisclosed), Joe Gardner (undisclosed), Cormac Daly (free), Angus Gunn (free), Ben Hammong (free), Justin Hanks (free), Willy Boly (released), Josh Powell (loan), Morato (loan), Zach Abbott (loan)
Verdict: A new manager in Oliver Glasner and an offer they couldn’t refuse in Elliot Anderson. The £116m fee, considering a lack of Champions League football, was monstrous, although losing your best player puts a limit on your window rating. They’ve spent a decent amount, as they always tend to do, and the upheaval is remarkable, no matter the manager, but somehow the players fit: Daniel Munoz is one of the best right-backs/right wing-backs in this league and Xaver Schlager, who proved himself with Austria at the World Cup and joins on a free transfer, should fit in nicely. While Liam Delap’s fee is lofty, there is a disruptive presence in there and with game time, the goals should return. Ousmane Diomande could have gone to a bigger club, too. Safety is a solid bet and Glasner might have the Tricky Trees dreaming of a cup run. – JR
Grade: C+
Nottingham Forest broke their transfer record on Liam Delap (Getty)
Sunderland
Ins: Malick Fofana (30.8m), Dayann Methalie (£24m), Thomas Meunier (free), Jules Ahoka (£8.6m), Juan Riquelme Angulo (£5m), Ethan Berry (free), Adam Nelson (free), Kevin Danso (loan)
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Outs: Eliezer Mayenda (£17.1m), Anthony Patterson (£8m), Luis Semedo (undisclosed fee), Jenson Seelt (loan), Dennis Cirkin (free), Leo Hjelde (undisclosed fee), Arthur Masuaku (free), Ahmed Abdullahi (undisclosed fee), Timothee Pembele (loan), Dan Neil (free), Nazariy Rusyn (free), Matty Young (loan), Zak Johnson (undisclosed fee), Harrison Jones (undisclosed fee), Milan Aleksic (loan), Oliver Bainbridge (free), Tom Lavery (free), Rhys Walsh (free)
Verdict: Sunderland went above and beyond last summer to stay up, spending £161m on 15 signings. They didn’t just stay up – they got European football, completely exceeding expectations. But this summer, have they rested on their laurels? It certainly looked like that before deadline day, by the morning of which they only had three senior signings on board. But after the last-minute arrivals of Malick Fofana – holding off an attempted Crystal Palace hijacking – along with Kevin Danso and Juan Riquelme Angulo, Sunderland’s ranks do now look improved. Regis Le Bris also didn’t lose any of his key stars from last term; a win. – WC
Grade: C+
Belgium veteran Thomas Meunier is one of Sunderland’s summer recruits (Reuters)
Tottenham
Ins: Sandro Tonali (£92.5m), Mateus Fernandes (£85m), Savio (£75m), Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m), Tosin Adarabioyo (£7m), Omar Marmoush (loan), Cole Ramsey (free), Mykhailo Mudryk (loan), Martin Dubravka (free), Marcos Senesi (free), Andy Robertson (free)
Outs: Luka Vuskovic (£46m), Cristian Romero (£34.1m), Djed Spence (£25.6m), Will Lankshear (£20m), Alejo Veliz (£7.8m), Ashley Phillips (£7m), Alfie Devine (£6m), Manor Solomon (£5m), Tynan Thompson (4m), Kevin Danso (loan), Pape Matar Sarr (loan), Jamie Donley (loan), Guglielmo Vicario (loan), Yang Min-hyeok (loan), Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny (loan), Elijah Upson (loan), Yusuf Akhamrich (loan), Radu Dragusin (loan), Luca Gunter (loan), Matthew Craig (undisclosed fee), Pele Arganese-McDermott (free), Souza (loan), Leon Myrtaj (free), Oliver Irow (loan), Mason Melia (loan), Kota Takai (loan), George Abbott (loan), Damola Ajayi (loan), Dane Scarlett (undisclosed fee)
Verdict: It’s an A+ for intent and aggression, yet the exact nature of the strategy might be where Spurs fall apart. They’ve acquired some good players, undoubtedly, but more than £300m on players that the existing top four or five clubs would not leap to sign, save Mateus Fernandes, could bring problems down the line when a similar splurge might be required to elevate this group back into Europe. The deadline day double signing of Chelsea dead wood Tosin Adarabioyo and Mykhailo Mudryk raised even more eyebrows. Still, back-to-back 17th place finishes understandably sparks panic and the need to overhaul a dreadful group across two seasons. Roberto De Zerbi certainly cannot complain, there’s a lot to work with and a top-half finish is the minimum requirement. – JR
Grade: B-
Tottenham spent £100m to sign Sandro Tonali in the summer – is he worth it? (Getty)
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