Grading Every Premier League Team's Transfer Window

WORDS BY ZAC ASSOUNI

A whopping 2.36 billion pounds was spent by Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window and with so much money being spent it’s safe to say the competition just got even more fierce. Here’s each team’s grade for their summer transfer window.

Arsenal: A

The absence of a true centre forward has plagued Arsenal for far too long, meaning the signing of Sporting Lisbon’s Victor Gyokeres for 55 million pounds was almost a no brainer with the swede managing 54 goals in all competitions last season. The gunners also bolstered their attack bringing in Noni Madueke from Chelsea for 48 million pounds with Crystal Palace’s midfield maestro Eberechi Eze joining for 60 million pounds, beating out neighbours Tottenham for his signature. Martin Zubimendi finally made his big move to the Premier League, coming across from Real Sociedad for 60 million pounds as well as Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie on a loan deal.

Aston Villa: C

The Villains transfer window got off to a less-than-ideal start with PSR issues limiting the type of transfer movement that we’ve seen from Villa in recent years. Last season’s loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio departed the club as did Jacob Ramsey for 39 million pounds. Evann Guessand joined for 30 million pounds as well as Harvey Elliot and Jadon Sancho arriving on loan.

Bournemouth: C+

After last season’s success most of the cherries’ star contributors such as Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi were sold to some of Europe’s elite leaving Andoni Iraola’s squad thinner. Adrien Truffert came in from Rennes for 14 million pounds as did Lille’s Bafode Diakite for 34 million pounds to replenish the defensive ranks with Djordje Petrovic signing on as Bournemouth’s new number one keeper as they look to continue their stay in the top half of the Premier League table.

Brentford: E-

Thomas Frank leaving to become the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur was the start of a summer of goodbyes for Brentford as they saw the prolific duo of Bryan Mbuemo and Yoanne Wissa leave the club alongside Christian Norgaard and Mark Flekken leaving the bees without their core. Dango Outtara came in for 42 million pounds alongside Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson on loan, Jordan Henderson from Ajax on a free transfer as well as Caoimhin Kelleher for 12 million pounds as their new starting goalkeeper.

Brighton: D-

The seagulls are notoriously great at making sizeable profit from the players they sell and while the summer wasn’t a replica of the past few seasons, Brighton continued their shrewd business as Brazilian forward Joao Pedro made his move to Chelsea for 60 million pounds. In terms of incomings, it was once again quiet when it came to big fees and big names as Maxim De Cuyper came in from Club Brugge for an undisclosed fee plus holding onto Carlos Baleba is a massive boost for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Burnley: C

The clarets needed to bolster their squad with established talent that wouldn’t cost a fortune and to a degree they have as they signed Marcus Edwards, Kyle Walker, Lesley Ugochuckwu and Axel Tuanzebe as part of their 14 new signings. It will take some doing for Scott Parkers men to continue their defensive successes in the Premier League especially after losing goalkeeper James Trafford, however, with the league as competitive as ever.

Chelsea: B

Chelsea continued their ways of spending without splashing hundreds of millions like we’ve seen in the past few years as Ipswich’s Liam Delap came in early for 30 million pounds followed swiftly by the signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton and Jamie Gittens from Dortmund for 55 million pounds. The Blues also continue to get rid of dead wood better than any other club at the moment with the departures of players such as Christpher Nkunku to AC Milan and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Everton. The late signings of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United for 40 million pounds and Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton leaves Chelsea with a more than healthy squad yet again.

Crystal Palace: D-

The eagles’ transfer window was dramatic to say the least with captain Marc Guehi on the brink of a deadline day move to Liverpool which did not eventuate at least for now. Eberechi Eze’s departure to Arsenal also leaves a massive hole for Oliver Glasner’s men which they have tried to fill with the signing of Yeremy Pino for 26 million pounds from Villareal. Palace’s squad will have to hold up if they have any chance of reaching the FA Cup winning level of last season.

Everton: B+

The David Moyes led renaissance of Everton seems to have continued in the transfer market with the toffees bringing in the talented Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for 28 million pounds. The departure of longtime frontman Domenic Calvert-Lewin meant Everton would also go on to sign Thierno Barry from Villareal for 27 million pounds to provide competition to Beto. Question is, are these fresh faces enough to see Everton’s rise up the table continue?

Fulham: D

It seems as though not much has changed when it comes to Fulham’s squad after the summer transfer window with the Cottages still keeping a majority of their biggest output players. In terms of incomings, it was quiet for a while until deadline day where club record signing Kevin was bought from Shaktar for 34 million pounds. AC Milan’s Samuel Chuckweze on loan was also brought in to provide some more attacking flair to Marco Silva’s men.

Leeds United: B-

Leeds fans won’t have too many complaints with their summer business with Lucas Nmecha coming in for free from Wolfsburg as well as AC Milan’s Noah Okafor for 18 million pounds livening up the attack for Daniel Farke’s men. A signing that will prove to be interesting is Domenic Calvert-Lewin coming in for free from Everton, a clean bill of health for the Englishmen would certainly help Leeds’ chances of avoiding the drop.

Liverpool: A+

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid left a sour taste in the mouth of many Liverpool supporters, although, that sour taste wouldn’t last long as the reds would go on to spend a freakish 446 million pounds and even offloaded the likes of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. The fullback pairing of Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong came through the door early followed by the 116-million-pound signing of Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz as well as Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for 79 million pounds. However, it was Alexander Isak who held out for his dream move getting his wish as the reds forked out a Premier League record fee of 125 million pounds. This Liverpool side is set up now better than ever to dominate the football world as the backing of Arne Slot has been done to full effect.

Manchester City: B+

Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City on a free to Napoli opened the door to the signing of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for 46 million pounds as well as Lyon’s Rayan Cherki for 30 million pounds hoping to add some more attacking flair to accompany Erling Haaland up top. Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri was also bought in for 31 million pounds alongside not one but two goalkeepers making the move to the citizens after Ederson’s departure with James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma joining Pep Guardiola’s side. This combined with their winter spending last January gives City a whole new look but is it enough to close the gap to Liverpool?

Manchester United: A-

After the conclusion of the 24/25 season any Manchester United fan would tell you that their faltering attack needed new additions and fast. Thankfully, early moves were made securing the signing of Premier League proven duo Mathues Cunha from Wolves for 62 million pounds and Bryan Mbuemo form Brentford for 65 million pounds. Despite not qualifying for any European competition, the red devils were keen on giving Ruben Amorim a good chance of succeeding with Bejamin Sesko also making his way to the club from RB Leipzig for 73 million pounds. The offloading of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, and Jadon Sancho could spell a new era for United especially with only the Premier League to focus on until the New Year.

Newcastle United: B-

It’s always tough to lose a player like Alexander Isak, especially after all the drama that unfolded, although Newcastle have done their best to replace the goals he brought in with the club record signing of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for 69 million pounds. Anthony Elanga. Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw were all bought in alongside the deadline day transfer of Yoanne Wissa from Brentford for 55 million pounds. It wont be easy, but if these signings can kick on Newcastle can try to put the Isak saga behind them, at least until they face Liverpool again.

Nottingham Forest: C

One thing is guaranteed in the transfer market with Nottingham Forest, madness, and that’s exactly what happened again as Forest bought in yet another haul of players including Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, and Dan Ndoye after the departure of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for 52 million pounds. As chaotic as it was, keeping Morgan Gibbs-White gives Forest, an extra boost as do the loan signings of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Douglas Luiz. If everything stays harmoniums between Nuno Espirito Santo and Evangelos Marinakis, Forest has a good chance to replicate last season’s surprise success in the league.

Sunderland: A

Sunderland’s transfer business was so positive that losing Jobe Bellingham to Dortmund doesn’t even seem that bad. The black cats went bold by backing manager Regis De Bris with the signings of Enzo Le Fee, Reinildo, Simon Adingra, Brian Brobbey, and Nordi Mukiele. Meanwhile the experienced Granit Xhaka came over from Bayer Leverkusen for 13 million pounds in one of the more shocking moves of the window. They’ll have to take it slow but this Sunderland team certainly has potential, maybe even enough to avoid relegation.

Tottenham: A-

Losing a player like Heung Min Son hurts, although spurs simply had to strengthen their squad anyway after finishing 17^th in the league last season. The early signing of West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus for 55 million pounds was certainly a great start although the Morgan Gibbs-White saga coupled with Eberechi Eze choosing fierce rivals Arsenal left Tottenham with little time to continue to bolster their squad for incoming boss Thomas Frank. Thankfully, spurs got their big fish with the signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig for 51 million pounds as well as the smart loan signings of Joao Palinha from Bayern Munich and Randall Kolo Muani from Juventus. Question is, can spurs compete on all fronts in another tilt for silverware?

West Ham United: E

It was certainly a tough summer for Graham Potter’s men especially after losing a player like Mohammed Kudus. Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa made their way to the club as well as Callum Wilson and Mads Hermanssen, although is this enough to keep the hammers out of an impending relegation fight?

Wolverhampton Wanderers: E-

Losing two key players in Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha would hurt any side let alone this young wolves side. Fer Lopez, Tolu Arokodare and Jhon Arias headlined the incomings with potential but also leaving wolves in some doubt as to whether or not Victor Pereira’s side can compete with those around them, especially when the three promoted teams strengthened their squads quite significantly.

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