Manchester United
Manchester United signed Matheus Cunha (left) and Bryan Mbeumo this summer (Image: Getty)
Premier League spending went through the roof this summer, with the 20 clubs shelling out more than £3billion to sign new players. And the arrivals and departures came thick and fast on transfer deadline day at the start of this week.
Liverpool are aiming to retain the Premier League trophy this season after cruising to the title during Arne Slot’s maiden season in charge. The Reds have spent £450million to sign the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, with Alexander Isak finally arriving on Monday. Arsenal have been prolific spenders this summer as they desperately try to derail Liverpool’s title defence, with Chelsea and Manchester United also bringing in plenty of fresh talent. And Express Sport grades the summer transfer window of all 20 Premier League clubs.
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AFC Bournemouth – D
Bournemouth have managed to get the likes of Djordje Petrovic, Bafode Diakite and Ben Gannon Doak through the door and in Andoni Iraola they have a manager who can get the best out of players. But they lost three of their best players in Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen, and those departures could hit them hard. At least they managed to keep Antonie Semenyo though.
Arsenal – A
Arsenal have had one of the best summer transfer windows in the Premier League after snapping up eight players. Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi in particular could make the biggest difference and you sense if Arsenal are ever going to win the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta, it will be this season.
Aston Villa – D
Aston Villa were busy on transfer deadline day, with Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott arriving on loan after Victor Lindelof had penned a permanent deal. But there are huge question marks over Sancho, and Lindelof was released by a struggling Manchester United. And with Villa’s other summer arrivals untested in the Premier League, it feels like an underwhelming window for the club.
Brentford – E
The arrival of Premier League winners Caoimhin Kelleher and Jordan Henderson will have a positive impact, with Dango Ouattara also an exciting talent. But when you lose three superstars in one window in the shape of Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard, it becomes apparent how difficult this season could be for the Bees.
Brighton – C
Brighton lost star player Joao Pedro to Chelsea this summer, with Simon Adingra and Pervis Estupinan also moving on. But when you consider the gems Brighton have unearthed in the past, it provides confidence that summer signings Maxim De Cuyper, Charalampos Kostoulas and Diego Coppola could flourish on the south coast.
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Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting this summer (Image: Getty)
Burnley – B
Burnley lost James Trafford after Manchester City activated their buy-back clause to re-sign the goalkeeper. But the Clarets should be lauded for replacing him with Martin Dubravka, who is an experienced shot-stopper. And the arrivals of Kyle Walker, Jaidon Anthony and Quilindschy Hartman will give the club hope of staving off relegation.
Chelsea – B
Chelsea are the gift that keep on giving when it comes to transfers. The Blues once again stumped up huge sums of cash to bring in a host of players. Pedro, Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho will make a difference in the final third, with 18-year-old Estevao Willian already lighting up the Premier League after finally touching down in England. But will the addition of those players be enough to put Chelsea in the mix for Premier League honours? Probably not.
Crystal Palace – C
Crystal Palace managed to keep hold of Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day after his move to Liverpool fell through. But when you lose star winger Eze, your prospects suffer. And all of Palace’s summer signings, including Yeremy Pino, Christantus Uche and Jaydee Canvot, are unproven in England. But if any manager is going to steer the Eagles to success this season, it’s Oliver Glasner.
Everton – B
Everton boss David Moyes has proven that he’s a shrewd operator in recent weeks, with Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyler Dibling all penning deals with the Toffees. Those are players who can make an immediate impact at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Grealish has laid on four assists in his last two matches and, with the likes of Thierno Barry, Charly Alcaraz and Adam Aznou also joining the club, Moyes will be pleased with his transfer efforts.
Fulham – E
Fulham have had a quiet window, with Benjamin Lecomte, Kevin and Johan Kusi-Asare the only players to arrive. And the Cottagers could struggle this season after failing to win in their opening three league matches.
Leeds – B
Leeds are really going for it this season and their spending over the summer shows that they’re desperate to stay in the Premier League. The Whites have spent more than £100m on players, with 10 new faces arriving at Elland Road. It remains to be seen whether Lucas Perri, Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson as well as experienced Premier League campaigners Sean Longstaff and Dominic Calvert-Lewin can keep the club in the top flight.
Liverpool – A*
Liverpool have perhaps enjoyed the best summer transfer window in the Premier League, with Slot backed with plenty of cash after delivering success last season.
Isak’s arrival on Monday capped off a fine summer of business, with Ekitike already showing what he can do up front. Wirtz, Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are likely to excel in the long run, with the Reds also clawing back some cash by offloading Jarell Quansah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Kelleher. But they will be hurt by the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Manchester City – B
Manchester City desperately needed to refresh their squad this summer following their woeful campaign last time around. Tijjani Reijnders impressed on the opening weekend of the season, with Rayan Ait Nouri and Rayan Cherki ready to make a name for themselves in Manchester. And the addition of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain is also astute business.
Manchester United – B
The signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo should revolutionise the United attack this season if Ruben Amorim can get things right. Benjamin Sesko may need time to get used to the Premier League, while Red Devils chiefs will be hoping Senne Lammens can solve their goalkeeper problems. And plenty of underperforming players have been shipped out as well.
Newcastle – C
Newcastle have spent heavily with the arrivals of Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Wissa, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey. But will any of them be able to make up for the loss of Isak following his blockbuster transfer to Liverpool?
Nottingham Forest – B
Nottingham Forest are another club who are happy to spend money on players. They have 13 new faces this summer, including James McAtee, Dan Ndoye and Omari Hutchinson. But things appear to be tense at the club at present, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo set to hold talks with owner Evangelos Marinakis during the international break.
Sunderland – B
Sunderland have given themselves just as good a shot as the other promoted sides of staying in the Premier League thanks to their efforts on the transfer front. The club have spent well over £150m, with players such as Chemsdine Talbi, Brian Brobbey and Habib Diarra aiming to make a difference. And former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka will be key to the team.
Tottenham – C
Thomas Frank has got to work bringing in new players since taking over as Tottenham boss. And Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons will be influential in the final third. Joao Palhinha has proven in the past that he can mix it with the best in the Premier League, while Kevin Danso and Luka Vuskovic can do a job.
West Ham – D
West Ham have spent huge money in the transfer market but it doesn’t appear to be helping them on the pitch as they were humbled in their opening two matches before beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the weekend. The departure of Kudus hasn’t helped but the arrivals of El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mateus Fernandes and Mads Hermansen might just pay off in the end.
Wolves – E
Wolves could struggle this season following the exits of Cunha and Ait-Nouri. The permanent signings of Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias, David Moller Wolfe and Tolu Arokodare could boost the team, but they’re untested in England.