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Mr. Reliable Danny Welbeck will be the perfect mentor for Joao Pedro at Chelsea: Goal grades…

Danny Welbeck Chelsea GFX.jpg

Welbeck-Chelsea

For Brighton: It’s actually difficult to overstate how much of a blow this is for Brighton, who are being shorn of the man who was their top goal-scorer by some distance last season and the joint-third highest scorer in their entire history. They certainly won’t begrudge Danny Welbeck an exit, especially when such an unlikely opportunity has arisen for him at the age of 35, but it will sting nonetheless. Head coach Fabian Hurzeler will be determined to secure a worthy replacement, especially with highly-rated young Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas still sidelined after suffering a dreaded ACL tear back in December. At the moment, Tzimas’ compatriot Charalampos Kostoulas and German attacker Georginio Rutter are their only options, although Evan Ferguson is back from his loan with Roma. It’s currently unclear who they will turn to in the transfer market, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Liam Delap’s name had come up during discussions with Chelsea over Welbeck’s move to Stamford Bridge. Grade: D

For Chelsea: Chelsea signalled some time ago that they would seek Premier League-proven players who were ‘mature’ and ‘emotionally resilient’, as they leave their youth-driven transfer policy behind after another mightily underwhelming campaign under BlueCo’s stewardship. Welbeck certainly brings all of that in abundance despite being in the twilight of his career. He wouldn't be making up the numbers, either. Despite now being 35, the Brighton striker is fresh from the best goal-scoring campaign of his 18-year Premier League career to date (13), with his second-highest tally coming in 2024-25. He has even plundered nine goals and two assists in 19 league appearances against Chelsea, with his first coming for Sunderland way back in 2010 and his most recent in April this year. He looks set to play second fiddle to Joao Pedro, which means the Blues have work to do in terms of outgoings with Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Emmanuel Emegha and Shim Mheuka among the many strikers on their books. Signing Welbeck is obviously a short-term play, but Chelsea will hope his presence and leadership can have a long-term effect. He has demonstrated that he is still perfectly capable of delivering. Grade: B+

For Welbeck: At this stage of his career, this was an opportunity that Welbeck simply couldn’t pass up. He can now add Chelsea to his already-impressive resume, where he will have the chance to work with a revered manager in Xabi Alonso and, presumably, will be given significant influence in the dressing room as the club seeks some stability and leadership. He won’t be a regular starter, but there is every chance that he gets plenty of minutes off the bench when Pedro is given a rest, while he should lead the line in the early stages of the cup competitions. A two-year contract also means that, should Chelsea qualify, he might get one more opportunity to play in the Champions League in 2027-28. Welbeck will also be reunited with Pedro, with whom he shared a strong connection at Brighton and could be the perfect mentor for, as well as Delap in the case that the Blues keep him around. Grade: A

Krishan Davis

John Stones Inter

For Man City: John Stones’ emotional exit was confirmed at the end of the club season, but it was inevitable in truth. The defender was plagued by injuries throughout his time at Man City, but particularly during the final two years of his contract, which always made it unlikely that he would be offered a renewal. Now-former City manager Pep Guardiola had hinted early in 2025-26 that Stones faced an uphill battle to secure a new deal, and a thigh issue he suffered during the winter that sidelined him for 18 games probably put paid to his chances in that regard. Nevertheless, the centre-back still enjoyed a glittering decade-long stay at the Etihad, becoming a key figure at the back and helping the club claim a famous treble in 2022-23, including that elusive first-ever Champions League crown. Stones undoubtedly goes down as a club legend despite his fitness troubles, but a parting of ways probably made sense at this stage. Even if he was still in contract, he wouldn’t have commanded much of a fee. After the 32-year-old was linked with Chelsea, City will probably be glad that he isn’t joining a Premier League rival, too. Grade: B

For Inter: Obviously, given his injury struggles, there is some significant risk attached to this move for Inter, even if it is a free transfer. However, they will hope they have offset that risk by convincing Stones to put pen to paper on a two-year contract reportedly worth around £115,000 per week - significantly less than he was earning at the Etihad. Now, the Scudetto winners just have to hope that the England international can stay fit as there will be serious questions over his durability. On his day, he remains one of the finest ball-playing centre-backs around, as he showed with some strong displays at the World Cup earlier in the summer. Serie A is something of a haven for veteran players, and Inter must believe that the slower pace in Italy will take less of a physical toll on a player whose body often let him down in the Premier League. Stones replaces Francesco Acerbi, who, at 38, was perhaps proof that the Englishman could potentially play for many more years in a less intense league. The Nerazzurri may well view this as something of a coup, too, having reportedly beaten the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal to the defender’s signature. Grade: B

For Stones: Stones was probably in need of a fresh start, and he will hope to put his fitness troubles behind him for good in Italy. Not only is this the opportunity to experience a new league and culture, but he will also continue to challenge for major honours both domestically and in Europe for the club that is currently Italy’s dominant force. He might not know it yet but, at 32, Stones may well have extended his playing days by a couple of years by swapping the cut and thrust of the Premier League for the slower pace of Serie A, and at this late stage in his career he should be well suited to life there. He will be reunited with former City team-mate Manuel Akanji at San Siro and will fancy his chances of starting in Cristian Chivu’s back-three system alongside the brilliant Alessandro Bastoni. That, in turn, could well keep him in contention at international level, should he wish to continue his England career beyond the summer after the disappointment of a semi-final World Cup exit. Grade: A

Krishan Davis

Maxence Lacroix Chelsea 2026

For Palace: It’s less than two years since Palace spent just £18m to sign Lacroix from Wolfsburg as a 24-year-old, so they will be thrilled to have almost tripled their money in such a short timeframe as their business model delivers again. The centre-back has developed in exactly the way they would have hoped, forming a key part of the FA Cup and Conference League-winning squads of the past two seasons under Oliver Glasner. Given his performances as a dominant, ball-playing defender, Palace would have anticipated interest in the France international and were reportedly aware of Lacroix's desire to test himself at the highest level. They might feel they could have gotten more, given the inflated market, but the money will still be very useful in terms of balancing the books after the Eagles spent big in January on Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen. Grade: A-

For Chelsea: BlueCo continue their drive to add more Premier League experience and quality. Chelsea desperately needed an overhaul of their centre-back ranks, with none of their existing muddle of options standing out as quality long-term solutions, other than the fit-again Levi Colwill. The England international aside, it’s a bit of a mess; Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Axel Disasi and Mamadou Sarr have all flattered to deceive, and their futures are uncertain as a result. Consequently, it’s been reported that the Blues could even go after another central defender after Lacroix’s arrival, with Como’s Jacobo Ramon among the names touted, which would likely mean multiple members of the current group are moved on. The west Londoners will probably feel that, albeit a little steep, £52m ($69m) is decent enough value in the current market for a Premier League-proven centre-back and full France international who is approaching his peak years. What’s more, Lacroix is a much-needed on-pitch leader. Drafting him in alongside Colwill immediately gives Chelsea a solid-looking central defensive partnership to build around. Now it is about cutting away the deadwood and perhaps adding some more quality and experience, and that could begin with Disasi heading in the opposite direction. Grade: B+

For Lacroix: It’s been a hell of a couple of years for Lacroix, who has won the first major honours of his career, become a senior France international and played at a World Cup in his two years as a Palace player. The 26-year-old is known to want to test himself further and play at the highest level, and he has more than earned the opportunity to make the step up to a so-called ‘big six’ club this summer after some consistently staunch performances in south London. A move to Chelsea feels like the perfect outcome for him; he is staying in the capital, and he can expect to step straight into Xabi Alonso’s starting line-up as the right-sided centre-back, given the limitations of the likes of Fofana and Chalobah, and the uncertainty surrounding their respective futures. Lacroix became a cult hero at Selhurst Park, and a strong start under Alonso would see him swiftly become a popular figure in his new surroundings. Grade: A+

Krishan Davis

Elliot Anderson Man City GFX

For Forest: Maybe some mixed emotions. On the one hand, Forest will be sad to see Anderson leave, given he played such an integral role in them first qualifying for the Europa League, and then making it all the way to the semi-finals last season. Anderson was the fulcrum of the team. Absolutely everything went through him, so replacing him will not be easy. At least money won’t be an issue, though. Whether the true fee is £116m or £130m (Forest say the latter), it’s a colossal amount of cash for a player signed for just £35m two years ago. So, while Anderson will clearly be missed at the City Ground, the overriding emotion at boardroom level will be satisfaction, because Forest have taken City to the cleaners here. Grade: A

For Man City: Their new Rodri. Or, at least, he better be. Although Rodri has yet to make clear his intentions, all signs point to the Ballon d’Or winner leaving the Etihad this summer to return to his native Spain - and even if he doesn’t, City needed a worthy heir to the 30-year-old’s throne anyway. After all, it’s not as if Nico Gonzalez or Matheus Nunes has ever really convinced in the No.6 role. Anderson looks the part, though. He’s a proven Premier League player who had more touches and won more duels than any other player in England’s top-flight last season, meaning he looks like a perfect fit for Enzo Maresca’s midfield. There is simply no denying, though, that this is the ultimate example of the ‘English tax’. Anderson is a very good player who, at 23, could eventually become a great one. But he’s coming off the back of a couple of good seasons at Forest and has yet to even play in the Champions League. There’s just no way City would have had to pay a nine-figure fee for Anderson if he were still representing Scotland at international level - rather than England. Grade: C

For Anderson: The right move at the right time. Anderson has clearly outgrown Forest. He's shown he has the potential to play at the highest level and he's now going to get the chance to do so at City. The size of the fee will bring with it an awful lot of pressure and Anderson wouldn't be the first promising young England midfielder to struggle at the Etihad. However, the 23-year-old looks a more complete footballer than Kalvin Phillips at the same age, and the big, big difference between their respective situations is that it doesn't look like Rodri won't be standing between Anderson and a starting spot. So, while there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the post-Pep Guardiola era at City, this is a glorious chance for him to establish himself as one of the best central midfielders in Europe. Grade: A+

Mark Doyle

Alejandro Garnacho Aston Villa 2026

For Chelsea: Chelsea will be thrilled to have gotten Garnacho off their books so quickly this summer - a player who could very easily have been difficult to shift given his forgettable single-season spell in west London and the club’s steep £42.5m ($57m) price tag. It was a little over 10 days ago that it was reported that the Blues had permitted Garnacho to miss pre-season training in order to complete a transfer away from Stamford Bridge, and that move has swiftly come to fruition in the form of a loan to Aston Villa that includes a conditional obligation to buy. It has been reported that those conditions are very easy to meet, and the Argentine has already signed a four-year contract at Villa. It’s unclear at this stage what the fee will be, but you would imagine that it won’t be far short of Chelsea’s valuation, which they will be very happy about - especially having just signed Morgan Rogers from the Midlands side for a club-record fee. Grade: A

For Aston Villa: Given just how ineffective Garnacho was during his time at Chelsea, this is a move that will ring alarm bells for Villa fans. Head coach Unai Emery was apparently the driving force behind their pursuit of the player, as he wanted a pacey winger, and the hope will be that the Spanish tactician can restore Garnacho's confidence. But it feels as though there is significant risk attached due to the fact Garnacho has looked bereft of the verve and swagger that made him such a standout talent during his time at Manchester United for some time now. The wideman does not look capable of replicating Rogers’ numbers in attack, and there will be serious questions to answer if he fails to deliver while the Villans are still obligated to buy him at the end of the season - and for what is likely a big fee. The agreement is also a pretty brazen means of swerving financial rules, in that it is clearly engineered to maximise profits from the Rogers and Garnacho deals in the eyes of UEFA, who would consider this a swap if the Argentine winger was moving on a permanent basis this summer, and therefore the difference in fees would be deducted. Grade: C

For Garnacho: A second fresh start in the space of a year, Garnacho will surely be determined to make this opportunity count as he risks his career drifting into mediocrity. Emery has a knack of getting the best out of players who have previously underperformed, and Rogers’ exit means there is a place up for grabs in Villa’s starting XI. However, the Argentine is misguided if he thinks there will be less pressure on his shoulders away from a so-called ‘big six’ club, with the Villa Park faithful mightily expectant after Champions League football was secured once again - a boon for the new signing. Garnacho will surely also be wary of the plight of Harvey Elliott, who joined Villa from Liverpool last summer on what looked like a very achievable loan with conditional obligation to buy; he simply had to make 10 Premier League appearances. However, he was frozen out by Emery and was rarely included in a matchday squad. The manager has previous, and Garnacho will have to prove his worth. Grade: B

Krishan Davis

Christos Tzolis Arsenal 2026

For Brugge: Although Tzolis would certainly be worth more if he was plying his trade in one of Europe’s top-five leagues, Club Brugge will be very happy with what is a club-record intake for a player they signed for just €6.5m two years ago from Fortuna Dusseldorf. Negotiations appear to have been pretty smooth, too, with Arsenal ultimately meeting the Belgian champions' valuation of the winger. The selling club were in a strong position after Tzolis signed a new contract a year ago. That kind of money will go a long way for a Jupiler Pro League side, and Brugge will look to reinvest it smartly after reclaiming the title from Union Saint-Gilloise last season.Grade: A

****For Arsenal:****The Premier League champions needed reinforcements in the wide areas following Leandro Trossard’s post-World Cup switch to Besiktas, and Tzolis will tick a lot of boxes in terms of a replacement. The Greece international enjoyed a fine individual campaign in 2025-26, racking up a staggering 51 goal contributions (22 goals, 29 assists) in all competitions, helping to fire Brugge to the league title and the Champions League knockouts. There is, of course, some risk attached to this move, even if the fee looks like decent value in today’s market; Tzolis struggled badly in his first spell in the Premier League with Norwich City, albeit he was very young and the Canaries were doomed to relegation, so there will be question marks over whether he can translate his form from Belgium to English football. Arsenal will hope Tzolis has taken learnings from that experience, and the player boasts the physicality and speed to succeed. The Gunners might have to be patient to see the best version of the 24-year-old, but he should be a handy rotation option initially at the very least. Grade: B+

For Tzolis: The winger returns to the Premier League with a point to prove after his failed spell at Norwich, buoyed by the fact that he has revitalised his career in Belgium after initial loans with FC Twente and Dusseldorf. The challenge now is to keep up the lofty standards he has set with Brugge in a much more difficult league, but the signs are that he has the ability to become a success. Tzolis reportedly only wanted to join Arsenal and prioritised their interest, so he will surely be thrilled that the transfer has come to fruition. Now the hard work begins as he looks to establish himself in north London. Grade: A+

Krishan Davis

FBL-ESP-GER-LIGA-BARCELONA-ADEYEMI

For Dortmund: Probably the best they could have done in the circumstances. Adeyemi had just one year left on his contract and there was no chance of him signing a new one. Consequently, Dortmund were left with no option but to sell him this summer to avoid losing a pretty valuable asset for nothing next year. Adeyemi is obviously worth more than €22m that Dortmund will receive up front, but it shouldn't be forgotten that he's had a fair few injuries and struggled for consistency throughout his four years at Signal Iduna Park. BVB have also done well to secure a sell-on clause in his contract. Grade: B

For Barcelona: A potentially shrewd signing. We've given Barca an awful lot of stick over the years for their transfer business - and rightly so - but credit where it's due, this could prove an excellent bit of business. Adeyemi has yet to live up to his billing as Germany's next big thing, but he's still only 24, making him a younger, cheaper and quicker alternative to Marcus Rashford. Perhaps more importantly than anything else, Hansi Flick believes he can get the best out of a player whom he handed his international debut to five years ago. Grade: B+

For Adeyemi: A perfectly-timed transfer. Adeyemi looked like a superstar-in-the-making when he joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in May 2022, but it never quite happened for him. There were undoubtedly signs last season that he might belatedly realise his potential, but a move to Camp Nou still represents an incredible development for the Munich-born winger. The good thing is that he won't be under an enormous amount of pressure, given the fee. Indeed, much more will be expected of Anthony Gordon in the early stages of the new season, and that should make life a lot easier for Adeyemi, who has the versatility and pace to become a really important member of a Barcelona forward line that's being radically revamped this summer. Basically, this feels like the right move at the right time for Adeyemi, who won't get a better platform on which to belatedly realise his potential. Grade: A

Mark Doyle

Morgan Rogers Chelsea 2026

****For Villa:****A brutal reminder of their place in the Premier League’s pecking order. Had Rogers joined newly-crowned champions Arsenal, that would have been one thing. However, Villa finished fourth last season, six places and 13 points above Chelsea, and will be playing Champions League football this year, while the Blues have no continental competition at all to look forward to - and yet the Europa League titleholders were utterly powerless to prevent their most prized possession from moving to Stamford Bridge. Obviously, from a financial perspective, this is an absolutely unbelievable deal for Villa. They signed Rogers from Middlesbrough just two-and-a-half years ago for an initial £8 million. They've now sold him for nearly 15 times that figure - which is mad money that will go a long way towards helping Villa find a replacement while at the same time strengthening Unai Emery's squad elsewhere. However, the fans are bitterly frustrated right now, as they feel that this is further evidence of their club's wealthy owners being hamstrung by the Premier League's financial rules. Grade: B+

For Chelsea: Quite the coup. The expectation was that Rogers was bound for the north of London this summer rather than the west. However, despite supposed budgetary issues caused by last season’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, Chelsea have blown Arsenal out of the water to sign one of the most coveted attackers in the Premier League. How? Well, that’s the question everyone is asking themselves right now, with plenty of people now expecting a member of the Blues’ ‘bomb squad’ to turn up at Villa Park before the close of the transfer window - and for a grossly inflated fee. What seems more likely, though, is that progress has been made behind the scenes in terms of finding a new home for Enzo Fernandez and that the wantaway Argentine’s sale will almost completely cover the cost of signing Rogers. There is no denying that Chelsea have overpaid enormously for a 23-year-old with just two decent Premier League seasons under his belt, and only one goal in 22 appearances for England. However, a forward line of Rogers, Cole Palmer, Estevao and Joao Pedro could certainly do some serious damage under Xabi Alonso next season. Grade: B

****For Rogers:****A surprising turn of events - at least from the outside looking in. The presumption was that Rogers had his heart set on moving to the Emirates, where he would have been expected to take the place of the recently departed Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal attack. However, it’s now being reported that he had his head turned by Alonso, who obviously did great work with the likes of Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen. However, we strongly suspect that money and guaranteed game time in a weaker team played even more pivotal roles in Rogers’ surprise switch to Stamford Bridge. In fairness, while Chelsea are a dreadfully-run club in a constant state of flux, this is a move that could work out very well for Rogers - particularly as he now gets to play Premier League football alongside his good friend and former Manchester team-mate at underage level, Palmer. Indeed, we might be seeing quite a few ‘cold’ celebrations during Chelsea matches next season! Grade: B

Mark Doyle

Youri Tielemans Manchester United 2026

For Villa: A bitter blow. Tielemans' propensity for picking up injuries has long been a source of frustration at Villa Park, but when fit, he's a fantastic footballer, and there was no overstating his importance to Unai Emery's game plan last season. The Spaniard's side struggled horribly while Tielemans was sidelined with an ankle injury earlier this year, winning just one of the seven Premier League games they played without the Belgian. Then, once he returned to the starting line-up, Villa finished the season with a flourish by finishing fourth in the Premier League and lifting the Europa League, with Tielemans scoring a spectacular goal in the final. Given he also had two years left on his contract, losing him for just £35m is seriously tough to take - particularly as Amadou Onana is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ACL injury. Grade: D

For United: A very nice surprise. There had been no indication that United were lining up a move for Tielemans until it emerged that the move was close to competition. Consequently, they deserve credit for moving so decisively and so stealthily. Tielemans clearly doesn't fit the age profile United were seeking this summer and he certainly has a lot of miles on the clock, even for a 29-year-old. But his arrival will ease some of the panic around Old Trafford after the collapse of the Ederson deal, Manuel Ugarte suffering a serious injury on Uruguay duty, and United being priced out of deals for their top midfield transfer targets, Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. Tielemans is a proven Premier League player who underlined his class at the World Cup. He'll, thus, add some much-needed depth, experience, versatility and quality to United's midfield after Casemiro's departure at the end of last season, and for this money, he could end up proving one of the signings of the season. Grade: B+

For Tielemans: The kind of opportunity that maybe even he thought had passed him by. Tielemans has long been tipped to join one of the Premier League's elite but, after turning 29 in May, it didn't really look like it was going to happen for the former Leicester City midfielder at this stage of his career - and that would have been fine. Villa are a massive club in their own right. However, United are unquestionably on another level in terms of prestige, making this a massive move for Tielemans, who will doubtless relish the chance to showcase his wonderful range of passing and tremendous technique on one of game's grandest stages. Grade: A

Mark Doyle

Andrey Santos Manchester United 2026

****For Chelsea:****Chelsea's strange summer continues as they agree to sell one of their promising young players to a direct rival for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Andrey Santos seemed to be developing nicely after he returned from his successful loan with sister club Strasbourg to become part of the first team, featuring regularly throughout the 2025-26 campaign and often impressing as he deputised for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. If Fernandez leaves, as seems likely, then new manager Xabi Alonso will be left very short of options. However, the 22-year-old clearly hasn't been deemed untouchable, and United's offer of £48m ($64m) plus £2m in add-ons for a midfielder who isn't yet a guaranteed starter was evidently too good to turn down. This is the BlueCo model in action; Chelsea are set to make a significant profit on Santos, who was signed as a young, high-potential player from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama for £16m in 2023. The cynical business decision leaves a bit of a sour taste, but the substantial money on offer means the deal was probably too good to turn down. However, if Santos develops into a world-class talent at Old Trafford, this is not a deal that will be reflected upon fondly. Grade: B-

****For Man Utd:****One of those transfers that is a little puzzling from all parties. Having missed out on primary midfield targets Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes to Man City and Tottenham, respectively, United have panickedly turned to Santos as they look to avoid a scenario where Mason Mount is their only recognised senior midfielder when their pre-season campaign begins on July 18, with Kobbie Mainoo still at the World Cup with England. It has been reported that United's decision-makers were 'calm' after the pursuit of Fernandes came to nothing, but Santos is not at the same level as their previous targets, and a £50m package is steep for a player whom Chelsea were clearly willing to part with. The Red Devils do need bodies in the middle of the park following Casemiro's exit and the serious injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte, but they have overpaid here for someone who will not be a guaranteed starter once the transfer window is over. The hope will be that, at 22, he still has plenty more levels to reach. Grade: C

****For Santos:****Perhaps motivated by the fact that he was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad following a season where he was in and out of the Chelsea team, it has been reported that Santos is leaving the Blues in search of 'regular first-team football'. Whether or not he will find more minutes at Old Trafford than he was afforded at Stamford Bridge remains to be seen, and much will depend on who else United bring in, with others likely to follow amid the club's midfield revamp. Santos might feel like he needs a fresh start away from the chaos at boardroom level and churn in the dugout at Chelsea, although there is no guarantee that United will be able to provide any more long-term stability. They can, however, offer Champions League football, which will inherently mean more minutes given Santos' soon-to-be former employers haven't qualified for any form of European football. Effectively, it will be up to the player to ensure he establishes himself as a key figure in his new surroundings. Grade: B

Krishan Davis

Sydney FC v Tottenham Hotspur: Sydney Super Cup

For Newcastle: The bubble has well and truly burst! When Newcastle qualified for last season's Champions League, after ending their trophy drought by upsetting Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, supporters were dreaming of their state-sponsored club becoming England's answer to Qatar-backed Paris Saint-Germain. However, the Reds then gave the Magpies a brutal reminder of their place in the Premier League pecking order by taking Alexander Isak away from them in the most torturous of circumstances. Had Newcastle spent that then-British-record fee well, things might still have worked out well. Instead, millions of pounds were blown on panic-buys such as Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga, resulting in Eddie Howe's team finishing 12th in the table. It was clear that Anthony Gordon was leaving long before the end of a catastrophic campaign, but it is Tonali's departure for Tottenham - of all teams - that really represents the death of a dream. And the truly traumatising thing for the fans is that this probably isn't even the final nail in the coffin, with captain Bruno Guimaraes also certain to leave in the coming weeks. Basically, with the club's Saudi Arabian owners scaling back on their investment in sports, more misery is on the way, meaning the supporters can't even take comfort in the nine-figure fee, which is likely to be squandered anyway. Grade: F

****For Tottenham:****Another stunning signing. Just a day after finalising an historic £85m deal for Mateus Fernandes, Spurs decided to break their record transfer fee again for Tonali. Whether these are signs of desperation or shows of ambition are open to debate. Maybe it's just evidence of a transfer market gone mad. After all, if Elliot Anderson is worth £116m, why wouldn't Tonali command a similar fee?! The Italy international has unquestionably proven himself one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons and he looks an even better bet to flourish under compatriot Roberto De Zerbi than Fernandes. Of course, paying this much money for a 26-year-old who still has much to prove at the very highest level is still a gamble - and one that Spurs desperately need to pay off. For now, though, the fans probably won't care. After years of being frustrated by the prudent/miserly approach to the transfer market overseen by former executive chairman Daniel Levy, they've now seen their club blow Premier League rivals out of the water to sign one of the most-coveted midfielders on the market. Grade: B+

****For Tonali:****A most unexpected move. The presumption was that if Tonali were to leave the club that stood by him during his illegal betting ban, it would be for one of Europe's strongest sides. He has instead joined a team that finished 17th in the Premier League in each of the past two seasons. So, what gives? Obviously, there was never any chance of a Serie A side having sufficient cash to grant Tonali's reported wish to return home, and even England's elite were understandably put off by Newcastle's asking price. As a result, Tonali has ended up at Tottenham, where he's now set to spend his peak years - which is undeniably odd. Still, if De Zerbi stays at Spurs for more than two seasons - and that's a big 'if' - maybe this move will work out well for Tonali in the long run... Grade: C+

Mark Doyle

FBL-ITA-SERIEA-INTER-PARMA

For Inter: You have to question Inter’s decision to include such a lowly release clause in the contract of a player who has become one of their most important figures, albeit an ankle injury and subsequent surgery hampered Dumfries’ 2025-26 campaign. Nevertheless, he is still one of the finest attacking full-backs around on his day, so €20m (£17m/$23m) represents pretty poor business for the Nerrazurri, who could have commanded a lot more in today’s market for a player who still had two years to run on his deal. Inter’s hands may well have been tied, in fairness; when the Dutchman renewed his contract in September 2024, he apparently demanded the clause, which was set at €25m for clubs outside of Italy in the summer of 2025 before dropping this year. Grade: C

For Madrid: This looks like another very shrewd piece of business for Real, who are developing a reputation as bargain hunters as they navigate La Liga’s stringent financial rules. Dumfries is worth at least double the amount that Los Blancos have paid, and that fee is well below the €30m Los Blancos had reportedly set aside for a new right-back to compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold following club legend Dani Carvajal’s exit. However, like his English counterpart, Dumfries is another right-sided defender who is arguably more effective going forward than he is at the back, leaving Madrid with something of an imbalance in that position that could be exploited by better teams. At 30, he also isn’t exactly a long-term alternative, but for such a low fee it’s hard to argue that he can’t be a decent stop-gap for a couple of seasons at least. Grade: A

For Dumfries: This kind of move, at this stage of his career, is exactly the reason why Dumfries will have wanted that release clause included in his contract. He’s been a loyal servant to Inter since arriving from PSV in 2021, providing 55 goal contributions in 207 appearances from right wing-back while helping the Nerazzurri claim the Serie A title in both 2023-24 and 2025-26, and reach two Champions League finals. He has certainly earned what will potentially be his last big move, and his low price tag means the pressure will be somewhat off at the Bernabeu. It will be very interesting to see whether he keeps Alexander-Arnold out of the team, having reportedly had conversations with Jose Mourinho about the role he will play. Grade: A+

Krishan Davis

Auckland FC v Tottenham Hotspur - Pre-Season Friendly

****For West Ham:****A massive fee that will go a long way towards cushioning the economic impact of relegation from the Premier League. It was clear as soon as the Hammers went down that some major sales would be required, and Fernandes was one of their most valuable assets, a classy midfielder who was attracting plenty of admiring glances from rival clubs even before their fate was sealed on the final day of the season. His departure, thus, comes as absolutely no surprise. What is shocking, though, is that West Ham have managed to get exactly what they were demanding for the Portuguese despite being in a pretty poor bargaining position. For that, the club’s deservedly maligned board deserve some rare credit. Grade: A

****For Tottenham:****Yet more confirmation that the club means business this summer. After two calamitous campaigns, the second of which very nearly ended in relegation, Spurs have moved quickly to ensure that they never find themselves in that position again, and if paying £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke was a statement of intent, this is next level. Fernandes is a very talented 21-year-old. He can play in a variety of roles and has long looked like a player that would thrive in a stronger team. It’s also clear that Roberto De Zerbi believes him perfect for his style of play. However, there is an undeniable air of desperation about this deal. Spurs, as we’ve seen from their interest in signing Sandro Tonali too, are intent on doing whatever it takes to overhaul their mediocre midfield and were, thus, willing to pay over the odds for Fernandes to fend off interest from the likes of Manchester United. Consequently, this transfer really needs to work for Spurs - and right away - or it will quickly become another stick with which to beat the club’s owners. Indeed, just to put the numbers involved in context, PSG paid Benfica €60m for Joao Neves and Fernandes is nowhere near as good as his fellow 21-year-old compatriot, so he really needs to show that he could be.Grade: C+

For Fernandes: A strange move on the face of it. Fernandes was linked with some of the game’s biggest names: United, Liverpool and PSG. He has instead ended up at Spurs, the team that finished one place and two points above West Ham last season, making this look like something of a sideways move. However, the north Londoners should be a lot stronger next season and Fernandes is unquestionably the kind of midfielder that De Zerbi could help take to a whole other level. There should, of course, be some concern over how long the Italian will actually stay at Spurs, given neither party is renowned for their stability, but Fernandes will walk straight into the starting line-up, and that might not have happened elsewhere. Grade: B

Mark Doyle

Ismael Saibari Bayern Munich 2026

****For PSV:****A disappointing but inevitable exit. Saibari won three consecutive titles with PSV and his influence grew incrementally during that time. It was, therefore, only a matter of time before he was snapped up by one of Europe's top teams. Some might argue that PSV could have waited until after the World Cup before setting a price for Saibari, given there was always a chance that he would shine in North America, but this is still a fine fee for a player signed from Genk for a little over €5m four years ago. It's also likely that the money will be put to good use by a club that has consistently managed to win trophies in the Netherlands despite continually having to sell their best players. Grade: B

For Bayern: A brilliant bit of business. Saibari's market value had only increased over the past few weeks due to his sensational performances for Morocco, with the 25-year-old netting in all three of his country's World Cup group games before then converting the decisive penalty in the round-of-32 win over Netherlands. However, as sporting director Max Eberl stated when the transfer was confirmed, this was a deal that Bayern had been working on for some time. This was no reactionary move to a random player making a name for himself at a World Cup; the Bavarians had long been convinced that Saibari had the right mix of technique, industry and versatility to make a significant contribution to an already stellar forward line - and we see nothing to question that assessment. Grade: A

For Saibari: The best summer of his life. The World Cup really couldn't be going any better for Saibari, who has caught the eye of the average football fan with his dynamic displays up front for a very impressive Morocco team. Now, he's completed the classic "dream" move to "one of the world's biggest clubs", even if forcing his way into a starting line-up featuring Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala could prove something of a nightmare! However, Saibari's best years are still ahead of him, he’s on cloud nine right now and he understandably believes that he can prove a very useful addition to Bayern’s squad. Vincent Kompany clearly agrees, because Saibari undoubtedly looks a better fit for his side’s style of play than Nicolas Jackson.Grade: A

Mark Doyle

Marco Palestra Chelsea 2026

For Atalanta: Following their agreement to sell Ederson to Manchester United, this has the makings of yet another shrewd deal for Atalanta. The significant, €55m (£47m/$62m) package for Palestra represents pure profit for a player who came through their academy, but only made a handful of first-team appearances, with the club supposedly deciding some time ago to cash in rather than reintegrate Palestra following his successful loan at Cagliari. The 21-year-old becomes the fourth most-expensive sale in the club’s history, and though it is perhaps a shame that Palestra won’t stay in Bergamo and make an impression at the club he joined as a 10-year-old, once the likes of Inter and Chelsea expressed their interest, his head was turned and it was always likely to be an uphill battle to keep him. Grade: A

For Chelsea: An interesting marker of Xabi Alonso’s influence as Chelsea manager, rather than head coach. The Spaniard reportedly signed off on this deal, and the club acted swiftly to strike an agreement with Atalanta, moving into pole position in the space of 24 hours to hijack Inter’s move for Palestra. He had been widely expected to join the Scudetto winners, so this is certainly a coup in that sense. A versatile, pacy and powerful full-back, Palestra - who was named Serie A’s Defender of the Year for 2025-26 - is expected to fit Alonso’s system in either a back three or four, and he should be well-suited to the rigours of the Premier League. However, after splurging up to €55m, there is a sense that Chelsea have overpaid; that is a huge sum in Serie A terms, apparently blowing Inter’s offer out of the water, and he is still raw at 21 with just one decent season of top-flight football under his belt. This, therefore, represents a bit of a risk. Grade: B

For Palestra: Only Palestra himself will be able to answer the question of why he has chosen Chelsea over a transfer to Inter, whose academy he played for as a boy and he is believed to have supported, but the fact the Blues’ reported contract offer (close to £100,000 per week) was worth more than double what the Nerazzurri had tabled might go some way to explaining it. That said, Palestra has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League and seemingly jumped at the opportunity to test himself in the English top-flight. He will be encouraged by Riccardo Calafiori’s success at Arsenal, while fellow Italian youngster Giovanni Leoni joined Liverpool last summer in a sign that more players are ready to leave Serie A early in their careers. He may well have been swayed by Alonso’s determination to bring him to Stamford Bridge, which reflects that he could be set to become a key figure under the new manager. Grade: A

Krishan Davis

Goncalo Ramos AC Milan 2026

****For PSG:****Jackpot! The European champions will be laughing all the way to the bank after finding someone willing to pay them such a ridiculous sum of money for a reserve player who didn’t start a single Champions League game last season. Ramos, remember, was meant to be the answer to PSG’s striking problem, but he spent the vast majority of his time at Parc des Prince sitting on the bench, as Luis Enrique found a better solution by converting Ousmane Dembele into a ‘false nine’ - which hardly reflects well on the Portuguese. And nor does the fact that he’s still playing second fiddle to a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo at international level. So, the game’s top teams were hardly lining up to sign Ramos this summer - and certainly not for an absurd €75m. With one sensational deal, though, PSG have raised more than half of the money they’ll need to sign Yan Diomande, a player who will actually improve their attack.Grade: A+

For Milan: Mind-blowing, simply mind-blowing. Let’s get something out of the way immediately: Ramos is a good striker. He showed great potential at Benfica and proved he can make an impact off the bench at PSG by netting 45 times across three seasons. However, his price tag makes no sense, and particularly for a Milan side that is hardly flush with cash. Consequently, supporters, pundits and journalists in Italy are presently scrambling around trying to find out what exactly has gone on here. While this transfer could well mean that Rafael Leao will soon leave San Siro, the fact that Jorge Mendes is involved has inevitably provoked plenty of conspiracy theories, while it’s also been pointed out that Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has a good relationship with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Nobody knows for sure, though, why Milan felt compelled to pay a club-record fee for Ramos. Again, to be clear, we do think he’ll score goals in Serie A, particularly as he should provide everything Ruben Amorim wants from his No.9. But this is the most expensive signing in Italy since Inter signed Romelu Lukaku, and Ramos doesn’t actually offer anything like the same guarantee in terms of goals. Grade: D+

****For Ramos:****A long overdue opportunity for the perennial understudy to be a leading man. We thought when Ramos hit a hat-trick for Fernando Santos’ Portugal at the 2022 World Cup that a star had been born. However, rather than build his Portugal attack around a centre-forward of real promise, Santos’ replacement, Roberto Martinez, opted to stick with Ronaldo, thus holding Ramos back for years. However, it also has to be said that he’s not done a particularly great job of putting Ronaldo and Martinez under any real pressure. It’s been a similar story in Paris, where the common consensus is that while PSG had an enviable collection of phenomenal forwards, Ramos wasn’t one of them. He was merely a good guy to bring off the bench, a decent impact sub. Crucially, he now has the chance to change that narrative. Ramos is going to be the spearhead of a new Milan, who remain one of the biggest clubs in world football. The pressure on him to justify his price tag is going to be enormous, because while this is a big fee anyway, it’s absolutely gargantuan for a Serie A side. Over to you, Goncalo, it’s time to prove your worth... Grade: A

Mark Doyle

Sunderland v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

For Brighton: Yet another very shrewd piece of business from Brighton, who will enhance their reputation as one of the best selling clubs around by pocketing £52m ($70m) for a player they signed for just £2m six years ago. The deal is made all the better by the fact that Van Hecke’s contract at the Amex Stadium was due to expire in just 12 months’ time. They will be delighted, therefore, to have generated such a significant fee for the Dutch defender, albeit it was previously reported that he was valued at £70m ($94m). They will inevitably reinvest that fee in a high-potential replacement, with Spurs prospect Luka Vuskovic notably on their radar in what would be a separate transfer after his impressive loan at Hamburg. They aren’t too short on centre-back options as is, with Lewis Dunk and Olivier Boscagli on their books and Igor Julio set to return from his loan spell at West Ham. Grade: A

For Tottenham: Clearly a transfer driven by new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who worked with Van Hecke during his time at Brighton, you can’t help but feel that Spurs have been duped into overpaying for the centre-back after those reports emerged suggesting Brighton valued him at £70m, despite the fact he was on the cusp of entering the final year of his contract on the south coast. You’d think a cut-price deal for a player of his calibre should realistically have cost something in the region of £40m ($54m), but Brighton are notoriously tough negotiators and Tottenham might feel they needed to act; their Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool were reported to be interested in Van Hecke, while club captain Cristian Romero looks all-but certain to move on this summer after a turbulent season, and his fellow central defender Micky van de Ven could follow suit. Tottenham are, at least, getting a Premier League-proven defender who, at 26, is yet to reach his peak, is a fine passer of the ball and has the kind of fight and leadership abilities they have been dearly lacking. The Netherlands international may well form a new-look centre-back partnership with free signing Marcos Senesi. Grade: B-

****For Van Hecke:****From the player’s perspective, this is a move that makes a lot of sense. Having apparently made it clear that he wouldn’t extend his stay at the Amex, Van Hecke takes a step up from Brighton at the midway point of his career and may well see this as a stepping stone to even bigger things after establishing himself in the Premier League. Presumably neither Chelsea nor Liverpool solidified their reported interest, so if he wants to be a guaranteed starter at a so-called ‘Big Six’ club, Tottenham could be the ideal starting point - albeit they can’t offer any form of European football. Having worked with the fiery Italian before, Van Hecke will know exactly how De Zerbi wants to play, which should help him settle in quickly. The only way is up really for Spurs after another disastrous domestic campaign, and a partnership with Senesi looks very strong on paper, at least - giving the side a solid defensive basis as the north Londoners move through what is likely to be a period of transition after they staved off the threat of relegation late in 2025-26. Grade: A

Krishan Davis

Victor Munoz Osasuna 2025-26

For Osasuna: At first glance, it might seem as though Osasuna have made a very healthy profit on a player they only signed last summer for just €5m, but the Pamplona-based side were always going to be hamstrung by a steep 50 percent sell-on clause in their deal with Real Madrid. That means €20m of his €40m (£34.5m/$45m) release clause is heading to Los Blancos, albeit a €15m (£13m/$17m) gain is still significant for a club the size of Osasuna. Munoz’s exit was always likely after a season in which he made 12 goal contributions and earned a call-up to Spain’s World Cup squad, and the release clause meant their hands were tied in terms of the fee. Grade: B-

For Liverpool: The first signing of the Andoni Iraola era, and more fuel for Liverpool’s transfer market rivalry with Newcastle! The Magpies had identified Munoz as the ideal long-term replacement for Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona, but - sensing a market opportunity - the Reds pounced to hijack their move despite talks reaching an advanced stage and the Tynesiders’ own bid reportedly being accepted. Liverpool will already view this as something of a coup, then, but they will also be thrilled to sign such a highly-rated young winger for what could prove to be a bargain fee. Munoz can operate off either flank as well as through the middle, providing some much-needed quality and depth after Mohamed Salah’s exit and Hugo Ekitike’s injury left a gaping hole in the Reds’ frontline. A direct, pacey attacker who also works hard defensively, the 22-year-old seems like the ideal fit for new Iraola’s style of play, with the new head coach apparently pushing for the deal to happen. He will, however, have to make sure that the young Spaniard doesn’t block Rio Ngumoha’s path to becoming a bonafide superstar, although the club is reportedly confident that that won’t be the case. Grade: A

****For Munoz:****After both Liverpool and Newcastle had bids accepted, you’d have to think the decision between the two came down to the player, and you can’t really blame Munoz for picking a move to Anfield. Despite still being just 22, he has had something of a nomadic early career and this will be his third big club already. After coming through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy system, he later ended up at Real Madrid before joining Osasuna just one year ago. This time, Munoz will be hoping to bed in and establish himself as a long-term star in his new surroundings, and his compatriot Iraola should be the perfect head coach to help him settle. He will have a fight on his hands to earn a starting place, and that may require him to improve his overall output with Liverpool still expected to go after RB Leipzig’s highly-rated wing wizard Yan Diomande, but he should still see plenty of opportunities in the Reds’ new-look attack thanks to his versatility. Grade: A

Krishan Davis

Ibrahima Konate Real Madrid GFX

****For Liverpool:****Liverpool really were stuck between a rock and a hard place when it came to Konate’s future, but this situation could have been avoided if the defender’s contract wasn’t allowed to run down in the first place. Had the Reds tied him to a new deal when he was at the peak of his powers during the title-winning 2024-25 campaign, then they would have been able to command a decent fee when the time came to part ways - but the Frenchman ultimately walked away for nothing following a dire individual season. As it was, it would have been downright bizarre for Liverpool to acquiesce to Konate’s eye-watering wage demands (reportedly around £250,000 per week) amid a haphazard campaign that was punctuated by a string of high-profile errors, with gruelling negotiations that had dragged on for months and months coming to nothing, despite the player claiming in April that he was close to an agreement. Liverpool have, at least, already signed potential replacements in Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, but this was still a massive waste of everyone’s time. Grade: D

****For Real Madrid:****Presumably, then, Real Madrid will be giving long-term target Konate the kind of astronomical wages he is after, which - despite the fact they won’t pay a fee - represents a risk given how poor the centre-back was throughout Liverpool’s feeble title defence. It’s worth remembering that Los Blancos had reportedly decided to end their interest in the player back in November last year, which is telling. The Frenchman is a fine defender on his day, and at 27 he is probably still short of the peak years for players in his position. Real are effectively gambling on him rediscovering his best form in Spain, and he could be a relatively low-cost solution to a problem area for the club; David Alaba will leave the Bernabeu this summer, Antonio Rudiger is past his best, Eder Militao continues to be plagued by injuries and Dean Huijsen is still very young. Konate is hardly a top-class solution, however, and this has the air of a move that could very quickly go wrong given the intense scrutiny around Los Blancos, from the fans and media alike. Grade: B

For Konate: Certainly the biggest winner of this situation is Konate, who is set to get both his dream move to Real Madrid and the blockbuster wages he craves. However, he will have to settle quickly as a potential starter alongside Huijsen; in the cauldron that is the Bernabeu, there will be far less patience for the kinds of errors that plagued his final season at Anfield. Konate has followed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps by completing a free transfer to Madrid, and the Englishman’s debut season struggles should serve as a warning. However, if he can rediscover his confidence and best form early, then he has the opportunity to establish himself as a key cog at one of the biggest clubs in the world in Jose Mourinho’s new-look Real side. Whether that is something he is capable of, though, is far from guaranteed. Grade: A

Krishan Davis

Chelsea v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Final

For Man City: The loss of a legend. Bernardo is quite simply one of the finest footballers ever to play in the Premier League, a wonderfully industrious and innovative attacking midfielder who was absolutely integral to Manchester City’s period of sustained success. Indeed, the Portuguese was essentially the perfect Pep Guardiola player - which is why the Catalan loved him so much and even shed a few tears during Silva’s emotional farewell to the Etihad. Guardiola had hoped that the 31-year-old would finish his career at City, but this is an exit that had been coming for some time. Seeing him leave for nothing obviously isn’t great from a financial perspective, but it’s the least he deserved after nine years of stellar service. Still, his skill, intelligence and, perhaps most of all, personality will be sorely missed at City. Grade: D

****For Real Madrid:****Two reasons to celebrate. Not only have Los Blancos landed a player of outstanding quality on a free, they pipped bitter rivals Barcelona to his signature. After months of speculation - some of which Bernardo even commented on himself - a move to Camp Nou looked like a given. However, Jose Mourinho’s arrival at the Bernabeu clearly changed everything. 'The Special One’ made the signing of his compatriot a priority and the deal was effectively done inside 36 hours. Silva’s very best days are unquestionably behind him, but he showed during last season’s Premier League title race that he remains capable of imposing himself on the biggest games (his performance against Arsenal at the Etihad was outstanding). Perhaps more importantly than anything else, though, Bernardo is probably the ideal role model for the younger members of Madrid’s squad, the personification of what Mourinho wants from his players, that perfect mix of talent and tenacity. In that context, it’s easy to understand why Real hijacked Barca’s move for the Portugal international. Grade: B+

****For Bernardo Silva:****The move to Spain he’s sought for so long. For at least the past three summers - if not more - Silva has been linked with a transfer to one of La Liga’s top teams. Time and time again, though, Guardiola convinced him to spend another season at the Etihad. There was no changing Bernardo’s mind this time, though, and now he’ll finally have the opportunity to play for one of the traditional superpowers of European football. Granted, Madrid are going through a tough time, having been usurped at the summit of Spanish football by Barca, but helping Mourinho put them back on their perch is a challenge he’ll no doubt embrace, and enjoy. The competition for places at Real is intense and Silva isn’t quite as dynamic as he once was, but, as Guardiola has pointed out, the first five yards are in your head and, in that sense, few players are as fast as the former City skipper. So, while it’s perhaps a shame that he didn’t move to Madrid when he was slightly younger, Bernardo has the experience and quality to emulate Luka Modric (whom Mourinho brought to the Bernabeu) by shining in Spain well into his late-30s. Grade: A+

Mark Doyle

Marc Cucurella Real Madrid GFX

For Chelsea: This feels like a strange one for Chelsea; Cucurella is a player who has developed into a key defensive figure for the Blues since arriving in 2022 after an inauspicious start, so seeing him leave for a loss is a little puzzling. At his best, he is arguably among the best in his position on the planet. That said, Chelsea definitely overpaid in the first place when they signed the Spaniard from Brighton for £60m ($80m), and given he had reportedly signalled his intent to move on behind the scenes and has been openly critical of the way the club is being run, they will probably be content to recoup as much as £52m ($69m) having deemed that he wasn’t untouchable. Indeed, they might have struggled to get any more than that in windows to come for a player who turns 28 in July. Cucurella’s exit also means a squad dearly lacking experience has been shorn of one of its most seasoned heads, but Chelsea must be confident that young Jorrel Hato can fill the void, as well as expected new arrival Valentin Barco. Grade: B-

****For Real Madrid:****It seems that whatever Jose Mourinho says, goes, as Real Madrid kick-off their early-window recruitment drive with a shock signing. The club spent big on a left-back just last summer to bring Alvaro Carreras back to the Bernabeu from Benfica, but that hasn’t stopped them splurging on Cucurella, who was reportedly identified as a target by their new (old) manager. A €60m fee is very steep for a team that has taken a fairly frugal approach to the transfer window in recent years, and it will necessitate an instant return on their investment from a player whose form has dipped somewhat in recent months. Soon turning 28, Cucurella should be at the peak of his powers, but how many more high-quality years are Los Blancos realistically going to get out of him? He does, at least, have the hallmarks of a ‘Mourinho’ player with his energy and aggression. Real also now find themselves with four first-team left-backs in the new man, Carreras, Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia, so something’s surely got to give in terms of outgoings. Grade: C

For Cucurella: Undoubtedly the main beneficiary of this move, Cucurella has fulfilled his objective of escaping a rudderless Chelsea side and joined one of the biggest clubs on the planet at his peak. It had been widely reported that the defender wanted to return to Spain, having grown disillusioned with the manner in which BlueCo were conducting their business at Stamford Bridge, but no one was expecting him to head to the Bernabeu amid interest from Atletico Madrid. It’s unsurprising that the deal was wrapped up so quickly, then, with Cucurella presumably saying yes immediately when Real came calling. Given he was seemingly earmarked by Mourinho, he stands a strong chance of establishing himself as a key player, too, with Carreras likely rotating in and out of the Portuguese’s XI. However, in light of the hefty fee, he must deliver immediately or risk the notoriously impatient Bernabeu faithful being on his back, especially given his Barcelona connections. Grade: A

Krishan Davis

Sydney FC v Tottenham Hotspur: Sydney Super Cup

For Liverpool: An emotional exit. Robertson easily ranks as one of the finest signings in the club's history, a key figure in the Jurgen Klopp era acquired for just £8 million from Hull City all the way back in 2017 and, in his pomp, was arguably the best left-back in the world. There's no denying, though, that age had begun to catch up with the 32-year-old - which is why Liverpool moved early to replace him by bringing in Milos Kerkez last summer, and would have even sold Robertson during the winter window had they been able to recall Kostas Tsimikas from Roma. The problem now, though, is that Kerkez still hasn't fully settled at Anfield, while it became painfully clear during a trying 2025-26 campaign for the Reds that Robertson's experience, tenacity and personality are going to be sorely missed on Merseyside. Indeed, the worry among the fanbase now is that Robertson's departure, along with that of Mohamed Salah, will only result in standards falling even further next season. Grade: D

For Tottenham: Still a surprising move. Spurs obviously tried to sign Robertson in January, but it was difficult to work out why exactly. The Tottenham squad may have been lacking in quality and depth in several areas of the pitch, but left-back wasn't really one of them. Ben Davies had just broken his ankle, of course, but Spurs still had Destiny Udogie and the versatile Djed Spence to choose from, while Brazilian teenager Souza had just arrived from Santos. The argument was that Robertson would have been an important addition to a dressing room in disarray - and he could certainly help new coach Roberto De Zerbi cultivate a new culture of 100 percent commitment within the squad. The fact that he's belatedly arriving on a free is a nice little bonus, but the feeling persists that Tottenham didn't necessarily need Robertson. Grade: C

For Robertson: A puzzling decision. One can understand why Robertson was willing to leave Liverpool in January. He'd been relegated to second-choice behind a player who wasn't performing particularly well and wanted regular Premier League football in the run-up to the World Cup - something Spurs were apparently willing to offer him. Robertson ultimately started more games in the second half of the season than he probably expected, meaning he's in decent shape as he heads off to North America, but there was never any chance of him staying at Anfield, because Liverpool didn't offer him an extension at any point. However, he did have options other than Spurs, with Juventus among those said to have been interested in signing the Scotland skipper. It's, thus, a little strange that he's decided to join a club that only barely avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season. However, Robertson may actually find Tottenham are a more attractive option now than they were in January, given De Zerbi is unquestionably capable of significantly improving Spurs over the summer. We're still not convinced, though, that Robertson will actually play much more in north London than he did at Liverpool last season. Grade: C

Mark Doyle

FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA

For Newcastle: A telling change of approach. Newcastle fought tooth and nail to hold onto Alexander Isak last summer before belatedly allowing him to join Liverpool. Sad as it may seem, it would have been far better just to give in immediately and let him leave as soon as he handed in a transfer request, as the disruption caused by the striking Swede did Eddie Howe and his players no favours at all. Newcastle have, thus, moved quickly to offload another unsettled forward - and for a fantastic fee. Gordon is a hard-working, talented and versatile attacker - but he's never done anything for club or country to suggest that he's worth £69m. Of course, the challenge now for Newcastle is to invest the money wisely, because they completely wasted what they got for Isak, and attracting top talent isn't going to be any easier this summer. The Magpies can no longer offer Champions League football to potential new recruits, and their pathetic 12th-placed finish in the Premier League, coupled with Gordon's desire to follow Isak out the door at St. James' Park, proves that Newcastle are no longer a serious threat to England's elite under increasingly disinterested Saudi Arabian owners. Grade: B-

****For Barcelona:****A really worrying sign. Barcelona haven't been in a position to spend big on players for some time now due to their well-documented issues adhering to La Liga's strict financial regulations, so it doesn't bode well that their first move after finally getting their house in order is to blow €80m on Gordon. The England international should certainly prove a useful addition. He can play pretty much anywhere across the front three and is a pressing machine - unlike Marcus Rashford - so it's easy to understand why Hansi Flick gave Gordon's arrival the green light. However, there's simply no getting away from the fact that Barca have overpaid. Granted, Gordon could have a good World Cup, thus casting the price in a more favourable light, while it's also been pointed out that the Scouser scored 10 times in this season's Champions League - but six of those goals came against Qarabag and Union Saint-Gilloise, and half from the penalty spot. Twelve goals in his last 60 Premier League appearances is a far better indicator of the kind of strike-rate Barca supporters should expect from their latest signing. So, while Gordon is more likely to give Flick what he wants from a winger, and he'll be on a smaller wage than Rashford, there was better value to be found elsewhere, suggesting Barca are back to having more money than sense. Grade: C+

****For Gordon:****The stuff dreams are made of. Despite some seriously inconsistent performances in the Premier League, particularly over the past two years, Gordon has got the move to a big club that he's been clearly eyeing for some time now. He admitted himself that he had his head turned by previous links with hometown club Liverpool, whom he also supported as a boy, while it initially looked like he was going to join Bayern Munich this summer. However, the Bavarians understandably baulked at the asking price and therein lies the big challenge now facing Gordon. The possible arrival of Julian Alvarez would take a fair bit of attention away from the 25-year-old, but he'll still be under enormous pressure to justify his fee - because Barca haven't paid €80m for a bit-part player. Gordon's got to prove himself worthy of starting for a star-studded side, and that won't be easy. Just ask Rashford, who is now looking surplus to requirements at Camp Nou despite racking up a combined 28 goals and assists in his debut season at Barca. Still, Gordon can probably hardly believe his luck. He's going to go from playing with Anthony Elanga to lining up alongside Lamine Yamal!Grade: A

Mark Doyle

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