Enzo Fernandez set for City move | 00:57
The all-time Premier League record for spending in a single transfer window was broken again in another astonishingly-expensive summer break.
From Manchester City’s record-breaking window through to Chelsea and Spurs’ recruitment drives, and the promoted sides’ MASSIVE splurges, Fox Sports Australia recaps it all team-by-team.
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ARSENAL
Grade: B
Big buy: Bruno Guimaraes
The Premier League champions have splashed the cash once again this summer. Bruno Guimaraes has been the big buy at the Emirates with his £75 million move from Newcastle, but they’ve strengthened around the pitch. Christos Tzolis comes in from Club Brugge to replace the outgoing Gabriel Martinelli, while Ezri Konsa is the big-name addition in defence, with the England international expected to step into the void left by the injured Gabriel Saliba.
There is however, a nagging doubt that goals could be hard to come by in some matches. Pursuits of Vinicius Jnr, Kenan Yildiz and Julian Alvarez have failed to come to fruition, while Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus have gone out the door. The pressure on Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in particular, to perform is now enormous and there must be a feeling of regret that more wasn’t done to recruit a high-profile attacking option.
Saka goal gives Arsenal win over Villa | 01:38
ASTON VILLA
Grade: D
Big buy: Johan Manzambi
The phrase ‘been rocked’ gets thrown around in sport a lot, but Aston Villa’s squad has been ROCKED this summer. Almost their entire first choice spine has gone, with Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins all leaving the club. The talent they’ve brought in has been excellent, Leon Goretzka is one of the world’s most decorated midfielders, Johan Manzambi a top prospect, while Nicolas Jackson is a hard-working and highly experienced number 9, but it’s an enormous ask for them to match last season’s standards.
A grade of D may seem harsh given the excellent players brought in but for a team to lose a spine that won Aston Villa’s first major trophy in 30 years is a massive blow. The Villains have lost their opening two games of the season, conceding five and not scoring once, and asking Unai Emery and his men to match last season’s 4th place finish after so much upheaval seems far too big an ask.
BRENTFORD
Grade: A
Big buy: Mamadou Sangare
Brentford have shown once again that they are some of the smartest operators in European football. The West London club has gone from strength to strength since arriving in the Premier League and their recruitment this summer has been nothing short of spectacular. Mamadou Sangare and El Hadj Malick Diouf represent excellent upgrades in midfield and at left back respectively, while the only first teamer to depart, Jordan Henderson will not be sorely missed with the addition of Sangare.
On top of all this, key players like Michael Kayode, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade have been retained. This is exactly the kind of business that should see Keith Andrews’ men kick on and go for the European spot they heartbreakingly missed out on last season, and see the Bees take another step forward on their remarkable journey.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Grade: B
Big Buy: Luka Vuskovic
Brighton have had a strange transfer window, they’ve done their usual shtick of buying exciting young talent and selling off players for big fees, but it doesn’t feel like the team has got much stronger. Luka Vuskovic it should be said is a fantastic buy from Tottenham, the 19-year-old Croatian is one of the most highly fancied centre-back prospects in world football and should thrive on the South Coast.
The signing of Chema Andres from VFB Stuttgart is an intriguing one, with the young defensive midfielder expected to fill the void left by the departing Carlos Baleba. Meanwhile, experienced defender Pacal Struijk gives much needed depth at centre back. However, Zadok Yohanna, while highly fancied has a huge step up to make after joining from AIK Stockholm, as do other incomings like Promise David and Jaouen Hadjam who come from the Belgian and Swiss leagues respectively.
Luka Vuskovic of Brighton and Hove Albion looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Bologna at Amex Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
AFC BOURNEMOUTH
Grade: B
Big Buy: Antonio Silva
There’s something about traditionally small clubs in the Premier League beginning with B and being good recruiters. Bournemouth are no different. Similar to Brentford, the Cherries’ main achievement this season has been that they’ve not lost any of their major young talents like El Junior-Kroupi, Rayan or Alex Scott, with the only major departure in the shape of centre back Marco Senesi. Instead, the Dorset club have picked up exciting stock of young talent and look ready to make a push in their first ever European campaign.
Despite some highly rated signings like Alvaro Rodriguez and Juanlu Sanchez coming in, it’s the recruitment of Antonio Silva from Benfica that got tongues wagging. The 22-year-old Portuguese international was recently known as one of the premier centre-back talents in world football, and Bournemouth could be the ideal place for him to cash in on his potential.
CHELSEA
Grade: B
Big Buy: Morgan Rogers
Chelsea have yet again spent an extraordinary amount of money on their squad, but just as the deadline day was looking perfect, drama unfolded! What looked like two incredibly solid midfield additions in Manu Kone and Lamine Camara dramatically fell through. There are more plus points than negatives however, the addition of Morgan Rogers looks inspired, while the signings of Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra in particular, fix glaring holes that were present in the squad.
Their sales look phenomenal. Enzo Fernandez has not represented value for his massive £104 million fee the Blues originally signed him from Benfica for, but they’ve turned a profit on the Argentine’s move to Manchester City, banking a Premier League record-equalling £125 million. Almost 350 million have been brought into the club, and arguably only Marc Cucurella represents a major hole in the side.
With no European football to contend with and a much more balanced looking team, under one of Europe’s most highly rated young coaches in Xabi Alonso, expect Chelsea to soar up the table.
Morgan Rogers of Chelsea looks on during the warm up before the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Chelsea and Luton Town at Stamford Bridge on August 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
COVENTRY CITY
Grade: C
Big buy: Caleb Yiryenki
After a long, LONG time in the doldrums facing financial ruin, Coventry City have been led back into the light and into the money. The Midlands side has spent almost £130 million on players from around Europe to keep them in the promised land of the Premier League. Among their multitude of signings, the standouts are goalkeeper Carl Rushworth and Caleb Yirenkyi.
Coveted among many clubs as exceptional young talents, if these two can fulfil their potential, it will go a long way towards securing their place in the top flight going forward. However, for all their potential, plenty of their signings made don’t have the level of experience and proven top-level quality of those made by clubs around their level this window, and there could be a steep drop off if things don’t go to plan.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Grade: C
Big buy: Quinten Timber
From what had looked like a disastrous window, Crystal Palace have managed to pick up some quality depth for their squad. The signings of Quinten Timber and Ben Chilwell on deadline day add some excellent experience and depth to their backline. Meanwhile, Chilean talent Dario Osorio was also picked up from FC Midtjylland is an exciting talent to add some flare to the Selhurst Park side’s attack. The signings of Dwight McNeil, Anan Khalaili and Zavier Gozo also provide some much needed reinforcements ahead of another European campaign.
However, their departures are a problem. Some of the most influential players in their epic UEFA Conference League run have left the club. Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz were hugely influential, and their loss will be felt keenly in the season. One plus point is that they’ve managed to keep hold of Adam Wharton, who will be crucial to any success this season through his extraordinary progressive passing from midfield.
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Haaland and Cherki doubles sink Palace | 02:30
EVERTON
Grade: D
Big buy: Hayden Hackney
Everton were looking intimidating last term but fell off towards the end of the season when a lack of goals began to bite. While the Toffees had looked set to change that on deadline day, the dramatic late failure to sign Folarin Balogun from Monaco has left them looking VERY light up front. The signing of Jack Grealish again on loan should add some creativity however, while Brennan Johnson will inject some lightning speed down the right flank.
However, the loss of Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City is a huge blow. He was the creative hub for Everton for so much of last season, and now enormous pressure is placed on the likes of Grealish and fellow signing Hayden Hackney. Hopefully for Everton fans, there is enough for David Moyes to work with, as the Toffees eye a move back into European football.
FULHAM
Grade: D
Big Buy: Gonzalo Garcia
Fulham have endured a tough start to the season and with an inexperienced coach in Alvaro Arbeloa at the helm, a lot of trust has been placed in young players, with very little top flight experience. Gonzalo Garcia, Shea Charles, Cesar Palacios and Jonah Kusi-Asare are all talents, but do not have the experience that will be essential in a league that has such little margin for error. Meanwhile, the signings of David Affengruber as well as the loan for Hugo Larsson, while commendable are not obvious needle movers.
Harry Wilson, Sasa Lukic, Issa Diop and Raul Jimenez were all experienced operators who all made valuable contributions to making Fulham a Premier League mainstay. With their departure and the loss of long-time coach Marco Silva, it’s a dicey period for Fulham, who are betting a big stake on potential as they hope to avoid a relegation battle.
Lucas Herrington of Hull City applauds the fans after the team's victory in the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
HULL CITY
Grade: B
Big buy: Lucas Herrington
The Tigers have been the surprise package of the opening matches of the Premier League season. Tipped to finish bottom by many pundits, they have secured a spectacular victory over Manchester United before beating fellow promotion rivals Coventry City. They’ve been equally eye-catching off the pitch as well.
Similar to Coventry, they’ve made big bets on young talent like Australia’s own Lucas Herrington, as well as Nobel Mendy and Lucas Gourna-Douath. They brought in six new signings on deadline day alone, headlined by Everton’s defensive midfielder Timothy Iroegbunam to help shore up the centre of the park.
However, the signing of Hidemasa Morita could be the crucial one for the Tigers. The 31-year-old defensive midfielder brings Champions League experience to a side which will need steady heads to nurture their stocks of young talent. While they could still fall down the table, if their youngsters deliver as they could, expect some more maulings by the Tigers before the end of the season.
Herrington's Hull make perfect start | 02:43
IPSWICH TOWN
Grade: A
Big buy: Exequiel Palacios
Ipswich Town appear to have taken their 2024/25 relegation personally, so have spent the GDP of a small country to avoid it happening again. Their signings are a huge show of ambition, with a perfect blend of experience and youthful exuberance. Exequiel Palacios in particular is a huge get, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him join ex Bayer Leverkusen teammate Granit Xhaka in the feat of propelling a newly promoted team up the table.
Further up the pitch, there’s the likes of Julio Enciso and Abdul Fatawu to go behind Brazilian talent Emersonn. These are prodigiously talented young players with a desire to prove themselves, a combination which can bear fruit spectacularly. Whether these purchases will be enough to keep them up is a mystery for now, but the East Anglians have made sure they won’t die wondering.
LEEDS UNITED
Grade: B
Big Buy: Harry Wilson
Leeds United have spent heavily this summer to ensure that another relegation does not come up on their books. Signings across the pitch have been made at great expense, outlining the depth of the Yorkshire side’s ambitions. Harry Wilson in particular was an excellent pick-up on a free transfer. The Welsh winger has a cannon of a left foot, a brilliant workrate and the sort of top-flight experience that is invaluable in the Premier League. Meanwhile, the club record acquisition of James Trafford from Manchester City is a real upgrade from previous options in goal at Elland Road.
Leeds have also recruited heavily in their defensive line, with experienced and versatile Swiss centre back Nico Elvedi joining alongside former Serie A prodigy Tarik Muharemovic, an ex-teammate of Socceroo, Christian Volpato. Loan signings Jean-Mattheo Bahoya and Melvin Bard will also provide valuable quality off the bench, While their squad is some way behind the challengers for Europe, expect Leeds to make a climb in the Premier League standings in the 26/27 season after another summer of smart, effective recruitment.
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola controls the ball to score Paris Saint-Germain's third goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lille LOSC at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on January 16, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)Source: AFP
LIVERPOOL
Grade: D
Big buy: Bradley Barcola
Liverpool’s transfer window was summed up incredibly well by Adam Clery of the Adam Clery Football Channel. “It’s like buying a Ferrari while your house is burning down.” Liverpool have brought in Bradley Barcola, an exceptional winger who will no doubt score goals and provide assists with his blistering pace down the left wing. However, there are glaring issues in midfield and at full back that needed addressing and have been missed.
Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo have also been recruited and looked sharp at centre back and on the right wing, while French centre back Jeremy Jacquet has impressed after his arrival from Stade Rennais. However, with the holes that needed filling in this squad, there just aren’t enough bodies for Andoni Iraola’s intense style of football to flourish like it could and should. The signings who’ve been brought in look like shrewd pick-ups, but the lack of depth is deeply concerning.
MANCHESTER CITY
Grade: B
Big buy: Enzo Fernandez
In typical Manchester City fashion, when faced with a problem, their answer is to throw unholy amounts of money at it until it submits. Their outlay of £458 million is the biggest in a single transfer window in history. The midfield has seen the biggest outlay for spending by far. Enzo Fernandez joins from Chelsea in a record equalling £125 million deal, Ayyoub Bouaddi joins from Lille for £81.5 million and Elliot Anderson also arrived from Nottingham Forest for a cool £116 million. This on top of the signing of Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye and Brazilian talent Allan from Palmeiras means you cannot fault the Citizens’ ambition under new coach Enzo Maresca.
However, even with this massive outlay, it’s going to be a big ask for City to have their usual levels of success this season. The departures of, Pep Guardiola, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones in a single summer represent massive holes in the very fabric of the club. The sales of Savio, Tijani Reijnders, and Nico Gonzalez have helped City try and replace their quality with their aforementioned incomings, but it’s a daunting task for their new recruits to live up to the standards set by the departing Guardiola and his veterans.
Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina reacts with Facundo Medina #25 as he walks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Justin Setterfield / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
MANCHESTER UNITED
Grade: C
Big buy: Youri Tielemans
In comparison to their cross-town rivals Manchester United have been uncharacteristically quiet in this window. However, there has been major surgery in a midfield which badly needed a makeover. The departing Casemiro has been replaced by Brighton defensive midfielder Carlos Baleba, an industrious, tough tackling player who will add legs and grit to the Red Devils. Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans has been brought in alongside Andrey Santos to add some passing chops to the midfield.
The only major sale was Rasmus Hojlund’s to Napoli, but major surgery will be needed soon in the Manchester United back four, which fans had hoped would be sorted this summer. The failure to acquire a new left back in particular is a real concern. It places a huge amount of pressure on the terribly injury prone Luke Shaw with only the inexperienced 19-year-old Harry Amass a natural replacement.
Fernandes fires Man Utd to win | 03:06
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Grade: B
Big buy: Nico Gonzalez
From what had looked like a disaster only a few weeks ago, Newcastle have had one of the most exciting windows in England. The sales of Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali were huge blows to the Magpies’ ambitions, with ex-coach Eddie Howe also departing. On top of that, record signing Nick Woltemade has been loaned out to Juventus after a disappointing debut season. However, new manager Matthias Jaissle has brought a raft of young, exciting talent with him to St. James’ Park.
In defence, right back Amar Dedic has come in from Benfica, with Czech giant Lukas Hornicek arriving in goal. Nico Gonzalez is the headliner of three midfield additions, with exciting talents Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba joining from Ajax and Monaco respectively. Meanwhile in attack, Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Bazoumana Toure, two young and talented speedsters have come in to add pace and creativity to the Magpies’ attack. Newcastle have taken life’s lemons and seem to have turned them into spectacular lemonade.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Grade: C
Big buy: Ousmane Diomande
Nottingham Forest have flown somewhat under the radar in the latter weeks of the transfer window, but they’ve acquitted themselves reasonably well and go into the new season looking strong on the back of the record sale of Elliot Andreson to Manchester City. Ousmane Diomande is the headline signing, the highly rated Ivorian centre back comes in to form a formidable back three with Serbian hard man Nikola Milenkovic and maverick left footer Murillo.
Meanwhile up front, Liam Delap has been signed at great expense from Chelsea. While he was underwhelming at Stamford Bridge in the right hands, his power and straight-line speed will be a problem for many a Premier League defender. The pick-up of Daniel Munoz at right back also gives a sprinkling of quality at right wing back to compliment Ola Aina.
SUNDERLAND
Grade: C
Big buy: Malick Fofana
The Black Cats have rescued what was looking like a very poor transfer window late on with a couple of excellent signings in the form of prodigiously talented winger Malick Fofana and experienced Spurs defender Kevin Danso coming in on loan. The Mackems had to fight hard to secure Fofana ahead of Crystal Palace, but the 21-year-old has been earmarked as a special talent from the Lyon academy that produced the likes of Karim Benzema and Rayan Cherki, a serious coup for the Black Cats.
Dayann Methalie has arrived from Toulouse to reinforce at left back and provide competition for experienced counterpart Reinildo. Crucially, the Black Cats have also not lost much in the way of first team talent, the effort to keep Granit Xhaka despite an attempt from Chelsea was crucial. There is an argument however, that not enough has been brought in to contend with the rigours of European football on top of their regular season duties.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Sandro Tonali of Tottenham Hotspur controls the ball during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Grade: C
Big buy: Sandro Tonali
Tottenham have gone for a tried and trusted method when recovering from a relegation scare. Chuck money at the squad and hope it sticks. A raft of talent has been picked up by the North London giants with 10 first team players brought through the door. The midfield in particular has seen a massive investment, with Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali brought in for a cool £185 million investment. Meanwhile in defence, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marco Senesi were joined by Tosin Adarabioyo on deadline day.
However, the signings in attack were very expensive, if puzzling additions. The signing of Savio from Manchester City after an extremely underwhelming time there for £85 million raised eyebrows, while Omar Marmoush also has plenty to prove. Moves for Cody Gakpo and Iliman Ndiaye also fell through, with Mykhailo Mudryk fresh off a ban for banned substances coming in on loan from Chelsea. That on top of an underwhelming start from the new signings leaves many in doubt about Spurs’ prospects for the season despite their massive outlay.