Summer 2026 Transfer Window: Grading the Biggest Moves and What They Mean

For many fans, summer means more than just a break—it's transfer season. The 2026 window has been packed with high-profile deals shaping clubs’ futures before the September 1 deadline. Here, we grade some of the biggest moves and explore their potential consequences.

Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest to Manchester City (£116m)

Forest: Losing Anderson is bittersweet. He was pivotal in their Europa League run and semi-final appearance. Replacing him won’t be easy, but the massive fee—whether £116m or £130m—gives Forest financial strength. Grade: A

Man City: Anderson is expected to be the next Rodri. While he’s shown Premier League quality, City paid a huge premium, partly due to the so-called 'English tax.' Still, his record last season suggests he fits Maresca’s system. Grade: C

Anderson: The timing feels right. At 23, stepping up from Forest to City offers a chance to become one of Europe’s top midfielders, especially with Rodri’s possible departure. Grade: A+

Alejandro Garnacho: Chelsea to Aston Villa (Loan with Obligation to Buy)

Chelsea: Offloading Garnacho quickly was smart, considering his underwhelming season and steep £42.5m price tag. The loan-to-buy deal likely meets Chelsea’s valuation. Grade: A

Aston Villa: Signing Garnacho carries risks. His form dipped after Manchester United, and replicating Morgan Rogers’ impact seems unlikely. Financially, the deal seems structured to sidestep UEFA rules. Grade: C

Garnacho: A fresh start under Emery could reignite his career, though expectations at Villa Park are high following recent successes. Past examples warn that he must prove himself fast. Grade: B

Christos Tzolis: Club Brugge to Arsenal (£34m)

Club Brugge: A club-record sale for a player they acquired for €6.5m. The smooth negotiation reflects Brugge’s strong position after a title-winning season. Grade: A

Arsenal: Needed wide reinforcements after Trossard’s departure, and Tzolis offers goal contributions and pace. His previous tough stint at Norwich raises concerns, but Arsenal likely expects patience as he adapts. Grade: B+

Tzolis: Returning to England with confidence after success in Belgium, the Greek winger prioritised Arsenal’s interest. Now, he faces the challenge of establishing himself in a tougher league. Grade: A+

Karim Adeyemi: Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona (€29m)

Dortmund: With one year left on his contract and no renewal, Dortmund had to sell. Injuries and inconsistency lowered his value, but the sell-on clause helps. Grade: B

Barcelona: A savvy signing. Adeyemi provides youthful speed and versatility, and Flick believes in his potential. A cheaper alternative to Rashford. Grade: B+

Adeyemi: This transfer offers a platform to fulfill early promise. Less pressure due to the moderate fee may help him thrive in a rebuilding Barca forward line. Grade: A

Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa to Chelsea (£117m)

Villa: Despite Champions League qualification, losing their prized asset is painful. Financially, the fee is extraordinary compared to his £8m purchase, aiding squad reinvestment but frustrating fans. Grade: B+

Chelsea: Surprised many by securing Rogers over Arsenal despite budget limits. The move might be offset by selling Enzo Fernandez. The fee is hefty, but the attacking options look promising under Alonso. Grade: B

Rogers: Unexpected switch influenced by game time and finances. Chelsea’s unstable environment poses challenges but also opportunities alongside former teammates. Grade: B

Youri Tielemans: Aston Villa to Manchester United (£35m)

Villa: Injury-prone but vital when fit, Tielemans’ exit after a stellar finish hurts. The fee seems low given his importance and contract length. Grade: D

United: A smart, quiet acquisition providing much-needed midfield depth after missing out on other targets. His experience and quality add stability. Grade: B+

Tielemans: A late-career chance at a bigger stage. Despite his age, this is an exciting opportunity to showcase his skills at a prestigious club. Grade: A

Andrey Santos: Chelsea to Manchester United (£50m)

Chelsea: Selling a promising young midfielder to a direct rival amid squad reshaping fits their profit-driven approach, despite the loss of a potentially key player. Grade: B-

United: After failing with top targets, Santos represents a costly solution. Not guaranteed a starter, but still young with room to grow. Grade: C

Santos: Seeking regular football away from Chelsea’s chaos. Old Trafford offers Champions League exposure but no certainty of long-term stability. Grade: B

Sandro Tonali: Newcastle to Tottenham (£100m)

Newcastle: A harsh reality check after Champions League qualification. The sale of Tonali signals a downturn with big investments squandered previously. Grade: F

Tottenham: Record-breaking signings underline intent or desperation. Tonali is proven and should flourish under De Zerbi but the hefty price is a gamble. Grade: B+

Tonali: An unexpected choice, joining a struggling Spurs side rather than elite clubs. Success depends heavily on managerial stability. Grade: C+

Denzel Dumfries: Inter to Real Madrid (€20m)

Inter: Questionable to accept a low release clause for a key player; the fee undervalues Dumfries’ abilities. Grade: C

Real Madrid: A bargain signing addressing right-back needs below budget. Age and defensive balance pose concerns but a reasonable stopgap. Grade: A

Dumfries: Rewarded with a dream move after loyal service. Low fee reduces pressure, but competition with Alexander-Arnold will be intense. Grade: A+

Mateus Fernandes: West Ham to Tottenham (£85m)

West Ham: Strong business amid relegation woes, getting full asking price for a valuable asset. Grade: A

Tottenham: Big investment reflecting urgency to improve midfield. Fernandes is talented but must deliver immediately or face criticism. Grade: C+

Fernandes: A sideways step in league standing but a chance to flourish under De Zerbi. Uncertainty around management remains a risk. Grade: B

Ismael Saibari: PSV to Bayern Munich (€50m)

PSV: Expected loss but good profit for a player who grew into a leader over four years. Grade: B

Bayern: Targeted and well-timed signing ahead of World Cup boost. Saibari’s technique and versatility suit Bayern’s style. Grade: A

Saibari: Riding World Cup momentum into a major club. Competition for starting spots will be fierce, but optimism is high. Grade: A

Marco Palestra: Atalanta to Chelsea (£47m)

Atalanta: Profiting handsomely on a youth academy product unlikely to stay long-term. Grade: A

Chelsea: A bold move reflecting new leadership’s influence, but expensive for a young player with limited top-flight experience. Grade: B

Palestra: Choosing Chelsea over hometown Inter likely driven by contract terms and ambition. Has potential to succeed in the Premier League. Grade: A

Goncalo Ramos: Paris Saint-Germain to AC Milan (€75m)

PSG: Exceptional return for a fringe player, freeing funds for needed upgrades. Grade: A+

Milan: Price far exceeds usual Serie A spending, raising questions. Ramos is good but not a guaranteed star at this level. Grade: D+

Ramos: Finally the main striker role he sought. Pressure to justify record fee in Italy will be immense. Grade: A

Jan Paul van Hecke: Brighton to Tottenham (£52m)

Brighton: Another excellent sale, cashing in before contract expiry. Grade: A

Tottenham: Likely overpaid but acquiring a known quantity with leadership qualities. Grade: B-

Van Hecke: Stepping up to a bigger club familiar with his coach’s style, aiming to reach new heights. Grade: A

Victor Munoz: Osasuna to Liverpool (£34.5m)

Osasuna: Decent profit despite sell-on clause, expected given his rise. Grade: B-

Liverpool: Smart acquisition in a bidding war with Newcastle, filling a crucial gap after departures. Grade: A

Munoz: Third big club already; now aiming for stability and growth under familiar coaching. Grade: A

Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool to Real Madrid (Free)

Liverpool: Failure to renew contract cost dearly, losing a key player for nothing after a difficult final season. Grade: D

Real Madrid: Risky free signing betting on form revival. Not a guaranteed solution but fills a need. Grade: B

Konate: Achieving dream move but faces intense scrutiny to perform immediately. Grade: A

Bernardo Silva: Manchester City to Real Madrid (Free)

Man City: Losing a club legend without a fee stings, yet understandable due to age and tenure. Grade: D

Real Madrid: Excellent free acquisition offering quality and leadership, outbidding Barcelona. Grade: B+

Bernardo Silva: Long-awaited chance in Spain to extend his career at a top club. Grade: A+

Marc Cucurella: Chelsea to Real Madrid (€60m)

Chelsea: Strange sale at a loss, but recouping value from a player wanting out amid club turmoil. Grade: B-

Real Madrid: Costly addition adding depth but needs immediate impact amid crowded left-back options. Grade: C

Cucurella: Escaping instability to join a giant club with clear backing from Mourinho. Pressure to justify fee is high. Grade: A

Andy Robertson: Liverpool to Tottenham (Free)

Liverpool: Emotional farewell to a club legend whose decline was anticipated. Grade: D

Tottenham: Surprising addition given existing options; potentially valuable for leadership and culture. Grade: C

Robertson: Chose Spurs for regular play ahead of World Cup despite better options; may find new life under De Zerbi. Grade: C

Anthony Gordon: Newcastle to Barcelona (€80m)

Newcastle: Another key exit showing a fall from grace, needing wise reinvestment amid lost Champions League status. Grade: B-

Barcelona: Overpayment for a versatile but inconsistent attacker; hopes pinned on World Cup form to justify price. Grade: C+

Gordon: Dream move to a major club comes with huge expectations to deliver. Grade: A