Summer transfer window: Grading big signings in men’s soccer

Premier League clubs increased their spending in the January window to £370 million — up on the £100m paid out last year — though Manchester City are chiefly responsible after splashing out £180m of that on their own. We were nowhere near the 2023 record of £815m, but will the summer see a rise in expensive moves?

This year, for the first time, the transfer window has been split into two due to the Club World Cup. The first window ran from June 1-10, it’s now closed for six days before reopening (for Premier League clubs at least) on June 16.

As ever, international deals not involving clubs in the Club World Cup, and free transfers, won’t go through until July 1.

Here are grades for all the major confirmed transfers in the men’s game, with each listed by date and then by highest fee.

All fees are reported unless confirmed with an asterisk.

July 1

Bayer Leverkusen: C
Liverpool: A-

Replacing Alexander-Arnold at right-back in like-for-like fashion is impossible, so it’s for the best that Liverpool have opted for a completely different type of player in Frimpong. The Dutch player is more of a winger who will now need to adjust and convert back to a position he hasn’t called home for a good few years.

A fee of €35 million represents a clever, opportunistic deal for the Reds. But it’s tough on Leverkusen, who are losing an excellent player, in the prime of his career, who was a huge personality in the squad, for below market rate.

Manchester City: C-
Napoli: B+

It’s the end of an era for Manchester City and the Premier League as a whole, with Kevin De Bruyne departing for pastures new. Soon to be 34 years of age, it’s no disaster that the Citizens didn’t get a fee for the Belgian; it just stings that a club legend is gone.

Napoli have signed a hugely experienced, talented and driven midfielder, one who should keep famously combustible manager Antonio Conte happy. The lack of longevity in this deal prevents it from earning an A grade, but it’s still an extremely exciting pickup for the Partenopei.

June 14

MATHYS TEL
€35m (£29.8m; $40.4m)

Bayern Munich: A-
Tottenham Hotspur: B

Spurs rightly bristled at the €60m asking price for Tel back in January, opting instead to pay €10m to loan the France U21 forward. Clearly they like what they saw, as they’ve paid a further €35m (plus a possible €5m in add-ons) to make him a Lilywhite for good.

Once considered one of Europe’s hottest prospects, Tel’s lack of gametime (nine Bundesliga starts in 2 ½ years) at Bayern set him back. Spurs are smart to try and tap into that potential for a more reasonable fee, while Die Rekordmeister have somehow made a profit on a player they didn’t really improve along the way.

June 13

River Plate: A
Real Madrid: A

The River Plate production line just keeps on rolling. In the last few seasons alone, they’ve developed Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, and Claudio Echeverri — and now, come August when he turns 18, Mastantuono’s name will be added to the list of famous exports.

The teenager has already dazzled in the Argentine Primera División, teeing up goals, scoring spectacular efforts himself, and constantly nutmegging defenders. He plays with the sort of freedom and spontaneity that marks him out as a potential superstar.

June 12

Bayern Munich: C
Galatasaray: A

This is a showstopper of a transfer from Galatasaray, who have managed to coax 29-year-old Sané to the Turkish Süper Lig on a three-year contract. They’re reportedly paying him plenty, but the figures mentioned — around €175,000 per week plus a loyalty bonus — hardly tip into the extortionate.

It’s worth remembering there’s a signing on fee at play too, so Gala have invested a substantial sum into the German despite the transfer technically being “free,” but the fact Bayern will be sad to lose him says it all. What a way for the Turkish champions to compound their dominance.

Wolves: A
Man United: B

Wolves parted with £44m to sign Cunha in 2022. At the time, few doubted his talent, but many pointed to a lack of production in front of goal as a concern. He answered those worries with 19- and 21-goal contribution campaigns in the last two seasons, effectively carrying his side through turbulent times.

The Brazil international looks an ideal fit for Rúben Amorim’s support forward role in the 3-4-3 formation, and he’s clearly a player willing to take responsibility and make things happen in the final third, which Man United need more of. This is a player in his prime, ready to lead … but his hot-headed nature can sometimes get the better of him.

June 10

AC Milan: B
Manchester City: A-

Reijnders is a beautiful player to watch. He doesn’t run, he glides, and it won’t take City fans long to fall in step with the Dutchman. He’s mobile, smooth, uses the ball well and offers a goal threat, too.

It’s a €55m deal that could rise to €70m with add-ons, which is a price that suits everybody. Milan will be loathe to lose him, but after finishing eighth in Serie A and missing out on European football altogether, the financial shortfall has to be made up somewhere.

Lyon: C+
Manchester City: A

Cherki’s move to Man City is fascinating, as it puts one of the most skillful, mercurial young footballers on the planet in the hands of Pep Guardiola. That should be a match made in heaven, but Pep has had some trouble with off-the-cuff attackers in recent years — just ask Jack Grealish and Jérémy Doku.

But while success is not guaranteed, the fee — which could rise to €42.5m — makes it a must-seal deal for City, as the Frenchman has the talent to potentially step into the Kevin De Bruyne void. Lyon will miss him dearly, but they need the revenue.

Sunderland: B
Borussia Dortmund: B+

Even promotion to the Premier League isn’t enough to keep your star players! Sunderland will play top tier football in 2025-26 but do so without a key fixture in their midfield, as Jobe Bellingham follows his brother Jude’s path to Dortmund. At the very least, they receive a club record fee for the 19-year-old – €33m, potentially rising to €38m.

Dortmund are hoping lightning strikes twice, and the signs so far are positive: Jobe boasts remarkable physical dominance, plus the unerring tendency to pop up at the right time and deliver a crucial moment.

June 9

Wolves: C+
Man City: A

In what’s threatening to become an extremely expensive full-back market once again given the dearth of quality at the position, £33 million for Äït-Nouri is a dreamy deal for City. He’s a superb carrier of the ball, capable of hugging the touchline or venturing infield, and looks really strong technically. At just 24 years of age, there’s room for more improvement too.

Most would have expected Wolves to bank more for the Algerian. He only has one year left on his deal, but there was an option for the club to trigger another season top. Instead, they’ve let him move onwards and upwards.

Bayer Leverkusen: C-
Bayern Munich: B-

A Leverkusen stalwart, Tah has a career trajectory that suddenly shot upwards in 2023-24, when he expertly marshalled the back line to an unbeaten Bundesliga title run. The role Xabi Alonso curated for him was very specific, at the heart of a back three, which brought out his best. It’ll hurt to lose the Germany international for free.

Clearly, Bayern are convinced Tah is the plug-and-play answer to their central defensive issues, but they’ll have to get more out of him, over a longer period, than Leverkusen did for that to be the case. There’s reportedly a big signing-on fee (€15m) and big wages (over €200,000 per week) being committed to this deal, so don’t be fooled into thinking Tah has come particularly cheap.

He was due to join on July 1, but Bayern paid a small fee to bring the transfer forward for the Club World Cup.

June 6

Marseille: B
Inter: B+

After months of negotiations, Inter and Marseille reached an agreement on Luis Henrique in time for him to represent the Nerazzurri at the Club World Cup. The €25m fee might seem a touch low for the Brazilian, but L’OM’s bargaining position was weak, given they had to sanction his departure before mid-June in order to avoid a financial breach.

Curiously, Luis Henrique arrived at the club while they were managerless, with Simeone Inzaghi having left for Saudi Arabia. He likely would have been set for an adaptation to wing-back under the now former boss, but now? We must wait and see.

June 5

Al Ahli: D
FC Porto: A

Two years ago, Veiga became a flashpoint topic in football. A rising star in LaLiga, fresh off a breakout campaign with Celta Vigo, he opted to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli over Napoli on a reported annual salary of €12m, became one of the first young or prime-age players to make such a choice, and drew staunch criticism for it — notably from Toni Kroos, who labelled it “embarrassing.”

Now Veiga returns to Europe, having helped Al Ahli win their first Asian Champions League crown. In signing him, FC Porto have elevated their midfield in time for the Club World Cup for an extremely reasonable fee.

June 4

Ipswich Town: C
Chelsea: A-

Delap caught the eye in his maiden Premier League campaign despite his team’s overall struggles and eventual relegation. He scored 12 goals for a team which collected just 25 points, bulldozing his way into shooting positions and running the channels non-stop.

While there’s no guarantee the 22-year-old adapts to a top club and elevates this Chelsea squad, taking advantage of his £30m release clause was a no-brainer. There’s just no downside to this deal for the Blues: he’ll either make an impact, or they’ll easily move him on … probably for more money.

June 3

Liverpool: B-
Brentford: A

Kelleher’s long-awaited move to become a Premier League No. 1 has arrived. He was the perfect deputy at Liverpool, stepping in and playing to an extremely high level when Alisson was injured, yet never kicking up a fuss when sent back to the bench. There’s only so long you can keep a player like that until they want and deserve more.

Brentford have pulled off a masterstroke in nabbing him. A £12.5m initial fee looks like a steal, and while add-ons could take the deal up to £18m, it’s still low given the Republic of Ireland international’s age (26) and proven quality. In sending Mark Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen and replacing him with Kelleher, the Bees have upgraded between the sticks.

June 2

Sporting CP: C-
Chelsea: B+

Essugo was tucked into a larger deal that also takes 18-year-old winger Geovany Quenda (€52m) to Chelsea in 2026. He’s the lesser-hyped of the two, although he did make waves when he made his Champions League bow aged 16 in 2021. He’s an energetic, aggressive defensive midfielder who covers ground, plugs gaps and tackles resolutely.

The loan move to Las Palmas this season has helped him get a foothold in the senior game, and his performances suggest Chelsea got the better end of this part of the deal.

June 1

AFC Bournemouth: A
Real Madrid: A

Madrid moved quickly and beat off a host of competition to secure Huijsen’s signature following his 2024-25 breakout campaign in the Premier League. The Spaniard’s comfort with the ball at his feet, slaloming dribbles and genuine two-footedness have marked him out as one of the best young center backs in the world; his style reminds of a young Gerard Piqué.

Bournemouth got to enjoy him for only one season, but in acquiring him from Juventus and accepting a release clause of £50 million, they would have been under no illusions as to whether this was a long-term marriage. Perhaps the big move has come sooner than expected, but they’ve been well compensated nonetheless.

Liverpool: D
Real Madrid: A

We were all set to add Alexander-Arnold’s name to the list of remarkable Real Madrid free transfers — but the FIFA Club World Cup has scuppered that. In the end, Los Blancos paid around €12 million to usher in the right-back before this summer’s tournament, cementing the fact they’re taking it incredibly seriously.

Time might prove this to be an excessive move from Madrid, but at the end of the day, they’ve still signed a stunning player for a small fee. Liverpool’s grade gets bumped up from an F as they at least got something in return for their academy graduate.

Valencia: B
Liverpool: A-

Liverpool have doubled down on their policy of keeping the goalkeepers room stacked with talent by bringing in the best shot stopper under 25 in Europe. Mamardashvili looks like the second coming of Gianluigi Donnarumma; his big, burly frame, incredible reflexes and aerial dominance all impress. It should be noted, though, that he shares the Italian’s lack of finesse when passing the ball.

The transfer fee looks great for the Reds and bad for Valencia. Part of the reason it’s cheap is because Los Che got to keep him for one extra season on loan, but history will read: Mamardashvili for €35 million. And it’ll be seen as an absolute bargain.

ESTÊVÃO
€34m (£28.5m, $38.5m)

Palmeiras: A-
Chelsea: A

“I think he’s going to be a genius.” Neymar’s verdict of Estêvão will be music to the ears of Chelsea, who committed when the player was just 17 years old to a deal that could rise to around €67 million ($76m) if add-ons are met.

He’s ridiculously exciting to watch, already has tons of first-team experience under his belt and led the Brazilian top tier with 22 goal contributions in 2024. Palmeiras were never going to hang on to a player nicknamed “Messinho” for long, but they at least kept him for the Club World Cup.

Bayern Munich: C
AS Monaco: B+

Eyebrows were raised when Bayern signed Dier from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2024. After all, he couldn’t crack Ange Postecoglou’s XI, so how was he going to get game time in Munich? But 18 months and more than 45 appearances later, he departs well regarded. In fact, given the long-term injuries Die Röten are dealing with at center back, they’ll probably end up missing him.

Monaco will be counting on Dier’s experience to guide a team that is, by design, young and full of promise. He looks a good fit for that elder statesman role.