The summer transfer window has slammed shut for the Premier League.
Teams had since mid-June to make changes to their respective squads, whether that be through sales, signings or loans.
Multiple top-end players joined teams in lucrative deals, some through moves done between “Big 6” clubs or by shopping outside of England.
Let’s rank some of the most notable signings of the 2026-27 summer window by considering the transfer fee and potential impact:
8. Sandro Tonali to Tottenham, 100 million pounds
Let’s start with the least ideal triple-digit signing. Tottenham spent heavy money this summer after consecutive 17th-place finishes, but head coach Roberto De Zerbi will still have lots of questions to answer. Tonali is not a bad midfielder by any means, but at this price, he has to run games himself and exhibit match-winning quality. The ex-Newcastle man is not that, though somewhere between 50-60 million pounds would’ve been fair.
And also spending 85 million pounds on Savio from Manchester City? Very questionable for a winger with flair but limited end product.
7. Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City, 125 million pounds
It’s been a major summer for Manchester City in terms of midfielder movement. With Pep Guardiola gone, Enzo Maresca went for his former man at Chelsea in Fernandez. But for a British-record fee? The Argentine is similar to Tonali in that he can’t run games by himself, though he can have a knack at scoring timely goals. Still, those aren’t traits that should cost the above sum.
6. Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, 116 million pounds
Yes, City went for another midfielder in the triple-digit zone. This time it was for ex-Nottingham Forest star Anderson. Anderson has shown great ball-winning tendencies and can get stuck in with duels, but he’s also not worth this level of fee, either. The maximum would be somewhere between 70-80 million pounds, but he keeps City’s level in a decent spot at the base of their formation.
5. Bradley Barcola to Liverpool, 123 million pounds
Liverpool have not been shy in abandoning their old approach of not buying triple-digit attackers. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were the two big names last year, though neither has lived up to the price tag just yet. Now it’s left winger Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain, who cost a lucrative amount despite mainly being a backup in France. With Mo Salah gone, it’s not yet clear who the team views as the long-term right-winger. Barcola is best running in behind off the left, but has inconsistencies with finishing. It’s another overpay, so it’ll be interesting to see how he pans out.
4. Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, 117 million pounds
A year after finishing 10th and not being in European competitions, Chelsea still splashed the cash thanks to sales money. Ex-Aston Villa forward Rogers became the Blues’ biggest transfer fee yet, as he can play on the left side of Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-3 shape. Rogers is a top profile at 6-foot-2 with elite ball-carrying and ball-striking, but his bad days can get quite bad too often. Still, he’s a difference maker and should help a one-game-a-week Chelsea side shoot up the table.
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3. Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City, 85.6 million pounds
The most impactful Manchester City midfield signing could be their…cheapest? Of course, that’s an understatement. But Bouaddi, formerly of French club Lille, is one of the best young midfielders around at 18. He replaces the profile of Rodri, a tall defensive midfielder who can set the tempo and display a robust passing range. He needs plenty of time to settle and improve at box crashing like the 2024 Ballon D’Or winner, but he impacts games at a high level and should be well worth the fee if all goes to plan.
2. Carlos Baleba to Manchester United, 65 million pounds
The other main Manchester club also underwent a midfield overhaul. Youri Tielemans came from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos joined from Chelsea, but the best should be ex-Brighton man Baleba. The 22-year-old isn’t as great in the final third compared to Tielemans, but he has the recovery speed, ball-carrying and passing range that is extremely rare for a left-footer. United needed someone with running power in the center, which Baleba should provide. He can also perform at left-back given the team’s hole there.
1. Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal, 75 million pounds
The reigning league champions disappointed in terms of attacking signings, though they hit on ex-Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa and former Newcastle captain Guimaraes. The Brazilian star turns 29 in November, so the fee is quite high. However, he helps form the best midfield in the league while adding attacking value with his passing and goal-contribution history. Should Arsenal capitalize and repeat as champions, Guimaraes would be a major factor.
Honorable mentions
CM Mamadou Sangare to Brentford: The next 100-million-pound midfielder? Brentford secured Sangare from RC Lens in a deal worth more than 40 million pounds. Based on his early performances and potential, he won’t be staying long with the London club.
CM Caleb Yirenkyi to Coventry City: Newly promoted side Coventry didn’t make too many exciting signings, though rising Ghana midfielder Yirenkyi stood out. The 20-year-old came in a deal around 23 million pounds before add-ons, and he’s a perfect box-to-box option. Coventry will need to avoid relegation if they hope to keep him longer.
GK Konstantinos Tzolakis to Hull City: Opposite of Coventry, the Tigers landed several exciting young players and some veterans as they hope to stay up. Greek goalie Tzolakis is just 23 and has a bright future ahead. If he can maintain a solid level, Hull’s chances of staying up increase.
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