Rating every Premier League club’s summer transfer window

Now the dust has settled, all deals have been completed, and Fabrizio Romano can finally take a breather, let’s rate every Premier League club’s 2024/25 summer transfer window.

Rating every Premier League club’s summer transfer window

Arsenal – B

Arsenal’s squad was already strong and building on that was always going to be a challenging task.

Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino are both astute signings after the pair performed well for their respective countries at Euro 2024. Calafiori fits the mould of an Arteta defender, with the Italian equally adept at left-back or in central defence.

Raheem Sterling on loan could also be a masterstroke from Arteta, as the Spaniard reunites with the former Manchester City winger. Sterling adds competition and cover in the wide roles, while the conditions of the deal offer good value.

Arsenal have also collected sizeable fees for players that were deemed surplus to requirements. Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Aaron Ramsdale have all moved on for fees that add up to around £60m combined. Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto has joined on loan as an experienced Ramsdale replacement.

Arguably the only area of concern is at centre-forward, despite Kai Havertz’s fine form in the role. With Victor Osimhen now wasting away at Napoli after a failed deadline day move, it feels like a potential missed opportunity.

Aston Villa – C+

Aston Villa have splashed the cash to bolster their squad as they compete in the Champions League for the first time.

Despite replacing Douglas Luiz with Amadou Onana, the deal that saw the Brazilian move to Juventus was a bizarre one. Enzo Barrenchea and Samuel Iling-Junior were brought in as makeweights but have already departed on loan.

Ian Maatsen impressed as Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League final last season and securing his signature should excite Villa fans.

Bournemouth – B

Dominic Solanke’s sale to Tottenham was always going to be a blow to Bournemouth as the Cherries lost last season’s leading scorer. Andoni Iraola’s side have reinvested a large amount of the £65m they received for Solanke on Brazilian striker Evanilson.

The 24-year-old scored 60 goals in almost five years with Porto, and he arrives on the South Coast with goalscoring pedigree. The transfer of young defender Dean Huijsen will go under the radar but he has the ability to transform Bournemouth’s defence, whilst a last-minute loan move for Kepa Arrizabalaga dignifies the progress Bournemouth have made as a club. The Spanish stopper made 20 appearances for Real Madrid last season.

Brentford – C

Brentford also lost their star striker as Ivan Toney departed London for the Saudi Pro League on deadline day.

The Bees pre-empted Toney’s departure with the signing of Igor Thiago, who netted 29 goals for Club Brugge last term. However, the Brazilian sustained a knee injury in pre-season and will be out until the end of the calendar year.

Thomas Frank retained the core of his team, whilst Fabio Carvalho and Sepp Van den Berg have arrived from Liverpool with potential.

Brighton – B+

Brighton have received some huge transfer fees over the years, though this summer the Seagulls decided to delve into those funds and provide new head coach Fabian Hurzeler with some reinforcements.

Yankuba Minteh already looks like a steal from Newcastle for £35m, whilst Mats Wieffer and Matt O’Riley will provide some much-needed quality in their midfield.

Brighton have invested a club-record £40m in Georginio Rutter and the Frenchman will need to improve on a difficult – and goalless – first spell in the Premier League. He scored eight goals and provided 15 assists for Leeds in the Championship last season.

Chelsea – C

Where to start? Every window Chelsea seem to overhaul their squad and this year was no different with their business appearing erratic and unplanned.

Thiago Silva and Conor Gallagher have moved on, two leaders from last season’s dressing room. Their treatment of academy graduates Trevoh Chalobah and Gallagher has also been criticised, given their unceremonious exits.

Chelsea are like a kid in a candy shop, and their eyes are bigger than their stomachs. Every presentable opportunity that comes about they take. Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix are all immensely talented footballers, but signing all three appears overkill.

Crystal Palace – B+

Holding on to prized assets in Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze seemed an almost impossible task at the start of the window, but Palace held firm to keep arguably their two best players.

Losing Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen will still be a big miss, but the incomings of Maxence Lacroix, Ismaïla Sarr and Eddie Nketiah will help alleviate that loss of quality. Loaning in Trevoh Chalobah was an opportunity too good to turn down and Daichi Kamada linking back up with old coach Oliver Glasner could reap great rewards.

Everton – C

Everton fended off suitors to keep Jarrad Branthwaite at Goodison Park and retaining his services was essential. Amadou Onana headed out of the door to join Aston Villa for a big fee, in a deal that was important for PSR following their eight-point deduction last season.

Iliman Ndiaye shone at Sheffield United before leaving the Blades to join Marseille last summer. That move to France didn’t exactly pan out how Ndiaye would’ve wanted and if Sean Dyche can unlock the Senegalese’s potential, the Toffees could have a gem on their hands.

Full-back remains an area of concern with Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman well into their thirties.

Fulham – B

Joao Palhinha was the lynchpin of Fulham’s midfield since his arrival in 2022 and the tough tackling midfielder’s inevitable exit was always going to weaken Marco Silva’s squad.

The Cottagers have dealt with his exit well, however, and reinvested that money into the transfer of Emile Smith Rowe, Sander Berge and the re-signing of Joachim Andersen. Reiss Nelson on loan could prove to be an underrated move come the end of the season and if Ryan Sessegnon can stay injury-free, getting him on a free would be unbelievable business.

Ipswich – B

Ipswich Town’s recruitment strategy is clear for all to see, as Kieran Mckenna’s outfit have heavily invested in the Championship’s prized assets.

The second tier’s top goalscorer from last season, Sammie Szmodics, made his deserved Premier League move, whilst arguably the division’s best winger, Jack Clarke, swapped the North East for the South East after a fruitful spell at Sunderland. Chiedozie Ogbene, Dara O’Shea and Arijanet Muric also fall into that bracket, whilst having Premier League experience.

Kalvin Phillips sticks out as an eye-catching arrival. With some consistent football, Phillips could rediscover the form that made him an England regular.

Leicester – E

It’s hard to get excited about Leicester’s transfer business and the squad feels as if it is missing a few components. Oliver Skipp is a solid addition from Tottenham and Facundo Buonanotte has the potential to win a game out of nothing, but Leicester needed a lot more than that to compete this campaign. Crystal Palace duo Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard do not appear the answer, after just 11 league goals combined last season.

Liverpool – C+

There was big change in the dugout at Anfield this summer with Arne Slot taking the reins from Jurgen Klopp, but little change on the pitch. Liverpool made only two first-team additions, in Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Italian winger Federico Chiesa.

Mamardashvili will link up with Liverpool in 2025, while Chiesa has been signed for just £10.9m from Juventus. Given his value was closer to £100m after starring at Euro 2020, he could be one of the best-value deals of the summer.

Manchester City – C

It’s a similar story for Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola opted to keep his incomings to a minimum. Savinho has been snapped up after impressing at CFG-club Girona, whilst Ilkay Gundogan’s surprise return from Barcelona comes with little risk. Perhaps uncharacteristically, City failed to replace Julian Alvarez, and one injury to Erling Haaland could see Guardiola forced to adopt a false nine.

Manchester United – A

Manchester United’s first window under their new ownership was positive, with the Red Devils addressing problems in key areas.

Bayern Munich duo Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt bolster their defensive depth and Leny Yoro has the potential to be one of the world’s best central defenders. Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte also moved to Manchester for big fees, and Erik ten Hag will be hoping they can adapt quickly to English football. It’s safe to say Ten Hag’s squad looks stronger than last season.

Newcastle – E

Newcastle United’s transfer window was underwhelming as PSR restricted their ability to significantly strengthen.

Their summer started with PSR-motivated sales of the highly promising Yankuba Minteh and Elliott Anderson, while bringing in Nottingham Forest ‘keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for a reported £20m fee.

Lloyd Kelly’s arrival on a free from Bournemouth adds defensive depth but the club’s failed pursuit of Marc Guehi leaves Eddie Howe short at centre-back. Their best XI has not been improved.

Nottingham Forest – C

A satisfactory window for Nottingham Forest whose best business was retaining Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo despite wealthy suitors. Signing James Ward-Prowse on a season-long loan from West Ham is a coup for Nuno Espirito Santo, as is the £12m deal for Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic.

Questions will be asked about the £35m spent on Elliott Anderson, who failed to score in 50 appearances for former club Newcastle, but Forest believe the 21-year-old has real potential.

Southampton – C

Russell Martin has put his faith into the players that got him promoted as the Saints re-signed Flynn Downes, Ryan Fraser and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer have been snapped up after showing flashes at relegated sides last season, while Yukinari Sugawara was considered by bigger clubs.

The signature of Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal is also a fantastic move for all parties and if the Englishman can regain the form that saw him included in the 2022/23 PFA Team of the Season, Southampton can avoid returning to the Championship.

Tottenham – B

Tottenham’s outgoings is a big reason for their high score as Ange Postecoglou has shipped out much of the deadwood. 11 first-team players moved on, including big earners in Ivan Perisic, Eric Dier and Tanguy Ndombele.

Spurs have heavily invested in some bright teenage prospects, with Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert injecting youth into an already fresh squad.

The marquee signing is Dominic Solanke, with Spurs parting with a club-record fee of £65m for his signature. A lot of responsibility lies on his shoulders to be the final piece of the Postecoglou puzzle and help his new side push on to challenge for trophies.

However, there’s a sense that Spurs were missing a statement signing on the flanks such as a Pedro Neto or Kaoru Mitoma.

West Ham – A

Julen Lopetegui was handed a war chest to spend this summer and the Hammers have done some serious work.

The highly sought-after Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could transform their defence, whilst Championship Player of the season Crysencio Summerville can cause opposition defenders nightmares.

Niclas Fullkrug adds centre-forward presence, Max Kilman has impressed in his early performances, and Carlos Soler’s arrival on deadline day was another superb addition.

Wolves – B

Wolves had to be stringent in their spending and they went about their business in a frugal yet efficient manner.

To comply with the financial regulations, Pedro Neto and Max Kilman were sold, but Wolves recouped almost £100 million for the pair. They’ve reinvested a small chunk of that money into highly-rated Brazilian midfielder Andre, while Jorgen Strand Larsen certainly looks a handful.

However, the Old Gold failed to replace Kilman, which leaves Wolves short in central defence.

Read – Premier League weekend: Five things we learned

See more – Premier League Awards: Everton implode, Haaland hat-trick

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