Premier League transfer window review: Who fared best this summer?

Crystal Palace: C

The big news was keeping Marco Guehi, but they still lost Michael Olis, Sam Johnstone and Joachim Andersen and it’s hard to argue that Palace’s squad is stronger this summer than at the end of last season. Oliver Glasner will at least be pleased that Palace strengthened their attack right at the deadline with the addition of Eddie Nketiah.

Everton: F

What a horrible window, but understandable. With the current financial constraints at Everton due to the delayed impending sale of the club, Sean Dyche has publicly admitted how difficult it has been for them to close deals. The arrival of Jake O’Brien was the only bright spot as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future remains uncertain and they made a late bid for the injured Armand Broj on loan. Everything remains uncertain at Everton until they sort out their ownership situation.

Fulham: B-

Losing Joao Palhinha is a huge blow. He was the heart of this Fulham team. But the addition of Emile Smith Rowe, Sander Berge, Joachim Andersen (and possibly Reiss Nelson) will give them quality and experience through the spine of the team. Overall, it’s been a decent window for Fulham. However, they still lack a hearty goal going forward. But that’s what everyone is looking for.

City of Ipswich: C+

It’s been a busy summer for the new boys and they’ve added depth to their squad, but they haven’t had much high-end experience as they’ve struggled to get any offers across the line of late. They will be solid and tough to beat with Sammie Szmodics, Kalvin Phillips and Omari Hutchinson all excellent additions.

Leicester City: D

Due to their financial situation, the Foxes sold star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea and the new boys reinvested a small amount to strengthen their squad. Oliver Skipp will prove a solid buy, while the permanent signing of Abdul Fatawu was a must. Still, their squad may be weaker than last season when they won the championship.

Liverpool: C

A very quiet summer for the Reds and Arne Slot will be fine. There is so much quality in this Liverpool squad and adding Federico Chiesa late in the window for a bargain fee was a brilliant move to add another layer to their attack. The only negative was not adding a central midfielder as Zubimendi turned them down, but they haven’t panicked and have enough quality in that area for now. The ongoing contract situations around Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold will now become a priority.

Manchester City: C

As mentioned above. Quiet for City as Savinho arrived from City Football Group partner Troyes and looks like a real talent out wide. While the return of Ilkay Gundogan on a surprise free transfer from Barcelona was a brilliant piece of business. The best thing was to keep Kevin de Bruyne and Ederson for another season as they had offers from Saudi Arabia.

Manchester United: B+

Overall a very strong transfer window for United. Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee have all arrived and will be starters, while Manuel Ugarte, who arrived from PSG, was the icing on the cake late in the window. Erik ten Hag now has a very talented and balanced team to work with and the age profile is very different from when he took over. Now is the time for everyone to present themselves as a cohesive unit. That’s the hard part.

Newcastle United: C-

It wasn’t the best window for Eddie Howe as he appeared frustrated as there were many changes in the club’s hierarchy and Paul Mitchell arrived to oversee the transfers with Dan Ashworth and Amanda Staveley moving on from key roles. They had to sell Anderson and Minteh to supposedly accommodate PSR, while Lloyd Kelly was their only experienced addition. They have kept Bruno Guimaraes and Alexandre Isak, but with no European action this season, the lack of reinforcements this summer feels like a missed opportunity for a top-four finish.

Nottingham Forest: C+

A solid window from Forest, who added Milenkovic and Anderson as starters, plus James Ward-Prowse on loan on deadline day, and they kept their big talent in Gibbs-White. Crucially, they’ve also significantly revamped their team and now have a clearer identity.

Southampton: B+

Of the newly promoted teams, Southampton had to do the most business and they did. And a savvy deal too. They signed Downes, Fraser and Harwood-Bellis permanently and the arrival of Brereton-Diaz was a bargain, plus right-back Sugawara looks like a real player. But it was the addition of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale right at the end of the window that was their marquee purchase and the real coup. The other addition of centre-forward leading the line was the only player they couldn’t get over the line and they came close to Carvalho and O’Riley but couldn’t quite compete financially. Still, it’s a great window for the Saints as they hope to survive.

Tottenham Hotspur: B

A very good window for Spurs to land their centre-forward in Dominic Solanke. Yes, they paid a lot for him, but they needed a striker like that and Solanke has Premier League experience. Gray, Odobert and Bergvall are signings for the future and Spurs have also managed to move a lot of players into the squad. Solid. Reasonable.

West Ham United: A-

Up here with the best deals of the summer. Fullkrug, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Summerville, Guilherme, Rodriguez, Soler and Todibo are massive upgrades and Julen Lopetegui now has the kind of players he likes to work with. This Hammers team is much stronger than last season and they have limited it. After a year and waiting to use the money from Declan Rice wisely.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: D-

Overall a bad summer for Wolves. Similar to Everton and Leicester City, they were held back by the financial constraints imposed on them by their owners. Wolves have sold star player Pedro Neto and captain Max Kilman and have been unable to reinvest with experienced players, but their late signings of Forbes and Andre are intriguing. However, Gary O’Neil’s squad was thin last season and continues to be, as well as losing key players. Far from ideal.