Sky Sports' team of analysts have taken a deep dive into the transfer activity of all twenty Premier League clubs, assigning each a rating based on the quality, quantity and strategic fit of the players they bought and sold during the summer window. The exercise follows a season of unprecedented spending, last‑minute deadline‑day dramas and a handful of surprise departures that left fans both delighted and perplexed. Below is a comprehensive, re‑phrased and expanded overview of each club's business, the rationale behind the scores, and what the moves could mean for the upcoming campaign. **Arsenal – 8/10** Gary Cotterill gave the Gunners an eight out of ten, noting that eight senior players have left the Emirates, including Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Christian Nørgaard, Fabio Vieira and the loan‑return of Ethan Nwaneri, while Jakob Kjeldbjerg and Reiss Nelson were deemed surplus.
The club recouped more than £100 million in cash and shed a significant wage bill, especially from the high‑earning Jesus. Cotterill argued that a left‑wing signing such as Vinícius Júnior or Julián Álvarez would have lifted the rating to nine, but even without a direct replacement the squad retains depth.
New arrivals like Christos Tzolis, who showed promise despite a shaky debut, and the versatility of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka give Arteta multiple options on the left flank. The bench now offers quality defensive and midfield cover, meaning the team can rotate without a noticeable drop in competitiveness. The only major targets Arsenal missed were a natural left winger and a new striker, but the existing roster provides enough flexibility for Arteta to experiment with formations and player roles.
**Aston Villa – 7/10** Kirsty Edwards highlighted the challenge of replacing six starters—Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martínez, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa—while staying within strict financial limits. Villa opted for a blend of youthful prospects (Ibrahim Mbaye, Johan Manzambi) and seasoned professionals (Leon Goretzka, Aaron Wan‑Bissaka).
Newcomer Nicolas Jackson impressed on debut, and goalkeeper Zion Suzuki kept a clean sheet early on. Edwards praised manager Unai Emery’s balancing act between rebuilding and fiscal prudence, though she cautioned that the true test will be the on‑field performances of these signings. **Bournemouth – 8/10** Mark McAdam noted that Bournemouth’s summer was a stark contrast to the 2025 window when the club off‑loaded several key figures.
This time the focus was on retention, keeping Rayan Cherki, Eli Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott. The club also added goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio (formerly Juventus No 1), centre‑back Antonio Silva, full‑back Juanlu Sánchez and attacking midfielder Álvaro Rodríguez, all for modest fees. The team avoided deadline‑day panic by completing most deals early, a sign of confidence from manager Marco Rose. With a solid mix of experience and fresh talent, Bournemouth entered the season well‑prepared for both domestic and European commitments.
**Brentford – 9/10** Uma Gurav gave Brentford top marks for securing a marquee midfielder in Mamadou Sangaré for £39 million, a bargain that could become a season‑long standout. The club also added left‑back El Hadji Malick Diouf, forward Jaidon Anthony, and reinforced the defence with Jannik Schuster after Sepp van den Berg’s injury. Brentford retained core players such as Thiago, Kevin Schade and Yehor Yarmoliuk, and locked up Michael Kayode and Vitaly Janelt on new contracts.
The only outgoing loan was Jayden Meghoma to Portsmouth, aligning with the club’s policy of giving youngsters regular minutes. Gurav withheld a perfect ten only because there is always room for improvement, a sentiment echoed by the club’s own ambitions. **Brighton – 7.5/10** Elliot Cook observed that Brighton’s window was unusually busy, with nine first‑team signings costing close to £170 million. The headline acquisition was Luka Vuskovic for a club‑record £50 million, while defensive midfielder Chema Andrés arrived from Stuttgart on deadline day, filling the void left by Carlos Baleba’s move to Manchester United.
The team also lost veteran striker Danny Welbeck and hopes that loanee Promise David can provide goals. Brighton retained promising talent Yankuba Minteh, and the coaching staff expects the new additions to gel with returning injured players, giving them a realistic chance in both the Premier League and the Europa League. **Chelsea – 7/10** James Savundra highlighted Chelsea’s strategic shift under Xabi Alonso, focusing on Premier League‑ready signings to complement the club’s youthful core. The arrival of Enzo Fernández, despite a contentious saga, alongside Emiliano Martínez, Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, bolsters the starting eleven.
Chelsea also secured Joao Pedro on an improved contract and sold surplus assets such as Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho for high fees. While the loss of Marc Cucurella was a blow, the overall transfer activity demonstrates Chelsea’s reputation as world‑class traders. The real test will be translating this business into on‑field success.
**Coventry – 8/10** Amber Sandhu praised Coventry’s ambitious summer, mixing Premier League experience with promising youngsters. Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth returned permanently, while centre‑back Aurele Amenda added athleticism. Midfield signings Caleb Yirenkyi and Frank Onyeka bring energy and experience, complemented by creative midfielder Gustavo Hamer.
Up front, Taiwo Awoniyi offers a proven Premier League goal threat, with Loum Tchaouna and Sidiki Cherif providing pace. Despite a slow start to the season with two goalless defeats, the squad’s depth and quality suggest a strong foundation for the newly promoted side. **Crystal Palace – 7/10** Chris Reidy noted the loss of Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Muñoz but praised the retention of Adam Wharton, Jean‑Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr. Palace’s sensible signings—Axel Disasi, Dwight McNeil, Ben Chilwell and Takehiro Tomiyasu—add Premier League experience, while youngsters like Dario Osorio and Anan Khalaili could develop into future stars.
The club has improved depth across the board, a crucial factor for a side competing in both domestic and European competitions. **Everton – 5/10** Vinny O'Connor criticised Everton’s chaotic end‑to‑window activity.
The club let go of key players such as Beto, Iliman Ndiaye (sold for £65 million despite a three‑year contract) and struggled to replace them adequately. While new arrivals Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, Jack Grealish and others add quality, the lack of a proven striker and right‑back leaves the squad under‑equipped. Manager Sean Dyson’s limited tools make a realistic European challenge unlikely this season.
**Fulham – 7/10** James Cole highlighted Fulham’s strategic reinforcements under Alvaro Arbeloa. The club secured striker Gonzalo García from Real Madrid, who has already scored twice in his first three games. Midfield depth improved with Real Madrid academy graduates César Palacios and Manuel Ángel, plus Shea Charles and Hugo Larsson. Defensive concerns remain, but the deadline‑day signing of Austria’s David Affengruber could suit Arbeloa’s high‑press system.
Despite not signing a specialist winger, Fulham’s summer signings align with the manager’s philosophy and could help avoid a relegation battle. **Hull City – 7/10** Tim Thornton praised Hull’s aggressive recruitment, bringing in eighteen players, including six on deadline day, under the guidance of owner Acun Ilicali. The focus on youthful talent offers high upside, though it carries risk. The core that earned promotion remains intact, preserving the team spirit needed to survive in the Premier League.
**Ipswich Town – 8/10** Chris Green reported a busy window for Ipswich, with fourteen arrivals and eighteen departures. The club invested roughly £200 million, adding record signing Julio Enciso and experienced players like Daizen Maeda, Sasa Lukić and Issa Diop. The squad now boasts depth across every position, giving manager Gary O'Neil a solid platform to build on. **Leeds United – 7.5/10** Zinny Boswell highlighted Leeds’ strategic signings of Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemović and James Trafford, strengthening three key areas.
Additional depth came from Nico Elvedi, Michael Zetterer and Melvin Bard, while Jean‑Matteo Bahoya offers a potential X‑factor on the wing. **Liverpool – 8/10** Vinny O'Connor noted Liverpool’s successful acquisitions of wide‑area talent Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz, while retaining Cody Gakpo. Defensive reinforcement came with Ronald Araujo, capable of playing centre‑back or right‑back, complementing Jeremy Jacquet.
However, the club still lacks a natural right‑winger to fully replace Mohamed Salah’s departure. Youthful signings Lucca Brughmans and Djylian N'Guessan signal a long‑term outlook.
**Manchester City – 9/10** Ben Ransom gave City a high rating despite the loss of Rodri to Barcelona. The club splashed a record fee for Enzo Fernández on deadline day, creating a £300 million midfield trio with Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Profits from outgoing players funded the arrivals of Iliman Ndiaye and Allan, reinforcing the attack. Manager Enzo Maresca now has the tools to challenge for the title.
**Manchester United – 8/10** Danyal Khan praised United’s focused midfield overhaul, spending £155 million on Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. While the club missed out on a dedicated left‑back, versatile options like Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot fill the gap.
The retention of key players such as Marcus Rashford and the integration of new signings provide optimism for the season ahead. **Newcastle United – 8/10** Keith Downie highlighted Newcastle’s £262 million outlay, offset by £245 million earned from the sales of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon. New arrivals, including Matías Fernández‑Pardo, Lukas Horníček and Amar Dedić, strengthen the starting XI, while younger prospects like Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba offer future potential. Early performances from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa suggest the squad feels refreshed.
**Brighton & Hove Albion – 7.5/10** Anton Toloui rated Oliver Glasner’s window positively, noting the acquisition of physical striker Liam Delap and wing‑back Daniel Muñoz. The club missed a direct replacement for Elliot Anderson but secured a good fee for Manchester City’s outgoing players. **Sunderland – 7/10** Keith Downie reported Sunderland’s deadline‑day scramble to sign winger Malick Fofana after a tug‑of‑war with Crystal Palace. Owner Kyril Louis‑Dreyfus intervened financially to clinch the deal.
The club also retained key figures such as Granit Xhaka, Brian Brobbey and Noah Sadiki, ensuring a balanced squad. **Tottenham Hotspur – 7/10** Michael Bridge gave Spurs a solid rating for their commitment to spending, noting high‑profile signings like Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke.
While the club addressed defensive and midfield needs, the forward line still lacks a marquee striker after failed pursuits of Savio Wesley and others. The average age of new signings sits at 22, indicating a focus on long‑term development. Overall, Tottenham’s window was ambitious but leaves room for improvement as the season unfolds.
In summary, Sky Sports’ analysts have provided a nuanced picture of how each Premier League club approached the summer market. Some clubs, such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, earned high marks for strategic signings and financial prudence, while others like Everton and Liverpool faced criticism for gaps in key positions. The true verdict will emerge as the new season unfolds and these players translate their summer promises into on‑field performances.