Sky Sports' analysts have taken a deep dive into the summer transfer activity of each Premier League side, offering scores, insights and a look at how each club navigated record spending, deadline‑day drama and strategic rebuilding. The following is a comprehensive, re‑phrased and expanded overview of every club's window, highlighting key arrivals, departures, financial implications and tactical considerations, with a particular focus on how each manager plans to integrate new faces and compensate for exits.
**Arsenal – 8/10** Gary Cotterill gave the Gunners a solid eight out of ten. Arsenal cleared out eight senior players – Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Christian Norgaard, Fabio Vieira, loan‑out Ethan Nwaneri, Jakob Kjeldberg and Reiss Nelson – and saved well over £100 million in wages, especially by off‑loading Jesus’s hefty contract. While the club did not secure a marquee left‑winger to replace the two sold, Cotterill noted that a signing such as Vinícius Júnior or Julián Álvarez would have pushed the rating to a perfect ten.
In their absence, Arteta is relying on the emergence of Christos Tzolis, the versatility of Eberechi Eze, and the adaptability of Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka, who can all operate on the left flank. The manager also hinted at possible positional shifts – Max Dowman could see more minutes on the right, and Riccardo Calafiori might be pushed further up the pitch.
Despite the lack of a new striker, Arsenal’s depth in defence and midfield means the squad can rotate without a noticeable drop in quality. The window also delivered the long‑desired signings of Bruno Guimarães and Ezri Konsa, reinforcing the core of the team.
**Aston Villa – Optimistic Outlook** Kirsty Edwards reflected on Villa’s surprising turnover after a Europa League triumph. Six regular starters – Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martínez, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa – departed within weeks of the final. Emery’s solution has been to blend youthful potential (Ibrahim Mbaye, Johan Manzambi) with seasoned professionals (Leon Goretzka, Aaron Wan‑Bissaka). Newcomer Nicolas Jackson impressed on debut, while Zion Suzuki delivered a solid first appearance in goal.
Edwards stressed that the true test will be the players’ performances in a Villa shirt, but she remains hopeful given the balanced books and the manager’s reputation for developing talent. **Bournemouth – A Model of Retention** Mark McAdam praised Bournemouth for focusing on retaining key assets rather than selling, a stark contrast to their 2025 summer when they off‑loaded several stars. Rayan Cherki, Eli Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott stayed, and the club honored its promise to Marco Rose not to dismantle the squad. Financially, European competition forces Bournemouth to meet UEFA’s regulations, prompting them to add quality while cutting costs.
Their signings included Juventus‑experienced goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, centre‑back Antonio Silva (acquired at a bargain), full‑back Juanlu Sanchez and attacking option Álvaro Rodríguez. Early activity, rather than deadline‑day panic, allowed them to secure deals comfortably, positioning the club for a competitive season. **Brentford – Near‑Perfect Business** Uma Gurav gave Brentford high marks for a summer centred on a single, high‑impact midfielder: Mamadou Sangaré, acquired for £39 million and already being touted as a potential signing‑of‑the‑season. Additional arrivals such as El Hadji Malick Diouf (left‑back) and Jaidon Anthony (forward) have bolstered depth, while existing stars like Thiago, Kevin Schade and Yehor Yarmoliuk remain.
The club also secured new contracts for Michael Kayode and Vitaly Janelt, ensuring continuity. The only outbound move was a loan of Jayden Meghoma to Portsmouth, aligning with Brentford’s philosophy of giving youngsters regular game time.
Gurav withheld a perfect ten, noting that even a well‑run operation can always improve. **Brighton – Busy but Unsettled** Elliot Cook awarded Brighton a 7.5/10.
The Seagulls splashed nearly £170 million on nine first‑team players, most notably Luka Vuskovic for a club‑record £50 million and defensive midfielder Chema Andrés from Stuttgart on deadline day, filling the void left by Carlos Baleba’s move to Manchester United. While Vuskovic’s arrival is a coup, the club lost veteran striker Danny Welbeck and must rely on loanee Promise David to provide goals.
Brighton also retained Yankuba Minteh, a positive sign for squad depth. Cook expects the team to need time for the new signings to gel, especially as they juggle Premier League and Conference League commitments. **Chelsea – A Revolution in Progress** James Savundra highlighted Chelsea’s strategic overhaul.
The Blues have blended ready‑made Premier League talent with their famed youth pipeline, adding players like Geovany Quenda and securing Joao Pedro on an improved contract. The club’s new recruitment policy, championed by Xabi Alonso, has already produced a 4‑3 win over Brighton, rekindling fan enthusiasm. However, the Enzo Fernández saga remains a blemish; the deadline‑day deadline failed to secure the Argentine midfielder, leaving supporters divided.
Nevertheless, signings such as Emiliano Martínez, Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix immediately strengthened the starting XI, while the sale of surplus players (Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Alejandro Garnacho) generated valuable funds. **Coventry – Bold Yet Calculated** Amber Sandhu noted Coventry’s ambitious summer, mixing Premier League experience with promising youngsters. Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth returned permanently, centre‑back Aurele Amenda added athleticism, and midfield signings Caleb Yirenkyi, Frank Onyeka and Gustavo Hamer enhanced creativity. Up front, Taiwo Awoniyi provides a proven Premier League focal point, supported by pace‑rich options Loum Tchaouna and Sidiki Cherif.
While early season defeats without scoring raise questions, the squad’s depth and quality represent a significant step up from the promotion‑winning side. **Crystal Palace – Depth Over Stars** Chris Reidy observed Palace’s loss of Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Muñoz but praised the retention of Adam Wharton, Jean‑Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr. Mateta, after a failed transfer to AC Milan, now anchors the attack, while Sarr’s form will dictate whether Palace’s decision to keep him pays off. New arrivals such as Axel Disasi, Dwight McNeil, Ben Chilwell and Takehiro Tomiyasu bring Premier League experience, and prospects like Dario Osorio and Anan Khalaili could develop into future stars.
Overall, Palace improved squad depth, crucial for a season that includes European competition. **Everton – Turbulent and Under‑Resourced** Vinny O'Connor criticised Everton’s chaotic end‑to‑window maneuvers.
The club sold key assets – Beto, Iliman Ndiaye (for £65 million), and missed out on replacements like Joshua Zirkzee. The failure to secure a proven striker left Thierno Barry as the sole recognised forward, while the lack of a right‑back further weakened the side. Despite a raft of arrivals (Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, Jack Grealish, Hayden Hackney, Christian Norgaard, Merlin Rohl, Tyrique George, Brennan Johnson), the squad remains under‑equipped, and the manager lacks the tools needed for a serious challenge. **Fulham – Ambitious but Unbalanced** James Cole highlighted Fulham’s strategic signings under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
The arrival of striker Gonzalo García from Real Madrid, who opened his tally with two goals in three games, addresses a long‑standing need for firepower. Midfield depth was boosted by Real Madrid academy graduates César Palacios and Manuel Ángel, alongside Shea Charles and Hugo Larsson. Defensively, the club faces a question mark; the high‑press system demands centre‑backs who can defend higher up the pitch, making the deadline‑day signing of David Affengruber a potentially crucial addition.
The lack of a dedicated winger, despite the departure of Harry Wilson and Samuel Chukwueze, may concern fans, but the overall recruitment aligns with Arbeloa’s vision of a high‑tempo, aggressive side. **Hull City – Massive Overhaul** Tim Thornton reported Hull’s aggressive recruitment, with eighteen new players, six arriving on deadline day. Owner Acun Ilicali’s ambition attracted talent, and the club focused on young, high‑potential signings to build a sustainable future. While this strategy carries risk, the blend of fresh energy and the retained core that earned promotion should give Hull a fighting chance in the Premier League.
**Ipswich Town – Record Investment** James Green described Ipswich’s extravagant summer, spending roughly £200 million plus a deadline‑day fee for Zian Flemming. The club added experience (Julio Enciso, Daizen Maeda), physicality (Abdul Fatawu, Emersonn), and promising talent (Exequiel Palacios, Sasa Lukic, Issa Diop). Record signing Julio Enciso exemplifies their intent, while the depth across the squad suggests a significant upgrade from two seasons ago. Manager Gary O'Neil now faces the task of forging cohesion quickly.
**Leeds United – Strategic Depth Building** Zinny Boswell praised Leeds for securing Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford earlier in the window, addressing three key positions. Additional depth arrived with Nico Elvedi, Michael Zetterer and Melvin Bard, while wild‑card winger Jean‑Matteo Bahoya offers pace that could prove decisive. The overall squad now appears capable of consolidating Leeds’ Premier League status.
**Liverpool – Balanced Yet Incomplete** Vinny O'Connor gave Liverpool a mixed review. The club added pace on the flanks with Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz, while retaining Cody Gakpo as a versatile option. Defensive reinforcement came via Ronald Araujo, capable of covering centre‑back and right‑back, complementing Jeremy Jacquet. However, the absence of a natural right‑winger to replace Mohamed Salah and a lack of a dedicated holding midfielder were noted as shortcomings.
Nonetheless, the average age of signings (around 22) and the acquisition of two 18‑year‑olds (Lucca Bruhmans, Djylian N'Guessan) point to a forward‑looking strategy. **Manchester City – Record‑Breaking Spend** Ben Ransom awarded City a high rating despite the departure of Rodri to Barcelona.
The club broke its transfer record twice, most notably for Enzo Fernández on deadline day, forming a £300 million midfield trio with Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Funds raised from outgoing players (Savio, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Ake, James Trafford) facilitated the arrivals of Iliman Ndiaye and Allan, giving Pep Guardiola a refreshed squad to chase the title. **Manchester United – Strong Midfield Revamp** Danyal Khan explained United’s solid midfield overhaul, spending about £155 million on Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.
While left‑back depth remains thin, existing players Mazraoui and Dalot can cover the role. The club retained key figures like Marcus Rashford, whose early‑season form could effectively make him a new signing for the midfield. **Newcastle United – Youth‑Heavy Investment** Keith Downie highlighted Newcastle’s £262 million outlay, offset by £245 million in sales (Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, Anthony Gordon). The focus was on youthful talent, with Matías Fernández‑Pardo, Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedić and Nico Gonzalez forming the core of the strongest XI, while younger prospects such as Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba await development.
Early performances from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa suggest the new signings are already making an impact. **Brighton & Hove Albion – Solid First Window** Anton Toloui gave Brighton a 7.5/10, noting Oliver Glasner’s successful acquisition of a physical No 9 in Liam Delap, a wing‑back in Daniel Muñoz, and the return of Ousmane Diomandé. The club missed a direct replacement for Elliot Anderson in midfield but secured a good fee from Manchester City, indicating a balanced approach. **Sunderland – Deadline‑Day Drama** Keith Downie recounted Sunderland’s frantic final‑day chase for winger Malick Fofana, a deal only completed after owner Kyril Louis‑Dreyfus injected additional funds.
The club also secured Dayann Methalie and retained key players like Granit Xhaka, Brian Brobbey and Noah Sadiki, ensuring a solid core for the season. **Tottenham Hotspur – High Spending, Mixed Returns** Michael Bridge rated Tottenham’s commitment to spending a perfect ten, but individual signings earned a seven. Under Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs splashed cash on players such as Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke and attempted to land Cody Gakpo, though the latter ultimately chose Manchester City.
The club also signed Iliman Ndiaye (later lost to City) and Richarlison (who later criticised the club). While the forward line remains a concern, the average age of signings (around 22) and the blend of experience and youth suggest a forward‑looking project. Overall, the 2024‑25 summer transfer window showcased a spectrum of strategies: from Arsenal’s strategic pruning and Brentford’s targeted investment to Everton’s chaotic sell‑off and Manchester City’s record‑breaking spending.
Each club now faces the task of translating these off‑field decisions into on‑field success as the new Premier League season unfolds.