The 2025 summer transfer window has been the most expensive on record, with Premier League clubs splashing a staggering £3 billion combined — and Liverpool capping it all off with a £125 million swoop for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. With a FIFA World Cup landing in the middle of the 2026 window, though, nothing is guaranteed to look like this again. Here is how every major confirmed deal grades out.
Summer Transfer Window Winners: The Deals That Delivered
Tottenham Hotspur land two grades of ‘A’ and ‘B’ this window, and rightly so. Marcos Senesi was arguably the Premier League’s standout centre-back last season — composed, physical, and a natural ball-player from deep. Winning the race for a free agent of his calibre is a genuine coup, even if questions remain about Cristian Romero’s future and the shape of the back line. Meanwhile, the long-awaited arrival of Andrew Robertson gives Roberto De Zerbi a leader who can pass the ball and set standards in the dressing room. Yes, the 32-year-old cost a premium in wages and will not walk straight into the XI, but Spurs needed that experience badly.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid have had an exceptional window. Bernardo Silva — nine brilliant years at Manchester City behind him, one of the most tactically intelligent midfielders the game has produced — arrives on a free. That one genuinely hurts City fans. Then add Marc Cucurella, a bona fide Premier League success story returning to Spain as a full international and trophy winner, and Los Blancos look frighteningly well-stocked. Atletico Madrid’s José Mourinho will fancy his chances too, mind.
Antoine Griezmann’s farewell to Atlético Madrid was emotional viewing for any football romantic. The 35-year-old forward chose adventure over a comfortable European finale, joining Orlando City on a free. Smart move from everyone involved.
Transfers to Watch: Promising Deals With Questions to Answer
Rasmus Højlund’s loan move to Napoli becoming permanent for €44 million — plus the €6 million loan fee already paid — makes sense for all parties. The Denmark striker contributed 16 goals across the season and looked reborn under Italian football’s intensity. Manchester United recoup a fair chunk of the €75 million they spent on a signing that simply never clicked at Old Trafford. Both clubs grade out at B+.
Anthony Gordon’s move from Newcastle to Barcelona, meanwhile, carries genuine logic. Barcelona needed attacking reinforcements badly after Robert Lewandowski departed for nothing and Marcus Rashford’s permanent arrival remained uncertain. Gordon presses relentlessly, operates as both winger and striker, and clocked the fastest speed in the Premier League last season — 36 km/h, per Gradient Sports — fitting Hansi Flick’s high-energy system perfectly. Newcastle could earn an additional €10 million in add-ons.
Not every deal lands cleanly, however. Chelsea losing Cucurella for a fee rising only to €60 million underlines the chaos of their recruitment model. Myron Emegha, arriving from sister club Strasbourg, has bags of potential at 23 — but missing most of last season through injury and underperforming his xG by three in 2024-25 suggests he is not yet ready to carry Chelsea’s attack.
