Premier League clubs have been spending heavily ahead of the 2025-26 season. While names such as Viktor Gyokeres, Florian Wirtz and Bryan Mbeumo have dominated the headlines, many fantastic deals have gone completely under the radar. A little over a month before the new season begins, Express Sport ranks every Premier League club based on their business so far.
Manchester United – 2/10
Matheus Cunha is United’s only senior addition. It’s mid-July and Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia all remain at the club. A deal for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford appears to have stalled. For all the big promises about a major overhaul, Ruben Amorim must have his head in his hands.
Brentford – 3/10
Brentford have already lost goalkeeper Mark Flekken and captain Norgaard, and could yet relinquish Mbeumo, who reportedly wants out, to Manchester United. A couple of handy additions in Coaimhin Kelleher and Jordan Henderson represent positive moves. Inexperienced boss Keith Andrews needs a lot more, though, particularly if Tottenham target Yoane Wissa also leaves.
Nottingham Forest – 3/10
Rather surprisingly, Nottingham Forest seem to be having their squad carved apart. Spurs have actived Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause, while Newcastle‘s interest in Anthony Elanga is strong. Nuno Espirito Santo will need those two players replaced.
Aston Villa – 4/10
Handicapped by Premier League and UEFA spending rules, Villa may need a departure to finance any significant incomings. Teenage defender Yasin Ozkan is their only arrival. Villa’s rivals for European places are all spending heavily.
Crystal Palace – 4/10
Palace have the excuse of not yet knowing whether they will have the added funds from playing in European competition due to an ongoing saga with UEFA over multi-club ownership. Walter Benitez and Borna Sosa have joined to provide cover, but the Eagles need more. More positively, clubs interested in Eberechi Eze seem to have other priorities. Palace will want Marc Guehi gone to avoid him leaving on a free next summer.
Fulham – 4/10
Speculation over Marco Silva’s future has recently subsided but should still be a worry for Fulham. Their season fizzled out last year and they are yet to improve Silva’s ranks.
Burnley – 5/10
More signings are required if Burnley are going to beat the drop this coming season. A quartet of loanees from their promotion-winning campaign, Bashir Humphreys, Marcus Edwards, Jaidon Anthony and Zian Fleming, have been kept on permanent deals. Loum Tchaouna, a winger from Lazio, will need to inject plenty of quality into Scott Parker’s attack.
Bournemouth – 5/10
Bournemouth replaced Milos Kerkez with Adrien Truffert but are yet to locate Dean Huijsen’s successor. If the Cherries can keep Ilya Zabarnyi and Antoine Semenyo, while building on Andoni Iraola’s talented squad, this could yet be a very positive transfer window.
West Ham – 5/10
Kudus’ £55m departure to Spurs frees up some spending money for West Ham. Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan has been made permanent, but Graham Potter will be demanding more signings after a tough season.
Wolves – 5/10
The impressive Jorgen Strand Larsen’s loan has been made permanent, while exciting attacking midfielder Fer Lopez has been signed from Celta Vigo. Losing Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha could prove costly.
Leeds – 6/10
Leeds have already started the spending that will be necessary for them to stay in the Premier League. Daniel Farke has focused on improving his defence, although free transfer attacking midfielder Lukas Nmecha is the big-name signing so far.
Manchester City 6/10
On paper, City’s signings look exciting. But the jury is out on whether Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki can revive a squad that looked stale last season.
Brighton – 7/10
Brighton have already set about reinvesting the £60m received from Chelsea for Joao Pedro. Half of that figure has been spent on teenage forward Charalampalos Kostoulas from Olympiacos. Brighton’s recruitment is invariably right on the money.
Chelsea – 7/10
Liam Delap is a steal at the £30m release clause Chelsea activated. Joao Pedro will add strength to an attack that perhaps needs streamlining. This could be an even stronger window for the Blues if some struggling stars are sold for big fees.
Everton – 7/10
Exciting young forward Thierno Barry must score the goals Everton have lacked in recent years. Carlos Alcaraz’s loan deal has also been made permanent, while the Toffees have offloaded high-earners Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay have departed. Things are looking up as Everton begin life at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Sunderland – 7/10
Big and bold Sunderland have already spent £100m in pursuit of survival. £27m midfielder Habib Diarra, 21, from Strasbourg is the headline of a surprising window for the Championship play-off winners.
Tottenham – 7/10
Thomas Frank is looking to the future after joining from Brentford. Mohammed Kudus adds drive and creativity to Spurs’ forward line, while loan moves for the impressive Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso were made permanent. If Spurs can drag a move for Morgan Gibbs-White over the line, this will be a very, very solid window for the north Londoners.
Arsenal – 8/10
A No. 9 finally seems set to arrive at Arsenal this summer with Viktor Gyokeres’ move imminent. Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard add much-needed strength in defensive midfield. Noni Madueke gives Mikel Arteta the option to rotate, a luxury the Spaniard has not always had.
Newcastle – 8/10
Newcastle seem set to finally address their right-wing issue with the potential £55m arrival of Anthony Elanga. Keep Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon, and this will be a top summer for Eddie Howe.
Liverpool – 10/10
The Premier League champions have refreshed key areas and have enough firepower around the No. 9 position to not necessarily need Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike. Securing £116m star Florian Wirtz was a major coup. Liverpool have also banked £35m for fringe defender Jarell Quansah, which will help them spend more if required.
