Premier League clubs spent close to €4 billion this summer, but just two months into the season, the early verdicts are already in. Some new arrivals have hit the ground running, while others have left their respective clubs’ fans reaching for the remote in despair.
Novibet Blog takes a look at the five best and five worst summer signings in the Premier League so far.
The Top 5: Money Well Spent
1. Elliot Anderson (Defensive Midfielder)
Nottingham Forest → Man City | €136m
Replacing Rodri is arguably one of the toughest jobs in English football, yet Anderson has made it look routine. City have won every league game with him anchoring the midfield, and he opened his account against AEK Athens in midweek. If City maintain this form, the Forest academy graduate could be the signing of the season.
2. James Trafford (Goalkeeper)
Man City → Leeds | €47m
The feel good story of the autumn. Short of game time at City, Trafford took a gamble by joining newly promoted Leeds, and it has paid off handsomely. He topped the league’s save charts in the opening weeks, conceded just three goals in five games and has since been handed starts for England.
3. Jérémy Jacquet (Centre Back)
Rennes → Liverpool | €64m
Liverpool’s back line was shaky last season, and Jacquet has gone a long way towards fixing it. The 21 year old Frenchman looks composed well beyond his years alongside Virgil van Dijk, and plenty of Reds fans are already calling him the natural heir to the captain. A call up to the France squad soon followed.
4. Christos Tzolis (Left Winger)
Club Brugge → Arsenal | €40m
With Trossard and Martinelli gone, Arteta needed someone on the left, and the Greek international delivered immediately, registering four assists in his first eight games and starting every league fixture. Then came a hamstring injury on international duty, after he famously refused to come off. Arsenal have missed his directness ever since.
5. Morgan Rogers (Attacking Midfielder)
Aston Villa → Chelsea | €137m
A big fee brings big pressure, but Rogers has handled both. Alongside Cole Palmer and João Pedro, he has formed one of the most dangerous front lines in the league, chipping in with four league goals by mid September. For once at Stamford Bridge, a nine figure signing looks worth every cent.
The Bottom 5: Not Quite Clicking (Yet)
1. Sandro Tonali (Central Midfielder)
Newcastle → Tottenham | €108m, rising to €117m
Spurs’ club record signing was meant to transform De Zerbi’s midfield. Instead, Tottenham went into the October international break bottom of the table, with just two points from five games, and Opta’s model even tipped them for relegation. Tonali insists the performances have been better than the results, but at this price, Spurs fans want points on the board.
2. Mateus Fernandes (Central Midfielder)
West Ham → Tottenham | €100m
The other half of Tottenham’s new engine room has struggled just as badly. The Portuguese midfielder arrived with a big reputation after leaving West Ham, but by mid October, he was still waiting for his first goal or assist. Alongside Tonali, he has yet to form a partnership capable of giving Spurs the control they paid for.
3. Bradley Barcola (Winger)
PSG → Liverpool | €144m
This looks more like a slow burner than a flop. Liverpool’s €144m man is still chasing his first Premier League goal, but there have been encouraging signs: a Champions League hat trick against LASK and an assist against Brentford, all within the space of four days. He’s one to watch in the weeks ahead and perhaps worth keeping an eye on in the anytime goalscorer markets.
4. Carlos Baleba (Defensive Midfielder)
Brighton → Man United | €76m
United pursued him for a year, but an ankle injury disrupted his start, while the team managed just six points from their first six league games. There have been encouraging signs, including a strong display against Leeds, but critics such as Teddy Sheringham believe it will take six months to determine whether Baleba is the answer.
5. Harry Wilson (Right Winger)
Fulham → Leeds | Free
The Welshman was tipped by some to be one of the bargains of the summer, with free kick prowess and creativity to spare. So far, however, his impact has been limited, with just one league start and no goal contributions. With Trafford and Muharemović grabbing the headlines at Elland Road, Wilson has work to do if he is to force his way into Daniel Farke’s plans.
The Jury’s Still Out
Bruno Guimarães (Central Midfielder)
Newcastle → Arsenal | €88m
The Brazilian is settling in rather than stealing the show. The defeat to Brighton exposed some positional issues alongside Declan Rice, but he is now a regular in Arteta’s midfield trio and started the 2-2 draw in Munich. With Arsenal sitting second, the Gunners’ faithful in Ireland will be hoping he hits his stride by Christmas.
Enzo Fernández (Central Midfielder)
Chelsea → Man City | €145m
The British record transfer was completed on deadline day, so it’s far too early to pass judgement. He’s already making a contribution, though: his free kick hit the crossbar in the move that led to Anderson’s goal against AEK Athens. With City unbeaten, Maresca can afford to ease his former Chelsea favourite into the side.
Also, check out our guide to the 2026-27 Premier League favourites and their top summer transfers
