Evaluating the Top Transfers of the 2026 Summer Window: Arsenal’s Bet on Christos Tzolis and Other Big Moves

Summer often brings excitement to football fans, not just because of the World Cup every four years, but also due to the transfer market frenzy. The 2026 window has been active, featuring some eye-catching deals across Europe’s top leagues. Some transfers will be a success, while others might leave clubs or players questioning their decisions.

We’ve graded the biggest moves this summer, helping track who came out best and who may face challenges.

Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest to Manchester City (£116m)

For Forest: Mixed feelings here. Anderson was vital in Forest’s recent Europa League success, and replacing him won’t be simple. But the huge fee, whether £116m or £130m as claimed by Forest, is massive for a player signed two years ago for £35m. Financially, this is excellent business. Grade: A

For Man City: Anderson is seen as Rodri’s potential successor amid uncertainty around the Spanish midfielder’s future. Anderson showed Premier League quality last season, but the enormous fee reflects an 'English tax'—his value would be lower if he still represented Scotland internationally. Grade: C

For Anderson: This move suits his growth, offering a chance to play at the highest level. Despite pressure from the fee, he looks ready to make his mark at City. Grade: A+

Alejandro Garnacho: Chelsea to Aston Villa (Loan with Conditional Obligation)

For Chelsea: Quickly offloading Garnacho after a disappointing spell is a relief. The conditional obligation to buy suggests Chelsea will recoup close to their £42.5m valuation, which is a positive outcome. Grade: A

For Aston Villa: Signing a winger who struggled at Chelsea is risky. Coach Unai Emery’s faith is key, but if Garnacho fails, Villa will be stuck with a costly player they are obliged to buy. Also, the deal’s structure seems designed to navigate financial rules cleverly. Grade: C

For Garnacho: A fresh start that must count. Emery’s track record with players like Harvey Elliott offers hope, but expectations at Villa remain high, especially with Champions League football secured. Grade: B

Christos Tzolis: Club Brugge to Arsenal (£34m)

For Brugge: Club Brugge secured a club-record fee for Tzolis, bought for €6.5m two years earlier. The smooth negotiation and substantial income will help them strengthen after reclaiming the Belgian title. Grade: A

For Arsenal: Tzolis replaces Leandro Trossard and brings impressive stats from Belgium—51 goal contributions last season. His prior Premier League stint with Norwich was tough, but his physicality and speed offer promise. Patience may be needed as he settles. Grade: B+

For Tzolis: Returning to England with something to prove after a rough early spell, Tzolis has revitalized his career and chose Arsenal specifically. The challenge now is adapting to tougher competition. Grade: A+

Karim Adeyemi: Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona (€29m)

For Dortmund: With one year left on his contract and no renewal in sight, Dortmund did well to secure a decent fee despite injuries and inconsistency. They also included a sell-on clause. Grade: B

For Barcelona: This looks like a smart signing. Adeyemi offers youth and pace as a cheaper alternative to Rashford, and coach Hansi Flick believes in his potential. Grade: B+

For Adeyemi: Though his rise stalled at Dortmund, moving to Camp Nou is an excellent platform to revive his career without excessive pressure. Grade: A

Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa to Chelsea (£117m)

For Villa: Selling Rogers to a club with a lower league finish and no European competition is tough emotionally, but financially it’s outstanding, representing nearly 15 times their initial investment. Fans feel the sale reflects financial restrictions rather than choice. Grade: B+

For Chelsea: A surprising coup, outbidding Arsenal despite budget concerns. The cost is steep for a young player, but this could strengthen Chelsea’s attack under Xabi Alonso. Grade: B

For Rogers: Unexpected switch influenced by promises of playing time and money. Despite club instability, joining Chelsea with familiar teammates could be beneficial. Grade: B

Youri Tielemans: Aston Villa to Manchester United (£35m)

For Villa: Losing Tielemans hurts, especially with injury issues in midfield and two years left on his contract. Grade: D

For United: A surprise signing that adds experience and quality amid other midfield struggles. While older than planned targets, Tielemans is proven and could be a valuable addition. Grade: B+

For Tielemans: Moving to a prestigious club late in his career offers a big stage to show his skill. Grade: A

Andrey Santos: Chelsea to Manchester United (£50m)

For Chelsea: Selling a promising talent to a direct rival shows the club's pragmatic approach. The profit is substantial but may be short-sighted if Santos flourishes elsewhere. Grade: B-

For United: A puzzling, expensive buy after missing primary targets. Santos offers midfield depth but isn’t guaranteed a starting role. Grade: C

For Santos: Seeking more playtime, the move offers Champions League football and a fresh start, but long-term impact remains uncertain. Grade: B

Sandro Tonali: Newcastle to Tottenham (£100m)

For Newcastle: The loss of Tonali symbolizes the club’s decline after earlier hopes, with poor investments and ownership cutbacks leaving fans frustrated. Grade: F

For Tottenham: Breaking transfer records again signals ambition or desperation. Tonali’s proven Premier League quality could flourish under De Zerbi. Grade: B+

For Tonali: An odd move given expectations to join stronger clubs, but Spurs could provide a good environment if stability lasts. Grade: C+

Denzel Dumfries: Inter to Real Madrid (€20m)

For Inter: Letting Dumfries go for a low release clause is questionable business given his importance, though he demanded the clause himself. Grade: C

For Madrid: A bargain signing for an attacking full-back, offering a stop-gap solution in a position needing reinforcement. Grade: A

For Dumfries: A well-earned big move with less pressure thanks to the modest fee, but competition at Madrid will be fierce. Grade: A+

Mateus Fernandes: West Ham to Tottenham (£85m)

For West Ham: A major sale to offset relegation woes, achieving their demanding price despite weak negotiating position. Grade: A

For Tottenham: Another big-money midfield signing reflecting urgency to improve, but the price seems high and immediate impact is essential. Grade: C+

For Fernandes: A lateral move but one that offers a starting spot and potential development under De Zerbi, though managerial stability is a concern. Grade: B

Ismael Saibari: PSV to Bayern Munich (€50m)

For PSV: A solid sale for a player developed over four years, expected to reinvest wisely. Grade: B

For Bayern: A calculated purchase of a player whose World Cup form boosted his value, fitting their style and forward options. Grade: A

For Saibari: A dream move after stellar international performances, with a bright future ahead despite strong competition. Grade: A

Marco Palestra: Atalanta to Chelsea (£47m)

For Atalanta: Profitable sale of a homegrown talent who had limited first-team chances but impressed on loan. Grade: A

For Chelsea: A swift signing backed by Xabi Alonso, though the fee is high for a young player with one strong Serie A season, making it a risk. Grade: B

For Palestra: A good opportunity for growth and to test himself in the Premier League under a supportive manager. Grade: A

Goncalo Ramos: Paris Saint-Germain to AC Milan (€75m)

For PSG: A surprising windfall for a bench player, enabling funding for better attacking options. Grade: A+

For Milan: An expensive and controversial signing that puzzles many; Ramos has potential but the price tag is hard to justify. Grade: D+

For Ramos: A critical chance to lead and prove himself after years as a substitute, facing intense pressure. Grade: A

Jan Paul van Hecke: Brighton to Tottenham (£52m)

For Brighton: Another excellent sale maximizing a player nearing contract expiry. Grade: A

For Tottenham: Possibly overpaying but securing a Premier League-proven defender familiar with De Zerbi’s system. Grade: B-

For Van Hecke: A step up mid-career, joining a club where he can be a regular starter and work under a known coach. Grade: A

Victor Munoz: Osasuna to Liverpool (£34.5m)

For Osasuna: A decent profit despite a hefty sell-on clause favoring Real Madrid. Grade: B-

For Liverpool: A savvy acquisition adding versatility and youth, stealing a target from Newcastle. Grade: A

For Munoz: A chance to settle at a major club and prove himself under a compatible coach, though competition is stiff. Grade: A

Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool to Real Madrid (Free)

For Liverpool: A significant error allowing a key player to leave for free due to contract mishandling. Grade: D

For Real Madrid: A gamble on a flawed but talented defender, hoping he regains form in Spain. Grade: B

For Konate: Achieved his dream move with high wages but faces pressure to perform quickly at a demanding club. Grade: A

Bernardo Silva: Manchester City to Real Madrid (Free)

For Man City: Losing a club legend on a free marks the end of an era, though understandable given his age. Grade: D

For Real Madrid: Gaining quality and experience without transfer fees, a boost for squad leadership. Grade: B+

For Bernardo Silva: Finally fulfilling his wish to play in Spain, bringing experience to a rebuilding side. Grade: A+

Marc Cucurella: Chelsea to Real Madrid (€60m)

For Chelsea: Letting go of a key defensive figure for less than purchase price amid internal issues. Grade: B-

For Real Madrid: A pricey signing aimed at fitting Mourinho’s style, though depth at left-back raises questions. Grade: C

For Cucurella: Escaping a chaotic Chelsea for a top club at peak age, but must justify the fee quickly. Grade: A

Andy Robertson: Liverpool to Tottenham (Free)

For Liverpool: A beloved player departing at the right time, but his absence leaves a gap in experience. Grade: D

For Tottenham: A somewhat unnecessary signing, though his leadership could help a struggling squad. Grade: C

For Robertson: A puzzling choice to join a barely surviving club, but working with De Zerbi offers hope. Grade: C

Anthony Gordon: Newcastle to Barcelona (€80m)

For Newcastle: Offloading an unsettled player for a large fee amid declining fortunes. Grade: B-

For Barcelona: Overpaying due to financial constraints but gaining a versatile, hardworking attacker. Grade: C+

For Gordon: Achieved a dream move with a chance to prove himself on a big stage but faces high expectations. Grade: A