Summer 2026 Transfer Window: Manchester United and Tottenham Struggle with New Signings

The Premier League clubs showed no signs of slowing down their spending spree this summer, splashing cash in the transfer market once again. Yet, some of the biggest spenders now face concerns as their investments haven’t translated into strong early-season performances.

Let’s examine the most notable signings from this summer and weigh up which transfers have worked and which have faltered.

Key Transfers in the Premier League This Summer

Manchester United finally began reshaping their midfield this summer, but the results so far have been underwhelming. Youri Tielemans, signed from Aston Villa, has struggled to meet expectations. Meanwhile, Carlos Baleba has yet to appear due to an ankle injury.

The Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, brought in from Chelsea as a long-term replacement for Casemiro, has been disappointing. The 22-year-old started matches against Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion, both resulting in losses, and his other appearances add up to just 42 minutes.

There’s still room for United’s midfield overhaul to gel, but time is running short after a lackluster start to the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur are struggling even more, sitting at the bottom of the table after five games, with two draws and three losses. Despite spending over €200 million on midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, touted by some as potential top-four signings, neither has shown much impact yet. Manager Roberto De Zerbi faces pressure to get more out of these players soon.

Jan Paul van Hecke has also struggled to adapt to the demands at a Big Six club, displaying poor defensive positioning. Spurs might regret trading Luka Vuskovic to bring him in.

Brighton Capitalize on Tottenham’s Missteps

Brighton & Hove Albion took advantage of Tottenham’s questionable transfer moves by signing Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic, who never made a first-team appearance at Spurs but impressed during a loan at Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

Since joining Brighton, the 19-year-old has been a regular starter and helped the Seagulls rise to third place in the Premier League. He’s adapted well to different tactical setups and is another smart addition by a club known for astute transfers.

Brentford’s Eye for Talent Shines Again

Brentford have continued their trend of finding promising players they can develop and later sell for profit. Mamadou Sangare arrived this summer from Ligue 1 side Lens and looks set for a bright future.

The Mali international made an immediate impact on the opening weekend, leaving Tottenham’s revamped midfield in his wake, and his impressive form continues.

Looking back, it’s easy to argue that Manchester United missed an opportunity by not pursuing Sangare.

Other Noteworthy Newcomers

• James Trafford (Leeds United) has conceded only three goals in five league matches.
• Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool) has added much-needed stability to a defence that struggled last season.