Assessing the Major Transfers of the 2026 Summer Window: Arsenal's Tzolis and Other Key Moves

The summer months always bring excitement to football fans, not just because of the occasional World Cup but also due to the flood of transfer activity. The 2026 window has been no different, featuring some headline-grabbing moves before the September 1 deadline.

Transfers can be hits or misses for clubs and players alike. We offer early evaluations to highlight who benefited most from these deals. Here are the grades for some of the biggest transfers so far this summer.

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

Forest: Mixed feelings here. Anderson was key in their impressive Europa League run, but replacing him won’t be simple. Still, the massive fee—between £116m and possibly £130m—is a huge financial win given he was bought for £35m only two years ago. Grade: A

Man City: Anderson is seen as a potential successor to Rodri, who may leave. His Premier League experience and strong stats suggest he fits Enzo Maresca’s midfield plans. Yet, paying such a hefty sum for a player without Champions League experience feels like an 'English tax.' Grade: C

Anderson: The move suits him well. He’s ready to step up and prove himself at the top level. Though pressure will be high, the departure of Rodri opens a path to regular starts. Grade: A+

Alejandro Garnacho: Chelsea to Aston Villa (Loan)

Chelsea: Quick to offload a player who struggled at Stamford Bridge, especially with a hefty price tag. The loan with obligation to buy seems designed to maximize financial advantage under UEFA rules. Grade: A

Aston Villa: Risky move. Garnacho has not shown the spark he had at Manchester United. If he fails to impress, Villa face a costly purchase obligation. Grade: C

Garnacho: A fresh chance to revive his career under Emery, who has a track record of improving players. Still, the pressure remains high at Villa, where expectations are growing. Grade: B

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

Club Brugge: A club-record sale for a player they acquired for €6.5m two years earlier. This fee will help them reinvest after reclaiming the league title. Grade: A

Arsenal: Tzolis fills the wide position left by Leandro Trossard’s departure. His stellar 2025-26 season in Belgium shows promise, but doubts linger due to his earlier unsuccessful Norwich spell. Patience may be necessary as he adapts. Grade: B+

Tzolis: Returning to the Premier League with a point to prove. He prioritised joining Arsenal and looks ready for the challenge. Grade: A+

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

Dortmund: Forced to sell with a year left on his contract, Adeyemi leaves behind injury concerns and inconsistency. The deal includes a sell-on clause. Grade: B

Barcelona: A smart signing for a young player still showing potential. Adeyemi offers pace and versatility, and coach Hansi Flick believes in him. Grade: B+

Adeyemi: Although his breakthrough stalled, moving to Camp Nou at 24 offers a great opportunity to realize his potential without overwhelming pressure. Grade: A

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

Villa: Financially brilliant but frustrating for fans given Chelsea’s lower league finish and lack of European competition. The money will help but losing their star player stings. Grade: B+

Chelsea: Surprising coup, outbidding Arsenal for a prized attacker despite financial worries. Likely tied to selling Enzo Fernandez. Overpayment is evident but the forward line looks potent. Grade: B

Rogers: Unexpected move but a chance for regular football and partnership with familiar teammates. Could flourish if stability returns to Chelsea. Grade: B

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

Villa: Losing a key player who influenced their recent success is a heavy blow, especially with other midfield injuries. Grade: D

United: A quiet but effective signing providing much-needed depth amid other midfield targets falling through. Experienced and versatile. Grade: B+

Tielemans: An opportunity to join a bigger club late in his career and showcase his quality on a bigger stage. Grade: A

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

Chelsea: Selling a promising talent to a direct rival raises eyebrows, but the financial offer was too good. May regret if Santos develops into a star elsewhere. Grade: B-

United: A somewhat puzzling and expensive choice given other midfield options fell through. Santos may not be a guaranteed starter. Grade: C

Santos: Seeking more playing time and stability, though it’s uncertain if United can provide that. Grade: B

Sandro Tonali: Newcastle to Tottenham (£100m)

Newcastle: Their ambitions have taken a hit with this and other departures, worsened by poor recruitment. Money won’t soothe fan disappointment. Grade: F

Tottenham: Record-breaking signings indicate serious intent or desperation. Tonali’s quality is proven but the price is high and results must follow quickly. Grade: B+

Tonali: An unexpected destination but one offering significant playing time and responsibility under De Zerbi. Grade: C+

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

Inter: Questionable to allow such a low release clause on a key player, leading to a bargain sale. Grade: C

Real Madrid: Great value signing to strengthen the right-back spot at a low cost, though not a long-term solution. Grade: A

Dumfries: A deserved big move late in his career with less pressure due to the modest fee. Grade: A+

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

West Ham: A crucial sale to offset relegation costs, securing their asking price. Grade: A

Tottenham: Another big-money acquisition signaling overhaul intentions but with a gamble on immediate impact. Grade: C+

Fernandes: An unusual sideways move, but a chance to shine under De Zerbi. Stability concerns linger. Grade: B

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

PSV: Inevitable loss for a key player, though the fee is fair and likely to be reinvested wisely. Grade: B

Bayern: Strategic signing worked on well before the World Cup boost, adding depth to a star-studded attack. Grade: A

Saibari: A dream move following a standout World Cup, facing tough competition but with bright prospects. Grade: A

Marco Palestra: Atalanta to Chelsea (£47m)

Atalanta: Smart profit on a homegrown talent who excelled on loan but was unlikely to break into the first team. Grade: A

Chelsea: Xabi Alonso’s influence clear in this quick signing. The fee is high for a young player with limited top-flight experience. Grade: B

Palestra: Likely motivated by a better contract and challenge in England, fitting well with Chelsea’s plans. Grade: A

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

PSG: Huge profit from a player who rarely started, helping fund better attacking targets. Grade: A+

Milan: Price seems inflated, raising questions about the transfer’s rationale. Ramos is talented but not guaranteed to justify the massive fee. Grade: D+

Ramos: Chance to lead a major club’s attack and shed his bench-warmer image, but pressure will be immense. Grade: A

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

Brighton: Another excellent sale for a player nearing contract end, boosting their reputation as smart sellers. Grade: A

Tottenham: Overpaying slightly but gaining a Premier League-proven defender familiar with the new coach’s style. Grade: B-

Van Hecke: Logical step up and chance to impress at a bigger club with a known manager. Grade: A

Victor Munoz: Osasuna to Liverpool (£34.5m)

Osasuna: Good profit despite a steep sell-on clause to Real Madrid. Grade: B-

Liverpool: A coup against Newcastle for a versatile young winger needed after key exits. Grade: A

Munoz: Looks for stability and development under a compatriot coach, facing competition but with chances to shine. Grade: A

Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool to Real Madrid (Free)

Liverpool: Mismanaged contract led to losing a key defender for nothing, a significant failure. Grade: D

Real Madrid: A gamble on a player needing to rediscover form, filling a defense gap without a transfer fee. Grade: B

Konate: Gets his dream move but must quickly adapt to intense scrutiny and demands at Madrid. Grade: A

Bernardo Silva: Manchester City to Real Madrid (Free)

Man City: Losing a club legend is tough, but the timing was inevitable as age caught up. Grade: D

Real Madrid: Smart free signing bringing experience and leadership, ideal for Mourinho’s squad rebuilding. Grade: B+

Silva: Long-awaited La Liga move offering a new challenge late in his career. Grade: A+

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

Chelsea: Strange to sell a key player for a loss, but circumstances and player unrest influenced the decision. Grade: B-

Real Madrid: Expensive signing requiring immediate impact; crowded left-back options may force future changes. Grade: C

Cucurella: Escaping turmoil at Chelsea to join a top club at his peak, but faces high expectations. Grade: A

Andy Robertson: Liverpool to Tottenham (Free)

Liverpool: One of the best signings ever, but aging and contract issues meant an emotional yet inevitable departure. Grade: D

Tottenham: Surprise addition with unclear necessity, though leadership qualities may aid squad culture. Grade: C

Robertson: Looking for regular play ahead of the World Cup, moving to a struggling Spurs side hoping for revival. Grade: C

Anthony Gordon: Newcastle to Barcelona (€80m)

Newcastle: Another big sale reflecting club instability and declining ambitions, with a hefty price secured. Grade: B-

Barcelona: Overpaying for a useful but inconsistent player amid financial constraints; hope he justifies the investment. Grade: C+

Gordon: Dream move to a star-studded club, but faces pressure to prove he’s worth the high fee. Grade: A