GOAL’s Evaluation of the Major Transfers in Summer 2026

• For Barcelona: This move eases their salary burden since Liverpool covers Araujo's wages, freeing up space for more signings. Despite being made captain, he only started 11 league games last season and was not part of coach Flick’s plans. The €55m buy option offers Barcelona a chance to recoup funds next summer. Grade: B
• For Liverpool: Seen as a desperate solution amid injuries and Konate's departure. Araujo brings versatility but carries injury concerns and inconsistent recent performances. Liverpool passed on a safer £60m target in Ezri Konsa. Grade: C-
• For Araujo: An opportunity to play regularly and regain confidence in a passionate environment. He will need to eliminate past errors to succeed. Grade: B+

Trevoh Chalobah Sold by Chelsea to Como for £30m

• For Chelsea: Made a good profit on an academy product who never fully broke through. With a crowded defense, cashing in was logical. Grade: B
• For Como: Their record signing shows ambition ahead of Champions League debut, though the £30m price is steep for a player with inconsistency issues. Grade: C
• For Chalobah: A fresh start after years of instability at Chelsea, now with Champions League football and new surroundings. Grade: A

Bruno Guimaraes’ £75m Move from Newcastle to Arsenal

• For Newcastle: A huge loss; Guimaraes was their top scorer and leader. Replacing him will be extremely difficult. Grade: F
• For Arsenal: A shrewd acquisition adding creativity, aggression, and leadership to midfield, bolstering their domestic and European prospects. Grade: A
• For Guimaraes: In his prime, this move elevates him to a top club where he can contend for major trophies. Grade: A+

Franco Mastantuono Loaned from Real Madrid to Fiorentina

• For Real Madrid: Another young talent sent out to regain form; risks include loss of confidence and squad displacement despite new signings. Grade: F
• For Fiorentina: A low-risk addition with versatility and hunger to impress, also benefiting squad registration rules. Grade: A+
• For Mastantuono: A setback from high expectations due to injuries and adjustment struggles, but Serie A offers a chance to mature. Grade: D-

James Trafford’s £45m Transfer from Man City to Leeds

• For Man City: Questionable handling; brought Donnarumma, relegating Trafford to backup, but profited financially. Grade: C+
• For Leeds: A significant coup providing a promising goalkeeper with Premier League potential and hopes for European qualification. Grade: B+
• For Trafford: A second chance to establish himself as a Premier League number one with less pressure. Grade: B+

Yan Diomande Joins Real Madrid from RB Leipzig for €140m

• For RB Leipzig: Exceptional profit on a key player, though his absence may impact Champions League qualification chances. Grade: B-
• For Real Madrid: Overpaid but a necessary wide option; his speed and adaptability fit Mourinho’s system well. Grade: B
• For Diomande: Rapid rise culminating in a dream move; faces pressure but has great potential. Grade: A+

Mohamed Salah Leaves Liverpool for Trabzonspor on Free Transfer

• For Liverpool: A costly mistake letting Salah stay longer; his decline and attitude hurt the team, making his free exit regrettable. Grade: D
• For Trabzonspor: A major coup acquiring a former Premier League star on a free, raising their profile and ambitions. Grade: A
• For Salah: A fall from grace, moving to a lesser league and tarnishing his legacy. Grade: D

Jordan Henderson Joins Chelsea from Brentford on a Free Transfer

• For Brentford: Losing a key experienced midfielder leaves a gap despite signing a record replacement. Grade: C
• For Chelsea: Brings leadership and maturity to a young squad; expected to contribute mainly off the pitch. Grade: B+
• For Henderson: A late-career chance to influence and lead a rebuilding side while remaining in London. Grade: A+

Valentin Barco Signs for Chelsea from Strasbourg

• For Strasbourg: Significant sale that weakens their push for Champions League qualification. Grade: C-
• For Chelsea: A talented, versatile midfielder suited to Alonso’s style, providing depth. Grade: B+
• For Barco: Returns to England better prepared physically and mentally; patience needed to break into first team. Grade: B

Danny Welbeck Moves from Brighton to Chelsea for £5m

• For Brighton: Losing their top scorer hurts; replacement options remain uncertain. Grade: D
• For Chelsea: Adds experience and resilience, likely as a backup but with potential leadership benefits. Grade: B+
• For Welbeck: A chance to contribute meaningfully late in his career, including possible Champions League appearances. Grade: A

John Stones Transfers to Inter from Manchester City on a Free

• For Man City: Emotional farewell to an injury-plagued legend whose contract was not renewed. Grade: B
• For Inter: Risky free signing hoping fitness improves; experience valued for Serie A success. Grade: B
• For Stones: Fresh start in Italy with chance to extend playing career and compete for titles. Grade: A

Maxence Lacroix Signs for Chelsea from Crystal Palace for £52m

• For Palace: Profitable sale of a key defender, tripling purchase fee within two years. Grade: A-
• For Chelsea: Vital addition to defensive lineup offering leadership and stability amid squad uncertainty. Grade: B+
• For Lacroix: Step up to a big club with immediate first-team chances under Alonso’s management. Grade: A+

Elliot Anderson Moves to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116m

• For Forest: Mixed feelings but a massive financial success after just two years with the player. Grade: A
• For Man City: Potential long-term replacement for Rodri; expensive English tax noted. Grade: C
• For Anderson: Opportunity to prove himself at the highest level with significant pressure and reward. Grade: A+

Alejandro Garnacho Loaned from Chelsea to Aston Villa

• For Chelsea: Relieved to offload an underperforming player with a conditional obligation to buy. Grade: A
• For Aston Villa: Risky signing hoping Emery can revive confidence; obligation to buy adds pressure. Grade: C
• For Garnacho: Second chance to rebuild career with high expectations in a competitive squad. Grade: B

Christos Tzolis Joins Arsenal from Club Brugge for £34m

• For Brugge: Record sale for a relatively cheap signing; positive negotiations and reinvestment planned. Grade: A
• For Arsenal: Needed wide reinforcement; cautious optimism for adapting to Premier League. Grade: B+
• For Tzolis: Return to England with motivation to prove himself after past struggles. Grade: A+

Karim Adeyemi Signs for Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund for €29m

• For Dortmund: Best possible outcome given contract situation; includes sell-on clause. Grade: B
• For Barcelona: Smart signing of a young, speedy forward with coach’s faith. Grade: B+
• For Adeyemi: Ideal timing for a fresh start at a major club with reduced pressure. Grade: A

Morgan Rogers Transfers from Aston Villa to Chelsea for £117m

• For Villa: Financially outstanding sale despite sporting disappointment. Grade: B+
• For Chelsea: Surprising coup, overpaying but gaining a promising attacker. Grade: B
• For Rogers: Unexpected switch motivated by guaranteed playtime and finances. Grade: B

Youri Tielemans Moves from Aston Villa to Manchester United for £35m

• For Villa: Difficult loss of an important but injury-prone player. Grade: D
• For United: Stealthy, value-signing adding needed midfield depth and experience. Grade: B+
• For Tielemans: Chance to perform on a bigger stage late in career. Grade: A

Andrey Santos Transfers from Chelsea to Manchester United for £50m

• For Chelsea: Profiting from a young talent surplus; controversial decision. Grade: B-
• For United: Panic buy for midfield cover; expensive for a non-guaranteed starter. Grade: C
• For Santos: Seeking playing time and stability but uncertain if guaranteed. Grade: B

Sandro Tonali Joins Tottenham from Newcastle for £100m

• For Newcastle: A harsh blow marking decline in ambitions amid ownership changes. Grade: F
• For Tottenham: Statement signing showing intent but comes with risk. Grade: B+
• For Tonali: Unexpected move to a struggling side, yet could thrive if manager stays. Grade: C+

Denzel Dumfries Signs for Real Madrid from Inter for €20m

• For Inter: Poor business accepting low release clause for a key player. Grade: C
• For Real Madrid: Bargain signing for coverage despite some defensive imbalances. Grade: A
• For Dumfries: Rewarding late-career move to a top club with manageable expectations. Grade: A+

Mateus Fernandes Transfers from West Ham to Tottenham for £85m

• For West Ham: Good timing securing full fee despite relegation. Grade: A
• For Tottenham: Desperate overhaul of midfield with expensive, versatile signing. Grade: C+
• For Fernandes: Somewhat sideways move but starting role guaranteed. Grade: B

Ismael Saibari Joins Bayern Munich from PSV for €50m

• For PSV: Expected sale bringing solid return for a homegrown talent. Grade: B
• For Bayern: Planned, high-quality signing complementing attacking lineup. Grade: A
• For Saibari: Career-best summer after World Cup heroics; faces tough competition. Grade: A

Marco Palestra Transfers from Atalanta to Chelsea for £47m

• For Atalanta: Profitable sale of academy product after loan success. Grade: A
• For Chelsea: Manager-approved signing with promise but still a risk. Grade: B
• For Palestra: Attractive move for a young defender eager to test himself in England. Grade: A

Goncalo Ramos Moves from PSG to AC Milan for €75m

• For PSG: Huge profit on a bench player, funding key transfer targets. Grade: A+
• For Milan: Controversial record signing; fans and experts baffled by price. Grade: D+
• For Ramos: Opportunity to shine as main striker and justify fee. Grade: A

Jan Paul van Hecke Joins Tottenham from Brighton for £52m

• For Brighton: Brilliant business selling a soon-to-be out-of-contract player. Grade: A
• For Tottenham: Possibly overpaid but fills defensive void; familiar coaching link aids transition. Grade: B-
• For Van Hecke: Logical step up aiming for bigger success. Grade: A

Victor Munoz Transfers from Osasuna to Liverpool for £34.5m

• For Osasuna: Profitable sale despite hefty sell-on clause to Real Madrid. Grade: B-
• For Liverpool: Strong signing boosting attack after key departures and injuries. Grade: A
• For Munoz: Third major club at 22; aims to cement place under new coach. Grade: A

Ibrahima Konate Joins Real Madrid from Liverpool on Free

• For Liverpool: Failure to renew contract led to losing a key defender for nothing. Grade: D
• For Real Madrid: Risky wage gamble on inconsistent defender needing revival. Grade: B
• For Konate: Dream move with pressure to quickly regain form. Grade: A

Bernardo Silva Signs for Real Madrid from Man City on Free

• For Man City: Loss of a club legend but inevitable end to era. Grade: D
• For Real Madrid: Quality signing who adds experience and character to squad. Grade: B+
• For Silva: Long-awaited move to Spain; chance to extend elite performance years. Grade: A+

Marc Cucurella Transfers from Chelsea to Real Madrid for €60m

• For Chelsea: Strange sale at a loss but recoups money from unhappy player. Grade: B-
• For Real Madrid: Pricey acquisition fitting Mourinho’s style, though squad congestion looms. Grade: C
• For Cucurella: Achieves goal of returning to Spain and joining a top club; must deliver fast. Grade: A

Andy Robertson Joins Tottenham from Liverpool on Free

• For Liverpool: Emotional loss of a legendary left-back; age and form decline factored in. Grade: D
• For Tottenham: Unexpected signing; aims to bring experience and culture change. Grade: C
• For Robertson: Seeks regular football under a manager who could improve Spurs. Grade: C

Anthony Gordon Transfers from Newcastle to Barcelona for €80m

• For Newcastle: Selling another unsettled player but with uncertainty over reinvestment. Grade: B-
• For Barcelona: Expensive signing with potential but questionable value. Grade: C+
• For Gordon: Dream move with big pressure to justify fee. Grade: A