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As the beginning of the new Premier League season draws ever closer, I have taken the time to rank what is in my opinion the best 10 signings of this summer’s transfer window so far. This is my list as of the 19th August. 

The signing of Tzolis for Arsenal is very interesting as despite failing to set the world alight at Norwich previously, the Greek has since registered 43 goals and 43 assists over two separate years in Bruges, becoming an output machine. The left-wing position has been very unsettled at Arsenal for a few years now and has been disrupted even further by Trossard’s departure and the links with Vinicius Jr., yet Tzolis could be the man to make it his own. The Community Shield promises lots as it shows how he can combine output and performance perfectly, auguring well for the season ahead as they look to retain the title with Tzolis at the forefront. 

Newcastle have adopted a different transfer strategy this summer in signing a lot of young players from Europe and the signing of 20-year old Ivorian winger Toure from Hoffenheim encapsulates this perfectly. Many are expecting a drop off from Newcastle this summer following the departure of key players and boss Eddie Howe, but bringing in Toure as a Gordon replacement seems the perfect start to proving the doubters wrong. He has lit up pre-season so far as a very exciting and direct winger with undisputable quality in the final third. Don’t be surprised to see Osula and Woltemade in the goals this coming year with some of the crosses that Toure has been putting in, a very promising signing.

8. Harry Wilson : Fulham to Leeds – Free

Despite his reportedly very high wages, the signing of Harry Wilson on a free for Leeds United is some very clever business in landing a player of the highest calibre. 10 goals and 7 assists for him last year was his best season for Fulham with many standout moments and spectacular goals. The value of signing a player of Wilson’s standard on a free transfer can never be understated and the creative spark he possesses should combine very well with Noah Okafor as the two of them are likely to play in a system just behind Calvert-Lewin as Farke attempts to lead this team to new heights this season.

7. Mamadou Sangare : RC Lens to Brentford – £39m

It is usually a tell-tale sign of a quality player when they have previously been linked to both Liverpool and Manchester United, and Brentford’s new record signing should prove to be just that. Mamadou Sangare comes highly rated from RC Lens who finished runners-up in Ligue 1 last term, with lots of praise over his performances, particularly his off the ball work and resistance to the press. With lots of clubs around them having Europe to contend with, Brentford will see this year as a great opportunity to take that next step and filling the hole of Jordan Henderson with Sangare is a great indicator of that ambition. 

6. James Trafford : Manchester City to Leeds – £40m

Leeds’ record signing and the highest fee paid for a British goalkeeper may prove to be one of the poorer bit of business from Manchester City in recent years, but their loss is the Whites’ gain. Trafford is clearly a great goalkeeper and represents the main area in which Leeds needed to strengthen if they are to push on this season. It perhaps may not have been the career route the U21 Euro Winner expected when he joined City, after what I believe to have been the wrong decision to sign Donnarumma. However, hopefully this move is perfect for Trafford to get some consistent game time and break into the role of England Number 1 which so many are expecting him to do. 

5. Elliot Anderson : Nottingham Forest to Manchester City – £116m

If the pressure of the £116 million fee wasn’t enough for 23-year old Elliot Anderson, the departure of Rodri highlights the need for him to have a good first season. Anderson does seem like the perfect signing for City and should thrive under Enzo Maresca with his skills as a deep lying playmaker with a wonderful passing range. While the fee may be very large even in this market, Anderson’s performances at Forest and for England in the World Cup shows how his irrefutable quality should perfectly translate to his new club for this upcoming season.

4. Youri Tielemans : Aston Villa to Manchester United – £35m

Following the departure of Casemiro, United had a huge hole in their midfield and have decided to fill it with two signings, Andre Santos and Youri Tielemans, with the latter being the smarter bit of business. Man United triggering the Belgians’ £35 million release clause seemingly came out of nowhere and represents a very clever move for the Red Devils. While still needing to prioritise a ball-winning profile in midfield with a stronger player to compliment Kobbie Mainoo, they have undoubtedly got a player with vast experience who oozes class particularly in the final third and definitely improves the team.

3. Joao Gomes : Wolves to Aston Villa – £34m

Gomes was one of the shining lights in an otherwise dire Wolves team last season and comparing him to another midfield signing from a relegated team in Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham, £34 million may seem like a bit of a bargain. Aston Villa managed to beat Atletico Madrid to his signature and have got a quality player in doing so. Gomes will be an absolute workhorse in midfield for the Villains and should be an apt partner for Boubacar Kamara in the absence of Amadou Onana following his ACL rupture and Tielemans’ move. Overall, I think Aston Villa have pulled off a heist in the current market for midfielders and will make other big clubs who looked elsewhere feel a bit hard done by.

2. Morgan Rogers : Aston Villa to Chelsea – £117m

The transfer of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a British transfer record is a sale in which all parties will seemingly benefit, whether that is from obtaining a large amount of money or a player of undeniable quality. Rogers has displayed his wonderful ball carrying skills and the ability to create goals and assists from nothing at Aston Villa, with 25 goal contributions in all competitions in the 25/26 season. A statement signing for Chelsea under new boss Xabi Alonso which seems to fit his system perfectly with his best friend Cole Palmer being the two number 10s behind Joao Pedro, highlighting the potential success for this move.

1. Bruno Guimaraes : Newcastle to Arsenal – £75m

Sometimes the best transfers can be as simple as signing one of the best players in the world in a position where the team needed improving. Despite the resurgence of Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield towards the end of last season, the decline in Zubimendi’s form and the need to lighten the workload of Declan Rice, means that signing a hybrid 6/8 was imperative for Arsenal. Bruno Guimaraes has been one of the best midfielders in the league since his arrival from Lyon in 2022, highlighted by the reaction to his departure from Newcastle fans, therefore I believe he is definitely the best signing of the summer so far.