Premier League Best and Worst Summer Signings

Who will succeed and who will flop this season?

3 Sept 2026·3 min read·by Taj Soupidis

Photo: Getty Images

Top 10 Best New Signings:

sangare bre
Photo: Getty Images

  1. Johan Manzambi (Freiburg to Aston Villa, £59.5m) - Top prospect, had a great World Cup, could become the next big star to play for Aston Villa.
  1. Luka Vuskovic (Tottenham to Brighton, £50m) - I think Tottenham will regret his sale, he could become one of the best defenders in the world + gives a great option to target off set pieces.
  1. Julio Enciso (Strasbourg to Ipswich, £26m) - A great deal for just £26m, Enciso is a versatile and exciting addition to this ambitious Ipswich side.
  1. Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle to Arsenal, £75m) - Brings great experience, leadership, and quality to Arsenal's midfield making the Gunners midfield the best in the league with the best depth.
  1. Tarik Muharemovic (Sassuolo to Leeds, £34m) - Has started his Leeds career in great fashion. His defensive physicality and ball playing could catapult Leeds into a European charge.
  1. James Trafford (Manchester City to Leeds, £40m) - Leeds desperately needed a good keeper and they've got one. Young with experience in the Premier League, he's a perfect fit for Leeds.
  1. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa to Chelsea, £117m) - Overpay by Chelsea, but they have a great player who has been great for Aston Villa in recent years. He completes Chelsea's attack and makes them a potential title threat.
  1. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest to Manchester City, £116m) - Another overpay, but someone who could hold down City's midfield for the next decade. His confidence and willingness to control possession could make him one of the worlds best midfielders.
  1. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille to Manchester City, £86m) - Bouaddi has insane potential with no big flaws and a well-rounded skillset. It wouldn't shock me if he becomes a regular starter over the likes of Enzo Fernandez.
  1. Mamadou Sangare (RC Lens to Brentford, £39m) - Great in attack, great in defence, suits the Brentford style, and was just £39m. He looks an insane buy that could propel Brentford into Europe.

Top 10 Worst New Signings:

baleba

  1. Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea to Manchester City, £125m) - As mentioned I think Bouaddi could start over him at some point in the future. Chelsea overpaid for him, and City have followed suit. Poor attitude, easily rattled, and not as good as people seem to think especially for that price.
  1. Dwight McNeil (Everton to Crystal Palace, swap deal) - Brennan Johnson isn't a great player, but certainly has more to offer than Dwight McNeil. In a time where Crystal Palace needed a better attacker this deal falls well short.
  1. Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Lyon to Everton, £4.2m) - An average player, but considering the likes of Kenny Tete and Trai Hume were linked with a move to the Toffees, Maitland-Niles is an underwhelming purchase.
  1. Alvaro Rodriguez (Elche to Bournemouth, £21m) - With Enes Unal gone and Eli Kroupi Jr injured, Rodriguez is an underwhelming replacement. Does have potential but is often sloppy on the ball and doesn't suit the style of Bournemouth in my opinion.
  1. Savio (Manchester City to Tottenham, £85m) - £85m for a guy who has hardly found the back of the net is insanity.
  1. Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea to Aston Villa, £65m) - £65m for Jackson is an overpay and a downgrade on Ollie Watkins. Jackson has a point to prove and if he fails to deliver I see Brian Madjo becoming Villa's starting striker in spite of his age.
  1. Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea to Aston Villa, Loan + £43m buy option) - Garnacho to replace Morgan Rogers is an insane downgrade. A conditional obligational buy option could leave Villa in a Harvey Elliot-esque scenario again.
  1. Mykhaylo Mudryk (Chelsea to Tottenham, Loan + £75m buy option) - A £75m buy option for a guy who has not played in years is more insanity for Tottenham. A player with great potential before his drugs ban, this seems like a huge risk.
  1. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona to Liverpool, Loan + £47.1m buy option) - Always been a poor player, one of the most overrated in recent memory. Gets beaten 1 v 1 too easily and too frequently, and has poor disclipline. £47.1m, surely Liverpool doesn't pay that.
  1. Carlos Baleba (Brighton to Manchester United, £70m) - A decent player but that's about it. £70m is an overpay and I don't think he has the quality to control United's midfield and will become a rotation player.

Comments (0)

Sign in to comment, like or dislike.

Loading…

Explore Football Central