Grading the biggest signings of the summer transfer window so far

After a more subdued January transfer window in European football, the continent’s top clubs and leagues are, for the most part, opening up their wallets once again. With so many marquee moves this summer, there’s plenty to analyze. In order of transfer fee, we’re grading the most notable signings thus far in the men’s game.

Kylian Mbappe ➡️ Real Madrid

Free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain

“Free” is obviously a huge misnomer here – Mbappe reportedly received a gargantuan €150-million signing bonus to join Real Madrid upon the expiry of his Paris Saint-Germain contract – and questions about how he’ll mesh with incumbent superstar Vinicius Junior are certainly valid. But, frankly, none of that has any bearing on the final grade. The reigning European champions acquired the game’s most explosive attacking superstar without forking over anything to another club. Don’t galaxy brain this one. It’s a slam dunk.

Verdict: A+

Julian Alvarez ➡️ Atletico Madrid

Signed from Manchester City for reported €75M initial fee

Alvarez is a versatile, hard-working forward still approaching his prime, and he should feel at home surrounded by Atletico Madrid’s crop of Argentines. You don’t have to squint to see why Diego Simeone signed off on the huge outlay. It is huge, though. Atletico’s track record when it comes to signings of this ilk isn’t good – deals for Joao Felix, Thomas Lemar, and the return of Diego Costa all aged poorly – so it’s fair to be skeptical. But Alvarez immediately looks like a better fit, even if the fee hits €95 million with add-ons.

Verdict: B

Joao Neves ➡️ Paris Saint-Germain

Signed from Benfica for reported €70M fee

In the non-Mbappe category, this could end up being the singular best signing of the 2024 summer window when the dust settles. Neves, the latest gem to emerge from Benfica’s vaunted stable, is supremely well-rounded at just 19 years old, and he’s coming into a situation where young players will be championed and get opportunities, unlike some other top European clubs where he could have possibly landed. Crucially, the Portuguese contingent in the French capital should help make the transition smoother.

Verdict: A

Dominic Solanke ➡️ Tottenham

Signed from Bournemouth for reported £65M fee

Tottenham are making a big bet that Solanke’s 2023-24 campaign, in which he had the best top-flight scoring season of his career, is the new norm rather than a fluke. It’s a risky gamble at that price for someone who, prior to last year, had never registered more than six goals in a single Premier League season. Spurs needed a more natural No. 9, though, after failing to find the right profile of striker to try to replace some of Harry Kane’s massive production. Cautious optimism for now, but there’s certainly a world where this backfires badly.

Verdict: B-

Leny Yoro ➡️ Manchester United

Signed from Lille for reported €62M initial fee

It’s a shame that Yoro’s Manchester United career was interrupted before it even got started. His unfortunate preseason foot injury shouldn’t distract from the Red Devils’ coup, though. They signed arguably the game’s most promising central defender, beating out Real Madrid and PSG in the process; Yoro arrived at Old Trafford having already played over 3,000 Ligue 1 minutes before his 18th birthday. The adjustment period could result in some unsightly errors when he does take the pitch, but the teenager looks like a future star.

Verdict: A-

Dani Olmo ➡️ Barcelona

Signed from RB Leipzig for reported €60M fee

As evidenced by his performances at Euro 2024, Olmo is undeniably talented. His versatility as an attacking midfielder or wide forward is a big plus, too. Having to spend €60 million to sign a player developed in your own academy is objectively bad business, though, and his recent injury history is somewhat concerning. There’s also the Nico Williams-sized elephant in the room: Barca clearly wanted the Bilbao winger and had to pivot once it was clear that deal wasn’t going to materialize.

Verdict: C+

Pedro Neto ➡️ Chelsea

Signed from Wolves for reported £54M fee

Chelsea’s transfer strategy under Todd Boehly continues to astound. Neto, when fit, is an intoxicating footballer capable of lighting up his marker in one-on-one situations. He’s also started just 36 games over the past three seasons because of injuries. And now he arrives at a club already overflowing with wide forwards, including undisputed star Cole Palmer, with more potentially coming before the window closes. Jorge Mendes is the only clear winner here, which is becoming a common theme whenever he deals with Chelsea.

Verdict: C

Amadou Onana ➡️ Aston Villa

Signed from Everton for reported £50M fee

Onana has big shoes to fill at Aston Villa, replacing Douglas Luiz as the central pillar of Unai Emery’s midfield. It’s a demanding role, but the towering Belgian international has all the raw skills necessary to be a success in Birmingham. Mature beyond his years, the 23-year-old also brings a different dynamic to Emery’s side, providing a huge physical presence and aerial dominance, as evidenced by his imperious headed goal in Villa’s season-opening win. He should form a symbiotic midfield partnership with compatriot Youri Tielemans.

Verdict: B+

Joao Felix ➡️ Chelsea

Signed from Atletico Madrid for reported €50M fee

Bringing in Felix on a low-risk loan in 2023 was one thing. Even though it was obviously a failure, Chelsea emerged largely unscathed. But doubling down and dropping roughly €50 million, thinking things will somehow be different this time, is bordering on madness. The inexplicable six-year contract they handed him won’t take long to become an anvil. For their own good, Boehly and Co. need to stop dealing with (and getting fleeced by) Mendes.

Verdict: F

Desire Doue ➡️ Paris Saint-Germain

Signed from Rennes for reported €50M fee

The shift in transfer strategy that coincided with Luis Campos’ arrival as an adviser continues. PSG are almost exclusively targeting promising youngsters, with a particular emphasis on Frenchmen, after years of trying to emulate Real Madrid’s famed Galacticos era. Doue is the latest example. The 19-year-old was, statistically, one of the best dribblers in Europe last season at Rennes. It’s impossible to replace Mbappe with one player, but PSG clearly believe a collective approach, fueled by local talent, is the correct path to success.

Verdict: B+

Douglas Luiz ➡️ Juventus

Signed from Aston Villa for €50M fee

Some of Juventus’ sales this summer have been dubious, but there’s no debating the club’s effort to address its primary problem area in midfield and give new manager Thiago Motta the resources he needs to succeed. The Bianconeri took advantage of Aston Villa’s need to sell, scooping up Luiz and softening the financial blow by sending a pair of youngsters to Villa in a linked operation. The Brazilian instantly adds the type of playmaking quality that Juve have been desperately seeking for several years.

Verdict: A-

Joao Palhinha ➡️ Bayern Munich

Signed from Fulham for reported €49M fee

One year later, Bayern Munich got their man. And for less than the rumored fee Fulham wanted in 2023. A ball-winning machine in central midfield, the Portuguese international made more tackles than any Premier League player in 2023-24 before sealing his desired transfer to Germany. Signings with little resale potential are always tricky, but Bayern clearly want to capitalize while they have Harry Kane still at his peak, and this allows them to do exactly that. Palhinha, 28, will have a liberating effect on his fellow midfielders.

Verdict: A-

Michael Olise ➡️ Bayern Munich

Signed from Crystal Palace for reported £45M initial fee

Balance is important in all things, and transfers are no different. Bayern got instantly better by adding Palhinha, while Olise ensures the club’s longstanding quality out wide will be maintained for years to come. A fresh new face was needed in that area, and the 22-year-old, coming off the best season of his career at Crystal Palace, provides precisely that. French legend Thierry Henry, who coached Olise at this summer’s Olympics in Paris, is excited about his potential. Seals of approval don’t get much better.

Verdict: B+

Matthijs de Ligt ➡️ Manchester United

Signed from Bayern Munich for reported €45M initial fee

It feels like De Ligt has been around forever. He debuted for Ajax at 16 and then captained the side while still a teenager. Since then, he’s made two expensive transfers to a pair of Europe’s most storied clubs, Juventus and Bayern Munich. Given all that, it’s easy to forget that he’s still only 25. His best years, in theory, are ahead of him. The Dutchman should eventually slot in alongside Lisandro Martinez and, down the line, provide leadership and guidance for Yoro, whose career is following a similar trajectory.

Verdict: B+

Riccardo Calafiori ➡️ Arsenal

Signed from Bologna for reported £42M fee

The only thing holding this grade back ever so slightly is the immediate fit. Arsenal had the best defense in the Premier League last season, a collective unit anchored by the untouchable duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Calafiori is certainly multifaceted enough to play left-back – that’s where he began his career – and will likely mirror the role Ben White plays for Mikel Arteta on the opposite side of the pitch. He truly flourished in central defense, though, both for Bologna and, most publicly, Italy at Euro 2024.

Verdict: A-

Other notable deals

Joshua Zirkzee ➡️ Manchester United: Zirkzee, who cost just over €42 million, isn’t a pure scorer, despite his instinctive debut goal. He could thrive as a connective presence once Rasmus Hojlund returns, though. Verdict: B

Conor Gallagher ➡️ Atletico Madrid: Chelsea’s self-inflicted loss is Atletico’s gain. For roughly €42 million, the Spanish side gets an indefatigable midfielder with boundless energy and work ethic. Simeone will love him. Verdict: B+

Savinho ➡️ Manchester City: Scruples or not, City have exploited the multi-club ownership model to their benefit, acquiring the Brazilian winger for €40 million and giving Pep Guardiola’s machine another weapon. Verdict: A

Archie Gray ➡️ Tottenham: One for the future. Spurs obviously have plenty of faith in Gray’s (admittedly huge) potential. If the 18-year-old develops as they expect, their roughly £40-million investment will be a masterstroke. Verdict: B-

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ➡️ Chelsea: Sure, there’s already familiarity with Enzo Maresca and his tactics, but £30 million on a backup who’s older than your first-choice midfielders is another puzzling Chelsea move. Verdict: D