Summer transfer window: Grading big signings in men's soccer - ESPN

Premier League clubs spent £100 million in the 2024 January transfer window — the lowest single-window expenditure in the men's game since 2012 (£60m) and a significant drop from the record £815m splashed out in 2023, according to Deloitte.

After record-breaking spending in the past three transfer windows, things seem to have slowed. But English clubs' total spending of £2.5 billion during the 2023-24 season was still the second-highest ever, and across the rest of Europe's Big Five leagues, January spending actually rose from €255m to €455m.

What can we expect this time around? Here are grades for all the major confirmed summer transfers in the men's game, with each day's moves listed in order of highest fee.

All fees are reported unless confirmed with an asterisk.

Arsenal: B
Southampton: A

Southampton's summer-long search for a goalkeeper has ended in a way they probably didn't think possible and signing Ramsdale is a bit of a coup for the club.

With starting goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu out with a torn achilles, it was imperative that the newly promoted side recruited not only a good and experienced No. 1, but one that suited a possession style too. Ramsdale ticks all the boxes. Add-ons could see the deal reach £25m in total, which remains good value for Saints, but could also see Arsenal make their initial £24m outlay back in time.

Chelsea: C-
Napoli: B+

Lukaku's €115m grand return to Chelsea from Inter in 2021 ended in grand failure. He didn't suit Thomas Tuchel's style of play and was sent out to Italy on loan twice, and now moves there permanently.

All parties will be happy with this transfer, although only to varying degrees. The happiest will be Lukaku, who reunites with Antonio Conte in a league he loves; then