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

Premier League clubs spent a record £3 billion ($4 billion) in a 2025 summer transfer window that finished with a bang thanks to Liverpool's £125 million ($169 million) signing of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. But with a FIFA World Cup in the middle of the window in 2026, will things stay the same?

The window opened on June 15 for the Premier League and July 1 for most of the other major European leagues.

Here are grades for all the major confirmed transfers in the men's game, with each listed by date and then by highest fee.

All fees are reported unless confirmed with an asterisk.

Borussia Monchengladbach: B
Strasbourg: B-

It is last-chance saloon for the third year running for USMNT forward Reyna, who has struggled with injury and poor form since bursting onto the scene at Borussia Dortmund in 2019. One goal and one assist in 20 games for Gladbach suggests that he didn't settle and they've done well to move him on for a fee, albeit a loss on their €7 million investment.

Seven years in the Bundesliga means Reyna was keen to experience a new style and Strasbourg will surely give him the chance to prove he can replicate his international form for a club. He shone at the 2026 World Cup and if he can repeat that, a pathway to a possible move to Strasbourg's parent-club Chelsea could be in the offing. Offering an injury-prone player a five-year contract does seem straight out of their playbook.

Brentford: B
Chelsea: C+

Chelsea made it clear they wanted to sign an experienced midfielder this summer, first targeting 32-year-old Granit Xhaka at Sunderland, before successfully landing Jordan Henderson, 36, from Brentford. It's one that took the whole footballing world by surprise.

Clearly, the Blues want a few