Transfer Window Grades: Liverpool Shines, Man Utd and Barcelona Need Improvement
The summer of 2025 saw Premier League sides making big moves in the transfer market while PSG and Barcelona were relatively quiet. Let's dive into the transfer window grades for Europe's top 10 teams based on their summer business.
Premier League sides spent big strengthening their respective squads, but neither PSG nor Barca made many moves in the marketThe 2025 summer transfer window closed on Monday, bringing an end to a summer of almost endless drama and controversy. Premier League sides spent more money than the other 'Big Five' leagues combined, meaning there's a very real risk of title-challenging teams from La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 becoming feeder clubs for England's elite.That said, Real Madrid splashed a fair bit of cash remodelling their backline, taking Trent Alexander-Arnold away from Liverpool in the process, but it's not as if the right-back is being missed at Anfield, which bore witness to one of the most remarkable spending sprees in football history.But who were the big winners of the summer? Below, GOAL grades 10 of the continent's top teams in terms of their summer business...
Liverpool (Grade: A+)
Liverpool emerged as the top performers in the transfer window, despite losing Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Reds made significant signings to bolster their squad and maintain their status as a title contender.
Manchester United (Grade: B-)
Manchester United's transfer window was decent but not exceptional. While they added some quality players, they failed to address key areas of concern in their squad, leaving room for improvement.
Barcelona (Grade: C)
Barcelona's summer transfer activity was underwhelming, with few notable additions to strengthen the squad. The club will need to do better in future windows to compete at the highest level.
Real Madrid (Grade: B+)
Real Madrid made significant investments in rebuilding their defense, showcasing a strong commitment to strengthening the team. The acquisition of Trent Alexander-Arnold adds strength to their backline.
Paris Saint-Germain (Grade: C+)
PSG had a relatively quiet transfer window, with limited moves to reinforce their squad. The club will need to make strategic signings in the future to maintain their competitiveness.
Other Top Teams
The summer transfer window highlighted the dominance of Premier League clubs in terms of spending, with other top teams from La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 facing challenges to keep up with the financial power of English clubs.
