Winners and Whiffs: Grading the Big Transfers of Summer 2025

Summer 2025 Transfer Grades: The Signings Everyone’s Talking About

The 2025 summer transfer window is unlike any before. Split into two phases because of the Club World Cup, business opened briefly in June, paused, and then resumed — with international deals and free transfers held back until July. While spending hasn’t quite hit the record-smashing levels of 2023, it’s been far from quiet.

Big names are moving, bold gambles are being made, and fans around the world are asking the same question: who got it right, and who overpaid? Here’s our verdict on the most high-profile signings of the summer so far.

Theo Hernández to Al Hilal

Source: Theo Hernandez on X 

• Fee: €25–30m

• Grade: AC Milan – C | Al Hilal – A

Al Hilal might have just pulled off the bargain of the window. Hernández, one of the game’s elite left backs, joins at a discount thanks to a down season and his contract running down. For Milan, it’s a tough sell — but perhaps the best of a bad situation. Expect Hernández to shine under Simone Inzaghi in Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United

Source: Life of Boch on X 

• Fee: £52m (rising to £55m)

• Grade: Nottingham Forest – B+ | Newcastle – B-

Newcastle finally land their long-time target in Elanga, a player with blistering pace and plenty of upside. Forest cash in smartly, but whether the Swede can become a true game-changer at St James’ Park remains to be seen.

Malik Tillman to Bayer Leverkusen

Source: Bayer04fussbal on X 

• Fee: €35m + €5m in add-ons

• Grade: PSV – A- | Leverkusen – B

The US international makes a big leap, replacing Florian Wirtz at Leverkusen. Hard-working, technical and still only 23, Tillman fits Erik ten Hag’s plans — but PSV may end up looking like the real winners here.

Luka Modrić to AC Milan

• Fee: Free

• Grade: AC Milan – A

In the midst of a rebuilding summer, Milan turn to experience — and who better than Modrić? Allegri’s veteran-heavy systems suit the Croatian perfectly. A low-risk, high-reward signing.

Juan Carreras to Real Madrid

Source: Fabrizio Romano on X 

• Fee: €50m

• Grade: Benfica – A | Real Madrid – B-

Benfica continue to master the transfer market, cashing in on Carreras for five times what they paid. Madrid get a solid left back — but is he €50m worth of impact?

Noni Madueke to Arsenal

Source: NoniiiMadueke on X 

• Fee: Undisclosed

• Grade: Chelsea – C+ | Arsenal – B-

An odd one. Madueke was just breaking through at Chelsea, only to be sold as Arsenal bring him in to compete on the right wing. It doesn’t fully add up yet, and the jury’s still out.

Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United

Source: Br Football on X 

• Fee: £71m

• Grade: Brentford – A | Manchester United – C

There’s no denying Mbeumo’s quality — 20 goals and 7 assists last season speak for themselves. But his xG overperformance and reliance on penalties suggest United may be buying at his peak. Brentford, as usual, sell smart.

Marcus Rashford to Barcelona (Loan)

Source: FC Barcelona on X 

• Fee: Loan with £26m option

• Grade: Man United – C+ | Barcelona – A

This feels like the beginning of the end for Rashford at Old Trafford. United lose leverage by loaning him out, but Barça get a powerful forward with something to prove — and little financial risk.

Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool

Source: Stunner LFC on X 

• Fee: £72m (rising to £79m)

• Grade: Eintracht Frankfurt – A | Liverpool – B

Liverpool missed out on Alexander Isak, but pivoted quickly to Frankfurt’s Ekitike — a smart move, even if it’s not their first choice. The Frenchman brings flair, versatility, and recent Bundesliga success, fitting the Reds’ evolving style.

Frankfurt, meanwhile, sell high at just the right time, with Ekitike’s value at its peak. If he adapts well, this could look like a shrewd move for both sides.

What Fans Are Saying

Twitter/X and TikTok are abuzz. United fans are divided over Mbeumo’s price, while Liverpool supporters seem cautiously optimistic about Ekitike’s potential. Milan fans are nostalgic about Modrić but frustrated over Hernández’s exit. Meanwhile, Barça fans are giddy about their clever double swoop of Bardghji and Rashford.

The social chatter says it all: no one’s quite sure how this window will pan out, but it’s anything but boring.

Final Thoughts

From future icons to curious punts, the summer 2025 transfer window is shaping up to be one of surprises and smart scouting. Whether these signings go down as successes or cautionary tales will only become clear in time — but for now, we’ve got plenty to talk about.

Source:ESPN Africa 

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