Premier League 2026 Transfer Window Awards: Chelsea fix with Martinez; Everton’s chaos
The transfer window has shut for Premier League clubs, and there's plenty to reflect on. We've decided to hand out our 2026 summer transfer window awards.
Statement Signing — Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham needed a big transfer window to get their fans back on side, with successive 17th-place finishes a disaster for a club of such size. The board promised a new direction and delivered early in the window, with the club-record signing of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle.
A potential fee rising to £100m shattered the previous landmark, and landed Spurs a midfielder talked up among the Premier League's best last season. Spurs have started shakily, but Tonali will be central to turning things around.
Biggest Coup — Luka Vuskovic to Brighton
Last season saw Luka Vuskovic lauded as arguably the best centre-back prospect in Europe. A brilliant loan spell at Hamburg saw Vuskovic named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, scoring six times, and attract interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The safe money was on Vuskovic staying at Spurs, but new additions at centre-back saw the Croatian jump ship. He opted to sign for Brighton for a £46m fee, tempted by the clearer path to first-team football.
Best Bargain — Harry Wilson to Leeds (free)
Fresh from a career-best campaign at Fulham that delivered 10 goals and 7 assists, Wilson swapped Craven Cottage for Elland Road on a free transfer.
He's joined a strong Welsh contingent in Daniel Farke's squad and now has a wealth of aerial targets for his dangerous deliveries.
Best Loan — Ronald Araujo (Liverpool)
The Uruguay international needed a change of scenery, and Liverpool have provided it with a season-long loan deal for the Barcelona captain.
Araujo gives the Reds vital defensive depth and could be a potential bargain if he can rediscover his best form at Anfield.
Most Exciting Signing — Bradley Barcola (Liverpool)
Of all the new arrivals into the Premier League this summer, Bradley Barcola is the most exciting.
A back-to-back Champions League winner at Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman has been added to a Liverpool attack in need of a lift.
Missing Piece Award — Emi Martinez (Chelsea)
Chelsea's goalkeeper situation has been a talking point for too long, and Robert Sanchez's opening-night errors at Fulham forced a late move for Martinez.
For just £7.5m, Chelsea have signed a goalkeeper with experience of winning trophies at the highest level.
Biggest Overpay — Savio to Tottenham (£85m)
There's no doubt that Savio has talent, but how Manchester City persuaded Spurs to spend £85m on the winger is anyone's guess.
Savio scored two goals in two seasons at the Etihad, a return that earned him a mammoth price tag in the modern Premier League.
Best Window — Leeds United
Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford all deserve mentions, but Leeds have quietly had perhaps the best transfer window. Daniel Farke has kept his best talent at Elland Road, while adding a series of signings that improve the first XI.
The aforementioned Harry Wilson represents a coup on a free transfer, while Tarik Muharemović is a terrific talent, and Nico Elvedi adds further strength to the three centre-back system that brought success last term.
Elsewhere, James Trafford will begin his quest to become England number one in Leeds colours, and the exciting Jean-Matteo Bahoya arrives as the fastest-ever Bundesliga player. Bahoya is the only player to surpass 37km/h since Bundesliga records began.
Worst Window — Everton
The fallout from Everton's dreadful end to the transfer window will be loud. The Toffees had made some pleasing progress in the market, but things unraveled in a chaotic conclusion.
Iliman Ndiaye, Beto and Nathan Patterson were all sold on deadline day, with no replacements landed for the latter pair. It leaves Everton woefully short in key areas, with only one right-back, one left-back, and one centre-forward.
Add in the mess that was an accepted offer for Harrison Armstrong, before the board backed down to fan power, and it's been a shambolic period.
David Moyes must be pulling his hair out.
What Could Have Been — Folarin Balogun to Everton
Folarin Balogun's failed move to Everton will go down in deadline day folklore. The US international looked set to sign for Everton in a £38.5m deal, but performed a late U-turn.
After Everton expressed concerns about the player's medical and started seeking contingency plans, a fed-up Balogun opted against the move just when it all appeared set to go through. It leaves Everton seriously short at centre-forward.
