A remarkable, record-breaking summer window slammed shut last night as the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all finalised their squads for the next few months. A record-breaking £3.3bn Premier League transfer window closed with widespread club dissatisfaction as Arsenal missed out on Julian Alvarez, Chelsea lost a late deal for Lamine Camara following Enzo Fernandez’s club-record move, and Manchester United made a late, unsuccessful approach for Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.
More than half of the Premier League’s clubs have broken their transfer records in a summer window featuring four of the top flight’s five most expensive ever deals. First Liverpool spent an initial £106m, potentially rising to £123m, on Paris Saint Germain winger Bradley Barcola, then City paired Anderson with another nine-figure midfielder in former Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez – whose £125m move matched the British record set 12 months ago by Barcola’s new team-mate Alexander Isak.
Harry Latham-Coyle reported on 2 September 2026 at 09:30 on rating every Premier League club’s transfer window after a record deadline day. Miguel Delaney shared at 08:40 on 2 September 2026 that it has been a strange summer of lavish spending but few clubs doing all of the business they desired.
Record-Breaking Spending and High-Profile Collapses
Enzo Fernandez and Lamine Camara
The spending surge continued as Manchester City matched the British transfer record by signing midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for £125m, tying the benchmark set twelve months prior by Barcola’s new team-mate Alexander Isak. Yet despite the £3.3bn outlay across the division, Miguel Delaney reported that few clubs concluded the window entirely satisfied with their business, writing that no-one really seems that happy after a couple of manic months at a frankly obscene outlay of £3.3bn.
Certainly not best pleased are Chelsea, who saw a deadline day deal for Lamine Camara collapse in the final moments of the window. After Enzo Fernandez was allowed to leave for Manchester City, it appeared Camara would come into replace him – but a proposed deal for £47.1m fell through, meaning Lamine Camara remains a Monaco player as reported by Getty and Harry Latham-Coyle on 2 September 2026 at 07:25.
Tug-of-War Battles and Missed Targets at Arsenal and Everton
Julian Alvarez and Malick Fofana
For the Gunners, the dream of Julian Alvarez never materialised, as Deadline Day saw outgoings and no incomings, despite being offered Malick Fofana, who went to Sunderland. Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Saudi Arabia is still to be confirmed.
Reports suggest that at one point both Crystal Palace and Sunderland had private jets in Lyon waiting to take Malick Fofana to England, with the talented 21-year-old involved in a deadline day tug-of-war after Arsenal elected not to move for him. Sunderland, eventually, won the battle.
There was disappointment, too, for Everton as Folarin Balogun changed his mind about joining the club having undergone a medical in a £40m deal, with Jamie Braidwood having the story as detailed by Harry Latham-Coyle on 2 September 2026 at 07:40.
Manchester United’s Squad Overhaul and Late Approach
Rayan Ait-Nouri
Manchester United made a shock approach to sign left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from rivals Manchester City before the transfer deadline. United checked with City on whether they could sign the defender on loan, following an approach from the Algeria international’s representatives last week. It is understood, however, that United were informed that a loan would only be possible with an obligation to buy, which United were not interested in.
Rating every Premier League club’s transfer window for Manchester United under Michael Carrick outlined the following business:
Ins: Carlos Baleba (£70m), Andrey Santos (£50m), Youri Tielemans (£35m), Tynan Thompson (£4m), Cristian Orozco (£700k), Karl Darlow (free), Kit Margetson (compensation)
Outs: Rasmus Hojlund (£43.2m), Radek Vitek (£14m), Jayce Fitzgerald (loan), Toby Collyer (undisclosed fee), Jacob Devaney (loan), Ethan Ennis (undisclosed fee), Ethan Williams (undisclosed fee), Sonny Aljofree (undisclosed fee), Altay Bayindir (loan), Tyler Fredricson (undisclosed fee), Casemiro (free), André Onana (loan extended), James Scanlon (undisclosed fee), James Bailey (free), Ethan Wheatley (loan), Sekou Kone (loan), Elyh Harrison (loan), Tyrell Malacia (released), Jadon Sancho (released)
Carlos Baleba
Verdict: Another Manchester club, another extensive midfield rebuild. Yet while the Red Devils missed out on Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, there is an abundance of potential in the acquisitions of Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. And yet… the highest of hopes for Michael Carrick’s squad this campaign is a return of one of their own. Marcus Rashford, now adorning the No 9 jersey, is back after steering his career back on track at Barcelona last season. Should Carrick unlock Rashford’s quality, United could be potent up top.
Will Castle also reported on why Carlos Baleba fixes Man United’s biggest problem on 2 September 2026 at 06:40.
