Biggest winners and losers of record-breaking English Premier League transfer window

English Premier League clubs shattered their transfer spending record this transfer window, with Monday’s deadline day one of the most dramatic in the league’s history.

Spending topped £3bn by the time the window shut at 7pm in the UK, according to Sky Sports News, boosted in large part by Liverpool’s record £125m deadline-day fee for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

In fact, it was a transfer window when some of Europe’s top marksmen grabbed a lot of the attention as Premier League clubs flexed their considerable financial muscle.

Others, however, will breathe a heavy sigh of relief that the madness is over, with the horse trading leaving a number of clubs decimated and worse off than they were last season.

BIGGEST WINNERS

Liverpool

The defending champions were quick out of the blocks with their transfer spending, going big to land coveted young German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz and striker Hugo Ekitike, along with defensive reinforcements Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

Arne Slot would later add young Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni to his backline stocks. But the big fish was always Isak and it seemed that they would not get their man until Newcastle were able to lock down two late striker signings, with Yoane Wissa arriving from Brentford on deadline day.

The Anfield giants had looked to pull off another deadline-day coup, with a £35m offer for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi accepted, before the club pulled the plug on the deal after failing to land a replacement, according to The Times.

The books have been balanced with shrewd business involving player sales and loan deals, including a deadline day loan move for Harvey Elliott to Aston Villa.   

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have also done some shrewd business this transfer window, reinforcing in all areas of the team.

Striker Viktor Gyokeres was the headline signing as they attempted to add much-needed firepower to their attacking line. Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard reinforced their defensive midfield stocks, while Noni Madueke and Eberechi Ezi provide flair and depth to their attacking options.

Kepa Arrizabalaga provides strong cover for keeper David Raya while Christhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie – signed on loan on deadline day with an option to buy – boost one of the most miserly defences in the league.

The impressive recruitment drive means the Gunners should be able to navigate injury setbacks more comfortably as they push for the title.

Manchester United

A rejig of their frontline, with the addition of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko is not the only reason Red Devils fans will be celebrating this summer transfer window as a success.

They will be thrilled with the slew of exits that should finally allow manager Ruben Amorim to push on, unhindered, in the next phase of his rebuild.

Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony are among a host of attacking players who have all found new homes away from Old Trafford on loan or permanent deals this transfer window.

Amorim will also hope that the deadline day signing of goalkeeper Senne Lammens will fix another troubled area of the team. The 23-year-old will provide competition for the struggling Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea should also be happy with their recent transfer business, with Spurs winning the battle for attacker Xavi Simons and landing Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG on the final day.

Failed moves for Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White have all but been forgotten. The capture of manager Thomas Frank from Brentford could yet turn out to be their best signing of the summer, however. The Isak drama should also not detract from a decent transfer window for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.

Biggest Losers

It has been a difficult transfer window for the likes of Brentford, West Ham and Wolves. Not only did the Bees lose manager Frank, they also lost stars Mbeumo, Wissa and Norgaard, who formed the backbone of their team.

Wolves will also find it hard to survive without Rayan Ait-Nouri, Cunha and Nelson Semedo. West Ham seem to be treading water under Graham Potter, with the sale of Mohammed Kudus to Spurs already reaping dividends for the north London side.

Late deals for Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa lightened the mood around the club, however, as did their ability to hang on to midfield lynchpin Lucas Paqueta.

West Ham also played a huge role in Liverpool's failure to land Guehi on deadline day, with the loan capture of Brighton defender Igor Julio denying Palace a suitable replacement for their skipper.