Summer window opens with Salah’s exit and Gordon sold for £69 million
The European summer transfer window opened on June 15 and runs until 11 p.m. (UK time) on September 1. The Premier League is already making big moves: Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool, Anthony Gordon is heading to Barcelona for almost £70 million, and Chelsea pocket more than £50 million from Marc Cucurella. The market has barely begun and the queue of moves is already long.
The departures that hurt
The loudest chapter so far is Salah’s exit from Anfield. The Egyptian ended his contract by mutual agreement after years as the biggest name in the Premier League – 160 goals in 254 league games for the club. Liverpool were not left without a response: they signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5 million, but the gap left by the Egyptian is of another magnitude.
At Newcastle, the bleeding was even more severe. Anthony Gordon boarded for Barcelona for £69.3 million – the biggest fee of the window so far – and Kieran Trippier also left for Wolves, along with Aaron Ramsdale, who ended his loan. The club lost three relevant players and has yet to announce a single arrival.
At Chelsea, Marc Cucurella was sold to Real Madrid for £51.8 million, and four more contracts were terminated. The Blues begin the window with the coffers stocked, but a visibly leaner squad.
Tottenham build piece by piece
Spurs have been the most active on the signings side. Andy Robertson arrives from Liverpool after his contract expired, Marcos Senesi leaves Bournemouth for free, and Jan Paul van Hecke is prised away from Brighton for £52 million. It is a surgical reconstruction of the defense – three confirmed reinforcements, all in the same line.
Tottenham’s activity contrasts with the inertia of rivals such as Arsenal and Crystal Palace, who have yet to register any arrivals or departures. The market is long, but the start counts.
Contract terminations dominate the picture
A large part of this window’s movement, at least for now, involves players leaving for free. Bernardo Silva leaves Manchester City for Real Madrid on a free transfer. Jadon Sancho, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia all leave United by the same route. Seamus Coleman closes a historic chapter at Everton. James Milner ends his top-flight career.
Coventry, newly promoted and in the midst of restructuring, released nine players at once – the biggest squad clear-out of the window so far. It is a sign that the club is planning a deep rebuild to establish itself in the English elite.
The window closes on September 1. There is still time for table-turning moves – and the summer market rarely disappoints in that regard.
