Premier League's biggest summer transfers rated, from Viktor Gyokeres to Bryan Mbeumo - 'He's got a lot of questions to answer'
Published 12/08/2025 at 16:03 GMT+1
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As Viktor Gyokeres, Bryan Mbeumo, Florian Wirtz and Rayan Cherki settle into their new clubs, our expert team rate the signings who will likely be making an impact this season. TNT Sports' Joe Cole, Peter Crouch and Owen Hargreaves, along with commentator Darren Fletcher and presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, give their verdicts.
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Viktor Gyokeres still has to prove himself following his high-profile move to Arsenal, having not played in one of Europe's top five leagues, according to the TNT Sports team.
The Sweden forward signed for The Gunners from Sporting CP in a deal reportedly worth over £63 million following drawn-out negotiations between the two clubs.
The 27-year-old scored 54 goals in 52 games last season for the Portuguese outfit, but his lack of experience in Europe's top divisions is a "little worry", according to Joe Cole, while Darren Fletcher believes "he's got a lot of questions to answer at a big club like Arsenal".
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Gyokeres' transfer to north London has been just one of several eye-catching moves in England's top flight this summer.
Champions Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz in a deal which could break the British transfer record, Manchester United finally acquired the services of Bryan Mbeumo several weeks after their opening bid, while Manchester City have signed one of Europe's brightest talents, Rayan Cherki, for an initial fee of just over £30m.
TNT Sports experts Cole, Peter Crouch and Owen Hargreaves have given their verdict on the key Premier League transfers of the summer so far, along with commentator Fletcher and presenter Lynsey Hipgrave.
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Gyokeres scores as Sporting win on final day to seal league title
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Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal (£54.8m+£8.6m)
Crouch - Verdict: 7/10. "Obviously, he's had an amazing season in Portugal, unproven in the Premier League. He's played in the Championship and done well, gone away in Europe.
"Is he going to get enough chances? If teams are in a low block against Arsenal, does he get enough chances to take them?"
Fletcher - Verdict: 6/10. "His shot conversion rate in the Champions League last season was 25%. It's got to be better if you're going to be Arsenal's title-deciding player.
"I think he's got a lot of questions to answer at a big club like Arsenal, where he's got to score big goals when it really matters.
"I'm not necessarily sure he's going to do that. I could be a meme by the end of the season, but I'm going to go six."
Cole - Verdict: 8/10. "Good signing, exactly what Arsenal need - a centre-forward. Fans will be relieved that they're going into the season with a recognised centre-forward.
"[A] little, little worry about the fact he's not played in Europe's top five leagues, and he's 27, but he scores goals."
Hargreaves - Verdict 7/10: "They needed goals, they've got somebody that scored a ton of goals last season.
"Still hasn't proven it in the Premier League, but I think at the age that he's at and the goals that he scored, I think his confidence is ready, and he's going to take a big step forward."
Hipgrave - Verdict: 8/10. "He's put up the numbers. We need to see if he can deliver that in the Premier League.
"My concern is that he hasn't played in the top five leagues in Europe yet. He hasn't played a minute in those games.
"I think we need to see how he adapts to the Premier League because doing it in Portugal and doing it against Premier League defences is obviously a completely different story."
Average rating: 7.2
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Gyokeres shows why he's a wanted man as he hits FOUR in a game for Sporting
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Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United (£65+£6m)
Crouch - Verdict: 8/10. "Again, good signing, a lot of money, but he's guaranteed goals in the Premier League, he's proved that."
Fletcher - Verdict: 7/10. "I think Bryan Mbeumo is a good player. I think he might benefit from the move to Manchester United.
"But I don't think he's going to be a superstar. I think he makes them better, but I'm going to give him a seven."
Cole - Verdict: 7/10. "I think it's where Man United need to be. They're not shopping at the top, top, table any more, and I think he improves their team, so I think it's a good signing."
Hargreaves - Verdict: 9/10. "I think 20 goals last season, seven assists. Man United need goals, and he's only 25, so he's going to get a lot better, and he’s got a lot of time left."
Hipgrave - Verdict 8/10. "I think for Man United and what they need right now, buying a proven Premier League player, who's delivered solid numbers, goals and assists repeatedly.
"I think it's just a really solid signing for them and also the sort of character that they need in that dressing room."
Average rating: 7.8
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Florian Wirtz to Liverpool (£100m+£16m)
Crouch - Verdict: 9/10. "Love him as a footballer. It'd be 10 out of 10 for me watching because he's a player that I want to watch.
"He's only 9 out of 10 because we’ve just got to see how he adjusts."
Fletcher - Verdict: 7/10. "When you spend that amount of money on a player, then he has to be a superstar.
"Liverpool have spent the money, I think he is going to be great, but I think when you factor in pounds spent for performance, it's difficult to get the 10s and nines.
"I think he's going to have a really solid season, Liverpool are going to be fine, but I'm going to give it a seven based on what it cost."
Joe Cole - Verdict: 9/10. "The output, the skill, how he wins the ball high up the pitch, in every aspect of what you'd want from a footballer in his position, he's elite."
Owen Hargreaves - Verdict: 9.5/10. "Only reason [it’s not] 10, just it's a lot of money, but I would say they've got a fabulous young player."
Hipgrave - Verdict: 9/10. "I think he was just the most in-demand player of the transfer window, and Liverpool have banked him. They got it done with no fuss.
"I think he just gives them versatility, makes them more fluid up front. I think he's brilliant with and without the ball.
"I think he's proven that he can perform at the highest level with Leverkusen in that invincible season, and I think he can do it in the Premier League."
Average rating: 8.7
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Rayan Cherki to Manchester City (£30.3m+£5m)
Crouch - Verdict: 9/10. "This is the one that really excites me, a little bit like Wirtz, he's a player I can't wait to see.
"I think this could take people by surprise. I think anyone who's seen him play knows how good he is, but if you haven't seen him play, you’re in for a real treat."
Fletcher - Verdict: 9/10. "Hardly cost anything, super talented, Pep Guardiola's going to love him. He's in a team that's going to create a lot, and he's going to be the chief creator.
"I really like him, he'll settle in quickly, I think he can be a difference maker for Manchester City."
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Hargreaves - Verdict: 9/10. "Cherki is probably the best value for money I think I've seen so far in this transfer window.
"I think last season he was involved in 30-plus goals. That's special for a young man, two-footed as well.
"Smart player, plays with huge courage, and there's a bit of a maverick, so I think Cherki is going to be the surprise of the Premier League next season."
Hipgrave - Verdict: 7/10. "I can't wait to see him in action. I think he's going to be so exciting to watch. He's an absolute maverick.
"What I don't know is how he's going to fit in that Manchester City system and how he's going to play it under Pep.
"We know he's going to get overloaded with instructions; he's going to have so much tactical information. It's how well he utilises that and whether that takes some of his flair away.
"I hope it doesn't, because I think if it doesn't, he's going to take the Premier League by storm."
Average rating: 8.5
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