Guimaraes and the five best signings of the summer transfer window

Bruno Guimaraes and the five best signings of the summer transfer window Make us your Google favourite The summer transfer window has slammed shut for clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, with a host of eye-catching deals taking place over the past two-and-a-half months. Teams in the Premier League unsurprisingly dominated the market thanks to their immense financial backing, but they weren’t the only clubs to Below, five sources experts pick their signing of the summer. Robin Bairner : Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal (€87.5m) Arsenal attacked the transfer window from a position of authority this summer, and while they might not have got the additional attacker that many of their fans craved, Mikel Arteta’s side still did some excellent business. Bruno Guimaraes ’ arrival from Newcastle is a case in point. The Brazil international has arrived to provide the squad with something they did not have before. Not only does he have energy and grit in abundance, he is also a more direct player than any of their other central midfielders. His passing is more adventurous, with the former Lyon man capable of probing through lines in a way that the Gunners were unable to do last season. On top of that, there is the price point. Manchester City – likely their closest rivals in the title race this season – spent €100 million on three different centre midfielders, and Tottenham did likewise with two, underlining how competitive the market has been this summer. It makes the €87.5m that Arsenal have spent on a proven Premier League performer look all the smarter. At 28 years old, Bruno will be able to give the Gunners many years of service still, and while they are unlikely to see a positive financial return on their investment, the Gunners can luxuriate in the knowledge that this is a deal conducted with the intention of the here and now. Cameron Smith : Mamadou Sangare to Brentford (€48m) Mamadou Sangare’s Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur was flawless and he backed that up with another excellent performance during Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United. The Mali international became Brentford’s all-time record signing upon his arrival for €48m from RC Lens but he already looks like a major bargain. In fact, it would come as a massive shock if Sangare doesn’t join a ‘big-six’ Premier League club for a fee of at least €100m next summer, with Liverpool arguably his most likely destination amid their pursuit of a long-term replacement for Alexis Mac Allister. Sangare was a shining light for a Lens side that pushed Paris Saint-Germain all the way in the Ligue 1 title race last season, yet Brentford won the race for his signature despite rumoured interest from a plethora of major European clubs. The 24-year-old is a proven talent ready to contribute now and he is someone who will earn Brentford a profit in excess of €50m in less than 12 months’ time. A 10/10 signing for a ridiculously good fee given the money spent on excessive players such as Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. Brentford have done it again in the transfer market. Mamadou Sangaré. Complete midfielder. pic.twitter.com/OoBdd3opz9 — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 31, 2026 Martin Macdonald : Rodri to Barcelona (€60m) Rodri seemed destined to join Real Madrid sooner or later. There had been flirtations between the Ballon d'Or winner and Los Blancos for well over a year, which makes it all the more shocking that he ended up signing for their Clasico rivals, Barcelona . With Rodri having accomplished everything he possibly could at Manchester City, including one Champions League and a raft of domestic trophies, the time came for him to move on. Due to an ACL tear in September of 2024, many believed that his stock had fallen, but Man City's struggles without him in the year that followed highlighted his importance to the team - and to Pep Guardiola. Furthermore, he proved at the 2026 World Cup that he remains the best holding midfielder in the world as he effortlessly patrolled the Spain midfield to their second-ever triumph at the tournament. Barcelona eventually gazumped Real Madrid to his signature after agreeing an initial fee of €60m, plus €16.5m in add-ons. There are concerns over his fitness levels and whether he can play 60 games a season anymore, but, crucially, he won't have to at Barcelona. The club already proved their quality without a player like him last season and have looked sparkling so far this term