Winners and Losers of the 2023 Summer transfer window

Now that the window has slammed shut, we’re taking a look at the winners and losers of the 2023 Summer transfer window.

Premier League clubs spent over £2 billion combined in what was another record window for the England top flight. There have also been some significant moves throughout Europe though, so we’re going to take a look at four of the biggest winners and losers from this year’s summer window.

Winners and Losers of the 2023 Summer transfer window

Just like in the 2022 Summer transfer window and last season’s January transfer window, the Summer 2023 window has seen some huge movers and shakers.

While some clubs like Sheffield United had a horrific start to the transfer window thanks to the departures of Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye, the Blades have recovered those losses with some shrewd loan and permanent signings, so they don’t make this list.

So, with that in mind, who are the biggest winners and losers from the 2023 Summer transfer window?

Winner: Bayern Munich

FC Bayern Munich’s inclusion as a winner on this list is almost solely based on one transfer. FC Hollywood spent big, putting down €100 million (£85 million) for Tottenham Hotspur legend Harry Kane.

Bayern had been crying out for an elite-level striker since Robert Lewandowski left for Barelona and now they have their man. The transfer saga was a long one, but Kane has already had an impact at the Allianz Arena, scoring three goals in his first three appearances in Germany.

Let’s not underestimate the signings of Kim Min-jae from Napoli (€50m / £42.5m) and Raphaël Guerreiro on a free from their great rivals Borussia Dortmund. Players that they’ve lost including Lucas Hernandez, and Marcel Sabitzer didn’t feature much last season.

Getting €30m (£25.7m) for Sadio Mane is also good business by the Bavarians. Benjamin Pavard and Ryan Gravenberch will both be missed, but Bayern have replaced both of these players with good signings.

After almost missing out on the Bundesliga last season, we don’t expect anybody to get close to Die Rotten in 2023-24. We also predict that they’ll be one of the favourites for the UEFA Champions League too, so don’t rule out a seventh European title being won this campaign.

Loser: Wolverhampton Wanderers

After being tipped by us to be relegated in our 2023-24 Premier League predictions, Wolverhampton Wanderers have actually shown surprising fight and determination. Gary O’Neil’s Wolves side picked up an important first win of the season away to Everton in matchday two.

However, despite this and a commendable showing at Old Trafford in the first match of the season, it cannot be underestimated how bad of a transfer window this has been for the Wanderers.

Ruben Neves, Conor Coady, Nathan Collins, Adama Traore, Joao Moutinho, Diego Costa, Raul Jimenez and Matheus Nunes are amongst over 20 departures from Molineux during this Summer window. Perhaps the biggest loss though, will be Julen Lopetegui, who resigned before a ball had even been kicked this season.

O’Neil is a capable replacement and can count himself unfortunate not to be in charge of AFC Bournemouth this campaign. However, despite four signings on deadline day, the Wolves squad this season is markedly weaker and less experienced than last campaign.

Winner: Brighton & Hove Albion

Staying in the Premier League, we head to the south coast, for one of the biggest success stories in English football in recent years. Brighton & Hove Albion will take part in their first ever European campaign after finishing an incredible sixth last season.

Brighton’s excellent work in the transfer market hasn’t gone unnoticed, as The Seagulls consistently find top level talent for relative peanuts in today’s market. Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez were all sold for huge profits this window.

On the ins, the biggest arrival is Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona, something that only would’ve been possible in Football Manager a few years ago. James Milner adds bags of experience, while Joao Pedro is a shrewd acquisition up front from Watford.

Brighton have also started the season excellently, only dropping points in a freak home loss to West Ham United in matchday three.

Loser: Juventus

Juventus’ off-field troubles are well-documented at this point. The Old Lady have been deducted points and banned from European competition for this season. Not being in the UEFA Champions League is unusual for Juve, but not being in either of the Europa tournaments is almost unheard of.

We’ve not seen an exodus from Turin like we did during the Calciopoli Scandal, but some very high-profile players have left the Bianconeri this Summer window. Angel di Maria, Juan Cuadrado and club captain Leonardo Bonucci have all exited on free transfers.

While no European football will help Juve return to the Champions League, their incomings have left much to be desired.

Juve has spent decent amounts of money, with Timothy Weah, Manuel Locatelli and Mosie Kean all joining for eight-figure sums. However, these will not be enough by themselves, as Italian football is experiencing a Renaissance and the likes of Roma, Napoli, Lazio, Inter and Milan all look to have stronger squads than The Old Lady.

Juventus’ start to the season has been poor, with home draws against Bologna and Atalanta. The club that couldn’t stop winning Serie A not long ago now looks to have a dark cloud hanging over it.