Transfer window winners and losers: How Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, others fared

The 2026 summer transfer window has officially closed, with ESPN analyzing which clubs emerged as winners and losers from the activity. Real Madrid had a particularly notable window, appointing José Mourinho as manager — his return to the Bernabéu after 13 years — and quickly securing Marc Cucurella for €55 million. Other top clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool, and Barcelona also featured prominently in the summer's major transfer activity.