Liverpool and Manchester City were restrained, but Chelsea were noisy again and Brighton spent a record total in a summer of significant squad rebuilding across the Premier League.
Arsenal added Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino to an already miserly defence, while Raheem Sterling's dramatic late loan arrival increased competition for places, particularly as cover for Bukayo Saka. The sales of Aaron Ramsdale, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, along with the loan departure of Reiss Nelson, marked a ruthless approach that supporters will hope pays dividends.
Aston Villa had two windows in one: sales totalling more than £150m to meet profitability and sustainability regulations, and strengthening for at least eight Champions League matches. They signed Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley, but missed out on João Félix to Chelsea and failed to land Lutsharel Geertruida. With Matty Cash injured for a month, teenager Kosta Nedeljkovic may get a chance.
Bournemouth made history by signing Brazil striker Evanilson for a club-record fee, surpassing the £25m paid for Jefferson Lerma in 2018, as a replacement for Dominic Solanke. Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world's most expensive goalkeeper, arrived on loan after being exiled at Chelsea, and the club added young talent including Dean Huijsen and Julián Araujo.
Brentford faced uncertainty over Ivan Toney, who moved to Al-Ahli, while their own record signing Igor Thiago suffered an injury blow. They strengthened with Sepp van den Berg and Fábio Carvalho, and the capture of 18-year-old Brazilian winger Gustavo Nunes was seen as a coup.
Brighton's record-breaking spending bolstered new manager Fabian Hürzeler's squad, though midfielder Matt O'Riley sustained an ankle injury in the Carabao Cup win over Crawley.
