Betting tips based on new summer signings

We’re only halfway through July, and there’s still plenty of time left in the transfer window, but clubs have already been busy. As usual, most of the action has come from England, you know, based on say na dem get money pass.

In this piece, I’m highlighting 10 signings (or sets of signings) that have really stood out to me so far.

Let's go!

Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) - Grade: A

Liverpool caught everyone off guard when they splashed out an initial £100m to sign Florian Wirtz, a deal that could rise to £116m if add-ons are met. It’s a huge statement: not only is it a club record signing, but Wirtz also becomes the most expensive German player ever and the priciest sale in Bundesliga history. Given how quiet Liverpool’s 2024/25 was, with only Federico Chiesa arriving for £12.5m, you can understand why it’s a shock. I mean, they’ve added Milos Kerkez (£40m), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5) and are reportedly close to signing Hugo Ekitike (£80m). Anyway, let’s focus on the German international for now.

At just 22, Wirtz already has an impressive list of achievements: Bundesliga winner, DFB Pokal champ, and Bundesliga Player of the Season, which is no small feat for someone not wearing a Bayern jersey. A top-tier playmaker, he doesn’t just boost an already strong Liverpool side tipped to retain the league and go deeper in the Champions League, he also looks like the perfect heir to Mo Salah as the new face of their attack.

Bet on Liverpool to Retain the EPL @2.95

Bet on Liverpool to Reach the Champions League Final @4.00

Real Madrid’s New Defenders - Grade: B-

With the Club World Cup wrapped up, Real Madrid’s total goals conceded for the season stands at 84, their joint worst ever. That’s a wild stat for a club of their stature, so it’s no shock they’re now focused on tightening up at the back. So far, they’ve brought in Trent Alexander-Arnold (€10m), Dean Huijsen (€59.5m), and Álvaro Carreras (€50m), taking their total spend on defenders to €119.5m… and there’s talk of Ibrahima Konaté joining from Liverpool too.

Now, I do like the ambition here, but if we’re being honest, these new signings seem to add more attacking energy than true defensive grit, neither of which was present in their 4-0 loss to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-final. Still, despite the concerns, I can’t lie… I like the signings. There’s something exciting about them and I can’t rule them out of becoming LaLiga winners in May.

Bet on Real Madrid to Win LaLiga @1.72

Arsenal’s Signings - Grade: A+

Transfer windows are usually Arsenal fans’ second-most frustrating time of the year, the first, of course, being when the season ends and the trophy cabinet’s still empty. When Edu Gaspar left for Nottingham Forest, it felt like an enormous loss, but in came Andrea Berta as new Director of Football, fresh off an 12-year stint at Atlético Madrid, and he’s been a breath of fresh air. Some fans even think he’s outshining Edu already and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that.

Need a midfielder? Enter Martín Zubimendi, one of the most technically gifted on the market. Thomas Partey walks for free? No wahala. Christian Nørgaard signs from Brentford within days. Concern about Saka being overworked? Berta’s got you! Noni Madueke joins. Now, £52m for Madueke feels wild, but hey, no be me get money.

Then came the defense - and because we know Arteta loves his bulky defenders, Cristhian Mosquera arrived from Valencia. But the real headline? A proper striker. After years of fans begging for someone who can actually put the ball in the net (not all this Gabriel Jesus or Havertz kini), Arsenal finally got their man: Viktor Gyökeres. A player who’s been tearing it up at Sporting CP with 97 goals in just 102 games. That’s cold-blooded efficiency Arsenal haven’t had in ages.

Even the women’s team is making noise; they just broke the world record fee for a female player, bringing in Olivia Smith from Liverpool for £1m, making her the first-ever £1m women’s signing. Fun times in North London. Now, integrating all these new faces is a different story, but on paper, Arsenal’s summer looks bold, sharp, and actually… quite impressive. They’ll be one of my teams to keep tabs on, and for our online betting community, we have the best odds for the Gunners ending their trophy drought this season.

Tijjani Reijnders (Man City) - Grade: B+

Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City might not scream blockbuster, but don’t be fooled… this could be the signing that kick starts their bounce-back. With Kevin De Bruyne gone, City needed someone to restore line-breaking creativity. Enter Reijnders, who led Serie A in passes that broke defensive lines (47) and added 10 goals from midfield, a rare double-threat.

His ability to carry the ball vertically, receive under pressure, and burst into the box makes him the dynamic presence Pep Guardiola thrives with. Sure, his defensive numbers aren’t great, but paired with Rodri, that won’t be a problem. Crucially, Reijnders excelled in a poor Milan side. Now imagine him surrounded by City’s elite.

After a trophyless season and with expectations slightly tempered, Reijnders arrives with freedom to grow and the tools to help City return to the summit of English football. It’s low-risk, high-reward and it might just pay off in silverware.

Matheus Cunha (Man Utd) - Grade: B-

Man Utd seem to be switching things up this transfer window, going for Premier League proven players, instead of splashing big money on names from abroad. Matheus Cunha came in early, and now Bryan Mbeumo looks set to follow. Cunha’s been a standout for Wolves in recent years, scoring 31 goals and 12 assists in the last two seasons… not bad at all.

There are no words to describe just how poor Man Utd was last season, so it’s fair to assume the Brazilian has his work cut out for him at Old Trafford. That said, he might just be the type of player they need; creative, tricky, can beat a man, set up teammates, and score himself. Still, given the price tag, I’m not getting too excited just yet. Let’s see how he settles in before we call him the answer.

Bet on The Biggest Summer Transfers Here

Paul Pogba (Monaco) - Grade: B

One of the many things I love about sports is a good redemption story and I think we might just be witnessing one. Paul Pogba’s career has had its fair share of highlights: 4 Serie A titles, a Europa League, 2 Coppa Italia, the 2013 Golden Boy award, and of course, that 2018 World Cup win… to name a few. He’s played at the absolute highest level, a place most players only ever dream of reaching.

But he’s also been through some serious lows. From missing the 2022 World Cup with injury to a doping ban that sidelined him for two seasons and led to his Juventus contract getting terminated. Add in depression and a public fallout with his family, and it’s been a rough ride. Now, he’s back! We’ll get to see him with Monaco, not just in Ligue 1 but also in the Champions League. It’s a comparatively low-risk signing for them, having gotten him for free, and with Pogba aiming for a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad, you know he’ll be giving it everything.

I’m not about to say Monaco will win Ligue 1 - that’s still PSG’s playground - but I feel pretty good about my bet of the day.

Ligue 1 Winner (Without PSG): Monaco @3.20

Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) - Grade: A-

Kevin De Bruyne’s move to Italy isn’t just a big-name signing, it’s a masterstroke. At 34, KDB fits perfectly into Serie A’s tradition of veteran stars thriving in their “golden years,” much like Zlatan did with Milan.

Napoli’s title win last season was built on defensive solidity, but they struggled in attack, ranking just 6th in goals and 8th in xG. That’s where De Bruyne comes in. With 313 career assists and an unmatched ability to unlock defenses, he brings exactly the creativity they lacked. Add in his pre-existing chemistry with Lukaku, and Napoli suddenly have a front line that can hurt anyone.

Yes, injuries are a concern, but Antonio Conte knows how to manage minutes. With rivals like Inter, Milan, Roma and Juventus having new managers in charge, Napoli look the most stable, and one of my betting tips for the season is KDB helping the club to its first ever back-to-back Scudetto wins, and you can win 3 times your betting stake by getting in on that action right now.

et on Napoli to Retain the Serie A Title @3.00

Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur) - Grade: B+

Tottenham's attack needed unpredictability, and they found it in Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian was the league’s second-most prolific dribbler last season, behind only Jeremy Doku, but crucially, Kudus did it in a far more conservative West Ham team. Now at Spurs under Thomas Frank, he’ll get more of the ball, more territory, and more chances to wreak havoc.

Spurs lacked a standout dribbler last season, ranking dead last for dribble success rate. Kudus changes that instantly. His ability to beat defenders 1v1 means Spurs won’t have to commit as many bodies forward to break down low blocks, something that could help shore up a leaky defense too. Yes, his end product dipped last season, but Kudus thrives in possession-based systems and looks far more dangerous on the right flank, his likely spot at Spurs. If Frank unlocks his full potential, this could be the spark that reignites Tottenham’s top-four ambitions.

João Pedro (Chelsea) - Grade: B+

Chelsea fans didn’t have to wait long to see if their new signing was the real deal with his performances at the FIFA Club World Cup doing all the talking. In just three appearances, the ex-Brighton forward scored three goals and played a massive part in helping Chelsea become world champions.

João Pedro’s talent has never been in doubt, even though injuries have been a worry in recent seasons. And yeah, a good chunk of his goals lately have come from the penalty spot, leading to that name-tag I won’t mention here. Right now, he’s clearly Chelsea’s top option up front. If his Club World Cup showings are anything to go by, the Blues might finally have a proper striker on their hands.

Álex Baena (Atletico Madrid) - Grade: B+

Earlier this month, Atlético Madrid’s attack got a serious upgrade. Álex Baena arrived from Villarreal as LaLiga’s top chance creator last season (95), nearly doubling Antoine Griezmann’s tally (48). That’s not a small boost, it’s an injection of creativity Diego Simeone’s side badly needed.

Baena brings flair, vision, and versatility, capable of operating anywhere in midfield but especially dangerous cutting in from the left. At 23, he's already proven at the top level: a Europa League winner, a senior Spain international, and second only to Lamine Yamal in assists (9) last season.

With Baena feeding the likes of Griezmann and Julián Álvarez, Atleti finally have a player who can consistently unlock tight defenses, something they’ve lacked in recent title pushes. Simeone’s rebuild is picking up serious steam, and with Baena in the mix, Atlético could be ready to mount a real challenge to Real Madrid and Barcelona in 2025/26. Keep an eye on this one.