As the Bundesliga transfer window enters its final hours, the bulk of the business has already been completed by the 18 top-flight clubs. With a net spend surpassing €120 million, the Bundesliga has spent more on transfers than it has earned for the first time in the post-COVID era.

But which signings represent the best value for money? Today, I rank the top 10 summer transfers in the German Football Weekly's transfer roundup!

10. Moritz Jenz

After Mainz 05’s pursuit of a permanent deal for Sepp van den Berg fell through, the club needed to move quickly to secure a center-back capable of stepping straight into the starting lineup. With time running out, finding the right player was a challenge, but in securing Moritz Jenz on a season-long loan, die 05er have made a shrewd addition to their defense. While Jenz may not possess the ball-playing qualities of van den Berg, his strengths in aerial duels and shot-blocking make him an ideal fit for a team with a foremost focus on avoiding relegation this season.

Jenz demonstrated these defensive skills in a steady if unspectacular, stint with Wolfsburg last year, but his true impact was felt during a six-month loan spell with Schalke 04 the season before. His arrival coincided with Schalke's improved fortunes in the second half of the campaign. The statistics tell the story: Schalke lost just 1 of the 10 matches with Jenz in the lineup, compared to 16 of the 23 without him. Additionally, Schalke conceded only 1.09 goals per match when Jenz started, a sharp contrast to the 3 goals per match they allowed in his absence.

At 25, Jenz may not revolutionize Mainz’s play on the ball, but his defensive acumen and leadership at the back could be crucial in navigating the inevitable challenges of the season.

9. Mohamed Amoura

Wolfsburg will undoubtedly be disappointed that Amoura will miss a significant portion of the early season due to a knee injury. However, patience will pay off, as Amoura has the potential to be the key player they were missing during much of last season.

Amoura is unlike any other forward on Wolfsburg’s roster. Standing at 1.70m, he lacks the aerial dominance of Kevin Behrens and doesn't possess the playmaking abilities of Jonas Wind. But what he does bring is a blistering speed and directness that this squad sorely lacked last season. With a top speed of 36.4 km/h in his final season in Belgium, Amoura would have ranked among the top three fastest players in the Bundesliga last year, and nearly 2 km/h faster than any other forward on Wolfsburg's roster.

Amoura offers more than just raw pace though. He combines his speed with intelligent off-ball movement and aggressive ball-carrying. He is extremely comfortable roaming freely into wide channels, and his high shot output and unselfish movements are highly reminiscent of Timo Werner throughout his first stint at RB Leipzig. 

It's also important not to reduce Amoura to his physical attributes alone. The Algerian international scored 17 goals in 23 Belgian Pro League matches last season, displaying an elite ability to find goal-scoring positions, even if his finishing isn't yet top-tier. He averaged nearly five shots per game in Belgium, and his 52 carries into the opposition penalty area were the most of any player in the league

How well Amoura can translate this output to a higher-quality league remains to be seen, but Wolfsburg have the financial resources to take this gamble. For a fee estimated around €18 million, they’ve secured a center-forward who can finally provide what this squad has been desperately seeking.

8. Jeff Chabot 

VfB Stuttgart had an active transfer window, bringing in over 15 new players. Among these additions, one of the most under-the-radar signings could prove to be the most valuable: Jeff Chabot. At first glance, the €5.00m deal for Chabot might not seem particularly exciting for a club that finished second in the 2023/24 Bundesliga and is preparing for its first Champions League campaign in over a decade. The 26-year-old was part of FC Köln's relegation last season, and in the 32 matches he played, Köln kept just four clean sheets. However, it would be unfair to judge Chabot solely based on his team's struggles. He emerged as one of the Bundesliga's most impressive pure defenders last campaign, leading the league in blocked shots and ranking third in aerial duel success rate.

Chabot's durability is another significant advantage as he competes with the injury-prone Dan-Axel Zagadou and Ramon Hendricks for the left-center-back position. Since the start of 2023, Chabot has not missed a single match due to injury, starting 53 of FC Köln's last 55 matches across all competitions.

While Chabot may not be the most skilled on the ball, Stuttgart's highly technical midfield, anchored by Angelo Stiller and Enzo Millot, can handle possession and playmaking duties. Securing a reliable 26-year-old center-back with extensive Bundesliga experience and a clean injury history is a deal Stuttgart simply couldn’t afford to pass up on.

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7. Robert Wagner

FC St. Pauli have secured promotion to the Bundesliga after a commanding title-winning campaign in the second tier, but challenges loom at the Millerntor-Stadion. Manager Fabian Hürzeler has departed for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, while the midfield has been significantly weakened by the exits of Marcel Hartel, who joined St. Louis City on a free transfer, and Aljoscha Kemlein, who returned to Union Berlin after a six-month loan.

Replacing these key players won't be easy, but Die Kiezkicker have made a promising move by securing Robert Wagner on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old, under contract at SC Freiburg, caught the eye of St. Pauli Sporting Director Andreas Bornemann during his loan spell with Greuther Fürth last season. Wagner is a dynamic, attack-minded box-to-box midfielder with a knack for finding vertical passing targets. Built with a slight frame and meager 1,81m height Wagner will not provide elite physical output, but his intelligent defensive positioning and aggressive ball-winning qualities make him a valuable asset for St. Pauli’s style of play.

Additionally, Wagner's ability to contribute offensively should not be overlooked. With 4 goals and 5 assists last season, he demonstrated an impressive scoring threat from midfield. This is something that St. Pauli will desperately need, especially after the loss of Marcel Hartel, who tallied 17 goals and 13 assists in the previous campaign.

6. Sirlord Conteh

Frank Schmidt’s ability to develop talent, get the most out of a limited budget, and compensate for a high-squad turnover has made him such a monumental managerial success in Heidenheim. However, this season will put his skills to the ultimate test. Heidenheim have lost their three most influential forwards from last campaign—Eren Dinkçi, Tim Kleindienst, and Niklas Beste—who collectively accounted for 30 goals, or 60% of the team’s total league output.

To mitigate these losses, Heidenheim have made some noteworthy signings, including Paul Wanner - FC Bayern prodigy - and Léo Scienza - the 2023/24 3. Liga MVP. Yet, one addition flying under the radar is Sirlord Conteh. The gloriously named 28-year-old winger is a rapid and dynamic attacking weapon. Clocking a top speed of 36.13 km/h, Conteh was among the fastest players in German football last season, and his direct, vertical approach aligns perfectly with Heidenheim’s counter-attacking philosophy.

While Conteh’s inconsistent finishing and variable impact might prevent him from securing a regular starting spot, his ability to come off the bench and exploit fatigued defenses makes him an astute acquisition for €700,000.

5. Samuel Essende

Samuel Essende has large shoes to fill in Augsburg, stepping into the void left by the departure of Ermedin Demirović. The Bosnian forward was Augsburg’s captain, and either scored or assisted 25 of Augsburg’s 50 Bundesliga goals last season, It is hard to imagine Essende delivering the same impact, but there is nevertheless good reason for optimism given the relatively modest €4.00m price tag.

What immediately stands out is Essende’s impressive scoring record, with the 26-year-old scoring 15 times in 31 matches for Portuguese topflight outfit FC Vizela. Like Demirovic, Essende knows how to operate as a star in a team lacking attacking alternatives. Vizela’s relegation underscored their reliance on Essende, who was directly involved in 47% of the club’s goals last season.

In addition to his scoring ability, Essende brings a physical presence to the pitch. Standing at 1.92 meters, he offers a commanding aerial threat and a strong penalty box presence. Last season, only Vitória Guimarães’ Jorge Filipe Oliveira Fernandes won more aerial duels in the Primeira Liga. This skill set is particularly valuable for Augsburg, a team that completed the second-fewest short passes in the Bundesliga last season. 

4. Assan Ouédraogo

Regular readers of the German Football Weekly will already be familiar with the remarkable talents of Assan Ouédraogo. Among Germany’s star-studded 2006 generation, Ouédraogo stands out as the most promising prospect. At just 18, he possesses nearly every attribute one could wish for in a top-tier attacking player. His two-footed control, explosive pace, sharp movement, and imposing 1.92m frame make him a versatile option across both midfield and attack. While he still needs to mature and refine his game at the senior level, it’s not far-fetched to draw comparisons to Jamal Musiala, given their similar physicality and technical grace.

However, one concern with Ouédraogo is his troubling injury history. He missed 19 matches and was sidelined for a total of 177 days last season due to five separate injuries. Ouédraogo’s age, early physical development, and premature senior adaptation could all be factors to consider, but even in Leipzig, these injury woes have not dissipated, with Ouedraogo missing the start of the season with a knee injury.

If RB Leipzig can manage his injury risks and keep him consistently fit, the modest €10.00m transfer fee could quickly prove a bargain, as Ouédraogo has the potential to become a world-class talent at the highest level of European football. 

3. Tim Kleindienst 

While Borussia Mönchengladbach's lack of defensive reinforcements is a significant concern as the transfer window closes, Die Fohlen have made some savvy moves in attack to bolster their prospects for the campaign ahead. Kevin Stöger, with his exceptional set-piece delivery and a strong record of 8 goals and 13 assists for VfL Bochum last season, is a standout addition. Yet, even Stöger's arrival is eclipsed by the signing of Tim Kleindienst.

The 28-year-old brings a bit of everything to the Borussia Park. He has scored at least 10 goals in each of his last 4 seasons with FC Heidenheim, he is an unrelenting work-horse with the most sprints and intensive runs of any player in the 2023/24 Bundesliga, and he brings a much-needed mentality and mindset to a club desperately lacking leadership. 

For €7.00m  it is an excellent deal, and at 28, one can expect that Gladbach could get at least another 3-4 years of peak-level football from their new center-forward. 

2. Pascal Groß

After a lengthy negotiation process, Pascal Groß has officially joined Borussia Dortmund from Brighton & Hove Albion. At 33, the six-time German international is seen as a short-term solution to help push Dortmund to a title within the next two years—a role for which his quality is unquestioned.

Throughout his career, Groß has excelled as both a creative playmaker and a dynamic box-to-box midfielder. Dortmund will certainly rely on these skills, but it’s his exceptional ability in the build-up phase that will make him indispensable to Nuri Şahin's plans. In Emre Can Dortmund have a natural-born leader and defensive warrior, but the 30-year-old has undeniable technical shortcomings. Earlier in the season, Marcel Sabitzer often dropped into a deep-lying role to compensate, though he was far more effective when playing further forward, particularly after Ian Maatsen joined in January. With Maatsen now gone, Groß is poised to take on this crucial build-up responsibility, already demonstrating his value with a commanding performance in Dortmund's 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

In that match, Groß completed 101 of 104 passes and delivered a game-high six key passes. Given the rapidly inflating prices on the transfer market, it’s hard to imagine how Borussia Dortmund could have better invested €7.00m.

1. Leopold Querfeld

Union Berlin aren't typically known for nurturing young talent. Since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019, no academy prospect has broken into the first team, and during the 2022/23 season, they were the only Bundesliga club that didn’t field a single player under the age of 21. However, that could change this season. The signing of Leopold Querfeld for €3.00 million signals a potential shift in Union’s approach. Querfeld is one of Europe’s most promising young center-backs, and he can immediately secure a spot in Bo Svensson’s starting lineup. The Austrian prodigy already boasts considerable experience, having played over 50 matches in the Austrian Bundesliga and gone the full 90 minutes for Austria in their 3-2 victory over the Netherlands at EURO 2024.

While Querfeld may not be the quickest center-back and can struggle against fast, agile wingers, he makes up for it with exceptional defensive awareness and positioning. His keen sense of the game allows him to intercept passes and make early physical challenges to disrupt an opponent's momentum. Although his primary role is against the ball, Querfeld’s standout attribute is his ball-playing ability. He excels at breaking opposition lines with precise, driven passes through midfield, often bypassing the press to find advanced midfielders in dangerous areas.

Union’s preference for a back-five formation makes Querfeld an ideal candidate for the right center-back position. The team’s solid defensive structure should help cover any initial defensive shortcomings, and paired with Kevin Vogt, Querfeld could be crucial in advancing the ball—especially in a squad that still lacks central midfielders with strong build-up skills.