Transfer Tiers: goalkeepers, the top nine options for the 2026 summer window | OneFootball

Nine leading goalkeepers for the 2026 summer window have been ranked across three tiers by a panel of experts.

According to NY Times, Tier One maps to elite clubs, Tier Two to the rung below and Tier Three to the wealthy middle class, though elite sides could still pick from Tier Three. Inclusion does not equal availability, and panel members range from club executives to scouts and analysts.

Tier One features Mike Maignan, Bart Verbruggen and Emiliano Martinez. Maignan, tied to Milan until 2031, was the most selected pick, and Milan’s Champions League miss plus Massimiliano Allegri’s sacking keep him within reach. Verbruggen, 23, is lauded for distribution and all-round certainty, while Martinez’s big game record keeps him viable, though any move from Aston Villa is unclear.

Tier Two includes Noah Atubolu, James Trafford and Robin Risser. Freiburg have lined up Mio Backhaus and Atubolu has joined Ali Barat’s Epic Sports, with views on his ceiling mixed. Trafford’s City route narrowed but he finished with an FA Cup win, while €3m (£2.6m) signing Risser became Ligue 1’s goalkeeper of the year and made France’s World Cup squad.

Tier Three lists Gregor Kobel, Guglielmo Vicario and Aaron Ramsdale. Kobel, 28, is a consistent Bundesliga standout, though footwork is cited as a limiter. Vicario’s hernia surgery and Tottenham’s slump hurt his stock, while Ramsdale is seen as a low-risk option if Newcastle do not make his loan permanent.

Source: NY Times