Transfers: From best buys to inflated price tags
BEST BUYS
There were few players Manchester City could have signed to improve a side that achieved a record number of Premier League goals and points last season. However, Mahrez has all the potential to be a huge hit at the Etihad. Blessed with pace and trickery, he is the perfect player to join Pep Guardiola’s squad.
For all the joy they provided fans with their attacking football last season, there was an undeniable problem with Liverpool at the back. Specifically, their goalkeeping woes cost them all year. Now, they have arguably one of the world’s best as their new number one. Jurgen Klopp has finally found the missing piece to his jigsaw.
For years Arsenal fans have moaned about the squad lacking bite in midfield. However, following the signing of Torreira, they may finally have the answer. Full of energy and not afraid of a tackle, the Uruguayan midfielder looks made for the Premier League. The 22-year-old will be a key man for new boss Unai Emery.
Liverpool fans have had to wait a long time to finally see Keita in their shirt, but it will be worth the wait. The midfielder has been given Steven Gerrard’s number eight shirt as an indication of how important a role he will have. A true box-to-box player who should be a hit in England.
For a long time it looked as though Jorginho would be playing his football at Manchester City this season. However the arrival of Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge turned the midfielder’s head. Now he is expected to play a key role in Sarri’s revolution as the team’s creator in chief.
BIGGEST GAMBLES
South American central midfielders have previously not had an easy time of it at Old Trafford. Remember Juan Sebastian Veron? How about Kleberson? Fred has the characteristics to break that trend as he is blessed with plenty of dynamism and skill, but at a club like Manchester United he will have to hit the ground running.
After selling Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City, it was crucial Leicester dipped their toe into the market. They elected to spend nearly half of that fee on Maddison. An undoubted star in the Championship last season, the question is whether the 21-year-old can make the jump to the top flight.
After scoring just 34 Premier League goals last season, Brighton boss Chris Hughton knew he had to bolster his forward line this summer. Jahanbakhsh has been brought in after finishing as the top scorer in Holland but, after costing a club record €18.8m, there is plenty of pressure on him to succeed.
Referred to in Brazil as ‘Neymar’s little brother’, Anderson arrives at West Ham with a big reputation. The 25-year-old proved a hit in Italy, but there are question marks about how he will cope with the physicality of the English game. Clubs such as Manchester United scouted him but didn’t pull the trigger.
Bournemouth were another club to break their transfer record this summer as they broke the bank to sign Lerma. Two years ago he cost Levante €600,000, but now he has gone for €28m. The 23-year-old midfielder’s arrival was dubbed as a “huge statement” by Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake, now he needs to repay the club’s faith in him.
SHREWDEST STEALS
It was not so long ago that Evans was being touted as the solution to Arsenal’s defensive problems. Now the
centre-back finds himself at Leicester after they activated his €3.8m relegation release clause. For that money you simply could not buy a more experienced defender and at 30 he still has more in the tank.
Long tipped to move to either Manchester United or Tottenham, Moutinho has finally made his way to the Premier League after Wolves snapped him up. The 31-year-old midfielder brings a wealth of experience and a passing game few can compete with. He will be vital to Wolves’ plans this season.
After returning to the Premier League, it was crucial Fulham bolstered their ranks this summer. The arrival of Schurrle is a major coup for the club, who have big ambitions. Able to operate out wide or through the middle, the former Chelsea man has a point to prove in England.
After missing out on Lyon’s Nabil Fekir, it was vital Liverpool acted swiftly. And they did just that by tying up a €14.5m deal for Shaqiri after activating his relegation release-clause. A shining light in a poor Stoke side last season, he could be a real hit under Jurgen Klopp if given the chance.
Newcastle may not have splashed the cash, but the arrival of Rondon could be pivotal. The Magpies often lacked a focal point to their attack last season and the 28-year-old striker will give them just that. He scored 10 goals in all competitions for West Brom last year – only Jay Rodriguez managed more.
STEPPING STONE MOVES
There was a huge scramble for Meyer this summer when the 22-year-old decided he would not be renewing his contract at Schalke. Arsenal and other top clubs scouted the German, before eventually Crystal Palace won the race. Big sides will be keeping an eye on him this season.
Only a year ago, Seri was on the verge of joining Barcelona before a deal collapsed at the 11th hour. The Spanish club pulled the plug after Nice suddenly demanded a higher transfer fee. However, should the midfielder shine in England they — and other big clubs — could well return for him.
Wilmot was attracting strong interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. The 18-year-old defender, who impressed in League Two last season, has been capped by England at U19 level and looks to have the potential to go right to the top.
Had emerged in France as one of the most promising defenders. At 6ft 4in he is a mountain of a centre-back, but the 21-year-old is comfortable on the ball too. Clubs may have to pay a lot more to get him from West Ham in a few years.
When it comes to signing centre-backs, there are few clubs with a better track record than Southampton. Dejan Lovren, Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk have all been sold on for huge profit. So don’t be surprised if Vestergaard proves to be the next cab off the rank.
INFLATED PRICE TAGS
Chelsea were backed into a corner after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went AWOL to secure a move to Real Madrid. It forced the Blues into action and what resulted was a world record fee for a goalkeeper. Kepa is certainly one of the best in Europe, but his price tag has been severely influenced by Chelsea’s position of weakness.
After a stellar World Cup for Colombia, Barcelona quickly saw an opportunity to make a huge profit on a player they signed for just under €12m in January. Everton coughed up the cash for a player very few clubs were tracking until after the World Cup.
Richarlison burst onto the scene at Watford last season after arriving at the club from Fluminense for around €14m. The 21-year-old was linked with a move to Chelsea in January but Watford’s hefty price tag for the Brazilian put them off.
A year ago, it would have been inconceivable that Newcastle could generate so much from the sale of Mitrovic. However, after the striker enjoyed a dream loan spell at Fulham, the Magpies suddenly found themselves in a strong position.
When asked by Leicester’s board which right-back he wanted to sign this summer, Claude Puel’s immediate response was Pereira. The pair worked together at Nice and the French coach remains a huge fan. Porto were well aware of this and the €25m fee they got for the 24-year-old maintains their reputation as one of the best selling clubs in Europe.
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