Chiesa to Zirkzee: Top 10 smartest buys of the transfer window
ZZ TOPS: Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee.
Liverpool’s capture of Italian forward Chiesa, one of the biggest stars of Euro 2020 when Italy lifted the trophy, for such a small outlay has raised a lot of eyebrows – and has the potential to be the deal of the window if all goes well.
Chiesa is no veteran looking for one last Premier League pay day. He’s 26, with the best years of his career ahead and with huge potential.
There are risks associated with the move, however. Although the main reason for his surprisingly cheap price was a contract at Juve that had only one year left to run, he has also suffered a major knee injury since 2020 and has struggled to recover.
Speaking at Euro 2024, the striker explained: “After Euro 2020 I had a chance to position myself among the top footballers in the world. Instead, I tore my cruciate ligament and had a long period of rehabilitation. My objective is to get back among the very best.”
It’s true that Chiesa’s impact at Juve hasn’t been as high as expected. Playing in a defensive system under Massimiliano Allegri made life difficult, as did one or two smaller injuries that impacted his progress.
But when you consider his last transfer fee, from Fiorentina, was €45m, it looks like Liverpool have a bargain – and one who can play pretty much anywhere in an attacking role.
It’s a gamble, but with only €12m paid up front, not a high stakes one.
If Liverpool’s capture of Chiesa was cheap, City’s success in bringing back former captain Gundogan without paying a single cent sounds like genius.
There was a rare wave of disappointment at the Etihad when much-loved midfielder Gundogan, captain of their Treble winning team in 2022-23, left to join Barca, but his unexpected return has changed the mood.
City sporting director Txiki Begiristain described the signing as “fantastic news” and described him as an “exceptional midfielder” whilst Kevin de Bruyne quickly posted “I can’t wait to play with him again’.
This move was a no-brainer for City. He may be 33 but Gundogan knows the club, its players and the manager’s way of playing inside out. He’s fitted straight back in. Not a long-term signing, that’s true, but in many ways a perfect one.
With only a year remaining on his contract, there may be some who say Arsenal overpaid for a player whose performances at Euro 2024 inflated his price. But when you look at what he brings, it’s hard not to conclude that he’s a great fit.
The midfielder is 28 and coming to the peak of his career, just what Arsenal need as they push to finally finish above Manchester City.
There’s a feeling at the Emirates that this is their year; so, the players coming in are not 18-year-olds like we’re seeing at London neighbours Chelsea who have a seven-year plan – the Gunners need an instant impact.
Merino has everything required to provide exactly that. He’s a perfect fit for the way Mikel Arteta plays and arrives with confidence high. Expect him to slot in seamlessly – and that makes him a very special transfer.
The arrival of right-back Masaroui at Old Trafford was totally overshadowed by the fact he landed at the same time at as teammate Matthijs De Ligt.
The Dutchman has the higher profile and a much higher price; but Masraoui could prove to be the better deal in the long term.
He is the fifth former Ajax player to sign for the club under Erik ten Hag, who put him straight into the team and quickly sung his praises.
The price could rise by another €5m with add-ons, but even so the overall fee is an absolute snip and a great piece of business. The 26-year-old is strong in possession and can also play on the left, another problem position for United when Luke Shaw is injured.
He’s been around at Arsenal for so long that it’s easy to forget that attacking midfielder Smith-Rowe is only 24 with an entire career ahead of him.
That makes Fulham’s gamble seem like money well spent, and he has already responded with his first goal for the club, settling in almost instantly.
Smith-Rowe played a huge role in helping Arteta win a trophy, the FA Cup, in his first season at the Emirates and was a big ‘home hero’ with Gunners fans, even though injuries restricted his progress in recent times as he became a perennial substitute.
Arteta admitted that he was sad to see the player go – and you suspect he will have an outstanding season for Fulham.
There have been some suggestions that Tottenham overpaid for Solanke, the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker who had an outstanding season for Bournemouth last year.
But when you spot exactly what you need in the market, he’s the right age and he’s already scoring in the Premier League, sometimes even Daniel Levy doesn’t mind putting his hand a little deeper into the pocket.
Solanke is still only 26, with the best years ahead of him and looks like he has turned a corner in his career after struggling to make an impact at Anfield or Stamford Bridge.
At times last season he was imperious in the way he led the line and finished chances with remarkable quality. So, all Spurs need is for him to replicate that in north London.
Given they have struggled to replace Harry Kane since he left – playing Heung-min Son up front hasn’t worked – it’s a major signing for the club.
A quick, versatile striker who can also carry the ball from deep, Zirkzee already looks like an outstanding prospect – and, at 23, he’s the perfect age to grow and flourish at Old Trafford.
Having already scored the winner against Fulham on his debut, he’s become an instant favourite with United fans (even if kneeing the ball over the line at Brighton when he was offside wasn’t the brightest idea).
United have been criticised for making knee-jerk signings at inflated prices, but this transfer suggests the new regime is doing things differently.
Zirkzee is the kind of exciting young talent you expect United to be bringing in. The price is good value, too.
Liverpool fans have been crowing in recent weeks about how their team has taken almost €50m from little Brentford for players that weren’t doing it at Anfield.
But the Bees, who also signed defender Sepp van den Berg, may have the last laugh on this one.
Carvalho, who is still only 22, looks an outstanding talent with plenty of potential to improve. He had enjoyed a highly impressive pre-season for Liverpool, including goals against Manchester United and Arsenal, so Arne Slot’s decision to let him go was a surprise.
Bees manager Thomae Frank is an excellent coach with a history of improving players. So expect Carvalho to have a strong season in west London and leave Liverpool wondering if they made the right decision.
At just 20, Brazilian winger Savinho has already been brave enough to take a penalty in a Community Shield shootout victory over Manchester United, as well as impressing on his debut in the Premier League.
Even those short glimpses suggest City have unearthed yet another young diamond.
The price looks a little inflated but given that Troyes are also owned by City Football Group the less said about that the better. The main headline is that he’s a fantastic player.
Defensive midfielders are all the rage, and Dutch star Mats Wieffer looks like a very good one indeed.
He is one of a string of interesting and promising signings made by Brighton, with well over €200m spent. Keep an eye out for Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Bajan Gruda too, but Wieffer looks most likely to make a instant impact.
At 24, he may be Feyenoord’s record sale but he already looks a bargain, producing an outstanding performance on his debut at Everton.
Archer, 22, is an excellent finisher and the Saints look a good fit. He’s already scored twice in an EFL Cup tie at Cardiff.
Everyone loves a freebie and Kamada looks a good one. The midfielder, 28, has already scored in an EFL Cup win over Norwich.
It’s a big price, but centre-back Kilman, who loves to bring the ball out and spread long passes, is a big talent.
The cultured centre-half was once of the world’s most in-demand defenders when at Ajax. His star has slipped a little but there’s no doubting his talent.
Looks an outstanding young defender and it will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta fits him into a back four which already has two top centre-halfs.
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