Over £820million was spent by Premier League clubs this summer, which is a record.
With every top-flight side signing at least four new faces before yesterday’s deadline, there has been an immense amount of business, with some clubs managing to pull off impressive bargains along the way. Some of which have been just as impressive as TrustFord’s new Signing on Fee offer, which gives you £500 off the purchase of any new Ford car.
Chelsea, Man United and even Hull City have enjoyed fruitful transfer windows. But who will make the most impact for their new colours?
Here’s a look at TEN summer moves we think we prove to be the best bargains for their new clubs this season…
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Click on Louis Van Gaal to reveal
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Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona to Arsenal, £30m)
Arsenal fans were understandably over the moon when Wenger secured the £30m capture of Sanchez from Barcelona.
His performances for the La Liga giants over the years have been match winning and his Champions League and title winning experience is seen to be crucial to Arsenal’s title bid.
He’s got off the mark with two goals from his opening few games for the Gunners, despite clearly not being at his best, and it’s surely only a matter of time before he gets used to the rigours of English football and starts showing what he’s all about week in, week out.
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Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona to Chelsea, £30m)
We all knew what Cesc Fabregas was capable of from his time at Arsenal, but the impact he’s had already had at Chelsea has been phenomenal.
Three games in, he’s already racked up four assists and three match winning performances that have gone a long way towards giving the Blues a solid start to the new campaign.
Chelsea are hoping to win the Premier League title this season and with Fabregas they’ve got a huge chance of doing so.
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Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, £32m)
Like Fabregas, we all knew what Diego Costa was capable before he arrived at Chelsea this summer.
His performances for Ateltico Madrid all but secured them the La Liga title and took them to the final of the Champions League. That’s why Jose Mourinho felt it necessary to pay for a huge £32m for his services.
And that fee looks like it could prove to be small fry if Costa’s first few games for the Blues are anything to go by. He’s netted four goals in his first three games for the Mourinho’s men and looks bang on to score another 20 if he continues the form he’s in.
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Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle to Hull City, loan)
Having been frozen by Alan Pardew at Newcastle, it looked as if the Frenchman’s career was going to be over before it began.
Once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in French football, Ben Arfa’s early performances for the Magpies showed just how good he was and the heights he was capable of reaching.
But a fall out with Pardew left him in the shadows at St. James’ Park before Hull came to the rescue yesterday. If he can rediscover the form that gave him such a glowing reputation a coupe of years ago then there’s every reason to believe Hull have got one hell of a player on their books this season.
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Mario Balotelli (AC Milan to Liverpool, £16m)
Mad Mario’s return hasn’t just been welcomed by Liverpool fans, but fans of clubs all over the country.
His escapades during his time at City were amusing and we’re all hoping he continues them this time around while at Liverpool. But his performances are anything thing that should be exciting fans.
He’s no doubt one of the best strikers in the world on his day, and he could’ve had a hat-trick on his Liverpool debut last weekend against Tottenham.
More of those kinds of performances and you can be sure to see Balotelli on the scoresheet almost every week between now and next May.
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Angel di Maria (Real Madrid to Man United, £59.7m)
You don’t pay a British record transfer fee for just anyone these days. A player has to be very special if a club is willing to pay just short of £60m for them and Di Maria is one of those special players.
His Man of the Match performance in last year’s Champions League final was enough evidence to convince United that he could be just the man they need to help provide the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie with the goals to get the back in the top four.
His debut against Burnley at the weekend was slightly underwhelming, but he’s a little short of match fitness and may need time getting used to English football. That said, there’s little doubt he’ll be a hugely influential player for Louis Van Gaal’s side this season.
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Radamel Falcao (Monaco to Man United, loan)
Radamel Falcao’s arrival at Manchester United yesterday came as something of a surprise to most. Not that he’s no in the Premier League, because that was expected, but more the fact he’s opted to play a side that isn’t competing in the Champions League this season.
He’s certainly a World Class player and he’ll undoubtedly be important for Man United this season. How important? Well that depends on the service he gets.
But if he fits in seamlessly and gets on the same wave length as his new colleagues then there’s every reason to leave he’ll net 20+ goals and fire United back in to the Champions League this season.
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Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon to Tottenham, £4m)
Dier arrived at White Hart Lane as an unknown Englishman abroad this summer, but it didn’t take him long to make his mark on the Premier League.
His 90th minute winner against West Ham on the opening day and then his goal in the 4-0 win over QPR the following week made him an instant fan favourite at the club, and his performances since have also been impressive.
The right-back can play anywhere across the back four (and up front?), which Spurs will need if they’re to enjoy a long and successful season aiming for fourth spot, and the 20-year-old looks set to play an important role in that target.
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Alex Song (Barcelona to West Ham, loan)
It’s difficult to know why West Ham actually need Alex Song, what with the likes of Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate more than capable of playing the holding midfielder role for the Hammers.
But if you’re offered a free loan for a player who is a Champions League quality player then you take him, especially when you’ve got the option to buy for as little as £5m at the end of the season.
West Ham have one hell of a player on their hands in Song and Sam Allardyce will no doubt make room for him in his starting XI.
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Dusan Tadic (FC Twente to Southampton, £10.3m)
Tadic is another player who was relatively unknown before arriving in the Premier league.
But there’s a reason why Ronald Koeman forked out over £10m for the midfielder. He’s the combative type who’s ball skills are second to none.
And he’s slotted straight in to Southampton without any need of a transitional period, which his first three performances of the season have proven.
Ten million quid could prove to be bargain by the end of the season if he continues putting in those kind of performances.
