The 20 best Premier League signings of the 2014 summer window.
SEE ALSO: All the Premier League done deals so far.
The 2014 summer transfer window has now slammed shut, with Premier League clubs having smashed the previous record for the most profligate window, after a number of high profile deals were pushed through on the final day.
Clubs’ squads are now finalised until January, with these 20 buys being the ones that have impressed us the most:
20) Ricky Alvarez (Inter Milan to Sunderland)
Sunderlanded pushed through a deadline day deal to sign Inter Milan winger Ricky Alvarez on a season long loan deal, with the Argentinian international primed to add creativity and flair to a side hoping to avoid last season’s dice with relegation to the Championship.
19) Eliaquim Mangala (FC Porto to Manchester City)
Manchester City’s biggest deal of the summer window involved the £32m signing of central defender Eliaquim Mangala from FC Porto. Whilst City have paid big for the French international, he slots in alongside Vincent Kompany to fill in one of few holes in the Premier League champions’ squad from last season.
18) Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord to Newcastle United)
Newcastle United’s signing of Netherlands international right back Daryl Janmaat went somewhat under the radar, after he had been linked with Manchester United, but the former Feyenoord man is an excellent replacement for Mathieu Debuchy and bagged his first Magpies goal against Crystal Palace recently.
17) Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur to Queens Park Rangers)
One of the most impressive deadline day signings to be completed was by Queens Park Rangers, with Harry Redknapp and chairman Tony Fernandes concluding a deal to bring midfielder Sandro to the club from Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year deal. The powerful central player is perhaps above QPR’s level and could prove to be a wonderful capture.
16) Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United to Hull City)
Hull City had a busy deadline day, breaking their transfer record to sign forward Abel Hernandez from Serie A side Palermo, but their most eye-catching piece of business was the late loan signing of Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa. If they can get the Frenchman interested then he is as creative a player as the Premier League has to offer.
15) Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid to Southampton)
Southampton had a busy transfer deadline day, capturing defender Toby Alderweireld on a season-long loan deal from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, with a view to a permanent deal. The Belgian international is an experienced international defender who should be a fine replacement for Dejan Lovren.
14) Ander Herrera (Athletic Club to Manchester United)
Louis van Gaal’s first signing as Manchester United was long term midfield target Ander Herrera, with the Spaniard arriving at Old Trafford from La Liga outfit Athletic Club. Despite injury hampering his bedding in period at United, Herrera is a fine box-to-box player who will prove to be a very useful acquisition for the Red Devils.
13) Dejan Lovren (Southampton to Liverpool)
Liverpool’s defence evidently needed strengthening this summer, and Brendan Rodgers moved to secure Dejan Lovren from Southampton for a fee of £20m. There may be question marks about the fee, he will certainly improve the Reds’ side.
12) Fernando (FC Porto to Manchester City)
Manchester City signed defensive midfielder Fernando from FC Porto for a fee of £12m this summer, with the midfield enforcer set to offer important cover for Fernandinho whilst also offering Manuel Pellegrini the vital option of playing with a solid central midfield trio.
11) Alberto Moreno (Sevilla to Liverpool)
Another defender brought in by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers this summer to ease their woes at the back was left back Alberto Moreno from La Liga outfit Sevilla. Having played much of last season without a natural left back, the Spaniard should be a crucial signing for the club.
10) Alexis Sanchez (FC Barcelona to Arsenal)
Arsenal concluded a huge £35m deal for winger Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona this summer, with the explosive Chilean sure to be an exciting part of the Gunners’ team during the coming years. It is only the fact that United are well stocked in the attacking midfield positions that stops Sanchez from being higher up this list, but he is certainly a fine capture.
9) Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco to Manchester United)
Manchester United pushed through the capture of striker Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan from AS Monaco late on transfer deadline day, with the signing of such a world class performer always likely to make this list. Doubts about whether a top class centre forward is what United need pushes it slightly lower down, however.
8) Dusan Tadic (FC Twente to Southampton)
In the end, Southampton did an effective job of replacing the numerous departees from St. Mary’s this summer, but winger Dusan Tadic from FC Twente was the best piece of business. The £10.9m star is an exciting player who replaces Adam Lallana’s creativity for Ronald Koeman.
7) Danny Welbeck (Manchester United to Arsenal)
Yet another deadline day deal to go through at the last moment was the move of Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck to Arsenal for a fee of around £16m. If the Gunners give the England international to play as a lone striker, he will chip in with vital goals and is a superb link player for their cornucopia of attacking midfield talent.
6) Angel di Maria (Real Madrid to Manchester United)
Manchester United broke the British transfer record to sign Angel di Maria from Real Madrid – and it is only the exorbitant fee paid for the Argentina winger that stops him from making it higher up the list. Di Maria is a superb player who adds both creativity and a huge work rate to the United side.
5) Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea to Everton)
Everton smashed their transfer record to sign former loanee Romelu Lukaku on a permanent basis from Chelsea this summer, with the Belgian international set to continue his impressive goalscoring form for the Toffees. The fact that Everton got the deal done also shows that the club are ready to become major players under Roberto Martinez.
4) Cesc Fabregas (FC Barcelona to Chelsea)
Former Arsenal playmaker Cesc Fabregas has enjoyed a stunning start to his career at Chelsea and should only get better after signing from Barcelona. He provides a level of creativity from deep that the Blues were missing last season and has helped to tip the Premier League balance in Jose Mourinho’s favour.
3) Mario Balotelli (AC Milan to Liverpool)
The £16m signing of striker Mario Balotelli from AC Milan was a particularly eye-catching move from Liverpool, but the fee represents a genuine bargain for a player who is truly world class when he is interested. There is a feeling that Balotelli is on his last warning and may just settle down and enjoy his football under Brendan Rodgers.
2) Daley Blind (Ajax to Manchester United)
Manchester United finally completed the protracted transfer of utility man Daley Blind from Ajax on deadline day, and the Dutch football of the year could prove to be their most impressive piece of summer business, somewhat under the radar. Blind is an incredibly intelligent and fluid player who is used to the system of his manager and can cover the positions where United are short.
1) Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea)
Powerful striker Diego Costa has enjoyed an imperious start to life at Chelsea since signing from Atletico Madrid, scoring in all three of their Premier League victories so far, and he looks set to be the man who makes the biggest difference to his side during the season. A prolific goalscorer but also a nightmare to defend against, Costa is already looking like a clear favourite to finish the season as top scorer.