The 10 best bits of transfer business conducted by Premier League sides this summer.
10. Alberto Moreno (Sevilla to Liverpool)
The 22 year old took some time to land but looks a real prospect who will almost certainly lead Jose Enrique to an Anfield exit, his solo goal against Tottenham was Riise-esque. Moreno is likely to make a real impact at Liverpool and will surely be a key part of Spain’s national team set-up for years to come.
9. Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon to Tottenham)
An excellent addition made by Mauricio Pochettino, a player who went to Portugal to make a name for himself the 20 year old has also made a surprising impact in the final third netting twice in his first three Premier League fixtures for the north London outfit.
8. Abel Hernandez (Palermo to Hull City)
Steve Bruce has done an amazing bit of business to land the talented Uruguayan, who has spent the past five years with Italian side Palermo, and the club record fee invested in the 24 year old is more than covered by funds made from the sale of Shane Long to Southampton.
7. Gareth Barry (Free Agent to Everton)
The England veteran was a big hit during his loan spell at Goodison Park last term and is a player who Roberto Martinez managed to lure back to the club on a permanent basis. Arriving on a free transfer the former Man City man has the experience and ability to help push the Toffees on in their pursuit of a top four finish.
6. Mario Balotelli (AC Milan to Liverpool)
Brendan Rodgers did well to lure the Italian back to the Premier League and whilst the former Man City man has been involved in a fair bit of off-field antics there is no denying his ability on the field of play also. At £16m it’s a deal that represents pretty good value and goes some way to helping to fill the void left by Luis Suarez’s move to Barcelona.
5. Angel di Maria (Real Madrid to Man United)
A real statement of intent from a side keen to put last season’s nightmare behind them. Yes Man United spent big, perhaps even paying over the odds, but the 26 year old Argentine winger did contribute the most assists in La Liga last term and certainly improves on options Louis van Gaal had in that regard in his armoury.
4. Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco to Man United)
An expensive loan move no doubt but if this season is all about Man United getting back on track, challenging for the Premier League or at the very least securing a top four finish, then this move should pay for itself. The 28 year old has scored goals for fun in Portugal, Spain and France and who would bet against him continuing to do so in the English top tier?
3. Calum Chambers (Southampton to Arsenal)
Considering the massive sums Liverpool and Man United paid for Chambers’ former Southampton team-mates the initial £11m paid by Arsenal for teenager Chambers is a bargain. The 19 year old has looked the real deal when in action thus far this season and is likely to push the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker for their first team berths and can of course be used in other role to boot.
2. Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona to Chelsea)
The Spaniard left Barcelona and returned to the Premier League and has already proven himself to be a superb signing, providing some stunning assists and is the ideal man to replace outgoing veteran Frank Lampard. Wouldn’t bet against Fabregas leading the Blues to either, or both, domestic or continental honours of the highest order.
1. Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea)
The 25 year old Brazilian born Spanish international was built for Premier League football and the missing piece of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea jigsaw puzzle has thus been found. The west London side were short of a prolific marksman last term and in the former Atletico Madrid man the Blues have more than resolved that issue. Costa already has four goals in three Premier League matches, expect many many more to follow.