Transfer Quick Links:
Arsenal
Bournemouth
Brighton
Burnley
Cardiff
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Huddersfield
Leicester
Liverpool
Man City
Man Utd
Newcastle
Southampton
Tottenham
Watford
West Ham
Wolverhampton
Arsenal
Transfers:
IN:
Lucas Torreira (£27m, Sampdoria)
Bernd Leno (£22.5m, Bayer Leverkusen)
Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£14.4m, Dortmund)
Matteo Guendouzi (£7.2m, Lorient)
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Free, Juventus)
OUT:
Chuba Akpom (£900k, PAOK)
Jack Wilshere (Free, West Ham)
Santi Cazorla (Free, Villareal)
Calum Chambers (Loan, Fulham)
Takuma Asano (Loan, Hannover)
Per Mertesacker (Retired)
David Ospina (£?, Besiktas)
Net Spend: £70.5 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Lucas Torreira
Worst Transfer: Jack Wilshere
Arsenal in my eyes have had a very fruitful transfer window, thanks to integral signings to the squad such as Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira (who had an amazing world cup), Sokratis Papastathopoulos and one of the scariest men in the locker room, Stephan Lichtsteiner. They’ve signed a mixture of experience and talent, which might see the resurgence that Arsenal fans have been screaming for. I do have to add that after investing so many years into Jack Wilshere, it’s pretty lacklustre that they sell him for free.
Grade: B+
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Lucas Torreira
Worst Transfer: Sokratis Papastathopoulos
I wasn’t a big fan of Emery’s first few signings, with aging defenders coming in, but he quickly helped his own case by bringing in some exciting youth. Leno still has a lot to both learn and prove, but 26 is young for a goalkeeper and he’ll develop into a fine starting GK. Guendouzi looks like a future star for a cheap price, a classic Arsenal transfer even without Wenger in charge, good to see. The best signing is still Torreira however, only 22, but a definite clear upgrade and finally a true top DM for the first time since Gilberto Silva.
Grade: C+
Bournemouth
Transfers:
IN:
Jefferson Lerma (£25m, Levante)
Diego Rico (£10.8m, Leganes)
David Brooks (£10.1m, Sheff Utd)
OUT:
Benik Afobe (£10.2m, Wolverhampton)
Lewis Grabban (£6.1m, Nottingham Forest)
Max Gradel (£1.8m, Toulouse)
Adam Federici (£?, Stoke)
Emerson Hyndman (Loan, Hibernian)
Brad Smith (Loan, Seattle Sounders)
Harry Arter (Loan, Cardiff City)
Rhoys Wiggins (Retired)
Net Spend: £27.8 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Jefferson Lerma
Worst Transfer: Max Gradel
Bournemouth managed to shore up their volatile central midfield by keeping young standout Lewis Cook and signing the talented Jefferson Lerma to complement him in midfield. The Arter/Surman/Gosling trio was fun, but it’s time for the youth to play. David Brooks could also get involved, either centrally or on the right wing he played last season. Typical Bournemouth signings all around and they get back £18.1m from Afobe, Grabban and Gradel, even though the low price for the latter is disappointing.
Grade: B-
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Diego Rico
Worst Transfer: Max Gradel
Despite a rocky 17/18 season, AFC Bournemouth have not strengthen their side like they should have. While I’m a fan of Diego Rico, I think it’s especially atrocious that they sold Max Gradel for £1.8 million when he was originally bought for £9 million. Jefferson Lerma is a great addition to the team, as he certainly made an impression last year in La Liga.
Grade: C-
Brighton
Transfers:
IN:
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£17.1m, AZ Alkmaar)
Yves Bissouma (£15.2m, Lille)
Bernardo (£9m, RB Leipzig)
Martin Montoya (£6.3m, Valencia)
Florin Andone (£5.4m, Deportivo)
David Button (£4m, Fulham)
Percy Tau (£2.8m, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Anders Dreyer (£1.6m, Esbjerg)
Dan Burn (£?, Wigan)
Billy Arce (£?, Independiente)
Leo Skiri Østigård (£?, Molde)
Peter Gwargis (£?, Jönköpings Södra)
Leon Balogun (Free, Mainz)
Jason Steele (Free, Sunderland)
OUT:
Sam Baldock (£3.5m, Reading)
Connor Goldson (£3m, Rangers)
Jamie Murphy (£1m, Rangers)
Jiri Skalak (£900k, Millwall)
Tim Krul (Free, Norwich)
Niki Mäenpää (Free, Bristol City)
Uwe Huenemeier (Free, Paderborn)
Ales Mateju (Loan, Brescia)
Billy Arce (Loan, Extremadura)
Steve Sidwell (Released)
Liam Rosenior (Released)
Net Spend: £53.0 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Worst Transfer: Florin Andone
Brighton did the bare minimum of staying up last year, but registered some impressive wins including a win against Manchester United. While I don’t think they’re going to do to well this year, at least they’ve brought in a top goalscorer in Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who scored 21 goals and registered 12 assists in the Eredivise. On the same side of the coin their new striker, Florin Andone, isn’t a regular goalscorer so it remains to see how much of an impact he will have in the team.
Grade: C+
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Worst Transfer: Florin Andone
The signing of Jahanbakhsh completes a very fun attacking trio with last season’s top signing Pascal Groß and the emerging Jose Izquierdo. They will have to provide a lot of goals, because I’m not sure Andone is the answer to their striker problems. He’s a solid striker, but nothing more, hence the price. Balogun on a free is nice business, while Bernardo and Montoya are both desperately needed side-backs.
Grade: B
Burnley
Transfers:
IN:
Ben Gibson (£15.2m, Middlesbrough)
Matej Vydra (£11m, Derby)
Joe Hart (£3.5m, Man City)
OUT:
Scott Arfield (Free, Rangers)
Tom Anderson (Free, Doncaster)
Dean Marney (Free, Fleetwood)
Chris Long (Free, Fleetwood)
Net Spend: £29.7 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Ben Gibson
Worst Transfer: Matej Vydra
Not quite the signings you’d expect from a 7th placed team, but just the signings you’d expect from Burnley. They need depth more than anything and Gibson is a perfect third option with Mee and Tarkowski. Other than that though, how are they going to survive a Europa League season with a lack of new blood? £11 million is too much for a Championship level striker in Vydra and Joe Hart is past it, even if he only serves as a backup/cup player until Pope returns.
Grade: D+
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Ben Gibson
Worst Transfer: Dean Marney
If Burnley want to compete in the Premier League like they miraculously last season, they need to have dipped more into the transfer window. While Ben Gibson is a perfectly fine signing, you are hard-pressed to do well, especially with the added potential of Europa League play. It’s a shame that they let go off one of their longest serving players, Dean Marney, especially right before the Europa League. Big shame!
Grade: D-
Cardiff
Transfers:
IN:
Josh Murphy (£10.2m, Norwich)
Bobby Reid (£10.2m, Bristol City)
Greg Cunningham (£3.6m, Preston)
Alex Smithies (£3.6m, QPR)
Victor Camarasa (Loan, Real Betis)
Harry Arter (Loan, Bournemouth)
OUT:
Matty Kennedy (Free, St. Johnstone)
Ben Wilson (Free, Bradford)
Greg Halford (Released)
Net Spend: £27.6 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Bobby Reid
Worst Transfer: Alex Smithies
It’s safe to say that Cardiff City will be flirting with relegation this season. While they haven’t done any major signings, they’ve done signings that will try and help them stay up. Personally, I’m a fan of Bobby Reid and I think he could potentially have a huge season.
Grade: C+
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Bobby Reid
Worst Transfer: Greg Cunningham
Two exciting additions offensively in Bobby Reid and Josh Murphy, who can introduce themselves on the big stage after good pre-seasons. They both come from the Championship, but are Premier League level players. Not sure if the same can be said about Cunningham and Smithies and I’d like to see them sign a clear starter in midfield. They still look like a Championship team to me.
Grade: C
Chelsea
Transfers:
IN:
Kepa Arrizabalaga (£71.6m, Atletic Bilbao)
Jorginho (£51.3m, Napoli)
Mateo Kovacic (Loan, Real Madrid)
Robert Green (Free, Huddersfield)
OUT:
Thibaut Courtois (£31.5m, Real Madrid)
Kurt Zouma (Loan, Everton)
Mario Pasalic (Loan, Atalanta)
Kenedy (Loan, Newcastle)
Matt Miazga (Loan, Nantes)
Net Spend: £91.4 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Jorginho
Worst Transfer: Thibaut Courtois
Spending £40.1 million to downgrade your goalkeeper isn’t ideal, but it’s better than getting someone like Butland for half the cost of Kepa. Kepa is only 23 years old and has a chance of becoming better than Courtois, and his passing skills are more suited for Sarri anyway. Besides that, Chelsea have done really good business. Jorginho will be vital for them and a revelation for PL faithful, while Kovacic completes a midfield that had nothing besides N’Golo Kanté, but now looks like one of the league’s absolute best. It would be nice to have £35 million extra for a new exciting offensive player like the long rumoured Golovin who ended up in Monaco, but it is what it is.
Grade: B
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Jorginho
Worst Transfer: Thibaut Courtois
Chelsea have pulled one out of the bag by signing Jorginho who in my eyes could be one of the strongest signings in the world, maybe only behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately, Chelsea will be losing Courtois, which is going to be one of the biggest blows. Getting Kepa however is a step towards the right direction as I’ve been an admirer of the goalkeeper since two years back. Mateo Kovacic is also a huge signing, considering we never got to see the real Kovacic at Real Madrid (similar to how James Rodriguez never got a chance). In the end, signing Jorginho makes their grade significantly higher.
Grade: B+
Crystal Palace
Transfers:
IN:
Cheikhou Kouyaté (£9.6m, West Ham)
Max Meyer (Free, Schalke)
Vicente Guaita (Free, Getafe)
Jordan Ayew (Loan, Swansea)
OUT:
Yohan Cabaye (Free, Al Nasr)
Damien Delaney (Free, Cork)
Bakary Sako (Released)
Diego Cavalieri (Released)
Lee Chung-yong (Released)
Net Spend: £9.6 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Max Meyer
Worst Transfer: Cheikhou Kouyaté
I’m a huge fan of Max Meyer, despite Max Meyer’s biggest fan being Max Meyer. While his ego might have cost him a move to a bigger club, I think the #MeyerOfLondon will prove everyone why he’s such a huge talent. Cheikhou Kouyaté has always shown flashes of why he could be great, but personally, I never felt that he quite could deliver. A change of scenery in London might just do the trick!
Grade: C-
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Max Meyer
Worst Transfer: Yohan Cabaye
Max Meyer was linked with bigger clubs, but I think Crystal Palace might be the perfect level for him. I’m still unsure where he’ll fit into the team, but is talented enough to make anything work. Kouyaté ran his course with West Ham, but a new chance with a different team might be what he needs. At the very least he’ll be a good and popular locker room presence and he should fit into Hodgson’s style of play. I really hope Guaita gets the chance over Hennessey, unlike Mandanda did. Jordan Ayew might shift Zaha back as a winger although I wonder if he’s an upgrade over Sørloth anyway.
Grade: C+
Everton
Transfers:
In:
Richarlison (£35.2m, Watford)
Yerry Mina (£27m, Barcelona)
Lucas Digne (£18.1m, Barcelona)
Andre Gomes (Loan, Barcelona)
Kurt Zouma (Loan, Chelsea)
Bernard (Free, Shakhtar Donetsk)
Out:
Davy Klaassen (£12.1m, Werder Bremen)
Ramiro Funes Mori (£8.1m, Villarreal)
Wayne Rooney (Free, D.C. United)
Joel Robles (Free, Real Betis)
Henry Onyekuru (Loan, Galatasaray)
Kevin Mirallas (Loan, Fiorentina)
Ashley Williams (Loan, Stoke)
Net Spend: £68.2 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Yerry Mina
Worst Transfer: Davy Klaassen
I was shocked initially when I saw Richarlison’s price tag (reported as £50 mill), but once the real transfer figure was revealed and I remembered how good he was under Marco Silva before he fizzled out without him in a grueling season, my mind changed. Adding Bernard on top of that is a bit puzzling, but for free you have to do it. The most important thing was strengthening their defence and they did that by signing Mina on deadline day and Digne a bit earlier in the window. Andre Gomes fills in the spot next to Gana Gueye and can return to the form he seems to have lost in Barcelona.
Grade: A+
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Richarlison
Worst Transfer: Davy Klaassen
Being an Evertonian is a lot of fun but can be very challenging. The School of Science might be back thanks to the signing of Richarlison, but it remains to see just how much better he will be at Everton compared to Watford. I was big on Davy Klaasen before he came to Everton and I’m sad to see him go, he never got a real chance and selling him for half the price he came for is another stinger. Extremely happy to see Yerry Mina come in as I feel that he could reach the heights of his potential with Everton.
Grade: B+
Fulham
Transfers:
IN:
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£30m, Marseille)
Jean Michael Seri (£27m, Nice)
Aleksandar Mitrovic (£18.1m, Newcastle)
Alfie Mawson (£15.1m, Swansea)
Joe Bryan (£6m, Bristol City)
Fabricio “Fabri” Agosto (£5.4m, Besiktas)
Maxime Le Marchand (£3.6m, Nice)
André Schürrle (Loan, Borussia Dortmund)
Calum Chambers (Loan, Arsenal)
Sergio Rico (Loan, Sevilla)
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Loan, Manchester United)
Luciano Vietto (Loan, Atletico Madrid)
OUT:
David Button (£4m, Brighton)
Ryan Fredericks (Free, West Ham)
Net Spend: £101.2 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Jean Michael Seri
Worst Transfer: Ryan Fredericks
I am personally so happy that Fulham are back in the Premier League. They are a classic side who deserve to be on the top. Speaking of top, Jean Michael Seri is a top player, I still can’t believe Fulham signed him (as I wanted Barcelona to sign him when we had the chance). You know what isn’t top? Losing Ryan Fredericks on a free transfer. West Ham fans like Mathias will be very happy with that. Though it has to be said that getting Sergio Rico and Calum Chambers was smart. Fulham will be an interesting team to follow this season!
Grade: B
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Jean Michel Seri
Worst Transfer: Andre Schürrle
It feels like Fulham are punching above their weight with some of their signings like Seri and Mawson. Getting Mitrovic on a permanent is vital for them and worth the high price. They still need to continue to fill out their squad, but their starting XI is solid as long as Sessegnon gets to play offensively. Whoever wins out between Rico and Fabri is an upgrade at GK, but losing Fredericks for nothing is not. Not sure if Schürrle will be worth it, but it’s low risk on loan. The extra depth they added in defence on deadline day was also needed and having an alternative to Mitrovic in Vietto is good business. Breaking the bank to sign Anguissa has to be exciting for Fulham fans and takes their spending to over £100 million!
Grade: B
Huddersfield
Transfers:
IN:
Terence Kongolo (£18m, Monaco)
Adama Diakhaby (£9m, Monaco)
Ramadan Sobhi (£5.8m, Stoke)
Florent Hadergjonaj (£4.5m, Ingolstadt)
Juninho Bacuna (£2.2m, Groningen)
Jonas Lössl (£2.2m, Mainz)
Isaac Mbenza (Loan, Montpellier)
Ben Hamer (Free, Leicester)
Erik Durm (Free, Borussia Dortmund)
OUT:
Tom Ince (£10m, Stoke)
Jordan Williams (£?, Barnsley)
Tareiq Holmes-Dennis (£?, Bristol Rovers)
Sean Scannell (£?, Bradford)
Robert Green (Free, Chelsea)
Dean Whitehead (Retired)
Scott Malone (£?, Derby)
Michael Hefele (£300k, Nottingham Forest)
Net Spend: £31.4 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Terence Kongolo
Worst Transfer: Scott Malone
Hmm.. I like the fact that David Wagner is trying to develop young players, but heading into a difficult 2nd season where they are expected to go down, I don’t think they’ve done enough to stay up. None of the signings are bad. Kongolo did well last season, Diakhaby has some interesting qualities, Hadergjonaj is a solid right-back, Lössl for £2 million is a bargain and I’ve always liked Sobhi. Unlike a team like Brighton however, they don’t have a star signing they can build around. It’s up to Wagner to create that star and I hope it’s enough, but I’m afraid they are going down.
Grade: C
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Terence Kongolo
Worst Transfer: Tom Ince
Huddersfield will be going down this season. It will require a miracle to keep them up and unfortunately none of the signings are good enough to avoid the relegation battle, despite being a big fan of Kongolo. It’s a shame, because their story of getting promoted was fantastic, but their story of getting relegated this season, will be nothing short of tragic.
Grade: C-
Leicester
Transfers:
IN:
James Maddison (£22.5m, Norwich)
Ricardo Pereira (£19.8m, Porto)
Caglar Söyüncü (£19m, Freiburg)
Filip Benkovic (£13m, Dinamo Zagreb)
Rachid Ghezzal (£12.6m, Lyon)
Danny Ward (£12.6m, Liverpool)
Jonny Evans (£3.6m, West Brom)
OUT:
Riyad Mahrez (£61m, Man City)
Ahmed Musa (£14.8m, Al-Nassr)
Ben Hamer (Free, Huddersfield)
Aleksandar Dragovic (Loan Return, Bayer Leverkusen)
Islam Slimani (Loan, Fenerbahce)
Leonardo Ulloa (£?, C.F Pachuca)
Robert Huth (Released)
Net Spend: £27.3 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: James Maddison
Worst Transfer: Danny Ward
Leicester fans will be extremely upset over losing Mahrez, but let’s be honest, it’s been on the cards ever since Leicester won the Premier League. James Maddison and Rachid Ghezzal are two excellent replacements, who could both be potential picks in FPL. Ricardo Pereira and Johnny Evans are both great purchases as Leicester have really pulled one of the bag by doing some smart transfers as they might go for a cup run or even try to get a Europa League spot. Great transfer window!
Grade: B
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: James Maddison
Worst Transfer: Danny Ward
I tend to love Leicester’s transfer windows and this time it’s not different. I really liked what I saw from James Maddison in the Championship and can’t wait to see him in the Premier League. Ricardo Pereira will be an attraction at right back and a true upgrade over Simpson. Johnny Evans is an absolute bargain for only £3 million and will help sort out Leicester’s biggest weakness. Losing Mahrez sucks, but they get some of it back with Maddison/Ghezzal and they strengthen everywhere else and managed to keep Maguire. Adding Benkovic and especially Söyüncü is the cherry on top.
Grade: A-
Liverpool
Transfers:
IN:
Alisson (£56.2m, Roma)
Naby Keita (£54m, RB Leipzig)
Fabinho (£40.5m, Monaco)
Xherdan Shaqiri (£13.2m, Stoke City)
OUT:
Danny Ward (£12.6m, Leicester)
Emre Can (Free, Juventus)
Jon Flanagan (Free, Rangers)
Ben Woodburn (Loan, Sheffield Utd)
Harry Wilson (Loan, Derby)
Ádám Bogdán (Loan, Hibernian)
Net Spend: £151.3 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Naby Keita
Worst Transfer: Emre Can
Woah… Jürgen Klopp is not worried about spending big money anymore. Hypocritical or not, Liverpool are strengthened everywhere and are going Champions or bust. Alisson, Fabinho and especially Naby Keita will dominate the Premier League for years to come and swapping now 4th choice GK Ward for Shaqiri is fantastic business. Only the extremely high cost knocks them down a peg.
Grade: A-
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Naby Keita
Worst Transfer: Emre Can
Liverpool did exactly what they needed to do to continue the resurgence of the club. New goalkeeper? Brought in the Brazilian number 1, Alisson. New CM’s? Brought in Naby Keita and Fabinho. New winger to cover for the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamblain and more squad depth? Brought in Xherdan Shaqiri! They have won the Premier League transfer window, but the only reason why don’t get full marks is because they haven’t signed a new centre-back and that they allowed Emre Can to leave on a free transfer. (I am fully aware that they have the best centre-back in the world, Dejan Lovren)
Grade: A
Manchester City
Transfers:
IN:
Riyad Mahrez (£61m, Leicester)
Philippe Sandler (£2.2m, PEC Zwolle)
Claudio Gomez (Free, PSG)
Daniel Arzani (£?, Melbourne City)
OUT:
Angus Gunn (£10.1m, Southampton)
Joe Hart (£3.5m, Burnley)
Olarenwaju Kayode (£2.7m, Shakhtar Donetsk)
Pablo Maffeo (Free, Stuttgart)
Yaya Toure (Released)
Net Spend: £46.9 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Yaya Toure
Worst Transfer: Pablo Maffeo
You might be surprised why I didn’t pick Riyad Mahrez as the best transfer. It goes without saying that he was the best transfer but they got rid of locker-room cancer, Yaya Toure. It will do wonders for the squad morale to get rid of such an ego-struck player and extremely annoying and vocal agent (I mean he once complained that they didn’t get Yaya Toure a cake and made that into a big deal). Riyad Mahrez is going to have a big year under Pep, but you have to feel for a lot of the players at the club as Manchester City have crazy squad depth when it comes to wingers. The only minus I can say is that City screwed up by letting Pablo Maffeo leave on a free, especially after the huge year he had at Girona.
Grade: B
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Riyad Mahrez
Worst Transfer: Pablo Maffeo
Swooping up Claudio Gomez from PSG is cool, but the main headline from Man City’s transfer window (except the Jorginho saga) is Riyad Mahrez. I’m a huge fan of Mahrez and now that it seems like it won’t stop Bernardo Silva from getting playing time, I like the signing even more. Winger wasn’t the #1 priority for me for City however. Someone to help out the 33 year old Fernandinho and the injury prone Gundogan would be it. Mahrez could provide the spark to make them go back to back however.
Grade: B-
Manchester United
Transfers:
IN:
Fred (£53.1m, Shakhtar)
Diogo Dalot (£19.8m, Porto)
Lee Grant (£1.5m, Stoke)
Andreas Pereira (Loan Return, Valencia)
OUT:
Daley Blind (£14.4m, Ajax)
Sam Johnstone (£6.6m, West Brom)
Axel Tuanzebe (Loan, Aston Villa)
Michael Carrick (Retired)
Net Spend: £53.4 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Diogo Dalot
Worst Transfer: Lee Grant
I really really really love the signings they did do – Dalot and Fred will be mainstays for a long time – but their apathy both in terms of strengthening more and selling superfluous players makes the window feel like a bit of a downer in the end. They need to sort out the Martial situation and replace him if they do sell. A CB signing like Liverpool got with van Dijk in January was very much needed. The 5 CBs currently with the team are all sort of equal, but besides the injury prone Bailly, no one sticks out.
Grade: C+
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Fred
Worst Transfer: Lee Grant
Manchester United fans should be so happy that they signed Fred. Why? Well, he’s the key behind getting the best out of Pogba, something that Manchester United fans have felt they still haven’t really seen. Why on earth did they sign Lee Grant? Guess a mediocre manager signs a mediocre player. Can’t wait to get a lot of hate from Manchester United fans for that one. Manchester United fans should consider themselves lucky that they kept David De Gea!
Grade: C+
Newcastle United
Transfers:
IN:
Yoshinori Muto (£9.6m, Mainz)
Mikel Merino (£6.3m, Dortmund)
Federico Fernandez (£6m, Swansea)
Martin Dúbravka (£3.6m, Sparta Prague)
Fabian Schär (£3.6m, Deportivo La Coruña)
Ki Sung-yueng (Free, Swansea)
Kenedy (Loan, Chelsea)
Salomon Rondon (Loan, West Brom)
OUT:
Aleksandar Mitrovic (£18.1m, Fulham)
Mikel Merino (£10.8m, Real Sociedad)
Chancel Mbemba (£7.2m, Porto)
Matz Sels (£3.6m, Strasbourg)
Ivan Toney (£?, Peterborough)
Dwight Gayle (Loan, West Brom)
Massadio Haïdara (Free, Lens)
Stuart Findlay (Free, Kilmarnock)
Jesus Gamez (Released)
Net Spend: -£10.6 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Salomon Rondon
Worst Transfer: Yoshinori Muto
There isn’t much to say about Newcastle’s transfer window other than they finally got a decent striker in Salomon Rondon. None of the other players are that great, especially Yoshinori Muto who I believe is an extremely underwhelming signing. Benitez surely isn’t too happy.
Grade: C-
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Salomon Rondon
Worst Transfer: Yoshinori Muto
Mike Ashley isn’t ridding himself of his reputation of looking to save money with this transfer window. The “Out” section looks decent by itself, but the “In” section lacks some punch. Dubravka and Schär are low risk and decent signings and I’m a fan of Rondon and his guaranteed 7-10 goals per season. The player they spent the most on is Japan’s 3rd choice striker who I like, but is neither a world beater or often healthy.
Grade: C
Southampton
Transfers:
IN:
Jannik Vestergaard (£22.5m, Borussia Monchengladbach)
Mohamed Elyounoussi (£16.2m, Basel)
Angus Gunn (£10.1m, Man City)
Stuart Armstrong (£7.1m, Celtic)
Danny Ings (Loan, Liverpool)
OUT:
Dusan Tadic (£10.2m, Ajax)
Sofiane Boufal (Loan, Celta)
Guido Carrillo (Loan, Leganes)
Florin Gardos (Free, Craiova)
Jeremy Pied (Released)
Stuart Taylor (Released)
Net Spend: £45.7 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Jannik Vestergaard
Worst Transfer: Dusan Tadic
After a disappointing season, Southampton have finally brought in more influential players than they have sold, even with Tadic going to Ajax. I think highly of Boufal, but he never worked out. Their Tadic replacement is instead “Moi” Elyounoussi who might be more suited for the Premier League anyway. Vestergaard is the big body in defence they have lacked since van Dijk was on the outs. Armstrong is a cheap and shrewd signing, but I’m not sure Gunn pans out. Danny Ings is an interesting alternative up front and should be better than Gabbiadini when Austin inevitably gets hurt.
Grade: B
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Jannik Vestergaard
Worst Transfer: Dusan Tadic & Soufiane Boufal.
Southampton are lucky not to have been relegated last year. One of the biggest reason’s why they weren’t was Dusan Tadic. So what do they do? Sell him to Ajax… Sure. They might not have a choice but they should have tried to keep him. I am a huge fan of all the signings they did which finally shows some intent, especially Vestergaard who is a great talent. Half decent transfer window, but will get a lower grade for also loaning Boufal out.
Grade: C+
Tottenham
Transfers:
IN:
–
OUT:
–
Net Spend: –
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: X
Worst Transfer: X
I don’t understand Tottenham. But what I do understand is that they’re getting an F. What a failed transfer window.
Grade: F
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: X
Worst Transfer: X
If you hand in a blank piece of paper in school, you get an F. The Premier League Summer transfer window recap is no different.
Grade: F
Watford
Transfers:
IN:
Gerard Deulofeu (£11.7m, Barcelona)
Adam Masina (£4.5m, Bologna)
Ben Foster (£4m, West Bromwich)
Ken Sema (£2m, Östersund)
Marc Navarro (£1.8m, Espanyol)
Ben Wilmot (£1.5m, Stevenage)
Domingos Quina (£1m, West Ham)
OUT:
Richarlison (£35.2m, Everton)
Nordin Amrabat (£7.6m, Al-Nassr)
Mauro Zarate (£2m, Boca Juniors)
Costel Pantilimon (£?, Nottingham Forest)
Alex Jakubiak (Loan, Bristol Rovers)
Net Spend: -£18.3 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Ken Sema
Worst Transfer: Adam Masina
Watford continue with a high amount of transfer activity in a bid to have 20+ fairly even players and star Abdoulaye Doucouré. I don’t think this moves the needle enough for a Watford team that more than anything needs stability and true starting XI leaders. None of the transfers are bad, the low-risk cost is too small for that, but other than Sema, I don’t think they’ll can have a huge impact. Ben Foster, a true #1 GK is nice however.
Grade: C-
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Ken Sema
Worst Transfer: Marc Navarro
Ken Sema, also pronounced Kensema (by me, an idiot), is a huge Swedish talent. I say huge, because… well… have you seen the size of him? If he lives up to his potential, you’re looking at Akinfenwa running down the wing (okay, slight exaggeration). Nevertheless, Deulofeu might finally have found a home in Watford and they pulled one out of the bag by signing Ben Foster. I still think Navarro is Espanyol scum, but also geuninely kind of lacklustre.
Grade: C
West Ham
Transfers:
IN:
Felipe Anderson (£34.2m, Lazio)
Issa Diop (£22.5m, Toulouse)
Andrij Yarmolenko (£18m, Dortmund)
Lukasz Fabianski (£7.2m, Swansea)
Lucas Perez (£4m, Arsenal)
Fabian Balbuena (£3.6m, Corinthians)
Carlos Sanchez (£?, Fiorentina)
Ryan Fredericks (Free, Fulham)
Jack Wilshere (Free, Arsenal)
OUT:
Cheikhou Kouyaté (£9.6m, Crystal Palace)
Reece Burke (£1.5m, Hull)
Domingos Quina (£1m, Watford)
João Mario (Loan Return, Inter)
Sead Hakšabanović (Loan, Malaga)
Jordan Hugill (Loan, Middlesbrough)
James Collins (Released)
Patrice Evra (Released)
Net Spend: £77.4 million
Verdict:
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: Felipe Anderson
Worst Transfer: Patrice Evra
As much as I hate Mathias, West Ham may have won the transfer window in 2018. Unlike someone who cares about the price tag, I know exactly what West Ham are getting which is a combination of talent, flair and experience. Who can diss the signings of Diop, Anderson, Yarmolenko, Fabianski and Balbuena. Plus getting Ryan Fredericks and Jack Wilshere on a free? Hot damn. The only downside is that they released Patrice Evra on a free. Do they not love this game?
Grade: A
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Ryan Fredericks
Worst Transfer: James Collins
Wow. Did West Ham finally spend money or what? West Ham fans like myself are excited and every signing could be part of the starting XI. Fredericks is exactly what’s needed, without spending anything. Yarmolenko and Anderson are exciting talents, even with the high combined price. Fabianski is a solid #1 with many years left. Jack Wilshere (if fit) is terrific and comes home. The centre backs Balbuena and Diop might both be gems, one for the short term and one for the long term. Apart from some high prices, only the poor handling of James Collins’ departure and not being able to deal with Quina’s agent is a downer. Even if Lucas Perez doesn’t become a starter, £4 million is a bargain, while Carlos Sanchez is likely only an experienced backup for soon to be breakout DM Declan Rice.
Grade: B+
Wolverhampton
Transfers:
IN:
Adama Traore (£18.1m, Middlesbrough)
Diogo Jota (£12.6m, Atlético Madrid)
Willy Boly (£10.8m, Porto)
Benik Afobe (£10.2m, AFC Bournemouth)
João Moutinho (£5m, Monaco)
Leo Bonatini (£3.6m, Al-Hilal)
Ruben Vinagre (£?, Monaco)
John Kitolano (£?, Odds BK)
Raúl Jiménez (Loan, Benfica)
Jonny Castro (Loan, Atlético Madrid)
Leander Dendoncker (Loan, Anderlecht)
Rui Patrício (Free, Sporting Lisbon)
OUT:
Barry Douglas (£3m, Leeds)
Ben Marshall (£1.5m, Norwich)
Duckens Nazon (£?, STVV)
Prince Oniangué (£?, Caen)
Benik Afobe (Loan, Stoke)
Jon Flatt (Free, Scunthorpe)
Net Spend: £55.8 million
Verdict:
@Maefteda:
Best Transfer: Diogo Jota
Worst Transfer: Raul Jimenez
Tempted to pick more than one “best transfer” here. I ended up selecting Jota who is the best mixture of being proven and having loads of potential. Moutinho and Patricio are too proven to play for a newly promoted team and cost only £5 million(!?). Adama Traore still has unlimited potential. He added some much needed end product last season, but still has a long way to go. I don’t think Jimenez is the striker answer, but that’s the only drawback. If Dendoncker is on a loan with a £12m obligation to buy, that might be their best transfer. He can step into the third and slightly shaky centre back spot or be a direct replacement for Neves once he gets a big money move to a major club. Almost perfect.
Grade: A
@KevNissanka:
Best Transfer: João Moutinho
Worst Transfer: Raul Jimenez
Wolverhampton are probably going to beat Everton on the opening weekend of the Premier League. It will hurt. But what can be said about Wolverhampton that hasn’t already been said? Nothing really. They killed the Championship last season, they killed the transfer window and now it remains to see how well they will do in the Premier League. Signing Moutinho for £5 million and getting Leander Dendoncker on loan is just absurd. You know what else is absurd? How bad Raul Jimenez is. Him and the fact that they haven’t recruited one more decent centre-back is the reason why they didn’t get an A.
Grade: B+