Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:26 pm
TEAMtalk guest Dan Heald examines all 20 Premier League clubs' transfer business so far and picks out some of the most eye-catching deals.
This summer's transfer window has been a frantic one for most Premier League clubs. Some have strengthened their squads early in early pre-season, while others have been frustrated by their failure to secure their main targets.
The likes of Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool have found their own star players involved in protracted and ongoing transfer sagas, with uncertainty surrounding the futures of several key players .
Though the transfer window closes on September 2 and there is opportunity for clubs to make late acquisitions, this feature looks at the most eye-catching signings made by Premier League sides thus far.
Arsenal: Arsene Wenger has made no secret of his willingness to spend big this summer. The likes of Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Wayne Rooney have all been rumoured targets, but a marquee signing is yet to materialise at the Emirates. The one confirmed signing made by Wenger is France U21 forward Yaya Sanogo. Out of contract at Auxerre, the striker impressed Wenger with nine goals in 12 games upon his return from serious injury in December 2012. Though unlikely to displace first-choice striker Olivier Giroud, Sanogo may offer a viable alternative up front with Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho both headed for the exit door.
Aston Villa: Villa manager Paul Lambert's business was conducted promptly this summer. His continued perseverance with youth was evident in his recruitment of six players all aged 23 or under. All are untested at Premier League level but the most notable signing is surely Denmark centre-back Jores Okore. The 20-year-old was signed from FC Nordsjaelland for £4 million in June. A tenacious and combative presence in defence, his impressive performances in the Champions League belied his young age, and drew admiring glances from Chelsea, who tried unsuccessfully to sign him. As a partner to Ron Vlaar or Nathan Baker, Okore may prove a crucial addition to Villa's starting XI and provide much needed reinforcement to their leaky defence.
Cardiff: Of the four signings made by newly-promoted Cardiff City, the most remarkable was the £8.2million capture of Steven Caulker from Spurs.
Despite their impressive defensive record in last season's Championship winning season, Malky Mackay is mindful of their need to strengthen for their debut Premier League season. His defence was already bolstered by the signing of Derby right-back John Brayford, but Caulker's two years of Premier League experience will prove invaluable for the Bluebirds.
Caulker has already been capped for England and will look to flourish as a first team regular for the South Wales side.
Chelsea: After returning for his second spell as Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho's first major summer signing was the sought-after Germany international Andre Schurrle. At a cost of £18million, the former Bayer Leverkusen man will augment Chelsea's already impressive midfield. Most often deployed as a left-sided attacker, Schurrle scored 13 times for Leverkusen last season and provided eight assists.
Chelsea are already blessed with the attacking midfield options of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Oscar, Frank Lampard, Victor Moses and Kevin de Bruyne. But the German will provide much-needed width to their attacking options. His flair for shooting from distance, plus excellent passing and dribbling talents, may see him command a regular starting position under Mourinho.
Crystal Palace: After securing Palace's return to the Premier League via the play-offs, Ian Holloway has made five additions to his squad so far this summer.
He has arguably made the riskiest signing of the window far by paying a club-record fee for Peterborough United striker Dwight Gayle, who has cost an eye-watering £6million.
A decent finisher at Championship level (13 goals in 29 games last season), doubts remain over the player's ability to adapt to top-level football so quickly. As recently as January 2012, Gayle was playing in the Conference North for Bishop's Stortford before his eventual £500,000 move to Peterborough.
It's likely that Palace will add another striker to their ranks to share the task of goalscoring with Gayle. Last season's top scorer, Glenn Murray, is expected to be unavailable through injury until December.
Everton: The first recruit to Everton manager Roberto Martinez's squad was striker Arouna Kone from former club Wigan. Despite suffering relegation with Latics, the 29-year-old Ivorian impressed in his first season in England with 11 goals in 33 games and was a key part of the FA Cup winning team under Martinez.
Although the striker lacks the finishing prowess many might hope for from an Everton centre-forward, or the physical presence of Victor Anichebe, Kone is a pacy and direct forward who will also offer Everton an added aerial threat in attack.
Fulham: Martin Jol's recent loan signing of Adel Taraabt may provide the creative spark in Fulham's midfield which was largely absent last season. However, Jol's standout summer signing is Dutch international goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Mark Schwarzer's transfer to west London rivals Chelsea meant that Jol was forced into finding a new custodian for the Cottagers.
At 30 years of age, Stekelenburg has Champions League experience with Ajax, and played brilliantly for Holland in their 2010 World Cup final against Spain.
Stekelenburg has all of the requisite qualities to be a great goalkeeper in the Premier League and to become a worthy successor to his Australian predecessor.
Hull City: If the Tigers are to avoid relegation this season it is vital that Steve Bruce is able to enlist players of established quality and experience to supplement his existing squad.
Despite finishing second last season, Hull were only the 14th-highest scorers in the league and a lack of quality within the squad was obvious at times. A goalscorer (or two) are also vital to Hull's chances of survival, particularly since Charlie Austin's deal collapsed after a failed medical.
The signing of Wigan's Maynor Figueroa, however, typifies the type of hardworking player that Bruce will need in his side this year. The left-footed centre-half can also be deployed at full-back and his versatility, athleticism (and experience of relegation dogfights) will be a valuable asset to Bruce's side.
Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers has endured a mixed transfer window so far. The acrimony surrounding Luis Suarez's inevitable departure has soured the positivity of Liverpool's productive preseason campaign. Rodgers looks likely to lose the Uruguyan striker, and his decision to replace goalkeeper Pepe Reina with Simon Mignolet left many Liverpool fans bemused.
Much of Liverpool's remaining transfer activity (in terms of marquee signings at least) seems to hinge on a fee for Suarez being agreed.
The most eye-catching of the four new signings made so far is 26 year-old forward Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo. The industrious, left-footed Spaniard has impressed in pre-season - scoring four goals in his six appearances for the Reds so far.
The £6.8million fee may well prove to be a bargain if Aspas can replicate this form in the league.
Manchester City: Manuel Pelligrini has wasted no time in asserting himself at the Etihad Stadium since his arrival in mid-June. His spending this summer is reported to have exceeded £90million as he has raided the continent to acquire four elite players of real quality.
An impressive attacking trio of Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo were Pellegrini's first additions, followed by the £30million capture of Shakhtar Donetsk's Fernandinho.
The Brazilian is a powerful and agile box-to-box defensive midfielder with exceptional tackling and interception abilities. Fernandinho seems to possess all of the necessary attributes to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League and will compliment Yaya Toure in the two-man holding role that City will likely use in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Manchester United: The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Wayne rooney's future at Manchester United has been at the core of most newspaper speculation this summer. His rumoured unhappiness has been played down by club officials but his relationship with the club has become a fractious one.
The paucity of quality creative midifelders at Old Trafford has been David Moyes' chief concern this summer. Rumoured interest in Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara was quashed when the player opted to reunite with former manager Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
Moyes then failed with successive bids for Barcelona playmaker Cesc Fabregas. Whether or not Moyes returns with an improved offer remains to be seen, but a third bid would surely be United's final offer. The sole signing made in his brief tenure so far is Uruguayan full-back Guillermo Varela.
He was signed on a five-year contract from Atletico Penarol in June. The promising 20-year-old would appear to have been signed as cover for Rafael, who cemented his place as first choice right-back last season.
Newcastle: Alan Pardew made no secret of his plans to recruit two new strikers this summer. Once the club's well-publicised dispute with first-choice striker Papiss Cisse was amicably resolved, Pardew remained committed to recruiting extra firepower.
The season-long loan signing of Loic Remy is certainly a positive move by the Magpies, and demonstrates Pardew's capacity for forgiveness (Remy snubbed Newcastle last season to seal a move to QPR).
However, Newcastle should reap the benefits of a dangerous frontman aiming to secure a position in France's World Cup squad for 2014. His strongest assets are his abundant pace, power and his willingness to run at defenders. The striker impressed many in his debut season at Loftus Road despite his side's eventual relegation, and will now become the eleventh French player in Newcastle's squad.
Norwich: Alongside Sunderland, the Canaries have been one of the busiest sides in terms of transfers this summer. A total of 16 players have been either sold or released by Chris Hughton as he undertakes a major overhaul of his squad.
The manager has offset these losses by signing an impressive array of talent which will strengthen his squad throughout. Alongside the likes of Javier Garrido, Leroy Fer, Martin Olsson and Nathan Redmond, Hughton's most high-profile signing was that of in-demand Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel. Coveted by the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham, it was Norwich who won his signature for a club-record fee of £8.5million.
His predatory instincts earned him the nickname The Wolf; a justifiable tag for his scoring record of 28 goals in only 55 appearances for the Portuguese club.
The club's new number nine will excite Norwich's fans, and his signing marks a bold statement of intent from Norwich as they enter their third consecutive top-flight season.
Southampton: The expansive passing game endorsed by Mauricio Pochettino last season won over many critics after the harsh sacking of Nigel Adkins.
Southampton have many quality individuals within their squad, but their survival (and their effective passing style), was a collective effort. Despite their lack of Premier League experience, Gaston Ramirez, Luke Shaw, Morgan Schneiderlin, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert were all consistent performers for Saints.
In an assessment of his squad's weaknesses, Pochettino has sought to reinforce the heart of his defence by adding Dejan Lovren and club-record signing Victor Wanyama from Celtic, to protect the back four.
Wanyama excels in this role as a combative ball winner and his talents will surely complement the attacking midfield threats of Lallana and Ramirez.
Stoke: Mark Hughes has been relatively muted in his transfer dealings as Stoke's new manager. Tasked with promoting a more attractive and attacking brand of football than that of predecessor Tony Pulis, it's surprising that Hughes made defenders Marc Muniesa (on a free from Barcelona) and Erik Pieters (£3.1million from PSV) his first signings.
The Dutchman describes himself as an attacking full-back, which may hint at a more cultured tactical approach for next season.
Stoke has since added Juan Agudelo, with the striker moving to the Brit when his MLS contract expires in January.
Sunderland: In a flurry of incomings and outgoings at the Stadium of Light, Paolo Di Canio has completely revamped his squad this summer. The manager and his scouts have scoured Europe to source seven players from the Italian, Swiss, Portuguese, French, Dutch and Swedish leagues.
The biggest coup among these signings is the attacking midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini. The highly-rated Italian was part of the Serie A winning Juventus side last season and has been capped 14 times for his country.
His skilful displays and tireless running in the searing heat of last month's Confederations Cup were remarkable. His passing and crossing are both excellent, and he is adaptable to roles in both central and wide attacking positions. At a reported cost of £6.5miliion, the Italian seems excellent value in a market of heavily-inflated transfer fees.
Swansea: Fully aware of the exertions of a joint European and league campaign, Michael Laudrup moved swiftly to strengthen Swansea City this summer. Reinforcements were sourced predominantly from La Liga: Jordi Armat from Espanyol, Jose Canas and Alejandro Pozuelo from Real Betis and Jonathan De Guzman on an extended loan deal from Villarreal. Few would doubt Laudrup's acumen in the transfer market after recruiting the likes of Michu and Pablo Hernandez last season. Additionally, Jonjo Shelvey was recruited from Liverpool and a club-record £12million was paid for Vitesse striker Wilfried Bony.
The six-foot Ivorian striker scored 31 goals in 30 games for the Dutch side last season, and his pre-season appearances for the Swans have augured well for the season ahead.
Despite lacking the finesse and craft of some of his Swans team mates, Bony is a powerful and prolific finisher. If the striker can adapt to the Swans' much-admired passing game and improve his positional play, he'll add physicality and a strong aerial threat to their attack.
Tottenham: The fevered speculation surrounding Gareth Bale's future at Spurs has been relentless over the last six weeks. Real Madrid's drawn-out pursuit of the Spurs talisman has overshadowed the quality signings made by Andre Villas-Boas this summer. Having already signed the impressive midfield duo of Paulinho and Nacer Chadli from Corinthians and FC Twente respectively, Villas-Boas also wrested Roberto Soldado from Valencia.
With limited striking options at their disposal, Spurs parted with £26million to acquire one of Europe's most potent forwards.
The 28-year-old Spaniard is a lethal finisher who totalled 80 goals in his 146 appearances for his former club. In his preferred role as a lone striker, the player seems ideally suited a Spurs side who alternated between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formation throughout last season. Soldado will spearhead the Spurs attack, and the prospect of him playing alongside Chadli and Bale (should he stay) will excite Spurs fans.
West Brom: Steve Clarke's side defied expectations to finish eighth in an excellent 2012/13 season for the Baggies. Among the many notable performers within the squad were Youssuf Mulumbu, Shane Long, Claudio Yacob and most significantly, on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker was key to West Brom's success and was the sixth-highest scorer in the Premier League last season with 17 goals in his 35 games.
However, Clarke will enter the new season without his talismanic striker, and will hope that the newly-recruited Nicolas Anelka can deputise in his absence. The veteran 34-year-old Frenchman returns to the league from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua and will now represent the sixth Premier League club of his decorated career.
Though Clarke's team needs strengthening in several areas, the only other new signing is Uruguayan centre-back Diego Lugano from Paris Saint-Germain.
West Ham: Sam Allardyce's side were often (and unfairly) maligned as an unimaginative long-ball side last season. After turning in many fine league performances and eventually achieving a creditable top 10 league position, many critics were forced to acknowledge the achievements of the Hammers.
Allardyce has assembled a solid (if unspectacular) squad which appears well-equipped to handle the rigours of the Premier League. Their only major signing of pre-season so far is the six-year-deal agreed with Liverpool for Andy Carroll. In spite of an injury-hampered loan spell, Carroll still registered seven goals and several assists in his 24 appearances for West Ham last season.
Allardyce reunited the striker with former Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan, and the pair appear to have retained a mutual awareness of each other's game. If Carroll can remain injury-free he should be West Ham's main goal threat next season, though Allardyce will surely seek a replacement for the recently-departed Carlton Cole.
*All facts correct to 9 August*