Arguably the best football league in the world, Premier League nears resumption after a two month break with a couple of international championships in between. As the 8th of August, the date when Premier League action restarts, edges ever closer, so does the summer Transfer Market.
As is often the case with Premier League clubs in the Transfer Market, it’s been a beehive of activities in the Queen’s country with clubs pulling out their fat wallets to lure players and managers to their teams.
It’s rather obvious that some Premier League teams as well as other European teams have been plundered by other big spenders in a bid to bolster their own squads. That said, we take a holistic look at some of the popular transfers and which teams in the Premier League have been the winners and losers in the current transfer window.
Arsenal
The gunners have been a bit lethargic in the transfer market, first landing Nigerian youngster Kelechi Nwakali for €3.5 million from Diamond Academy to bolster their youth set up. Just like his countryman Kelechi Iheanacho at Manchester City, Nwakali was voted best player at the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Chile last year.
However, Nwakali wouldn’t be the focus of Arsenal fans who want a star-striker (any upgrade on Giroud will do) and another marquee signing. Arsene Wenger spotted Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka before a ball was kicked at EURO 2016, and €45 million exchanged hands. Little known youngster Takoma Asano was also brought in from Sanfrecce Hiroshima after Jamie Vardy chose to remain with Leicester where he’s all but king.
It is gradually becoming clear that there will be no ‘super’ striker jetting to North London anytime soon, Jamie Vardy’s snub and a wild goose chase for Gonzalo Higuain (who looks more likely to sign for Juventus) says it all.
Evaluation: LOSER!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed for Manchester United, in the end, ending months of speculation as to his next destination. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
Manchester United
The Red Devils once again flexed their muscle in the current Transfer window. United might not be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season but they’ve been able to attract world-class players from all over Europe to their squad.
The unveiling of Jose Mourinho as head coach may have played a huge role in attracting the likes of Eric Bailly for €38 million from Villarreal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan for €30 million plus bonuses from Dortmund and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. These signings cement United’s desire to compete for the Premier League crown this upcoming season.
With a mega move for Paul Pogba still in the cards, Manchester United could become a force to reckon with once more.
Evaluation: Winner
Guardiola’s already attracted a few big names in the short while he’s been in the office. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester City
Just like the red side of Manchester, the Cityzens have also been pretty busy in the Transfer Market, after luring a master tactician in the shape of Pep Guardiola to the Etihad long before the 2015/16 season was all set and done with.
Ilkay Gundogan was the first arrival following the Spanish coach, signed from Dortmund for €25.5 million, then Spanish forward Nolito followed from Celta for a fee of around €18 million. The signing of midfielders Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aaron Mooy from FC Ufa and Melbourne City both for undisclosed fees did not go unnoticed.
Their acquisitions make it plain that Guardiola doesn’t intend on just handing over the title to Mourinho.
Evaluation: Winner
Batshuayi’s arrival gives a reliable backup, or as rumoured, strike-partner for Costa up-front. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Chelsea
The Blues were hugely disappointing last season, and the tag of ‘reigning Champions’ did them no good as they failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League (a competition which attracts top players to clubs or lures them away).
But Chelsea have not done badly in the Transfer Market, just days ago capturing the signature of N’Golo Kante from reigning champions Leicester City for a fee of approximately £32 million and a wage packet of £150,000 per week. Michy Batshuayi also signed from Marseille for €40 million while moves for Riyad Mahrez and a loan return for Juan Cuadrado from Juventus has also been rumoured.
Chelsea have not only brought in new and impressive additions, but have also managed to keep their players from leaving. Last week, Willian signed a new four year contract, while the likes of Hazard, Oscar, Fabregas, César Azpilicueta, and Courtois all look set to stay.
Evaluation: Winner
Ahmed Musa calls himself “like Jamie Vardy”, and it’s actually a better description than any we could suggest to you. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Leicester City
The Foxes will rue the sale of midfield power-house N’Golo Kante to Chelsea, but the reigning champions have made a few marquee signings to fill the void. Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa moved in from CSKA Moscow for €18 million while striker Raul Uche Rubio was signed from Rayo Vallecano for an undisclosed fee.
Midfielder Nampalys Mendy also joined from Nice for €15 million while defender Luis Hernandez signed on from Sporting Gijon on a free transfer.
Leicester are looking like a team who wants to mount a strong title defence. And who’d dare doubt them this time?
Evaluation: Winner
Pelle’s ridiculous attempt to chip Manuel Neuer in the EURO 2016 quarter-final vs. Germany earned him a move to China and a salary higher than Cristiano Ronaldo’s. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Southampton
Southampton’s football in the last couple of years have impressed many. They have also managed to churn out capable replacements for starters who were snapped up by bigger Premier League clubs, such as Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Morgan Schneiderlin and more recently Sadio Mane and Graziano Pellè.
The signing of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg from Bayern Munich for €15 million and Nathan Redmond from Norwich for €13 million will do little to propel Southampton to anywhere beyond the top six.
Southampton can be real challengers for the Champions League spots in the Premier League if they can keep the array of potential that they turn into match-winners and game-changers from moving away from the club.
Evaluation: LOSER!
