Despite the transfer window still being open for another two months clubs have been busy in an attempt to improve squads, either to challenge for the title or battle against the threat of relegation. As usual giants such as Manchester United and their blue rivals, Manchester City, have been linked to a vast number of players across the globe, from Paul Pogba to James Rodriguez. At this moment in time West Ham are the busiest club with a total of four signings, most notably Sofiane Feghouli, a pacey Algerian winger. One expects however that West Ham's main focus in the transfer window is to keep hold of a certain Dimitri Payet who is depicted as France's saviour at the Euros thus far. In addition to Feghouli which signings leave fans watering at the mouth in anticipation ?
Goalkeeper : Steve Mandanda (Marseille --> Crystal Palace) ~ £1.5 million
The 31 year old is currently a member of France's Euros squad however is yet to feature and unlikely to in the tournament for his home nation. Playing for Palace won't be his first experience of English football after a failed trial with Aston Villa in 2007/2008 saw him join Marseille after pre-season. It seems fail is all too common a word associated with Villa now-a-days ! Mandanda was in fact born in Congo however opted to play for the French national team. The goalkeeper will replace Speroni in net and bring experience to a previously shaky Palace defence with over 500 appearances to his name. A very good signing, at a very good price.
Defender : Eric Bailly (Villareal --> Manchester United) ~ £30 million
Despite being just 22 years of age the Ivory Coast centre back has bags of experience to his name, not only has he featured 35 times for Villareal in the Liga BBVA last season but also guided Ivory Coast to an African Cup of Nations victory in 2015. Manchester United fans will be hoping that Bailly will form a strong partnership with England's Chris Smalling, replacing utility man Blind in doing so. Bailly has pace in abundance for a defender, strength and also confidence on the ball, however some may be worried by his somewhat rash and reckless style. Stats suggest the £30 million may be justified since Villareal kept 17 clean sheets in total last season with Bailly starring in matches against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Defender : Joel Matip (Schalke --> Liverpool ) ~ Free
Defence is always a problem that springs to a Liverpool supporter's mind. Last season Kolo Toure, Alberto Moreno, Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren had all been subject to criticism thanks to dips in form and embarrassing scorelines often due to the inability to defend corners. Matip may appear to be the solution thanks to the fact he's 6ft3 and won as many as 117 headers for Schalke previously - more than any other Liverpool player last season. The Cameroonian's talents don't end there as he can play further up the pitch in front of the defence and has acquired 23 goals to his name in the past seven seasons as a result. Benteke, watch and learn ! What's more he was free !
Defender : Luis Hernandez Rodriguez (Sporting Gijon --> Leicester City) ~ Free
The 27 year old is relatively unknown in the English Premier League and he is not expected to displace Wes Morgan nor Robert Huth from their starting spots in central defence for the current champions. Leicester fans are unlikely to be entirely convinced after the new signing's former club, Sporting Gijon, only survived relegation to the Spanish second division by a single point having conceded 62 times compared to Leicester's 36 goals last season. Leicester will be hoping Rodriguez does not bring such a sloppy defence to the King Power Stadium next season. At the end of the day he is a fresh addition to a squad in need of further depth.
Central Defensive Midfield : Victor Wanyama (Southampton --> Tottenham Hotspur) ~ £11 million
An overdue transfer. Wanyama has been linked with a move to North London for some time yet it was a surprise that Spurs swooped in ahead of rivals Arsenal. With the promising likes of Dier and Dembele as well as Alderweireld and Vertonghen one would feel that Tottenham's defence was not a priority for improvement. However, former Southampton manager Pochettino clearly disagrees and was reunited with the Kenyan captain. It's unclear whether Wanyama will slot in alongside Dier or simply act as cover for the English midfielder, all the same £11 million for Wanyama is a good purchase.
Central Midfield : Granit Xhaka (Bourussia Monchengladbach --> Arsenal) ~ £30 million
Arsenal opted for the Swiss captain ahead of Wanyama, whilst Wanyama's role is to regain possession Xhaka's is to distribute it, by consequence he has been referred to as a 'young Schweinsteiger' and additionally 'Pirlo'. Xhaka fits into the Arsenal style incredibly well since he has a strong focuses on maintaining possession, stats at the Euros of 89% pass accuracy and 10 chances created support this. Arsenal fans will also miserably note that Xhaka missed a penalty against Poland in the knock out stages, they certainly hope he'll provide better accuracy next season. Overall Arsenal fans will be pleased to see Wenger splashing the cash, less so on a position already highly contended by the likes of Wilshire,Ramsey, Cazorla and Coquelin.
Central Midfield : Ilkay Gundogan (Bourussia Dortmund --> Manchester City) ~ £20 million
The 25 year old has suffered from a long term knee injury as of late which has reduced his appearences for Dortmund to just 16 this season and 15 for Germany in total. When compared to Xhaka and Wanyama Gundogan will most likely get much further forward and test the keeper from distance. Man city will see him as a replacement for the wilting Yaya Toure, one expects him to appear alongside Fernandinio. Whilst the German does not possess the same driving force as Toure he offers energy and accurate distribution in the heart of the Manchester City midfield. A very tidy acquisition.
Central Attacking Midfield : Sadio Mane (Southampton --> Scousehampton*) ~ £36 million.
*Liverpool FC
The former Southampton mane (pun intended) follows the likes of Clyne,Lovren and Lallana to Merseyside for a whopping £36 million which is certain to leave Southampton owners very happio and less Sadio at the former's departure. Mane will provide sheer pace, fantastic movement as well as goals to Liverpool's attack, in fact Mane has acquired 36 goals and assists in just over 70 Southampton appearances. However questions over the transfer have been raised :
Is he worth £36 million ?
Where would he fit into the Liverpool set up ?
Is he a winger, CAM or striker ?
Mane can be a very inconsistent player, last season he went a run of 13 games without scoring or assisting which, along with poor discipline on and off the pitch, left the majority of Southampton fans smug with the highly expensive sale. It is thought that Mane will play out wide for Liverpool and provide them with the pace and ability to go past players that they had lost since Sterling's departure and Sturridge's injury crisis. However Mane's adaptibility could see him at striker where he can run in behind defences or also as the central CAM in a 4-2-3-1 formation supported by Coutinho, Firminio or even Lallana.
Left Wing : Nolito (Celta Vigo --> Manchester City) ~ £13.8 million
The Spanish winger had impressed at the Euros until Spain's premature exit. Nolito has been excellent for Celta Vigo and his national side this season ,marking 17 goals, 8 assists and consequently 9 MOTM perfomances. Nolito is a step up on the likes of Jesus Navas and Nasri who have failed to provide consistent performances for the sky blues last season. Nolito is sure to be a vital addition to Guardiola's squad and will most likely play on the left in a 4-2-3-1 formation alongside David Silva and De Bruyne. For just shy of £14 million Nolito is a steal, especially when compared to Townsend's move to Crystal Palace for a similar price.
Striker : Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG (Free Agent) --> Manchester United) ~ Free
The Swede needs little introduction, having won titles in Spain,Netherlands,Italy and France the 34 year old arrives in England in an attempt to win Manchester United the title under Jose Mourinhio. Despite his age Zlatan is far from finished, 50 goals in 51 appearances last season is his most prominent tally and Manchester United fans can expect to see the Swede playing up top with the likes of Mata, Martial and Depay playing off him. Whilst some may view this move as a publicity stunt Zlatan is the ultimate target man and undoubtedly a complete striker who is not afraid to take audacious long shots, execute near impossible flicks and compete with anyone in the air. Whether Zlatan will be the Red Devil's go to striker remains to be seen, however it seems more likely than not. A perfect signing for such a big club in need of big players.
Right Wing : Nathan Redmond (Norwich City --> Southampton) ~ £10 million
Redmond was unfortunate not to keep Norwich up last season since he contributed 6 goals and 3 assists despite making more appearances off the bench than starting. The 22 year old is very versatile and can play on either wing or even though the middle, he offers long shots as well as direct crosses which Pelle and Long are sure to appreciate. Redmond can be seen as a direct replacement for Mane, despite not possessing the Senegalese's pace Redmond can still change a game with his direct style of play by running at defenders. In Tadic and Redmond Southampton have two very capable wingers guaranteed to provide goals and assists in abundance.
NOTABLE MENTIONS :
Sofiane Feghouli : (Valencia --> West Ham) ~ Free
Andros Townsend : (Newcastle --> Crystal Palace) ~ £13 million
Loris Karius : (Mainz --> Liverpool FC) ~ £4.7 million
Victor Fischer : (Ajax --> Middlesborough) ~ £3.8 million
Christian Kabalase : (Genk --> Watford) ~ £5.8 million
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