In light of Stoke City’s shock acquisition of Xherdan Shaqiri for a modest sum of £12 million, Outside90’s Frank Garrasi takes a look at the other shrewd and potentially season-defining additions to have been made in England’s top flight.
The commencement of the 2015-16 English Premier League season has brought with it increased expectations for clubs around the middle band of the competition.
Crystal Palace, Swansea City, and Stoke City all enjoyed stellar campaigns last time out, with top half finishes. And with the business done in the transfer window, perhaps more can be achieved by these sides this season as more high calibre players make the move to the Premier League, even to turn out for mid-table teams.
It is the Premier League’s middle tier quality clubs that have made the biggest splashes in the transfer market thus far with a host of bargains already being bagged.
Below are Outside90’s biggest transfer coups made by Premier League clubs so far this season:
Yohan Cabaye – PSG to Crystal Palace (£10 million)
Undeniably one of the bargains and shock moves of the current window, the Frenchman swapped the Ligue 1 Champions for one of the Premier League’s more modest clubs in a deal that saw the Parisians lose the 29-year-old for around half the amount they paid for him.
Already with plenty of Premier League experience with Newcastle United, Cabaye is the perfect player to take the Eagles to the next level in the English game. His vision, skill, and tenacity will be greatly received at Selhurst Park, and the signs are already positive as he made a goal scoring debut against Norwich City during the opening round of fixtures.
Gerard Deulofeu – Barcelona to Everton (£4 million)
The talented Spaniard is back at Goodison Park, this time on a permanent basis. 2014-15 saw the 21-year-old receive little game time at Europa League champions Sevilla, however it still appears that Roberto Martínez has struck gold with this particular deal.
The Toffees have secured the services of one of the most talented young wingers in the game at this point in time, and if his form at Everton in 2013-14 can be reproduced expect the Blues to climb from last season’s 11th place.
James Milner – Manchester City to Liverpool (Free)
One of the most underrated players in the Premier League, the England international made his way from Manchester City to Liverpool on a free transfer early in the window. With the Reds contesting in the Europa League this season, squad depth is crucial and Milner provides that and much more to several positions on the pitch.
The 29-year-old is expected to play much of the campaign in the centre of the park alongside new club captain Jordan Henderson, and so far the former-Leeds man has looked the part. With more playing time speculated under Brendan Rodgers, expect the midfield workhorse to play a pivotal role in Liverpool’s season.
Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton to Liverpool (£12.5 million)
Arguably the Premier League’s second best right-back last season, Clyne moved to Anfield for what in today’s market, is an absolute steal. With the Crystal Palace youth product about to enter the final year of his contract at Southampton, Liverpool were able to negotiate a fee below the actual value of the 24-year-old.
With plenty of top flight appearances already under his belt and an astounding amount of quality, Clyne can become a defensive stalwart at Anfield for years to come.
André Ayew – Marseille to Swansea City (Free)
This is arguably the biggest coup of the lot. Ayew, a player with an extraordinary amount of pedigree , has featured over 200 times for French club, Marseille and scored a couple of World Cup goals.
Despite everything the Ghanaian has achieved with his club in Ligue 1, he is still only 25 and is good enough to feature in any Premier League side. Having scored on his professional debut against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, this acquisition looks to be a really astute one and it should inspire the Swans to achieve far more than is expected this season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic – Anderlecht to Newcastle United (£13 million)
With 20 league goals in 37 appearances for former-club, Anderlecht and at only 20 years of age, Mitrovic may cause a few headaches for defenders in the Premier League this season.
With Steve McClaren not short on options up front, however, regular playing time may be difficult to come by for the Serb. This is without doubt, though, a signing to watch.
Jordy Clasie – Feyenoord to Southampton (£10.5 million)
The former Feyenoord captain reunites with Ronald Koeman for a nominal fee, having proven his worth in the Eredivisie. Known as one of the best talents in Holland, and often referred to as the “Dutch Xavi” due to his stature and style of play, Clasie has all the features to be a Premier League success at St. Mary’s.
Not an overtly physical player, but one that controls games with his technical ability, composure on the ball, and reading of the game, the 24-year-old is more than capable of filling the Morgan Schneiderlin-sized hole that has been left at the club.
Cédric Soares – Sporting Lisbon to Southampton (£4 million)
Much like Clasie was for Schneiderlin, Cédric was bought to the club to cover for the impending departure of Clyne. The 23-year-old comes with a glowing reputation from Portugal, a country he has turned out for four times internationally.
Dangerous in attack and equally adept in defence, the buccaneering full-back impressed greatly in his opening display for the club against Newcastle recently, however his disciplinary record in matches may need attention.
Xherdan Shaqiri – Inter Milan to Stoke City (£12 million)
One of the strangest transfer sagas a football fan is likely to ever see, the Swiss international arrives at the Britannia seemingly the same player he was when he left Bayern Munich for Inter Milan.
What is Inter’s and Mancini’s loss is Stoke’s and Mark Hughes’ gain however, and the Potters have assembled one hell of a team this season, with 23-year-old Shaqiri expected to be central to their success.
Dimitri Payet – Marseille to West Ham (£10.7 million)
A true midfield magician, Payet created an astonishing 134 chances for his former club in Ligue 1 last season, with winger Florian Thauvin next in line with a measly 53. The 28-year-old registered 17 assists for Ligue 1’s fourth place team last term and made 117 key passes. Thauvin, in comparison could muster only four assists and 49 key passes.
Also, having won 15 caps for France – no mean feat by any means – West Ham United have added pedigree to their roster as well as pure talent. This talent was on show in the club’s 2-0 win against Arsenal over the weekend, and more is expected to come from the Frenchman this season.
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