To continue our four-part transfer window roundup we take a look at mixed bag of clubs, some harbouring title, top four, Europa League and survival ambitions.
SWANSEA CITY
In: Ryan Blair (Falkirk) Undisclosed
Alberto Paloschi (Chievo) Undisclosed
Leroy Fer (QPR) Loan
Out: Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) Undisclosed
Franck Tabanou (Saint Etienne) Loan
Gerhard Tremmel (Werder Bremen)
Eder (Lille) Loan
The Swans sacked manager Gary Monk and brought in Francesco Guidolin to ensure an arrest of the steep decline in form which saw the club in the relegation zone at Christmas. Guidolin knew he had to strengthen a tired looking squad, and with the signing of Alberto Paloschi from Chievo Verona, Swansea will hope Bafetembi Gomis forms a strike partnership that guides the club to safety.
Grade: B –
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
In: Shilow Tracey (Ebbsfleet United) Undisclosed
Out: Shaq Coulthirst (Peterborough United) Undisclosed
Andros Townsend (Newcastle United) £12m
Alex Prtichard (West Brom) Loan
Federico Fazio (Sevilla) Loan
Milos Veljkocic (Werder Bremen) Undisclosed
Rhoys Wiggins (Sheffield Wednesday) Undisclosed
With cash in hand following a nice piece of business with the sale of Andros Townsend for £12m, Maurico Pochettino has been relatively quiet in the transfer window adding only Moussa Dembele from Fulham. Nonetheless, Pochettino has quietly assembled a squad which is fast becoming the envy of the Premier League. Expect Spurs to achieve a top four finish at the end of the season.
Grade: C –
WATFORD
In: Mario Suarez (Fiorentina) Undisclosed
Abdoulaye Doucoure (Renne) Undisclosed
Adalberto Penarada (Granada) Undisclosed
Nordin Amrabat (Malaga) Undisclosed
Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland) Undisclosed
Out: Alessandro Diamanti (Atalanta) Loan
Connor Smith Released
Diego Fabbrini (Birmingham City)
Quique Sanchez Flores has hit all the rights notes since Watford arrived in the Premier League, both in the transfer market and on the pitch. The Hornets have consistently overachieved, and with the signing of Mario Suarez from Fiorentina and Premier League tested and hardened goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, expect Watford to not only stay up, but do so comfortably in mid-table.
Grade: A
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
In: Sandro (QPR) Loan
Out: Anders Lindegaard (Preston North End) Loan
Adil Nabi (Peterborough United)
The main story at West Brom this season has been the Saido Berahino saga which in all honesty has dragged on longer than any self-respecting Baggies fan would have liked. Tony Pulis, not known for his soft skills, has not helped either, leaving the key striker on the bench for much of the season and talking openly about how he continues to split the dressing room. Berahino has stayed but West Brom’s hopes of improving on last season’s league position have long since evaporated. West Brom will survive but only in 15th or 16th place.
Grade: C
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WEST HAM UNITED
In: Sam Byram (Leeds United)
Out: Matt Jarvis (Norwich City) Undisclosed
Stephen Hendrie (Southend United)
Elliot Lee (Colchester United)
Lewis Page (Cambridge United) Loan
Diego Poyet (Charlton Athletic) Loan
Mauro Zarate (Fiorentina) Undisclosed
Slaven Bilic’s men’s fortunes have been characterised by summer signing Dimitri Payet’s appearances in the team so far this season. Simply put, when Payet plays West Ham wins, defeating title contenders like Arsenal, City at will. The signing of highly-rated young full back Sam Byram from Leeds United further solidifies a solid back four which provides the platform for Payet to work his magic. West Ham will be pushing for the Europa League qualification come season’s end and need to entertain to fill the Olympic Stadium from next season.
Grade: B –
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