The transfer window bargains
Unprecedented amounts of money have been arrogantly splashed about this summer - Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Romelu Lukaku to name a few - but while the market value has been irretrievably inflated, there have been some very smart, relatively low-cost acquisitions across Europe. Let's take a look.
Sead Kolasinac - Arsenal
On a free from Schalke 04, Kolasinac appears to be a fantastic signing. Whenever he has played for Arsenal he has looked like the style of player the Gunners' covet: strong, aggressive and a winner. Kolasinac, no doubt, will continue his form and become a consistent performer - if only there were more like him in that Arsenal side...
Youri Tielemans - Monaco
When Manchester United faced Anderlecht in last year's Europa League quarter-finals, Tielemans' class was evident. He captained his side aged just 20, which is testament to his impressive maturity. Breaking onto the scene aged just 16, Tielemans has developed from inconsistent wonder-kid into a reliable and dependable player. 13 goals in 37 appearances last year is very good for a central midfielder, regardless of the league and at Monaco, his talents will surely be nurtured. The Ligue 1 champions bought him for £22 million, but do not be surprised if you see the Belgian being sold for over £100 million in a few years time.
Mahmoud Dahoud - Borussia Dortmund
Dahoud is only 21, but he demonstrated the composure necessary to sustain himself on the biggest stage. A regular with Borussia Monchengladbach, Dahoud continually impressed during his time with the German club. Dortmund, forever a side who has their young talent pinched - think Ousmane Dembele for a recent example - have turned pincher this time around, exploiting Dahoud's dwindling contract situation.
£10 million for the Syrian is a steal in today's market and Dahoud should cement himself as a regular in Dortmund's side.
Jermain Defoe - Bournemouth
Yet to score for his new club, Defoe is still one of the shrewdest acquisitions of the summer. Eddie Howe will get the forward firing on all cylinders, and when he does, the Cherries will have no problem securing safety. Though Defoe's wages are high, he arrived with no transfer fee, so this bit of business is still a canny and frugally responsible deal.
Sead Kolasinac - Arsenal
On a free from Schalke 04, Kolasinac appears to be a fantastic signing. Whenever he has played for Arsenal he has looked like the style of player the Gunners' covet: strong, aggressive and a winner. Kolasinac, no doubt, will continue his form and become a consistent performer - if only there were more like him in that Arsenal side...
Youri Tielemans - Monaco
When Manchester United faced Anderlecht in last year's Europa League quarter-finals, Tielemans' class was evident. He captained his side aged just 20, which is testament to his impressive maturity. Breaking onto the scene aged just 16, Tielemans has developed from inconsistent wonder-kid into a reliable and dependable player. 13 goals in 37 appearances last year is very good for a central midfielder, regardless of the league and at Monaco, his talents will surely be nurtured. The Ligue 1 champions bought him for £22 million, but do not be surprised if you see the Belgian being sold for over £100 million in a few years time.
Mahmoud Dahoud - Borussia Dortmund
Dahoud is only 21, but he demonstrated the composure necessary to sustain himself on the biggest stage. A regular with Borussia Monchengladbach, Dahoud continually impressed during his time with the German club. Dortmund, forever a side who has their young talent pinched - think Ousmane Dembele for a recent example - have turned pincher this time around, exploiting Dahoud's dwindling contract situation.
£10 million for the Syrian is a steal in today's market and Dahoud should cement himself as a regular in Dortmund's side.
Jermain Defoe - Bournemouth
Yet to score for his new club, Defoe is still one of the shrewdest acquisitions of the summer. Eddie Howe will get the forward firing on all cylinders, and when he does, the Cherries will have no problem securing safety. Though Defoe's wages are high, he arrived with no transfer fee, so this bit of business is still a canny and frugally responsible deal.
16 goals in a frighteningly poor Sunderland side tells you just how good Defoe is.
Andrew Robertson - Liverpool
Robertson's switch from Hull to Liverpool has gone under the radar, but if Robertson is given game time, he will progress into one of the best left-backs in the league. At 23, the defender has plenty of time to craft his trade following a strong season for Hull, who were relegated last season. Bringing in Robertson for £8 million should finally provide a solution to Liverpool's left-back nightmare.
Darren Fletcher - Stoke City
A Premier League winner who has proved his consistency in the top level. Fletcher is a very, very good player - in fact, the Scot has to be one of the most underrated midfielders in the league. Fletcher will improve the Stoke midfield significantly and should form a strong partnership with playmaker Joe Allen.
To land someone with so much experience in the Premier League on a free is surely one of the deals of the summer - Bravo, Mark Hughes.
Andrew Robertson - Liverpool
Robertson's switch from Hull to Liverpool has gone under the radar, but if Robertson is given game time, he will progress into one of the best left-backs in the league. At 23, the defender has plenty of time to craft his trade following a strong season for Hull, who were relegated last season. Bringing in Robertson for £8 million should finally provide a solution to Liverpool's left-back nightmare.
Darren Fletcher - Stoke City
A Premier League winner who has proved his consistency in the top level. Fletcher is a very, very good player - in fact, the Scot has to be one of the most underrated midfielders in the league. Fletcher will improve the Stoke midfield significantly and should form a strong partnership with playmaker Joe Allen.
To land someone with so much experience in the Premier League on a free is surely one of the deals of the summer - Bravo, Mark Hughes.
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