Top Five Transfer Moves In The EPL This summer

Premier League Clubs were busy in the Transfer Window. The EPL staff has nailed down each of their top five.

By
PerSources Contributor
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“If you’re not getting better you’re getting worse” is always thrown out in terms of training. The phrase also has the same context in teams during the transfer window. A transfer could be the difference between a title contender and a title winner, succumb to relegation or survive it. The Premier League has been the platform for lesser-known players to explode onto the scene after a transfer. Mohamed Salah proved to have an impact no one expected and was named the Player of the Year by the players and the FA after his transfer from AS Roma. Who knows, maybe our picks for the best transfers of the season could have an impact as much as Salah did for Liverpool. Here are the top five transfers by Premier League clubs. Note: This ranking is based on the quality of player along with the fee of the transfer.

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  1. Max Meyer: Free to Crystal Palace

Max Meyer leaving his boyhood club of Schalke was a surprise to many after not being offered a new contract. The 22-year-old has nearly 150 caps in the Bundesliga and several caps for Germany including leading a young German side to the Gold medal match in the 2016 Olympics. Meyer didn’t have a great season during his contract year due to the style of play from the German Giants with central midfielders that would track back. Meyer is much more useful sitting in front of other midfielders or just behind a striker. A good signing for Crystal Palace due to only having Wilfried Zaha for offensive output. Meyer could adapt quickly to the Premier League.

  1. Naby Keita: 60 million Euros from RB Leipzig to Liverpool

Even though the agreement was made last summer it is still a fantastic bit of business from the Reds. The price may be high but Keita could be worth every penny. At RB Leipzig, Keita was the commander of the midfield and helped finish second in the 2016-2017 season for the newly promoted Red Bulls. Keita provides defensive stability along with the ability to win the ball upfield and score goals if needed. While with the German Club, he contributed to a goal more than every other game. In a high pace Jurgen Klopp side, Keita could thrive as a holding midfielder or as a box to box.

  1. Fabinho: 45 Million Euros from Monaco to Liverpool

The Reds continued to sure up their midfield by signing Fabinho for a modest price of 45 million Euros. The former champion in France comes in to replace Emre Can who moved on to Juventus. Fabinho has proven his ability at the highest level in France and in the Champions League. A defensive midfielder may not turn heads but the compared the other transfers in the same position, Fabinho could be seen as the best buy. Jorginho cost Chelsea 50 Million Euros and Fred cost Man U 59 Million Euros in that context, Liverpool made off with the better deal.

  1. Rui Patricio: Free to Wolverhampton Wanderers

The 30-year-old has racked up over 300 caps in Liga Nos for Sporting Lisbon and over 70 caps for Portugal. Experience like this usually comes at a price, but somehow Wolves have snagged him on a free. Patricio has put in great performances in the Champions League and in International Tournaments, if he can bring that form to the EPL Wolves will be a solid defensive outfit. The fact of his move being free is the best part about this transfer, a player of Patricios quality more or not comes with a price tag, but it’s great business by Wolves.

  1. Jean Michaël Seri: 30 Million Euros from OGC Nice to Fulham

A London club has landed number one on this list but it’s not the big hitters of Arsenal, Chelsea, or Tottenham but its Fulham after their capture of Jean Michael Seri. Seri broke onto the scene with Nice during the 2016-2017 season finishing fourth in France. Prompting links to Barcelona and Chelsea among others. Seri covers a lot of ground as a defensive midfielder and can provide to teammates or score himself. This capture could be the difference in staying up and going down. Fulham have done the best business of the window.

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  1. Ben Gibson: 17 Million Euros from Middlesbrough to Burnley

Ben Gibson was easily Middlesbrough’s best player in their Premier League season. Team captain of a top-flight team at the age of 23 is by no means a small feat. Although Middlesbrough were relegated, Ben Gibson proved himself to be one of the finest centre-backs in the league. He gave his boyhood club one more season, out of respect and desire to return to the top division. Now, he gets his chance. This time in the claret and blue of Burnley. Burnley were slow to the mark in the transfer window but now they look to be getting into the swing of things. Gibson will keep the back four in check whether he’s in the middle or on the left. He may even play holding midfield. One thing is for definite though, Burnley got a bargain.

  1. Riyad Mahrez: 68 Million Euros from Leicester City to Manchester City

This deal would be higher on the list if it weren’t for the fact that Mahrez probably won’t be in City’s best 11 for the season. Mahrez has wanted out of Leicester for the past year, and eventually (after much drama in January) he got his move. It will be interesting to see what position the Algerian midfielder will take when the likes of Sané and Sterling will be on the wings and then De Bruyne and David Silva will be the creative midfielders. Mahrez could push his way into the starting 11, but it’s unlikely given his inconsistency in the seasons that have followed Leicester’s fairytale league victory.

  1. Fabinho: 45 Million Euros from Monaco to Liverpool

Liverpool have been craving top-class central-midfielders for the past few seasons. Wijnaldum, Henderson, and Milner have been serviceable, but not at the level needed by the Reds to return to competing for titles. Fabinho will ensure that the middle of the pitch will be solid as a rock for Liverpool this season. Alongside Keita and presumably Henderson, Fabinho will have the opposition’s creative players wishing for the 90th minute to be over and gone with. Having a player like Fabinho will help Liverpool when it comes to both attack and defense. Not having to rely on a counter-attack could suit the Anfield faithful for when teams sit back against them.

 

  1. Fred: 59 Million Euros from Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester United

Since his arrival, Fred has been a joy to watch. Although it was only pre-season, his desire to win the ball back and to play it forward was everything United fans would have dreamed of and more when he was unveiled to the fans. Fred was unlucky not to feature in Brazil’s World Cup team but the lack of game time will definitely make him fresher for the new Premier League season. Fred’s individual game is fascinating, but what he could do for the rest of the team could be much more valuable. Jose Mourinho targeted another centre-mid for two reasons: two play the ball up the field up to Sanchez and presumably Lingard, but mainly to unleash Paul Pogba. If Fred can allow Pogba to find his form from the start of last season, then United are going to be neck-and-neck with City this year. That’s how much of a difference Pogba makes to the United team. If Fred can do that, he becomes a United legend.

  1. Jorginho: 57 Million Euros from SSC Napoli to Chelsea

To sign a player of Jorginho’s caliber is one thing. To take him from right under Man City’s noses is another. The former Napoli midfielder was being chased by City for months, and they thought the deal was more or less closed. Then Maurizio Sarri came into the equation and lured his former player into his new club. On the pitch, Jorginho is a master of link-up play and chasing after the football. In his first game for Chelsea, he averaged a pass every 30 seconds. Although he was against weak opponents in the shape of Perth Glory, to do that in pre-season shows what he’s about. Beside Kanté,  and one of either Kovacic, Barkley or Fabregas, Jorginho will be able to express himself in midfield with the comfort of knowing that he will have support around the pitch. If Chelsea are to compete on all fronts this season, expect Jorginho to be at the center of everything.

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  1. Fred: 59 Million Euros from Shakhtar Donetsk to Man United

After signing Nemanja Matic last summer in a shock move from Chelsea, United’s midfield looked to be complete. It wasn’t. Fred joining the red half of Manchester should do that. The ability for Mourinho to play Fred with Matic or Fred on his own allows more attacking through United’s midfield. Paul Pogba struggled when he was forced to hold the midfield next to Matic and springing Pogba free, as seen in the World Cup, could make the world of difference for the Red Devils.

  1. Rui Patricio: Free to Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have had one of the best transfer windows by a Premier League side by turning themselves into the Portuguese national side. Among all their moves, Patricio is the most pivotal. His experience at the club and international levels will bring quality and leadership to the Wolves last line of defense. By sorting out the base of their spine, this move could be the first step into Wolves having a successful season and staying up.

  1. Andre Schurrle: Two-Season Loan from Borussia Dortmund to Fulham

It’s hard to believe that a 27-year-old, four years on from playing a sizable role in Germany’s World Cup winning side would be making a temporary switch to a newly promoted Premier League side. Even though he didn’t have the greatest of successes during his time with Chelsea (under Mourinho, he’s not the only one), he has been pivotal for some of the Bundesliga’s top teams. He has the ability to score, create, and wreak havoc for fullbacks. He’ll inject good life into this Fulham side and, similarly to Patricio with Wolves, should help the Cottagers avoid immediate relegation.

 

T1. Alisson Becker: 74 million Euros from Roma to Liverpool

It was pretty evident after last season that Liverpool would be in the market for a new goalkeeper. Liverpool picked the best of the bunch. Alisson proved his worth last season helping Roma reach the last four of the Champions League and keeping out Ederson as Brazil’s number one. Yes, the fee is high (a short-lived record for a GK) but it was needed. Liverpool is full of goals and have steadily improved their back four, but now they’ve solidified themselves between the sticks and this addition could be key for a title push and another deep Champions League run.

T1. Fabinho: 45 Million Euros from Monaco to Liverpool

Liverpool’s adding depth to the midfield will also contribute to raising expectations for the 2018/19 campaign. Jordan Henderson has the top class ability to run a midfield, but his consistent injury problems and Emre Can moving away forced Liverpool into bringing on another central midfielder. At a bargain price, and with his ability proven in Ligue 1 and on the European stage, this has to be up there as a top transfer this summer. These additions will take Liverpool to the next level, sooner rather than later.

Have any opinions on the topic or want us to pick a different topic, be sure to comment your thoughts. Follow us on our Social Media’s- Cam: Twitter @CamB_PerSources, James: Twitter @PerSources_JP, and Oisin: Twitter @OB_PerSources and IG @OB_PerSources to join the conversation and keep up with more articles. To see more articles Soccer articles.

 

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