Premier League Transfer Window Review
With the 2019/2020 season about to begin and the transfer window now closed. I’m going to give you my winners and losers of the Premier League this transfer window. Looking into the in’s & out’s of this transfer window and taking into account each clubs financial situation and the squad demands.
Winners
1. Arsenal
You could argue that Arsenal has had one of the best transfer windows in the clubs history. Hence why they top the winner’s list. Begining the window by announcing that they only have £45m to spend has proven to be a stroke of genius as this mean clubs lowered their asking price for players. losing Aaron Ramsey at the end of last season for nothing to Juventus was sickening for the fans as he was arguably one of the best players at the club last season. Who knows, in another life, he could’ve been Arsenal captain. But it’s not the case. Arsenal fans will be hoping that Ceballos will be a solid replacement for the team and offer some attacking options within the Arsenal midfield. The club is gambling with this loan because they could only have him for a season. However, the club must be hoping that the player falls in love with Arsenal and will force a permanent deal after the loan. They also bring in two young players in Martinelli, a young Brazilian striker who has looked very promising in pre-season, and Saliba the young French centre back who will be sent back on loan to Saint-Etienne, so Arsenal fans will have to wait to see him in an Arsenal shirt.
Then there’s Pepe the explosive and clinical right-winger from Lille who scored 22 goals and got 11 assists as Lille finished a surprising second in the league behind PSG last season. Breaking Arsenals transfer record with the £72m signing, Arsenal fans have every right to be excited by the Ivory Costs arrival. The final deadline day duo, Tierney and David Luiz. Tierney has been fantastic for Celtic becoming the youngest player to captain them and Scotland. He has great potential and this is a great big move for him, Arsenal has needed a left-back for the last 2 seasons now they’re hoping they have found their man. They’ve also filled the position of the rebellious Laurent Koscielny by bringing in the very successful David Luiz. At 32 he has great experience and is a proven winner. He does have a mistake in him, however, working with Emery previously at Benfica, I am sure Unai will hope to get the most out of him and direct his character and leadership to benefit the Arsenal team as they push for the Champions League.
IN
Gabriel Martinelli (Ituano) Undisclosed
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) Loan
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) Undisclosed
Nicolas Pepe (Lille) Undisclosed
Kieran Tierney (Celtic) Undisclosed
David Luiz (Chelsea) Undisclosed
OUT
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus) Free
Petr Cech (Retired)
Danny Welbeck (Watford) Free
Charlie Gilmour (Norwich) Free
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Released)
Julio Pleguezuelo (Released)
Jordi Osei-Tutu (Bochum) Loan
Daniel Ballard (Swindon Town) Loan
David Ospina (Napoli) Undisclosed
Vontae Daley-Campbell (Leicester) Undisclosed
Ben Sheaf (Doncaster Rovers) Loan
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) Loan
Xavier Amaechi (Hamburg) Undisclosed
Krystian Bielik (Derby County) Undisclosed
Takuma Asano (Partizan Belgrade)
Laurent Koscielny (Bordeaux)
Carl Jenkinson (Nottingham Forest) Undisclosed
Dominic Thompson (Brentford) Undisclosed
Eddie Nketiah (Leeds United) Loan
Alex Iwobi (Everton) Undisclosed
2. Man City
After winning the domestic treble in the 2019/20 season Man City have now brought in Rodri and Angelino this transfer window. This brings in two top-quality Spanish players to an already dominant Man City squad. Some much-needed depth in Left Back with the injury-prone Mendy and utility player/lucky charm Zinchenko, who is yet to lose a league game for City. Breaking their club-record fee for Rodri, £63m, is a perfect replacement for ageing Fernandinho, 34 in holding midfielder. Also bringing in Joao Cancelo the Portuguese right-back will sure be making the likes of Kyle Walker sweat over their place in the first team. This guy is a top player and combines well with Benardo Silva, so I think it will be difficult for Walker to keep his place even after his great performance during the community shield.
They do however lose captain Vincent Kompany, now Player-Manager for Anderlecht in Belgium. This will be a big loss to the squad as he brings leadership, professionalism and quality to the squad. Manchester City now finds themselves short a centre back unless Fernandinho will have to begin to adapt his role within the team. Finally, a strange transfer on deadline day was Scott Carson, the out of favour goalkeeper for Derby has found himself a deal to City on deadline day which was a bit of a shock. He does bring plenty of experience to the Manchester team which was lost through Kompany however, I see him having a greater impact off the pitch and in training than on the pitch. Although this does suggest that Claudio Bravo could be on his way out with Spain, Franch and Germany transfer window closing on the 31st of August and Italy’s closing on the 18th of August. English clubs are still allowed to sell players until this deadline if City manages to offload Bravos big contract, this would be another great deal for the club.
IN
Angelino (PSV Eindhoven) Undisclosed Details
Rodri (Atletico Madrid) Undisclosed Details
Joao Cancelo (Juventus) Undisclosed
Scott Carson (Derby County) Loan
OUT
Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht) Free Details
Patrick Roberts (Norwich City) Loan Details
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Watford) Free Details
Aaron Nemane (Released)
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) Loan Details
Aro Muric (Nottingham Forest) Loan Details
Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan Details
Fabian Delph (Everton) Undisclosed Details
Philippe Sandler (Anderlecht) Loan Details
Taylor Richards (Brighton) Undisclosed
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) Undisclosed Details
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan Details
Tosin Adarabioyo (Blackburn Rovers) Loan Details
Danilo (Juventus) Undisclosed
3. Wolves
After securing players which performed well for the team last season on permanent deals, there aren’t too many new faces but some already prooven great signings. Try before you buy method, loaning before purchasing, is becoming the way to go, especially for Wolves. Raul Jimenez becoming Wolves star player last season has been secured permanently for a club-record £32.5m from Benfica. The tireless striker scored 13 goals and 7 assists in his first season in the Premier League. Also bringing back Leander Dendoncker on a permanent deal as well is a great signing for the club as they begin their Europa League campaign this season. Nuno Espirito Santo has brought in a new striker to accompany Jimenez, Cutrone from AC Milan for 16m. The 21-year-old striker netted 10 goals in 28 appearances in his penultimate season at AC Milan. However last season he only found the net three times, hence the Italian side looked to cash in on him this transfer window. I’m sure Santo is confident he can bring the best out of his young Italian striker and he can bring more goals to Wolves this season as they continue to play their attractive style of football.
IN
Raul Jimenez (Benfica) Undisclosed
Hong (Yeovil Town) Undisclosed
Raphael Nya (PSG) Undisclosed
Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht) Undisclosed
Tsun Dai (Oxford United) Undisclosed
Jesus Vallejo (Real Madrid) Loan
Patrick Cutrone (AC Milan) Undisclosed
Flavio Cristovao Free
Pedro Neto (Braga) Undisclosed
Bruno Jordao (Braga) Undisclosed
Renat Dadashov (Estoril) Undisclosed
OUT
Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Shrewsbury Town) Undisclosed
Michal Zyro (Released)
Carlos Heredia (Released)
Ben Goodliffe (Released)
Aaron Hayden (Released)
Diego Lattie (Released)
Enzo Sauvage (Released)
Christian Herc (Viktoria Plzen) Loan
Kortney Hause (Aston Villa) Undisclosed
Ryan Giles (Shrewsbury Town) Loan
Pedro Goncalves (FC Famalicao) Undisclosed
Joao Dias (FC Famalicao) Undisclosed
Helder Costa (Leeds) Loan
Ryan Leak (Burgos) Undisclosed
Ivan Cavaleiro (Fulham) Loan
Rafa Mir (Nottingham Forest) Loan
Will Norris (Ipswich Town) Loan
Niall Ennis (Doncaster Rovers) Loan
Cameron John (Doncaster Rovers) Loan
Renat Dadashov (Pacos de Ferreira) Loan
Bright Enobakhare (Wigan) Loan
4. West Ham
West Ham has done a fantastic job getting rid of some unneeded players and big contracts. Losing the likes of Samir Nasri, Adrian, Andy Carroll, Perez, Marko Arnautovic, Pedro Obiang and Sam Byram freed up mass amounts of money to bring in their new star striker, Sebastien Haller on a club-record transfer of £45m. I believe that Haller and West Ham are a match made in heaven. West Ham fans are hoping the strong 6 foot 2 striker is the goalscorer they’ve been looking for in recent years. Last season in the Bundesliga, Haller was directly involved in 24 goals (15 goals and 9 assists) the only player involved more was Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandoski with 29. Haller is a prolific goalscorer, scoring 33 goals in 77 appearances in the Bundesliga. At the age of 25, he’s still got his best years ahead of him and I’m sure that the Chilian football manager Manuel Pellegrini will get the most out of his player. The Frenchman signs a 5 year deal with the club with the option for a further 12 months. West Ham with this added firepower up top and competition all across the pitch, for a place in the starting 11, will be pushing for a Europa league finish this season.
IN
Roberto (Espanyol) Free
David Martin (Millwall) Free
Pablo Fornals (Villarreal) Undisclosed
Sebastien Haller (Eintracht Frankfurt) Undisclosed
Goncalo Cardoso (Boavista) Undisclosed
Albian Ajeti (FC Basel) Undisclosed
OUT
Adrian (Liverpool) Free
Andy Carroll (Newcastle) Free
Samir Nasri (Released)
Toni Martinez (Released)
Moses Makasi (Released)
Lucas Perez (Alaves) Undisclosed
Noha Sylvestre (Released)
Vashon Neufville (Released)
Josh Pask (Coventry City) Free
Edimilson Fernandes (Mainz) Undisclosed
Nathan Trott (AFC Wimbledon) Loan
Martin Samuelsen (FK Haugesund) Loan
Marko Arnautovic (Shanghai SIPG) Undisclosed
Sam Byram (Norwich City) Undisclosed
Pedro Obiang (Sassuolo) Undisclosed
Marcus Browne (Middlesbrough) Undisclosed
Jordan Hugill (QPR) Loan
Reece Oxford (Augsburg) Undisclosed
Mason Barrett (Watford) Undisclosed
Josh Cullen (Charlton Athletic) Loan
Grady Diangana (West Brom) Loan
5. Aston Villa
Finally, Villa makes the winners list which could be a shock to a few of you. However, Villa has completed a large squad overhaul, getting rid of ‘championship quality’ players on big contracts and bringing in some proven players. Signings such as Tom Heaton, Tyrone Mings, El Ghazi and Douglas Luiz brings quality to any side. An established goalkeeper and promising young players I am sure Villa fans are very happy with their clubs new signings. Getting players like Micha Richards and Ross McCormack off the clubs wage will give Villa fans a sigh of relief. I believe Villa have brought very smartly and have invested in some great players and managed to keep star man Jack Grealish. This will help keep them up this coming season. All in all, a successful transfer window.
IN
Jota (Birmingham) Undisclosed
Anwar El Ghazi (Lille) Undisclosed
Wesley (Club Brugge) Undisclosed
Kortney Hause (Wolves) Undisclosed
Matt Targett (Southampton) Undisclosed
Tyrone Mings (AFC Bournemouth) Undisclosed
Ezri Konsa (Brentford) Undisclosed
Bjorn Engels (Stade Reims) Undisclosed
Trezeguet (Kasimpasa) Undisclosed
Douglas Luiz (Man City) Undisclosed
Tom Heaton (Burnley) Undisclosed
Marvelous Nakamba (Club Brugge) Undisclosed
OUT
Albert Adomah (Released)
Mark Bunn (Released)
Ritchie De Laet (Released)
Tommy Elphick (Huddersfield Town)
Alan Hutton (Released)
Ross McCormack (Variation Agreement)
Micah Richards (Released)
Glenn Whelan (Released)
Gary Gardner (Birmingham) Undisclosed
Matija Sarkic (Livingston) Loan
Jake Doyle-Hayes (Cheltenham Town) Loan
Andre Green (Preston North End) Loan
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Tranmere Rovers) Loan
Scott Hogan (Stoke City) Loan
Birkir Bjarnason (Released)
James Bree (Luton Town) Loan
Losers
1. Sheffield United
Unfortunately, Sheffield top the losers list. However, I do hope they prove me wrong as I love an underdog. Sheffield has been very bold this transfer window and seems to be sticking with their squad which got them 2nd place and automatic promotion last season in the championship. Bringing back Phil Jagielka, 36 with great Premier League experience at Everton for the last 12 years making 322 appearances and becoming club captain, he returns to United where his football career started at. Although he only made 7 Premier League appearances last season, I am sure his experience and attitude as a player behind the scenes will make a positive impact for Sheffield United this season. However, have they recruited well enough? They delved into the championship for the majority of their signings with the likes of Callum Robinson, Oli McBurnie and Luke Freeman. I’m unsure whether these players are ready for the jump to the Premier League. A noticeable come back to the Premier League for Ravel Morrison on a free. The ex-Manchester United player had previous unsuccessful spells in Italy, Sweeden and Mexico, is hoping that he can push on with his career proving his doubters wrong. This is a big gamble for Sheffield United and I’m unsure if these signings are going to bring enough quality to keep them from the drop this season. There is no doubt that Sheffield United are going to set up to be tough to beat. But they may need a big January transfer window, which has proved to be more difficult to complete big deals than the summer window. 
IN
Luke Freeman (QPR) Undisclosed
Phil Jagielka (Everton) Free
Callum Robinson (Preston) Undisclosed
Ravel Morrison Free
Lys Mousset (AFC Bournemouth) Undisclosed
Ben Osborn (Nottingham Forest) Undisclosed
Dean Henderson (Manchester United) Loan
Oli McBurnie (Swansea City) Undisclosed
Michael Verrips (Free)
Mo Besic (Everton) Loan
OUT
Paul Coutts (Released)
Martin Cranie (Released)
Conor Washington (Released)
Daniel Lafferty (Released)
Caolan Lavery (Released)
Nathan Thomas (Gillingham) Loan
Rhys Norrington-Davies (Rochdale) Loan
Jake Eastwood (Scunthorpe) Loan
Oliver Greaves (Barrow AFC) Loan
Tyler Smith (Bristol Rovers) Loan
Nathan Thomas (Carlisle United) Loan
Regan Slater (Scunthorpe United) Loan
Ched Evans (Fleetwood Town) Undisclosed
Mark Duffy (Stoke City) Loan
2. Southampton
After a tough season last year finishing 16th and in a brutal relegation battle, Southampton needed a big summer transfer window to bring in some quality players to push Southampton back into the top half of the table contention. Bringing in Danny Ings on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell last season is a great addition if he can stay injury-free. I was surprised to see the Saints sign this lad after he got injured a couple of times last season, but he must’ve done enough on the pitch last year to secure a move to Southampton this transfer window. Bringing in Che Adams from Birmingham City is a great addition. The young 22-year-old pacy striker will bring another goal threat for Southampton. Scoring 22 goals and getting six assists last season as well as making the Championship team of the season. Ultimately, I don’t think Saints have done enough, their recruitment team has been sensational replacing the players sold to Liverpool in the past. However, this season I’m unsure if they’ve brought enough quality in to keep them out of a relegation battle.
IN
Moussa Djenepo (Standard Liege) Undisclosed Details
Che Adams (Birmingham City) Undisclosed Details
Danny Ings (Liverpool) Undisclosed Details
Tommy Scott (Yeovil Town) Undisclosed Details
Kevin Danso (Augsburg) Loan
OUT
Steven Davis (Rangers) Free
Matt Targett (Aston Villa) Undisclosed
Alfie Jones (Gillingham) Loan
Jack Rose (Walsall) Loan
Kingsley Latham (Havant and Waterlooville) Loan
Alex Cull (Totton) Loan
Harry Hamblin (Bath City) Loan
Jordy Clasie (AZ Alkmaar) Undisclosed
Tyreke Johnson (Woking) Loan
Josh Sims (New York Red Bulls) Loan
Charlie Austin (West Brom) Undisclosed
Harrison Reed (Fulham) Loan
3. Manchester United
The big summer overhaul of the squad which didn’t really happen. Losing Herrera on a free to PSG is a sore one for United fans to take. Bringing in two young and enthusiastic players in Wan Bissaka and Daniel James. However, this wasn’t the brutal clear out many United fan’s where looking forward to under the new era in Ole Gunnar Solskjae. With players like Phil Jones, Fred, Marcus Rojo, Lee Grant, Sergio Romero, Ashley Young, Fred and Alexis Sanchez who all have big-money deals, I am sure United fans would prefer to see the club cut their losses with these players and bring in some fresh faces. Bringing in Maguire is a great addition to the United defence. But a record-breaking fee of £85m, making him the most expensive defender in history is far too much for what Maguire brings to a team. Selling an unsettled Lukaku for 75m is a great price. But are Manchester United taking a gamble without bringing a replacement in after losing out to Manzukic and Dybal? Ole is counting on his younger players who have shown some promise throughout the pre-season.
IN
Daniel James (Swansea City) Undisclosed
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace) Undisclosed
Harry Maguire (Leicester City) Undisclosed
OUT
Ander Herrera (PSG) Free
Antonio Valencia (Released)
Matthew Olosunde (Released)
James Wilson (Released)
Regan Poole (MK Dons) Free
Kieran O’Hara (Burton Albion) Loan
Dean Henderson (Sheffield United) Loan
Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan) Undisclosed
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