Premier League Clubs Spend Big Again
The summer transfer window promises English clubs will spend big on new recruits and Premier League clubs have not disappointed this time around. The cream of English football has once again spent big in a bid for success in the new season.
Here are some of the biggest deals conducted by Premier League clubs this summer:
Romelu Lukaku (Everton to Manchester United, £75m with potential add-ons of £15m)
The biggest amount of money spent so far by a Premier League club is the £75m Manchester United spent on the big Belgian international. The 24-year-old has been prolific in the past five years in the English top-flight and last season netted 25 goals.
Only Tottenham and England star Harry Kane was more prolific in the Premier League last season. The striker scored just four goals against last season’s top-six. He must lose his reputation as a striker who only scores against the weaker teams in the league if he is to be successful at Old Trafford.
Lukaku has been angling for a move to a club in the Champions League for the last few seasons. The striker now has his chance to prove his worth and is seen as a straight replacement for Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon to Arsenal, £52m)
Arsenal broke their club-record to sign the prolific striker from Lyon. The 26-year-old has been lethal in front of goal in the French Ligue One over the last five years and will be looking to continue his scoring rate in the English top-flight with the carrot of a place in next year’s World Cup squad for France.
Last season, Lacazette scored 37 goals for Lyon and hit the ground running for Arsenal scoring on his debut in pre-season.
Kyle Walker (Tottenham to Manchester City, £45m rising with potential add-ons of £5m)
One of Manchester City’s main priorities this summer was to strengthen their full-back positions. England international Walker certainly does that and the 27-year-old will be looking to win silverware with the Citizens after nearly a decade in north London.
Walker had fallen out-of-favour with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season, which raised doubts over his future at White Hart Lane.
Bernardo Silva (Monaco to Manchester City, £43m with potential add-ons of £17m)
The Portuguese playmaker played a crucial role in Monaco winning the French Ligue One title last season, scoring eight goals and producing nine assists. The playmaker has been regarded as a highly promising young star for the past few seasons.
The 22-year-old joins a stellar cast of attacking players at the Etihad Stadium, including Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus amongst others.
Tiemoue Bakayoko (Monaco to Chelsea, £40m)
Bakayoko was another player that starred for Monaco last season. The 22-year-old became a star last season, becoming the steely face of the Leonardo Jardim’s midfield. The French international is expected to partner compatriot N’Golo Kante in the centre of midfield next season.
The midfielder has been compared to Patrick Vieira, whilst former France international Claude Makelele was a big influence on his game during the former Chelsea stars time at Monaco as director of football.
Mohamed Salah (Roma to Liverpool, £35.7m)
Liverpool broke their club-record to sign Egyptian international winger Mohamed Salah this summer. The 25-year-old was a big hit last season at Italian club Roma scoring 15 goals and producing 11 assists in the Italian top-flight, helping the Giallorossi to finish second in Serie A table.
The winger was previously at Chelsea but struggled for first-team football. However, the winger has developed and matured in the Italian top-flight.
Ederson (Benfica to Manchester City, £35m)
The young Brazilian goalkeeper impressed last season for the Portuguese champions and City boss Pep Guardiola was quick to pounce for the 23-year-old this summer.
The former Rio Ave ace was bought as competition for Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who was unconvincing in his debut campaign with the Citizens. One of Ederson’s biggest strengths is that he is a ball-playing goalkeeper, something that Guardiola considers a must in the last line of his defence.
Victor Lindelof (Benfica to Manchester United, £30m)
The Swedish international had established a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in European football. The 23-year-old offers great versatility, as he can play in the centre and the right of defence. He can also play as a defensive midfielder.
Lindelof has won 12 caps for Sweden and was part of their Euro 2016 squad. The defender is seen as the ideal centre-back partner for Ivorian international Eric Bailly at the heart of the Red Devils defence.
Jordan Pickford (Sunderland to Everton, £25m with a potential of £5million in add-ons)
The 23-year-old was outstanding for Sunderland last season, despite the Black Cats finishing bottom of the Premier League table. Pickford started the campaign as a backup to first-choice Vito Mannone, but the Italian sustained an injured early in the season and could not dislodge Pickford.
For many Pickford is an England number one of the future and will get a chance to impress on a bigger stage at Everton.
Michael Keane (Burnley to Everton, £25m with a potential of £5million in add-ons)
The 24-year-old centre-back was one of the shining lights at Burnley last season. His performances at the heart of the Clarets defence earned the highly-rated defender his first call-up to the England side.
The former-Manchester United star will be looking to push on at Everton and develop in the future to become a more regular in the England national team.
