With last week’s Transfer Talk packed with dodgy moves, we headed into August desperate to see some deals we could be positive about.
Some of the Premier League’s big hitters have answered our prayers by signing players who should become major stars in the English top flight.
However, there have also been a handful of deals completed which left us thinking that some clubs are on a mission to throw money down the drain.
With that in mind, we have scoured the transfer market over the last seven days to identify some of the key moves.
Josko Gvardiol – RB Leipzig to Manchester City – £77.6m
The best football managers understand the importance of never resting on your laurels – Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola undoubtedly falls into this category.
Having seen Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez exit the club, Man City fans could have been forgiven for worrying that the treble-winners would not be as strong this season.
The club’s £77.6 million outlay on Josko Gvardiol should settle their nerves – this fella can become the world’s best defender over the next few years.
Rasmus Højlund – Atalanta to Manchester United – £64m
“United have spent a lot of money on 20-year-old Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, and I can’t say I have seen a lot of him.
“Perhaps they see him more as one for the long term, but I’m not convinced he’s going to make the difference for them.”
Despite not seeing a lot of Manchester United’s new striker, overpaid BBC presenter Gary Lineker thinks he’s qualified to comment on whether he’ll be a success. Stick to crisps.
Axel Disasi – Monaco to Chelsea – £38.7m
Chelsea’s scattergun approach during the last two transfer windows left many people questioning the club’s new owners.
The club’s business this summer has been far more impressive – a point evidenced by their recent acquisition of defender Axel Disasi from Monaco.
His no-nonsense style makes him ideally suited to the demands of the Premier League – a £38.7m fee should ultimately prove to be a bargain.
Sadio Mane – Bayern Munich to Al-Nassr
It doesn’t seem too long ago that Sadio Mane’s move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich was lauded as exciting news for the Bundesliga.
A disappointing season and a fat lip for Leroy Sane later, and Mane’s reputation in world football has been left in tatters.
Mane has joined the Saudi Pro League gravy train following his fall from grace – another underwhelming transfer for a player past his best.
Fabinho – Liverpool to Al-Ittihad
Rinse and repeat.
Fabinho was once one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. His legs have gone, and he’s off to the Middle East.
Next.
Ashley Phillips – Blackburn Rovers to Tottenham Hotspur – £2m
Tottenham Hotspur have snapped up Ashley Phillips from Blackburn Rovers for £2 million despite the defender making just a handful of senior appearances.
The 18-year-old has rejected the chance to help Rovers mount a promotion bid in the Championship to spend the next stage of his career playing reserve team football.
He’ll be well rewarded for playing in empty stadiums, but he has jumped ship too soon. If Phillips had shown more patience, he’d have secured a move to a bigger club than Tottenham. Brainless.
