With just 16 days left of the transfer window it seems most business has already been done. However, there are still a few clubs who remain very active in the market, such as Chelsea and Manchester United. As the season is now underway, perhaps it is a good idea to rank the top four best windows in the premier league to get a true sense of my opinion. I must caveat these predictions by saying each ranking is relative to the club's financial powers & expectations and also only the notable arrivals are mentioned.
4. Wolves
Despite Wolves' understated arrivals, they have certainly strengthened the positions they needed. The club have agreed a club record fee of £42.06M for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes. While the deal is not yet finalised, the club believes it will be completed before Saturday's 12.30pm kick off at Spurs. It is certainly a coup for Wolves that Nunes has such an extensive pedigree in Europe, as he has been on the radar of several top clubs in Europe.
Gonçalo Guedes completed his switch from Valencia in a deal worth £29.3M. Guedes has 31 caps for Portugal scoring 7 goals and he enjoyed a successful campaign last season contributing towards 19 goals. With Raúl Jiménez not quite hitting the levels pre-injury it was vital Wolves addressed the forward area this summer and they have done just that.
Nathan Collins arrived from Burnley after a £21.87M deal was agreed. Despite his young age, the 21-year-old Republic of Ireland international was one of Burnley's standout performers last season.
Hwang Hee Chan also made his loan move permanent for £15.03 M which adds depth & options in the front line. As a result of both the incomings and the keeping of Ruben Neves, Wolves now rank 4th in my ranking... it's been a great window for Bruno Lage.
3. Chelsea
With Antonio Rudiger, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner all leaving, Thomas Tuchel described this window as a transitory one. Sterling has come in from Manchester City for £50.58M, and I believe it is a very good investment. His movement and direct nature is everything Chelsea wanted in Timo Werner but Sterling is much more polished after spending 6 years under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola. The Englishman has scored over 100 goals in the Premier league at just 27 which suggests the best may be yet to come as he enters his "prime" years...
Marc Cucarella completed a record breaking fee for a full-back as he joined from Brighton in a deal worth up to £62M. His versatility makes this signing a fantastic one in my eyes as he can play in a back 3, Left back and also as advanced as a wingback/winger. The Spaniard won Brighton's player of the season last year and this addition will certainly provide options for Tuchel.
After years of transfer speculation, Kalidou Koulibaly joined the blues from Napoli for £34.2M. Koulibaly comes in as an experienced defender at 31 and provides a presence at the back after the departure of Rudiger. Chelsea are still looking to add another defender to their ranks with Wesley Fofana believed to be their priority target but as of now their window puts them just into the top 3 for me.
2. Arsenal
After just missing out on top 4 last season, Mikel Arteta spoke of the need to strengthen their options up front. It was obvious Alexandre Lacazette wasn't quite the level of striker the gunners needed in order to fire them back into the Champions league but after signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City I certainly believe his profile is perfect for Arteta and his system. The Brazilian has already become a fans favourite after his flurry of goals in pre-season but also scoring a brace against Leicester last weekend in their 4-2 victory. I predict Jesus to be the signing of the season and he could well be in with a shout of the Golden Boot as a little outsider. However, there is much more to his game than goals as he is a very selfless player with his high work-rate and link play.
Arteta also added Oleksandr Zinchenko to his squad from Manchester City for £31.5M which again is a smart piece of business. The versatile Ukrainian can play left back, Centre Midfield and even as a number 10. At just 25 like Jesus, he is entering his prime years and provides quality on the ball which is important in Arteta's style of play. Fábio Vieira
joined from Porto after the two clubs agreed a deal worth up to £31.5M. The 22-year old is a product of the porto academy and has impressed in the Portuguese Under 21 set up scoring 13 goals in 21 caps from midfield. Vieira also scored 6 times and assisted 14 in the Portuguese league last season as Porto won the league by 6 points ahead of Sporting Lisbon.
I believe this window will be enough to see the gunners return to the champions league after a 5 year absence which is why they are runners up in this ranking.
1.Spurs
The winners of the transfer window for me are Tottenham Hotspur. Antonio Conte steered the club into the top 4 last season and thus qualified for the Champions league. They needed to build on this feat and they most definitely have done.
Depth was needed with added European games this season and the reliance on Harry Kane meant spurs where in the market for a forward. Richarlison joined from Everton for £52.2M which appears to be a very sensible addition to the squad. Not only does the Brazilian add goals but he also is one of the hardest working forwards in the league with a relentless nature in his pressing and counter pressing. The 25 year old also provides versatility as he can play anywhere across the front 3. As a Premier League proven player who guarantees goals, the fee paid for him considering "premier league tax" also represents good value. Yves Bissouma completed his switch from Brighton for £26.28M which will provide spurs power in midfield but also a technician on the ball from deep. Bissouma is very comfortable on the ball and can help spurs progress from midfield to attack with his ball carrying abilities. Djed Spence and Ivan Perišić joined the wing-back ranks this window. Spence impressed in the promotion winning Nottingham Forest side and at just 22 years old still has room to get even better. Perišić is a very experienced player as he completed his switch from Inter Milan. Conte has previously worked with the Croatian as he was a key part of the title winning Inter Milan side in 2021.
Considering the depth added to the squad and also the quality, Spurs for me are the winners of the transfer window. Many even predict Conte's spurs to compete for the league which tells the tale on their summer recruitment...
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