The Premier League is known to bring in some of the best players from the World. We look at some of the best bit of business done by EPL clubs before August 5.
5)Junior Firpo
Signed for: Leeds
From: Barcelona
Transfer Fee: £13m
Junior Firpo was barely given a chance to succeed with Barcelona. Just as Barcelona did with with Lucas Digne. Digne has proved himself in the Premier League with Everton and is considered one of the best offensive full backs in the Premier league. Junior Firpo has the talent to do the same if one goes be his last full season at Real Betis. In 2018-19 season which was his last full season , the Brazilian contributed 7 goals (3 goals and 4 assists) only 2 defenders contributed more goals highlighting his offensive potential. The left back is also not a slouch defensively who is good in 1 vs 1, however his positioning needs some fine tuning which is not an issue given that he’ll now be coached by Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine has turned lesser talents than Firpo into stars. Leeds needed an upgrade over Alioski and may have landed an absolute gem of a player in Firpo.
4)Boubakary Soumare
Signed for: Leicester
From: Lille
Transfer Fee: £17m
22-year-old Boubakary Soumare is a promising midfield addition for Leicester. The French midfielder is capable of playing as a 6 and an 8 effectively due to his defensive nous, he is also capable of evading the press with his nifty footwork. The former Lille midfielder is capable of starting attacks from deep with his passing. Boubakary Soumare may not get in Leicester’s first-choice XI this season but what he gives them is crucial depth where they just haven’t had it before. Soumare is a phenomenal talent that could honestly replace either of them and do a decent job. Given the Foxes will be juggling the Europa League, as well as another top-four chase at home, you can see them making great use of Soumare’s skill-set.
3) Ben White
Signed for: Arsenal
From: Brighton
Transfer Fee: 50 million Pounds
In the last 3 seasons Arsenal have shot themselves in the foot by constantly making basic errors that have gifted opposition easy goals, in the last 3 seasons Gunners have made the most errors leading to goals. The arrival of Ben White is expected to add composure to their defence, Since making his senior league debut in 2017/18, Ben White has made 139 appearances across the top four tiers of English football and has not made a single error leading to a shot… let alone a goal. At Brighton last season, White made 62 interceptions in the Premier League, with only four players managing more than the 23-year-old across the rest of the division. White is also superb with the ball at his feet, In the Premier League last season, no centre-back completed more take-ons than White’s 24.
2) Raphael Varane
Signed for: Manchester United
From: Real Madrid
Transfer Fee: £42.7m
With Varane having entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Bernabeu, United have been able to bring him to Old Trafford for around just £40m. Not a paltry sum by any means, but when you factor in his age, the club he spent the last decade representing (Real Madrid), his actual footballing ability and the number of trophies he has won, this has been a transfer masterstroke from arguably last decade’s most profligate club in England. The prospect of 28-year old Varane partnering Maguire at the back has the potential to be the new Vidic/ Ferdinand partnership for the “Red Devils”.
1) Jadon Sancho
Signed for: Manchester United
From: Borussia Dortmund
Transfer Fee: £73m
Jadon Sancho’s transfer has the potential to be a real game changer for Manchester United. The former Man city winger is exactly the type of signing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needed for his Manchester United to take the next step. Stats highlight the 20-year old’s brilliance, compared to his Man Utd’s teammates since 2018/19, Sancho has most goals + assists, most assists, most chances created, most take-ons completed, most final-third passes, and most passes into the box. Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over United have struggled against teams that sit back and deny them space, the arrival of the tricky and inventive Sancho might be the key to unlock the packed defences.
