Three best bargain transfer deals in the Premier League this summer
The English transfer window has finally closed ahead of the new Premier League season.
Over the summer, certain clubs paid exorbitant sums for players while the teams operating on a tight budget opted for loan moves on what turned out to be a busy deadline day.
There was clear frustration from Tottenham Hotspur, having become the first Premier League side to fail to sign a single player in the summer window since it was first introduced in 2003.
Amidst everything, there were a few bargain signings as well. But which team managed to achieve the best value for money this summer? Here are three of the best bargain Premier League transfers from the summer.
1) Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool)
When one thinks of ‘bargain’, Xherdan Shaqiri instantly comes to the mind. Liverpool have been hard at work since the end of last season, adding depth to a squad which reached the Champions League final.
Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Naby Keita moved to Anfield in big-money deals, while Shaqiri arrived for a relatively modest £13m after Jurgen Klopp activated his release clause at Stoke City.
Shaqiri’s arrival for £13m looks like a low-risk yet high-reward business from Liverpool. At 26 years of age, he has played in the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich, along with multiple European Cup and World Cup tournaments. In addition, he also has three seasons of Premier League pedigree under his belt.
Regardless of Shaqiri’s role at Liverpool, his arrival beefs up the club’s attack. Without a shadow of a doubt, he is an absolute bargain buy.
2) Jean Michael Seri (Fulham)
Fulham had an absolute cracker of a window after sealing promotion back to the Premier League. They must cement their position in the top-flight after four years away and with their new signings, they certainly look set to do so.
Out of the enormously practical signings the Cottagers have made, Jean Michael Seri stands out. Signed from OGC Nice for just around £25million on a four-year deal, Seri was one of the most sought-after midfielders in France.
Seri is an athletic box-to-box midfielder with crisp passing abilities and technique, making him an exciting player to watch. The Ivorian can break up play, make interceptions, retain possession and offer drive from the midfield. Overall, Seri is a solid player to have in the squad.
Considering his skills, he is a delicious player and if he settles down, he could turn out to be the best bit of work done by Fulham this summer.
3) Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Just like Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers were one of the winners of the summer transfer window. The Wolves were aggressive in their transfer dealings and by doing so, they appear to be in outstanding shape to not only survive a year back in the top-flight but also re-establish themselves.
To that end, Joao Moutinho is certainly one of their statement signings. Moutinho, who has been capped 113 times by Portugal and was previously with Portuguese clubs Porto and Sporting, signed for Wolves from Monaco in just a £5million deal.
Read more: 3 of the most unexpected deals in the Premier League this summer including Man United new signing
A player boasting a wealth of top-flight experience as well as Champions League football – and a Euro winner with Portugal – Moutinho is undeniably one of the best bargains of the summer.