EPL Transfers: Top 10 Done Deals So Far

With the English Premier League season set to kick off on Friday, we have seen hundreds of new signings across the division. Below, we look at ten of the best acquisitions up to this point, in two parts.

10. Max Kilman – Wolves to West Ham, £40m

A year ago, Wolves rejected a £30 million bid from Napoli for Kilman as they searched for a Kim Min-jae replacement. Now the captain of the Midlands club has signed for the Hammers, reuniting with Julen Lopetegui. As a two-footed player, capable of playing in a back three or a back four and being in his prime years at 27 years old, this is a great addition. He will help West Ham improve at playing out from the back and alongside fellow new defenders Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice, loan) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Man Utd), expect a better defensive record for West Ham.

9. Fabio Carvalho – Liverpool to Brentford, £27.5m

In ninth place, there was a toss-up between Carvalho and Niclas Fullkrug, both of whom cost the same amount. The 21-year-old gets the nod as he is a decade younger and could have resale value. Having scored in preseason wins for The Reds vs both Arsenal and Man Utd, the Bees decided to make their move. Having scored nine goals in 20 outings on loan at Hull City in the second half of last season, he will boost creativity for Thomas Frank’s team. Expect the Portuguese playmaker to be used on the left flank or as a number ten behind a front two.

8. Riccardo Calafiori – Bologna to Arsenal, £42m

For anyone who watched Thiago Motta’s Bologna finish fifth last season, or saw Italy at Euro 2024, the long-haired Calafiori looks like a sensation. At Arsenal, he may find himself used at left back as Mikel Arteta goes with a tall backline with four natural centre-backs. With his ability to carry the ball or break lines with his left-footed passing, the Italian is clearly a very fine addition to the Gunners’ title hopes. He would be higher up this list if he was guaranteed to play in his best position.

7. Ismaila Sarr – Marseille to Crystal Palace, £11m

After the sale of Michael Olise, the Eagles needed a new right winger. Senegalese forward Sarr has experience in the league and has 10 goals in the EPL in 50 outings. Still just 24, his running ability should add a new dimension to Palace on the break. It may be over four years ago, but who can forget his brace in a 3-0 win over Liverpool in February 2020. One of the reasons for his high placing in this list is that the £11m looks like a snip in the current transfer climate.

6. Matthijs de Ligt – Bayern Munich, £42.7m

The Dutch defender has been reunited with Erik Ten Hag at Man Utd and he comes with a big point to prove. Having lost his place to Eric Dier in the second half of last season, the central defender needed a change of scenery. At Old Trafford, he will be the brawn alongside the brains of Lisandro Martinez whilst youngster Leny Yoro takes his time settling into the big leagues. With a very physical approach, the English game should suit de Ligt well.

5. Emile Smith Rowe – Arsenal to Fulham, £34m

The Hale End product has had two difficult years. In the 2022-23 season, he only played 162 league minutes due to groin surgery. Last term, he started three times in the league and went on another campaign without scoring a league goal. However, returning to 2021-22, we see a Smith Rowe who scored 10 goals in the Premier League and made his England debut. His form in preseason has been sizzling hot and with regular minutes, we may finally see the best of him once again.

4. Pedro Neto – Wolves to Chelsea, £54m

In a summer where the Blues have spent well over £100m on 10 players (so far), the speedy Portuguese winger is perhaps the only one who improved the starting XI. Capable of playing on both flanks and boasting a fine cross and shot from distance, he assisted seven goals in the first 10 league matches of last season. If, and it’s a big if, Neto can steer clear of his injury curse, then expect him to be an upgrade on the likes of Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk.

3. Dominic Solanke – Bournemouth to Tottenham, £65m

The former Chelsea academy prospect and Liverpool flop have made a big move to play in Europe. Having excelled for the Cherries last term, the “Berkshire Benzema” is exactly what Spurs need. He is capable of scoring all sorts of finishes but also dropping off to link play and release speedy wingers, something Tottenham have in abundance. The 26-year-old netted 19 league goals last season, including a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest and goals both home and away vs Aston Villa and Man Utd. With only Richarlison as outright competition, Solanke should nail down a spot at Tottenham and he looks perfectly suited for “Ange-ball”.

2. Yankuba Minteh – Newcastle to Brighton, £25m

A left-footed winger from The Gambia, Minteh excelled for Arne Slot’s Feyenoord last season on his loan from Newcastle. He netted 10 goals and created six more for teammates in just 1,500 odd minutes of Eredivisie action. He has started life with the Seagulls on fire in preseason and could be ready to explode in England. Newcastle had big plans for him, but their financial position forced them to accept Brighton’s bid, and they may spend the next year regretting that decision.

1. Amadou Onana – Everton to Aston Villa, £50m

A tall, destructive midfielder who is underrated on the ball, the Belgian has joined Villa. After Douglas Luiz left for Juventus, Onana was picked up for a very good fee. Considering his links to Man Utd in the past, Unai Emery has pulled out a major coup with this deal. Alongside the technically talented Ross Barkley, Onana can keep things simple, and his presence will boost Villa in their UEFA Champions League campaign. Few deals this summer look as shrewd as this one as much higher fees had been mooted for Onana.

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis