Premier League clubs spent well in excess of £2 billion in signings in the previous summer transfer window. Chelsea carried on their spending spree, shelling out another £220 million, with Manchester United (£206 million) and Brighton & Hove Albion (£196 million) rounding out the top three.
All in all, nine Premier League clubs spent in excess of £100 million this summer.
However, with such a huge outlay, there are always going to be some deals that stand out from the rest. With that in mind, here we take a look at the 5 best Premier League summer signings of the 2024 summer transfer window.
#5 Emile Smith Rowe: Fulham FC
Alongside Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe was the other highly-rated youngster at Arsenal who was destined to make waves across Europe. The 24-year-old even exhibited some of his best football during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons before his playing time was hampered by injuries and competition for places.
The Cottagers splashed a club-record £34 million this summer to land attacking midfielder from Arsenal. Fulham boss Marco Silva could see that there is still a quality player in Smith Rowe who couldn’t get the minutes he needed in a talented Arsenal squad, and so far Smith Rowe has proved to be worth the transfer fee with three goals and two assists in ten PL starts for his team.
#4 Savinho: Manchester City FC
Savinho’s transfer from Ligue 2 club Troyes was one of the most talked-about moves in the summer, mainly because of the controversy behind him moving from one City Football Group club to another (he spent the last season on loan at Girona out in Spain).
While the Brazilian is yet to find the back of the net as a Cityzen, he has registered two assists and is a live wire capable of operating at either flank. For someone who has the acceleration and trickery to outclass defenders out wide, Savinho plays his part in Pep Guardiola’s system by making full use of the pitch to stretch opposing defences before finding a cut-back pass inside the penalty area.
At just 20 years of age, Savinho has a lot to offer and will in time stand out as one of the leading protagonists for Man City out wide.
#3 Liam Delap: Ipswich Town FC
Ipswich Town and Kieran McKenna have had their fair share of disappointment in the transfer market this summer, but shelling out just over £20 million for Liam Delap has to be one of the best pieces of business done this summer.
It’s been a tough start to the season for McKenna’s team. They’ve just won one match with five draws and four defeats, sitting just a point above Crystal Palace in 18th. However, it is safe to say that, without Delap’s contribution, the Tractor Boys would have been staring further down the barrel. The 21-year-old Man City academy graduate has already scored six goals and provided an assist in 11 games.
If Ipswich are to stay up this season, Delap’s goals are going to be key.
#2 Dominic Solanke: Tottenham Hotspur FC
After brushing aside a minor ankle problem, Dominic Solanke has enjoyed a solid start to the 2024/25 campaign at Tottenham with six goals and two assists in 14 appearances across all competitions. It has been a huge upturn in productivity when compared to the likes of Son Heung-min and Richarlison, both of whom struggled to convert chances throughout last season.
Not only has Solanke proven to be clinical in front of goal in the Ange Postecoglou system, he has also been vital in defending from the front with his relentless pressing. A physically-imposing striker with a touch of technical brilliance in the final third, the England international has been a superb addition to an all-out-attacking Spurs outfit.
#1 Riccardo Califiori: Arsenal FC
In the summer, as Arsenal fans were crying out for a back-up striker or a wide player, Mikel Arteta instead opted to increase his options at the back with the addition Riccardo Calafiori from Serie A side Bologna for a figure in the region of £42 million (including add-ons) in a bid to cross the finish line and finally beat Man City to the Premier League title.
The 22-year-old versatile defender played a key role in the Rossoblù returning to the UEFA Champions League last season, and despite minor muscle strains sidelining him from time to time, he has delivered for the North London side whenever called upon. Calafiori notably scored a stunner against Man City at the Etihad in September, highlighting his ability to make a difference in the final third of the pitch.
With his ability to slot in as a centre-back, left-back, and even right-back, Calafiori offers tremendous value to Arsenal as Arteta looks to add to last season’s defence that earned him the most clean sheets.
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