HomeOpinion/FeaturesSix of the most overpriced Premier League transfers made this summer

Six of the most overpriced Premier League transfers made this summer

Premier League clubs spent a record-breaking ยฃ2.36 billion on new players during the summer transfer window, with England’s elite again outspending every other domestic division in the game.

An inflated market saw records tumble and players swap clubs for extraordinary fees, with value for money becoming increasingly difficult to find as transfer fees soar.

At risk of looking awfully foolish in the coming seasons as these players progress and perhaps fulfil their potential, we’ve chosen six summer signings who appear overpriced right now.

Six of the most overpriced Premier League transfers made this summer:

Kai Havertz – Arsenal (ยฃ65m)

Kai Havertz’s cross-capital move to Arsenal was one of the more surprising deals of the summer, as the Gunners spent ยฃ65m to sign the German after three underwhelming campaigns at Chelsea.

Havertz had arrived at Chelsea as one of the most coveted young talents in the game, but – Champions League final winner aside – struggled to live up to expectations after signing from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee in the region of ยฃ72m.

The 24-year-old was often used in an unfamiliar centre-forward position at Chelsea, a role in which he struggled to convince, and arrives at Arsenal with question marks over his place in Mikel Arteta’s side.

 

His opening performances for the Gunners have provided more questions than answers, with suggestions that the ยฃ65m could have been better invested elsewhere given the options already in the Arsenal squad.

Moises Caicedo – Chelsea (ยฃ115m)

Chelsea broke the British transfer record for the second time in six months this summer, spending a mammoth ยฃ115m to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton. Rival interest from Liverpool ramped up the asking price for the midfielder, whose fee – should all add-ons be met – makes Caicedo the third most expensive footballer of all time.

The Ecuador international is a talent with huge potential, but Chelsea’s astonishing outlay comes after just one full season at Premier League level.

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Caicedo ranked second in the Premier League for both tackles and interceptions last season, but has made an underwhelming start to his career at Chelsea. Improvement is required from the talented 21-year-old.

Cole Palmer – Chelsea (ยฃ42.5m)

Chelsea’s spending under Todd Boehly has shown no sign of slowing, with the west Londoners having passed the ยฃ1 billion mark in three transfer windows under the American ownership.

Chelsea spent ยฃ42.5m to sign Cole Palmer from Manchester City during the closing stages of the summer window, another deal designed to sure-proof their future as the Blues target players with rich potential.

Palmer fits that profile and impressed as England’s u21 side won the European Championship during the summer, but his ยฃ42.5m fee catapults the winger into the list of most expensive Englishmen of all time, despite having made only 19 league appearances at the Etihad.

Rasmus Hojland – Manchester United (ยฃ72m)

Manchester United ended their search for a centre-forward with the capture of Rasmus Hojland from Atalanta, agreeing a ยฃ72m deal to sign the Scandinavian striker.

Hojland hit the headlines last season after a brilliant start to his international career, with the 20-year-old scoring a hat-trick on his first start for Denmark and since extending his record to six goals in eight games for the national team.

The Red Devils have spent big on a player who has earned comparisons to Erling Haaland for his strength, speed and left-foot, but Hojland has some way to go to replicate the Manchester City man’s goal record after just 10 goals in all competitions for Atalanta last season.

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A lively cameo on debut at Arsenal was encouraging for Hojland, who has jumped from the Danish Superliga to the Premier League, via Switzerland and Italy, in just three seasons. The potential is clear, but so too is the risk.

Tino Livramento – Newcastle (ยฃ40m)

Newcastle spent big to sign Tino Livramento from relegated Southampton, striking a deal which could reach ยฃ40m including add-ons.

The deal comes despite Livramento missing the majority of last season, as he recovered from an ACL issue that curtailed what had been an impressive breakthrough season with the Saints in 2021/22.

The England u21 international had signed for Southampton for a fee of just ยฃ5m from Chelsea in 2021 and Southampton have sold the defender on for a huge profit after just 30 league appearances for the club.

How much football Livramento can expect to earn at Newcastle, immediately at least, is unclear with Kieran Trippier ahead of the right-back and a crucial part of Eddie Howe’s side.

Brennan Johnson – Tottenham (ยฃ47.5m)

Spurs reinvested part of their Harry Kane windfall into the signing of Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest, securing a deadline day deal worth ยฃ47.5m.

Johnson shone during Nottingham Forest’s return to the Premier League last season and was often a live-wire presence in Steve Cooper’s attack, but the fee involved – one which makes the 22-year-old the second most expensive Welshman of all time after Gareth Bale – seems steep after a return of eight Premier League goals last season.

Johnson has the attributes to thrive in an Ange Postecoglou side and the Australian will hope to mould the new recruit into a leading Premier League forward.

Another deal in which a premium price has been paid for potential.

Read –ย The five most expensive players ever in cumulative transfer fees

Read Also –ย Ranking the best Englishmen to play in La Liga

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