The transfer window has slammed shut for Premier League clubs and it has been another season of record-breaking spending for England’s top sides.
After the deadline, we look at the most expensive XI signed by Premier League clubs this summer.
The most expensive Premier League XI signed this summer:
Goalkeeper: Andre Onana – Manchester United (£47.2m)
Erik ten Hag’s search for a new goalkeeper took him to a familiar face, as Manchester United completed a deal to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan. Ten Hag worked with the Cameroon international at Ajax and agreed a £47.2m deal to bring the goalkeeper to the Premier League.
David de Gea’s distribution had been a concern for the Red Devils and brought an end to his long spell as the club’s number one, with Onana viewed as an upgrade with the ball at his feet. The 27-year-old led the Champions League for saves and clean sheets as Inter Milan reached the final last season.
Andre Onana has made 11 saves & prevented 1.5 goals in the Premier League so far this season. Only Bernd Leno has managed more saves (14) & prevented more goals (3.7).
“He’s only good with his feet”. ???? pic.twitter.com/m6VdZmfkzR
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 24, 2023
Right-back: Pedro Porro – Tottenham (£39.7m)
Tottenham turned Pedro Porro’s loan into a permanent move this summer, having signed the right-back on loan from Sporting Lisbon with an obligation to buy in January.
Porro scored three goals and provided three assist in 15 league appearances for Spurs last season, but his adventurous attacking play often came alongside some defensive concerns. The task for new manager Ange Postecoglou will be to bring the best from the full-back, who could thrive under the Australian’s attack-minded management.
Centre-back: Axel Disasi – Chelsea (£38.7m)
Wesley Fofana’s latest cruel luck with injury saw Chelsea re-enter the market for defensive reinforcements, securing a £38.7m deal for AS Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi. A number of Premier League clubs had watched the 25-year-old, who broke into the France team in 2022.
Disasi marked his Premier League debut with a goal against Liverpool on the opening weekend and has already earned the approval of Chelsea legend John Terry.
I really like the look of @axeldisasi
????????????— John Terry (@JohnTerry26) August 20, 2023
Centre-back: Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City (£77m)
Arguably the most coveted central defender in Europe, Manchester City have beaten competition from the continent’s top clubs to sign Josko Gvardiol.
Gvardiol impressed across two seasons in the Bundesliga at RB Leipzig and shone as Croatia reached the World Cup semi-finals last winter.
The 21-year-old is bullish defensively and progressive in his running and passes through lines, the hallmark of a modern Pep Guardiola defender. Already excellent and with a huge ceiling, Gvardiol has the potential to develop into the world’s best centre-back at the Etihad.
Still thinking about that Gvardiol turn… ???????? pic.twitter.com/YAtdghHE5X
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 28, 2023
Left-back: Micky van de Ven – Tottenham (£34.5m)
Cheating slightly, here. But Van de Ven’s ability to cover centrally and at full-back earns him inclusion in our big-money XI. The Dutch defender has made a promising start in a new-look Spurs side under Ange Postecoglou, providing athleticism, balance and poise to the club’s backline.
In an era where top clubs are chasing left-sided centre-backs who can cover defensive gaps in wide areas, Van de Ven – equipped with powerful running and rapid recovery pace – could prove to be a coup for the north Londoners.
Micky van de Ven in the Premier League so far:
☑️3 games
☑️270 minutes
☑️203 passes
☑️94% pass accuracy
☑️5 tackles
☑️2 interceptions
☑️13 clearances
☑️2 blocked shots
☑️4/6 aerial duels won
☑️14/18 of all duels wonA very promising start to his English adventure for the… pic.twitter.com/VI3NxNHvgz
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) August 26, 2023
Midfield: Moises Caicedo – Chelsea (£115m)
Chelsea broke the British transfer record for the second time in six months after beating Liverpool to the signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton. In one of the sagas of the summer window Chelsea won the race for Caicedo, who had emerged as one of the most in-demand talents in the Premier League.
After impressing during Brighton’s top-six finish last season and ranking second in the Premier League for both tackles and interceptions, Chelsea will hope the all-action Ecuadorian can be the club’s N’Golo Kante reincarnate.
Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal (£105m)
After Arsenal’s title challenge crumbled during the run-in, Mikel Arteta’s search for steel landed at Declan Rice. It took a club-record £105m to sign the midfielder, who last season became the first West Ham captain to lift a major trophy in 43 years.
Rice has long been linked with a move to one of the Premier League’s elite and already looks at home in the Arsenal engine room. Having been an integral figure for England and Gareth Southgate, the 24-year-old will now have the chance to test himself on the Champions League stage.
Recover like Rice ???????? pic.twitter.com/SvsMKI4Guu
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 7, 2023
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool (£60m)
Liverpool’s midfield rebuild has been one of the narratives of the summer, with mass change at Anfield after a disappointing Premier League campaign. The arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have injected new life into Jurgen Klopp’s side and the latter has made quite the impression across his opening Premier League appearances.
Boasting endless energy and exceptional close control and technique, Szoboszlai has all the attributes to become a fans’ favourite on Merseyside.
A special Szobo display ???? pic.twitter.com/Ljrqdxh931
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 21, 2023
Forward: Jeremy Doku – Manchester City (£55m)
Manchester City sought a different profile of winger following the exits of Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer this summer, agreeing a £55m deal to sign Jeremy Doku from Rennes.
The 21-year-old ranks second in Europe’s top five leagues for take-ons competed since the start of last season and is sure to get the fans off their seat with his acceleration and ability to beat full-backs one-vs-one.
Already capped 16 times at international level, he is part of an emerging group of Belgian talent alongside Romeo Lavia and Lois Openda.
Forward: Rasmus Hojland – Manchester United (£72m)
Manchester United were in search of a centre-forward this summer and spent £72m to sign Rasmus Hojland from Atalanta.
The 20-year-old impressed during his debut season with the Italian side and has made a stunning start to his international career with six goals in six appearances for Denmark. Likened to Erling Haaland due to his height, pace, left-foot and Scandinavian roots, the Red Devils will hope Hojland can follow in the footsteps of Haaland with a fine debut campaign in English football.
Forward: Kai Havertz – Arsenal (£65m)
Is he a forward? Or is he a midfielder? Does anyone really know?
Mikel Arteta has taken a chance on Kai Havertz this summer, spending £65m to sign the Germany international after three rather underwhelming seasons at Chelsea. Used as an advanced number eight in north London so far, it is an experiment which has failed to convince in its infancy.
The talent is there, but then that has always been the case. The challenge for Arsenal is to turn Havertz from enigma to effective attacking weapon.
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