The new English Premier League season is fast approaching, and there’s the typical anticipation following an off-season full of transfer activity with wannabe title contenders Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool thick among the action.
Here’s Sports Pundit’s top 10 off-season transfers;
10. Olivier Giroud - Montpellier to Arsenal, 15m
The 25-year-old striker was a revelation in Ligue 1 last term, netting 21 goals and providing nine assists as Montpellier stunned all by winning the French title. He’s the type of player who should fit in well at the Gunners under Arsene Wenger. Big things are expected from the nine-time France international.
9. David Hoilett - Blackburn to Queens Park Rangers, Free
Hoilett’s capture is symbolic of Rangers’ summer recruitment drive which also netted seasoned stars such as Park Ji-Sung, Ryan Nelsen, Robert Green, Fabio da Silva and Andy Johnson. The 22-year-old Canadian-born attacker is an exciting prospect and his seven goals and six assists for a struggling Blackburn side last term prove that.
8. Jack Rodwell - Everton to Manchester City, 15m
The 21-year-old is another youngster to move clubs this off-season, with the champions landing him in the past week, following previous interest from Manchester United. The defensive midfielder will add depth to City’s already strong squad, although remarkably he is their first major summer signing.
7. Gylfi Sigurdsson - Hoffenheim to Tottenham, 10m
Sigurdsson had a wonderful impact on loan at Swansea last season with plenty of attacking prowess, prompting several clubs to chase his permanent signature with Spurs eventually beating out Liverpool. The 22-year-old has never played for a big club, after previous experience at Reading, Crewe, Shrewsbury and Hoffenheim of course, but he appears ready for the step-up.
6. Oscar - Internacional to Chelsea, 32m
Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea have splashed out 32m for the 20-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder in an astonishing move. Oscar, who has six senior Brazil caps to his name, arrives after staring at the 2012 London Olympics where his nation finished second. He was arguably more impressive at last year’s Under-20 World Cup where they triumphed and he scored three goals in the final.
5. Joe Allen - Swansea City to Liverpool, 19m
New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has brought in a familiar face in Allen, while he also added Fabio Borini in his two big off-season purchases so far. Wales international Allen, 22, impressed most observers with his mix of skill and craft at Swansea last term as they defied the odds and comfortably avoided the drop. Anfield is a big step-up but he looks capable.
4. Shinji Kagawa - Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United, 15m
After two seasons where he helped Dortmund clinch back-to-back Bundesliga titles, Kagawa has made the bold move to Old Trafford. The Japanese’s arrival hasn’t attracted the attention it deserves in England, given his impact in Germany over the past two seasons. Kagawa is a crafty customer who will dazzle defences, although the physical nature of the Premier League may take some getting used to.
3. Lukas Podolski - FC Koln to Arsenal, 13m
Podolski, like Kagawa, arrives in England from Germany. The former Bayern Munich man has spent his entire professional career in his homeland so his switch to the Gunners represents a major milestone and challenge for him. Podolski has always done well on the international stage for Germany, but has had his problems at club level. The left-sided attacker’s direct approach, though, should provide a good point of difference at Arsenal.
2. Santi Cazorla - Malaga to Arsenal, 20m
The Gunners’ trio of big off-season arrivals is rounded out by the 20m splash for Spain international Cazorla, who has long had a cult following of admirers. The 27-year-old has had great success in his homeland with Villarreal, who were relegated following his exit last term, and Malaga, who he helped reach the Uefa Champions League last season.
1. Eden Hazard - Lille to Chelsea, 40m
The Blues were focused in their pursuit of highly-rated Belgian talent Hazard over the off-season, winning the hotly-contested race for his signature with a remarkable 40m purchase. Hazard has enjoyed several successful seasons in France, leading Lille to the 2010-11 Ligue 1 title, before dazzling fans with his performances in the 2011-12 Uefa Champions League. The 21-year-old winger/attacking midfielder is still very young but has experience and loads of skill.
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