Thursday, April 18, 2024

Five of the best Premier League deadline day deals

French teenager Anthony Martial was the biggest signing of deadline day, as he cost Manchester United £36million plus- add-ons from Monaco

French teenager Anthony Martial was the biggest signing of deadline day, as he cost Manchester United £36million plus- add-ons from Monaco

As usual on the English transfer deadline day there was a flurry of activity amongst Premier League clubs attempting to make those last minute tweaks to their squads.

There was not many mega money moves on the last day of the transfer window, but there was some very interesting moves.

Here are five of the best moves of deadline day:

Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace to Bournemouth)

Murray maybe in his early thirties, but he showed at the end of last season that he can still be a threat to  Premier League defences. The 31-year-old spent the first half of last season on-loan at Championship Reading, where scored eight goals in 18 appearances.

However, he was given a fresh start at Palace by Alan Pardew in January and he repaid that faith with seven goals in 17 top-flight appearances, although only nine of those appearances were starts.

Murray could prove to be a very good addition to the Cherries squad and an effective strike-partner for the Cherries highly-rated top scorer Callum Wilson. His £4million fee could be money well spent if Eddie Howe’s side avoid a quick return to the second tier.

Aaron Lennon (Tottenham to Everton)

Lennon has always been one of those enigmatic players with lots of talent, but little consistency in his game. Lightning quick and a decent passing, his decision making and crossing often let him down.

However, when he is in form he is a very difficult opponent for any defender. The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on-loan at Goodison Park, where the Toffees fans really warmed to the former-England international.

Lennon was reported to be looking to make the move permanent earlier in the summer and has now joined the Toffees for a fee in the region of £4million and signed a three-year contract with the Merseysider’s.

Victor Moses (Chelsea to West Ham)

Moses is slightly similar to Lennon in the fact that he can frustrate at times, but when he’s hot he is red hot. The Nigerian international has just signed an extension to his Chelsea contract, despite being allowed to join London rivals West Ham on a season-long loan deal.

Moses is skilful, quick and impressed during a season-long loan deal at Stoke City, who were reported to be very keen on re-signing the former-Palace ace this summer.

He has often flattered to deceive in recent seasons, despite his good spell at Stoke and he has yet to truly find consistency in his game. West Ham could be the perfect place to find it, as Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is looking to play expansive, attacking football this season.

Anthony Martial (Monaco to Manchester United)

The young Frenchman was the talk of transfer deadline day, as he completed a move worth at least £36million to his Ligue One club, with the fee rising with add-ons in the future.

The 19-year-old is now the most expensive teenager in the history of football, but his potential is truly massive. Compared to Thierry Henry because of his roots and the fact he has played for Monaco, Martial can play on either wing and as a central striker.

The Red Devils are short of central strikers, after the summer exits of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, Martial provides an extra option for the Red Devils. Martial is quick and direct, two attributes that the current United team is slightly short of at the moment.

His signing no is a gamble from United boss Louis van Gaal, considering Martial has made just over 70 professional appearances for Monaco in all competitions. However, for a player of his age that is a respectable amount of games under his belt.

No doubt it will be difficult for Martial to justify his price tag, but if he lives up to the hype then Manchester United could have a very special player years to come.

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic to Southampton)

Southampton secured the services of Holland international centre-back Virgil van Dijk for a fee of around £11.5million from Scottish giants Celtic on deadline day.

The Saints had been looking for a replacement for Belgian centre-back Toby Alderweireld, who spent last season on-loan at the south coast club, but ended up signing a permanent deal with Premier League rivals Tottenham.

The Saints have not looked as solid in defence this season and needed a new centre-back, so boss turned to compatriot Van Dijk to give him another defensive option.

The 24-year-old is cool and calm on the ball and has impressed playing in the SPL, although his defensive deficiencies have been exposed in European games in the past few seasons.

For all his defensive deficiencies he is a very skilful, ball-playing centre-back who will only improve under the tutelage of former-Holland international Koeman in the Premier League.

Who was the best Premier League deadline day signing?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Nugent


David is a freelance football writer with nearly a decade of experience writing about the beautiful game. The experienced writer has written for over a dozen websites and also an international soccer magazine offline.
Arguably his best work has come as an editorial writer for Soccernews, sharing his good, bad and ugly opinions on the world’s favourite sport. During David’s writing career he has written editorials, betting previews, match previews, banter, news and opinion pieces.

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