EPL 2016-2017: 5 best signings of the summer transfer window so far

The football transfer market is well underway and there have already been some major deals which have been completed in the transfer window. As always, EPL clubs with their greater spending power have secured some high-profile signings.

All the big clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have made some big signings with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ilkay Gundogan making their way to the Premier League.

However, there have been some extremely intelligent signings as well this transfer window by EPL teams. We take a look at the 5 best signings made by EPL teams in the summer transfer window:

Note: Free transfers have not been considered

#5 Nolito – Celta Vigo to Manchester City (£13.8 million)

Spanish forward Nolito was Pep Guardiola’s second signing at Manchester City, and it seems to be a shrewd piece of business by the former Barcelona manager. Nolito is known for his direct pace and dribbling skills and will add an extra dimension to the City attack.

The prospect of Nolito and Aguero linking up for Manchester City will provide opposition defences with a lot of problems in the Premier League. Capable of scoring crucial goals, Nolito will also be able to lessen the burden on Aguero.

The Spanish winger’s skills had caught even Barcelona’s eye, but the presence of Pep Guardiola was able to convince Nolito to move to the Premier League:

"The truth is, I enjoyed working with him in Barcelona even though it wasn't much time. It's a reason for me to come here but not the only one," Nolito, 29, was quoted as saying by the Guardian on Monday, recalling his time under Guardiola's helm in 2010-2011.

"I wish Barcelona all the best. I am very proud of Barcelona's interest, but now I am here and I think I made the best decision to come here," the Spanish forward added. At £13.8 million, Nolito is easily one of the best signings of this transfer window.

#4 Loris Karius – FSV Mainz 05 to Liverpool FC (£4.7 million)

When Liverpool signed Loris Karius from Mainz, few fans from outside the Bundesliga knew about the talented German shot-stopper. Given the number 1 jersey by Liverpool, Karius, who is just 23, looks set to usurp the starting position from Mignolet this season.

The signing of Karius might not have caused too much excitement for the fans, but it represents a very shrewd piece of business from Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool transfer committee. The former Mainz goalkeeper is rated highly in Germany having represented Germany in the U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-21 levels. Also, although Klopp has publicly backed Mignolet, the Belgian has been prone to making errors and a quality goalkeeper like Karius will keep Mignolet on his toes.

While Karius definitely has age on his side, he is also already pretty experienced having made close to a 100 appearances for the Mainz first team. A goalkeeper blessed with good height, shot-stopping skills and presence in the penalty box, Karius can go on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League next season.

Liverpool bought Karius for a fee of £4.7 million on a five-year deal and it is looking like a deal worth every penny.

#3 Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United (£26.3 million)

Borussia Dortmund had a very good year under Thomas Tuchel last season and one of the standout players for Dortmund was Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian international had a stellar campaign, scoring 11 goals and assisting 15 in the Bundesliga.

In today’s inflated transfer market, the signing of Mkhitaryan for a fee of just over 26 million marks a real bargain.The Armenian playmaker is capable of playing on the wings and as a support striker and can provide some much needed creativity and attacking play to Manchester United.

Mourinho had earmarked Mkhitaryan as one of his key targets and the signing of the former Borussia Dortmund forward is definitely a huge step in the right direction for the Premier League giants.

#2 Viktor Fischer – AFC Ajax to Middlesbrough (£3.8 million)

While the transfer moves of Middlesbrough might not hit the headlines, they might be the biggest winners of this transfer window having made some excellent signings like Victor Valdes, Viktor Fischer and Alvaro Negredo.

The signing of Viktor Fischer, in particular, represents a major coup for Aitor Karanka and his men. The youngster’s performances with Denmark at the U-17 World Cup had made him a target for clubs such as Manchester City, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Manchester United. However, the player decided to move to Ajax in a bid to find regular first team action and experience natural growth as a footballer.

The youngster earned rave reviews with his performances at Ajax with former manager Frank de Boer even comparing him to Barcelona’s Andreas Iniesta. Injuries last season largely limited his playing time, but, Fischer is confident, hard working and technically gifted and his signing is already being touted as the best signing of the season.

#1 N’golo Kante – Leicester City to Chelsea FC (£32 million)

N’golo Kante has been unstoppable in the last 12 months and his performances in the middle of the park was a key component in Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League triumph. It is no wonder that he was linked with all the top clubs across Europe.

Chelsea won the race to sign the in-demand French midfielder and Antonio Conte and Co will be congratulating themselves on securing the signing of the best defensive midfielder in Europe.

Ranieri praised Kante’s energy, awareness and reading of the game.

“It will not surprise me the day he crosses the ball from the flank and gets into the penalty area to head it,” the Italian said.

“He is someone who knows where the ball will go, knows where the opposition will move, knows everything first.”

Leicester City will definitely miss the services of Kante this season. For £32 million, Kante is definitely the best signing of this transfer window.

Click here for a full list of all the completed transfers this window.