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Deciding on the best signings of the season is not an easy task. Different teams have different problems and different goals and they try to bring in players who can solve those problems and help them meet their objectives.
So the best signing of the season doesn't need to be a player who has gone on to win the biggest honours with his new team. Sometimes it could be a player who helps a mid-table side secure a berth in European competitions or one who helps a team survive relegation.
We are arriving at the end of the 2020-21 season with only a handful of games left to be played and it feels like the right time to decide which signing has had the most impact this term.
Several European giants splashed the cash last summer despite the financial problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and here, we take a look at the five best signings of the 2020-21 season.
#5 Edinson Cavani - Manchester United
When Edinson Cavani was signed by Manchester United on deadline day, it looked like a last-minute deal that the Red Devils were forced to settle for. Cavani, 33-years-old at the time, was tipped to take after Alexis Sanchez and flop at Old Trafford whilst pocketing a hefty sum in weekly wages.
However, the Uruguayan has proved to be a welcome addition to the side and has helped Solskjaer show the board exactly what they have been lacking in the goalscoring department. Cavani's early injury issues delayed his entry into the side but once he started scoring, he became Manchester United's first-choice striker.
Manchester United are a much better team with Cavani on the pitch with the Urugayan striker bringing all his experience to the fore and his passionate displays have already made him a fan-favourite. He has scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances of which only 19 have been starts.
Cavani has made a lot of impact off the bench on multiple occasions and has been rewarded with a new contract at Manchester United. He seems to have broken the curse of the no. 7 shirt at Manchester United as well.
#4 Sven Botman - LOSC Lille
LOSC Lille are one win away from replacing Paris Saint-Germain as champions of France. Lille have shown improvements on all fronts over the course of the season but it's their defense that has really stood out this term. Christophe Galtier's side has conceded just 22 goals this season, six fewer than Paris Saint-Germain, who have the second-best defensive record in the league.
The 21-year-old was signed by Lille from Jong Ajax, Ajax's reserve side, for a deal worth around €8 million. The left-footed centre-back has been an absolute revelation in the Lille backline. Christophe Galtier has already lavished praise on the youngster by saying he is one of the best centre-backs he has ever worked with.
Botman is strong, loves to tackle, dominates aerial duels and is mature beyond his age. It comes as no surprise then that the 21-year-old who could soon become Ligue 1 champion is being courted by teams like Liverpool and Manchester United.
#3 Achraf Hakimi - Inter Milan
One team's loss is another team's gain. Real Madrid had quite a decision to make on their hands last summer when Hakimi returned from Borussia Dortmund after an extremely impressive loan spell. However, as they already had Dani Carvajal in their ranks, they were not going to be able to do justice to Achraf Hakimi's talent.
So they decided to cash in on him and Inter Milan signed the Moroccan international for a fee in the ballpark of €40 million. The 22-year-old has been tremendous for the Nerazzurri and has contributed greatly to Inter Milan's title-winning Serie A campaign.
The right-back has scored seven goals and provided eight assists in Serie A this term and is one of the best full-backs in the world right now.
#2 Luis Suarez - Atletico Madrid
When Luis Suarez was shown the exit door in rather callous fashion by Barcelona last summer, it was perceived to be unfair in many circles. Suarez had been one of Barcelona's best players since joining the club in 2014 and the Uruguayan later went on to admit that the Catalans told him he was too old to perform at the highest level.
Suarez joined Barcelona's title rivals Atletico Madrid and immediately improved the side with his goalscoring prowess. He was in sublime form at the start of the season and the Rojiblancos are now one game away from securing the La Liga title.
The Uruguayan international has scored 20 goals and provided three assists from 31 matches in La Liga this season. His goals have gone a long way towards Atletico Madrid's title charge and he is undoubtedly one of the signings of the season.
#1 Ruben Dias - Manchester City
Ever since he took charge as Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola has been backed heavily in the transfer market and he has splurged on defenders. Guardiola knows that to build a title-winning team, he needs a strong defense and he is uncompromising in that aspect.
Manchester City signed Ruben Dias from Benfica for €68 million and though there were apprehensions about spending that big an amount on a youngster, the player has proved he is worth the money and then some. Dias has been a rock at the back for Manchester City and has helped transform them into one of the strongest teams in Europe.
Ruben Dias has produced multiple match-winning performances this season and his exploits in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup deserve special mention. Dias has kept 14 cleansheets in 30 appearances in the Premier League this term.
Manchester City have the best defensive record in the Premier League. They are favourites to win the Champions League final and it's safe to say that Ruben Dias has had an impact at City that's similar to what Virgil van Dijk had at Liverpool a couple of seasons earlier.
