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With the summer transfer window slamming shut for the leading European leagues, the Premier League has already started shaping up. In one of the most eventful transferral periods of modern times, English clubs reigned supreme with five of the highest spenders hailing from the Premier League. While many seasoned veterans have swapped clubs within the league, multiple new faces will be seen making their debut in England.
New incoming transfers to the Premier League
Out of all the top-rated clubs, Manchester United arguably had the most effective transfer window. The quality-to-expenditure ratio exuded by the Red Devils' business was simply unmatchable, acquiring Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo for a combined fee of €140m. To put things in perspective, Arsenal spent €25m more than their Premier League rivals with a €58.5m Ben White being their most notable signing.
Chelsea have welcomed the duo of Romelu Lukaku and Saul Niguez to bolster their attack in a bid to win their first Premier League title since 2017 this season. Ibrahima Konate, Cristian Romero, Leon Bailey, Bryan Gil and Marc Cucurella are some of the few notable names who'll be defending a Premier League badge real soon.
Despite a chaotic deadline day that occurred on the 31st of August, teams remain unsure of their final roster for the 2021-22 season. With transfer windows in certain leagues still open, potential last-minute departures can still happen in England. On that note, let's take a look at five players who can still secure a transfer away from the Premier League:
#5 Malang Sarr
In the summer of 2020, Chelsea were in desperate need of some defensive reinforcement after barely managing a top-four finish in the Premier League. Before they signed Thiago Silva, the Blues' free-of-cost acquisition of Malang Sarr was hailed as one of the best pieces of transfer business that season. Immediately after landing in England, the young Frenchman was sent out on loan to Porto.
Sarr is finally back at Stamford Bridge with hopes of winning Thomas Tuchel's trust. However, considering recent developments, it seems like Tuchel does not fancy the youngster after all. Sarr was just minutes away from joining Bundesliga newbies Greuther Fürth, before the deal collapsed in the final hour.
With five registered centre-backs at his disposal, Tuchel could turn to the 22-year-old only for the occasional cup game. As such, Sarr could be on the move once again in the coming days. The French international has zero Premier League appearances at the time of writing.
#4 Sead Kolašinac
Following a disastrous loan spell with boyhood side Schalke, Sead Kolašinac is back at Arsenal for his fifth season with the Gunners. After years of top-tier football, Schalke suffered an embarrassing relegation last season, with Kolašinac adding to their poor defensive showings.
Many fans were baffled after Mikel Arteta chose to give the washed-up Bosnian his first Premier League start since September of 2020, against Manchester City. As expected, Kolašinac failed to inspire the Arsenal defense and they conceded five goals in the span of 90 minutes. With such an abysmal performance in his first game since that fateful loan, Kolašinac's days with the Gunners could well be numbered.
While rumors of a possible transfer to Fernabache or Lazio did surface last month, but nothing materialized. The recent arrivals of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Nuno Tavares mean that the former Premier League giants have enough cover in all departments that Kolašinac can be deployed at.
Also read: 4 players who should never play for Barcelona again
#3 Divock Origi
Divock Origi made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in 2015. However, Origi has stayed on the fringes of the squad ever since his transfer from Lille was authorized in 2014.
Having achieved cult-like status with the Liverpool fans for his irreplaceable contribution in the Reds' Champions League victory in 2019, Origi was dropped from the squad soon after. With Roberto Firmino and now Diogo Jota occupying the number 9 position under Klopp, the 26-year-old Belgian has found opportunities hard to come by.
Reportedly, Fenerbache are keen to bring the forgotten Belgian to Turkey, having held progressive talks recently. Origi's seven-year stay with Liverpool could soon end after a hundred Premier League appearances.
#2 Mohamed Elneny
Mohamed Elneny, the second Arsenal player on the list, has seen his side make numerous signings in his designated position over the years. From Thomas Partey to Granit Xhaka, the former Premier League giants have spent big trying to fix a gaping hole in the base of their midfield that Elneny was expected to fill.
While the defensive midfielder did have an extended run in the Premier League last season, he is again linked with a move away having been effectively replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga.
If reports are to be believed, Besiktas are working to bring in their former loan signing. The Turkish giants have even submitted an official offer in an attempt to sign Elneny before the commencement of their Champions League campaign. After one goal in 70 Premier League appearances, the 29-year-old could be on his way out. However, Elneny's wage demands have been a stumbling block so far.
#1 James Rodriguez
From joining Real Madrid for €75m in 2014 to linking up for the third time with Carlo Ancelotti at Everton of all places, James Rodriguez has seen it all. The former Bayern Munich loanee arrived in Merseyside in 2020 on a free transfer after falling out of favor with Zinedine Zidane.
While swapping the Bernabeu for Goodison Park was evidently a downward step in Rodriguez's career, the chance of playing under Ancelotti once again lured him into signing for the Toffees. Just one year into the Colombian's Premier League career, Real Madrid re-hired Ancelotti to succeed the outgoing Zidane.
Rodriguez did voice his disappointment over the ordeal, comparing his situation to that of Sergio Aguero's at Barcelona. Clearly displeased with the Italian manager's decision to abandon him, the 30-year-old playmaker himself is linked with a move away from the Premier League.
With time still left in the transfer window in Turkey, Istanbul's Basaksehir remains genuinely interested in his services. Rodriguez could well switch sides at the last minute.
Also read: Predicting dark horses to win Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A (2021-22)
