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The Premier League’s top six have seen some exciting arrivals already in this transfer window, with Romelu Lukaku, Alexandre Lacazette, Alvaro Morata, Mohamed Salah and Bernardo Silva all having signed for big prices.
To add to that, Everton, who finished in sixth last season, have done lots of business, signing Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane and Wayne Rooney, who are all very good signings. But, it is not only the top six who have been doing some good business.
Here we look at five of the best signings by teams outside of the top six.
#5 Pablo Zabaleta to West Ham
West Ham had struggled to find themselves a strong right back for years. Carl Jenkinson came from Arsenal on loan and did just about fine from 2014-16, but not as good as West Ham fans would have liked.
Last season, West Ham had even bigger problems at right back with Sam Byram and Havard Nordtveit struggling to put in good defensive performances at full back and this led to the team conceding lots of goals.
However, West Ham have now, for at least a couple of seasons, signed a very good right back. Despite him being 32 years old, Pablo Zabaleta is a great signing by West Ham.
The Hammers have got Zabaleta on a free transfer, and he is certain to offer stability to their back four. He made 229 Premier League appearances at Man City, winning two titles, two league cups and an FA Cup, meaning he will add huge experience and make West Ham a better side.
#4 Asmir Begovic to Bournemouth
Having spent two years as Chelsea’s number two, Asmir Begovic has now moved to Bournemouth, in a move that cost the Cherries around £10 million. However, that will undoubtedly be a great piece of business because Begovic can provide Bournemouth with at least six or seven more points with his ability.
The Cherries had both Artur Boruc and Adam Federeci play in goal last season, and neither of them did a good job. Of the teams inside the top 10, Bournemouth conceded 16 more goals than anybody else and conceded the fifth most goals in the whole of the Premier League.
This suggested they needed both a goalkeeper and a centre back, both positions in which they have strengthened, with Begovic being a superb arrival. Eddie Howe has done some very good business this summer and Begovic is a big part of that.
The forthcoming season will definitely see some improvements defensively for the Cherries with Begovic as their new number one.
#3 Roque Mesa to Swansea
Midfield maestro Roque Mesa might turn out to be an astute signing for Swansea City. The Spaniard has magnificent technical ability, combined with his tenacity and willingness to get stuck in. He’s not much of a goal scorer, but he can do some wonderful things with a football.
He’s only 5ft 7, but he will have no problems dealing with the Premier League’s physicality, similarly to how Santi Cazorla didn’t, despite his size. He will provide a cutting edge to Swansea, who have struggled to find a good box to box midfielder.
To add to that, their main source of attacking creativity is only Gylfi Sigurdsson, meaning Mesa will give them more chances in the final third.
Mesa spent three years in Las Palmas’s first team and became a fan favourite. With Mesa in their side, Swansea and their fans have an exciting season ahead of them.
#2 Nathan Ake to Bournemouth
When Nathan Ake was recalled from his loan spell at Bournemouth midway through last year, it seemed like Antonio Conte had plans to use the Dutchman in some games at the end of the season. But, he only played in two Premier League games despite being recalled in January.
Even though it seemed he would have to endure another loan spell or time on the bench or in the youth team at Chelsea, the Blues have now allowed the Dutchman to move on with his career, letting him sign for Bournemouth in a £20 million deal.
This is to the delight of all Bournemouth fans who loved the way he performed before he was prematurely recalled by Chelsea. Even though £20 million is a big investment for a small club like Bournemouth, it is likely to be worth it.
As mentioned previously Bournemouth conceded lots of goals last season. Their problem isn’t scoring, it’s in defence, so the fact that they have brought in Ake permanently is certainly going to strengthen their back four, a great signing by the Cherries.
#1 Javier Hernandez to West Ham
Javier Hernandez’s move to West Ham could turn out to be one of the bargains of this summer transfer window if the Mexican performs to his potential next season.
In the 54 league games he played for Bayer Leverkusen, the striker bagged a goal every two games on average, a tally West Ham fans would be delighted to see at the London Stadium.
The Mexican did previously fail to nail down a starting position in his time at Manchester United in the Premier League, but that will not be a problem with the Hammers. Hopefully, the Mexican can perform better than most of the 32 strikers who West Ham have signed since 2010, with 20 of them having failed to score more than three goals!
For just £16 million, the Mexican is worth the gamble. He has bundles of experience at the top level, having played in two Premier League title winning Manchester United sides, and a Real Madrid team for one season.
Hernandez is undoubtedly the best buy by a team outside of the top six.
