Sport
Who were the bargains of the transfer window?
The summer transfer window was characterised by mega-deals, with players such as Romelu Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho among those on the move in big-money transfers. But with many clubs still struggling financially as a result of the pandemic, others teams had to try to find diamonds in the rough at a much lower price point. Some players are already repaying their investments after making a fine start to the new Premier League season, even after just three matches. Here are the best bargains of the 2021 summer transfer window.
6 biggest bargains of the 2021 transfer window
Tino Livramento (Chelsea to Southampton – £5m_
Southampton lost key man Danny Ings to Aston Villa for just £25 million but the Saints brought in a rising star in talented young right-back Livramento with some of the proceeds. Livramento, 18, has already made an impact for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side and is being preferred to Kyle Walker-Peters on the right side of their back four.
It is not the first time Chelsea have lost a gem of a right-back for a cheap fee, with Tariq Lamptey having shone since he left Stamford Bridge for Brighton. This time, Chelsea are reported to have inserted a buy-back clause worth £25 million for Livramento. He had also been a target for the Seagulls but opting for Southampton looks a smart decision by the teenager.
Demarai Gray (Bayer Leverkusen to Everton – £1.7m)
With two goals in three games so far this season, Gray has been a smash hit for the Toffees and already proved himself on of the big transfer window bargains. With Rafael Benitez working with a far lower budget than his predecessor at Goodison Park, Carlo Ancelotti, Gray is a sign of the Spaniard’s canny eye for an undervalued player.
Gray never broke through fully at Leicester City and he also failed to make an impact after switching to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, but his pace and direct style makes him an asset for Everton. He is unlikely to maintain his early-season form but should provide a strong supply line for Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Everton among the front-runners. Andros Townsend said that he couldn’t believe they got him so cheaply.
Connor Roberts (Swansea City to Burnley – £2.5m)
Deadline-day deals sometimes smell of panic but Burnley had been linked with Wales right-back Roberts for some time and completed the signing for a reported £2.5 million with several hours to spare. Roberts, currently sidelined with a groin injury, has boundless energy and he should make a strong impact when he usurps Matt Lowton in the Clarets side.
Sean Dyche has a reputation for turning raw defenders into quality operators, with the likes of James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier having made huge strides under his leadership. Roberts will be hoping his progress is just as smooth at Turf Moor.
Pierre Lees-Melou (Nice to Norwich City – £3.5m)
Survival already looks a tall task for Norwich but in Lees-Melou they may have uncovered a gem. With Ligue 1 in financial peril due to the collapse of a TV rights deal, Nice were happy to cash in on a 28-year-old who scored five goals and got six assists in the 2019-20 season.
Last season saw those numbers drop off a little but the attack-minded Lees-Melou, who also captained Nice on a regular basis, is a definite upgrade in the Canaries midfield and certainly looks be one of the bargains of the summer transfer window.
Will Hughes (Watford to Crystal Palace – £6m)
It is a few years since Hughes was widely touted as the future of English football, having broken into the Derby County midfield at the age of just 16. He might not have hit the stratosphere but he has racked up over 300 appearances, a fair chunk of those coming in the Premier League.
With Hughes unwilling to extend a contract that was in its last year at Vicarage Road, Watford had little choice but to accept the offer on the table from Palace. They will be hoping Hughes can become a key cog in their rebrand under the new Selhurst Park boss Patrick Vieira.
Emmanuel Dennis – Club Brugge to Watford, £3.5m
Watford are always busy in the transfer market and Dennis looks ready to menace the Premier League after switching from Belgium. A goal and an assist in a 3-2 defeat of Aston Villa on his Premier League debut was a great start for the 23-year-old forward.
Dennis has scored in European competition against Real Madrid and Manchester United in recent seasons. If he can keep Watford in the top-flight, he will have been worth every penny.
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