Transfer Treasure: Top 10 Signings

With the Premier League kicking off in three weeks, most of the focus in the transfer window has been on the high-profile moves involving the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez.

However, we look at some signings that have gone slightly under the radar and may just be the new Michu for your Fantasy Football team.

Mauro Zarate:
While West Ham have splashed almost £20 million on Ecuador’s World Cup star Enner Valencia and Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate, the free signing of Zarate could prove to be the most fruitful. The Argentine had a brief spell in the Premier League with Birmingham six years ago and was top scorer in Argentina last season. There are rumours Sam Allardyce didn’t want the striker but he should be an important figure with Andy Carroll yet again missing the first few months of the season through injury.

Bojan Krkic & Mame Biram Diouf:
Bojan’s signing is something of a coup for Mark Hughes’ side, but also a gamble. The youngster exploded onto the scene at Barcelona and kept the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry out of the Barca side. However, he found it difficult to deal with the limelight and has had a nomadic last few years around some top European clubs, without ever performing to his undoubted potential. Should he reproduce his early Barcelona form, Stoke City – and the Premier League – will have a huge star on their hands. Stoke’s other major signing, Mame Biram Diouf, failed to impress during a spell at Manchester United but did well in the Bundesliga with Hannover 96 and will provide a much-needed goal threat for The Potters, whose top league scorer last term was Peter Crouch with just eight goals.

Ben Davies:
Spurs have had a relatively quiet transfer window compared to last summer, but the capture of Swansea City’s left-back Ben Davies could prove inspired. The position has been a problem for Spurs in recent season and the young Welsh international offers similar potential to Luke Shaw, at a third of the price.

Bafetimbi Gomis:
There’s a suspicion that Swansea may struggle this season with the likes of Michu, Davies and Michel Vorm now departed. However, the potential pairing of free signing Gomis and Wilfried Bony is mouth-watering and could prove a handful for many Premier League defences. The striker has Champions League pedigree and, at 28, should have some re-sale value for The Jacks should he perform well.

Remy Cabella, Siem de Jong & Daryl Janmaat:
After a few inactive transfer windows, Newcastle United’s signings this summer are amongst the most intriguing. Daryl Janmaat impressed for Holland the recent World Cup and should prove an able replacement for Mathieu Debuchy. Cabella has been compared to the lamented Yohan Cabaye and should provide plenty of creativity and assists, which were clearly lacking following Cabaye’s January departure. De Jong is one of three badly needed signings up-front – along with Ayoze Perez and Emmanuel Riviere – and ought to become first choice at the club. Toon fans will be hoping he’s an improvement on his brother Luuk, who had a disastrous loan spell at the club last season.

Dusan Tadic & Grazianno Pelle:
Southampton’s exodus has meant that Ronald Koeman’s first signings for the club have gone relatively unnoticed. He’s relied on his knowledge of the Dutch Eredivisie with his major captures so far. Tadic joined for over £10 million from Twente and should provide plenty of goals and assists for the Saints – he scored 16 in 33 league matches last season. Meanwhile, striker Pelle was prolific under Koeman at Feyenoord and has been brought in as a direct replacement for Rickie Lambert.