Top 5 Premier League Transfers This Summer

The 2023 summer transfer window slammed shut on Friday, ending another three months of big spending in the Premier League.

Below, we take a look at the five most expensive moves of the window.

Declan Rice – West Ham to Arsenal

For a large proportion of last season, it looked to all the world like the Gunners were going to get their hands back on the Premier League trophy until formidable title rivals Manchester City overtook them late on and never looked back.

After that, manager Mikel Arteta, keen not to stick with exactly the same formula, had been on the hunt to add to his team’s strength in depth, and on July 15th, the Spaniard finally got his long-term target, Declan Rice, for £100 million plus a potential £5 million extra in add-ons.

A few would have raised their eyebrows at such a big figure, but Rice is already making moves to solidify himself as a fan favourite at the Emirates. His 96th minute goal against Manchester United in his fourth Premier League appearance is surely already up there with one of the most memorable moments of his career so far.

Moises Caicedo – Brighton to Chelsea

In what was surely the most dramatic transfer story of the summer window, Chelsea broke the British transfer record by acquiring Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a reported £115m. That only tells half the story.

Chelsea had been pursuing their top target all summer, with London rivals Arsenal failing with a January bid for the Brighton man and eventually deciding to go with Declan Rice, and the Blues were confident of reaching an agreement with the Seagulls for around the £100m mark.

Out of nowhere however, Liverpool voiced their interest in the player and Brighton held a midnight auction for the Ecuadorian, with the biggest bid winning. Jurgen Klopp’s side outbid Chelsea and thought they had their player, only for Caicedo to sensationally reject the Merseyside club the next day and wait for Chelsea to match their bid. The Blues eventually got the deal over the line for a fair few quid more than they would have liked, but will nonetheless be very happy after landing their top target.

Sandro Tonali – AC Milan to Newcastle United

Moving on to the first player to move into England’s top flight from another league, Sandro Tonali joined Newcastle United on July 3rd for £65 million, a sum that made him the most expensive Italian of all time.

Described as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, the 23-year-old spent three years at the legendary AC Milan, making a combined 95 appearances for the Rossoneri.

This signing shows a clear statement of intent from the board behind the Magpies as he cost the same price as Mason Mount and nearly half the money of Declan Rice, yet he is a year younger than both Englishmen mentioned and has been tutored by some of the best minds Italian football has to offer.

Backed by a Saudi Arabian consortium, Newcastle United could have spent their new influx of money on ageing, established stars, however, they have put their cash into building the future which is a positive move from the club.

Kai Havertz – Chelsea to Arsenal

Kai Havertz is a player who has split opinion since his £72m move from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea in 2020. His undoubted mercurial ability is at times let down by a lack of physicality and on-field personality, so there were definite question marks when title-chasing Arsenal came knocking on Todd Boehly’s door in the summer.

Chelsea, who sold or loaned an unprecedented 18 players over the summer window, certainly didn’t need a second chance to add to their squad clear-out, and a deal for roughly £62m was made with the Gunners for the 24-year-old’s services.

The German has made a quiet start to life in North London after four Premier League games, but fans will be wary of his ability to show up in big games, as evidenced by his winner in the Champions League Final against Manchester City in 2021.

Josko Gvardiol – RB Leipzig to Manchester City

Manchester City seem to have a good knack of knowing when to let senior players go, but there was nonetheless surprise when the club were so relaxed in letting centre-back Aymeric Laporte leave the side, particularly with how frequently the rest of their defenders pick up injuries.

City however answered those questions in devastating fashion, landing arguably the most coveted young defender in world football to add to their star-studded squad. Croatian man Josko Gvardiol joined the Sky Blues from RB Leipzig for a reported £77m, with City quick to move following the player’s brilliant performances in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

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