5. Christian Eriksen to Brentford (Free Transfer)
This selection could be considered more of an emotional one rather than a logical one given Eriksen suffered a near-fatal cardiac arrest during Denmark’s 1-0 defeat to Finland at Euro 2020 only last summer, but it could prove to be an incredibly shrewd move for Brentford.
Still only 29-years-old, the former Ajax, Tottenham and Inter midfielder will link up with several compatriots by joining the Bees. If he can overcome the mental and physical difficulties of his trauma, which resulted in him having a pacemaker fitted, he could easily become Brentford’s best ever player and ensure their maiden Premier League season does not end in disappointment.
4. Kieran Trippier to Newcastle (Atletico Madrid, £12m)
The football world was almost unanimously surprised when Trippier departed La Liga champions Atletico to become relegation-threatened Newcastle’s wealthy new Saudi owners’ first signing, but it was a serious coup which arguably laid the path for an established star like Bruno Guimaraes to join him in the North East.
Trippier was one of England’s star players at the 2018 World Cup, scoring a brilliant free-kick against Croatia in the semi-final, and brings with him a wealth of experience. The31-year-old’s defensive nous was undoubtedly strengthened by playing under Diego Simeone in Madrid, while he has already demonstrated superb leadership skills, which could be crucial in binding several new faces together as Newcastle fight to remain in the Premier League.
3. Wout Weghorst to Burnley (Wolfsburg, £12m)
Burnley were left frustrated when Newcastle triggered Chris Wood’s £25m release clause, but it may end up proving a blessing in disguise for the Clarets now that they have found a replacement in the shape of Weghorst.
The Dutchman is eight months younger than Wood and, standing at 6ft 6in tall, could be the perfect striker for Sean Dyche’s direct style of play. He averaged exactly a goal every other game during his time at Wolfsburg, scoring 59 goals in 118 Bundesliga appearances, and could prove an absolute bargain if he can adapt as quickly as Burnley need him to in order to avoid relegation.
2. Luis Diaz to Liverpool (Porto, £50m)
It had been rumoured for some time that Diaz was firmly on Liverpool’s radar, but no move was expected to be made until the summer transfer window. However, Tottenham’s bid earlier this month forced the Reds’ hands into making a move earlier than they had seemingly anticipated.
The Colombia winger, who is blessed with dazzling pace and likes to cut inside onto his favoured right foot from the left flank, has moved into another stratosphere this season, scoring 14 goals in 18 league games for Porto. He will provide serious competition among Liverpool’s ageing front-line and looks to be another sweet spot signing in terms of age and transfer fee to follow in the footsteps of his fellow ‘Fab Five’.
1. Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa (Barcelona, Loan)
The idea of former Liverpool maestro Coutinho moving to Villa Park would have seemed pure fantasy only a few months ago, but the pulling power of his former team-mate Steven Gerrard in the managerial dugout has proven decisive in bringing the 29-year-old to the club.
Coutinho scored on his debut against Manchester United and still looks to have plenty of magic in him to excite fans and neutrals alike over the coming months, with Villa retaining an option to buy him at the end of the loan deal.
We easily could have included Lucas Digne, who joined from Everton for £25m to provide an upgrade at left-back, in this list, too, which demonstrates the strength of Villa’s transfer window and their upwards trajectory in Gerrard’s early months in charge.
