Top 10 new recruits to light up Premier League
The transfer window closed with Angel di Maria, Diego Costa, Mario Balotelli and Radamel Falcao among the players to have signed for Premier League clubs. Here are 10 of the most eye-catching transfers:
ANGEL DI MARIA – Real Madrid (Spain) to Manchester United; £59.7 million
Desperate to halt the slide that saw them finish seventh in the Premier League last season, United signed Di Maria for a British-record fee of almost £60 million. The skilful Argentina winger, voted man of the match in May’s Champions League final, made his debut in United’s 0-0 draw at Burnley on Saturday.
DIEGO COSTA – Atletico Madrid (Spain) to Chelsea; £32 million
Bruising Brazil-born striker Costa, 25, joined Chelsea after firing Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title last season with 27 goals. Had a chastening experience at the World Cup with adopted country Spain, but has scored four goals in his first three appearances for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
ELIAQUIM MANGALA – Porto (Portugal) to Manchester City; £32 million
Despite a spending cap imposed on them by Uefa for contravening Financial Fair Play regulations, Manchester City found the funds to bring France centre-back Mangala to the Etihad Stadium. The 23-year-old spent three years at Porto, winning two league titles, and has played three times for France.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ – Barcelona (Spain) to Arsenal; £30 million
Twelve months after smashing their transfer record to sign Mesut Ozil, Arsenal flexed their financial muscles again with a move for Chile’s star forward Sanchez. The 25-year-old provided the first return on the investment when he scored the goal against Besiktas that took Arsenal into the Champions League group phase.
CESC FABREGAS – Barcelona (Spain) to Chelsea; £30 million
After a mixed three years with Barcelona, 27-year-old former Arsenal captain Fabregas has returned to the Premier League with Chelsea. The Spain midfielder has been quick to settle, notably producing an exquisite assist for Andre Schuerrle in Chelsea’s opening 3-1 victory at Burnley.
ROMELU LUKAKU – Chelsea to Everton; £28 million
Amid renewed competition for places at Chelsea, 21-year-old Belgium striker Lukaku elected to join Everton on a permanent basis, having scored 16 goals while on loan at Goodison Park last season. Everton broke their club record to sign him, but manager Roberto Martinez said he was “worth every penny”.
