LONDON (Reuters) – Following are 10 of the top Premier League signings ahead of the 2023-24 season:
1) DECLAN RICE (WEST HAM UNITED TO ARSENAL – 105 MILLION POUNDS)
Arsenal signed England international Rice on a long-term contract from West Ham, with British media reporting the fee for the 24-year-old midfielder to be 105 million pounds, making it a record transfer between two English clubs.
Rice helped West Ham earn their first major European trophy in over half a century when the east London side won the Europa Conference League in June.
His arrival in north London will strengthen manager Mikel Arteta’s young squad as Arsenal look to close the gap at the top of the Premier League after finishing second to Manchester City last season.
Arsenal will return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign.
2) KAI HAVERTZ (CHELSEA TO ARSENAL – 65 MILLION POUNDS)
Havertz became Arsenal’s first signing of the transfer window after the 24-year-old German international joined from Chelsea on a long-term deal, with British media reporting the fee to be around 65 million pounds.
Havertz helped Chelsea secure the Champions League and Club World Cup in 2021, scoring the winning goal in both finals.
3) DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI (RB LEIPZIG TO LIVERPOOL – 60 MILLION POUNDS)
Liverpool signed Hungarian midfielder Szoboszlai from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a five-year deal after triggering the 22-year-old’s release clause, worth around 60 million pounds, according to British media.
Manager Juergen Klopp’s side signed the Hungary captain in a bid to revamp their midfield following a disappointing season, where they finished fifth.
The German manager will hope the set-piece specialist rejuvenates the midfield after the departures of veteran James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
The six-times European champions will not feature in the showpiece event for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign.
4) MASON MOUNT (CHELSEA TO MANCHESTER UNITED – 55 MILLION POUNDS)
United signed England midfielder Mount from Chelsea on a five-year deal for 55 million pounds plus five million in add-ons, according to British media.
An academy product of Chelsea, the 24-year-old was manager Erik ten Hag’s first signing of the close season as the Dutchman seeks to strengthen his squad before returning to the Champions League.
5) SANDRO TONALI (AC MILAN TO NEWCASTLE UNITED – 55 MILLION POUNDS)
Newcastle signed Italian midfielder Tonali from Milan on a five-year contract, with British media reporting the deal to be worth 55 million pounds.
The fee made the 23-year-old the most expensive Italian player in history and it is also a record sale for the Serie A club, eclipsing the 68 million euros LaLiga giants Real Madrid paid for Brazilian midfielder Kaka in 2009.
Newcastle qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years after a top-four finish under manager Eddie Howe and have signed the likes of England international Harvey Barnes and Gambia forward Yankuba Minteh.
6) CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU(RB LEIPZIG TO CHELSEA – 51 MILLION POUNDS)
Nkunku became Chelsea’s first signing under new manager Mauricio Pochettino when they recruited the 25-year-old Frenchman from RB Leipzig for around 51 million pounds on a six-year contract, according to British media.
Chelsea struggled in front of goal last season, netting just 38 times in the league.
The Stamford Bridge side are looking to revive their fortunes under the former Tottenham Hotspur boss after ending up 12th last season, their worst finish since 1994.
7) ANDRE ONANA(INTER MILAN TO MANCHESTER UNITED – 47 MILLION POUNDS)
United signed Cameroonian goalkeeper Onana from Inter on a five-year contract with British media reporting the fee to be around 47 million pounds plus four million in add-ons.
The Old Trafford side signed the 27-year-old following Spaniard David De Gea’s departure after the expiry of his contract in June.
8) MOUSSA DIABY (BAYER LEVERKUSEN TO ASTON VILLA – 41 MILLION POUNDS)
Villa signed French forward Diaby from Bundesliga side Leverkusen, where he was the club’s top scorer with 14 strikes across all competitions last season, on a five-year deal worth 41 million pounds, according to British media.
Villa underwent a remarkable turnaround under coach Unai Emery last season after sacking Steven Gerrard in October, finishing seventh in the Premier League.
Diaby joins Spanish defender Pau Torres and Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans as Villa’s close-season recruits ahead of their Europa Conference League campaign.
9) JAMES MADDISON (LEICESTER CITY TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – 40 MILLION POUNDS)
Spurs signed England midfielder Maddison from relegated Leicester on a five-year deal for 40 million pounds, according to British media.
The 26-year-old was Spurs’ third signing since the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as manager following a dismal campaign, where they finished eighth in the English top-flight and missed out on European football for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Maddison, who has 55 goals and 41 assists in over 200 appearances across all competitions during five seasons with Leicester, will hope to help the north London side end their 15-year trophy drought.
10) ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER(BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION TO LIVERPOOL – 35 MILLION POUNDS)
Liverpool signed Argentina World Cup winner Mac Allister from Brighton for 35 million pounds, according to British media, to kick-start their rebuild after an underwhelming campaign.
The 24-year-old scored 20 goals in over 100 appearances since making his debut for Brighton in 2020.
The versatile player has 16 caps for Argentina and played six games of their 2022 World Cup-winning campaign, including the final.
(Compiled by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
