TRANSFER TALK #3 | Premier League | With Eisha Acton
Hello, welcome back to another Premier League Transfer update. The transfer window is coming to a close. Just 6days left until it shuts and there could still be some big potential moves to be made but before we get into the rumours, let’s look at some confirmed signings and what I think about them! This series is brought to you by Kitbag — the worldwide leader for official football kits. Do check out the link below to shop all their new season kits, I’ve left a discount code below too:
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1 . Martin Ødegaard to Arsenal (£31.5m) –
The Norwegian has returned to North London and this time on a permanent deal. Arsenal were reportedly keen from the get-go to get him and have finally wrapped up the signing. He didn’t exactly light up the Emirates and his goals and assists leave a lot to be desired, only getting 2 goals and 1 assist. His per 90 underlying numbers are quite good though with his shot creating actions, progressive passes and progressive carries, all above the 85th percentile which shows he is quite good at progressing the ball but he lacks that final touch or creativity that Arsenal so desperately need. An okay signing I think from the Gunners especially considering the amount of money they’ve spent elsewhere, they could’ve definitely saved some money and gotten a more creative midfielder but for now I think he’ll be a okay signing for Arsenal. 5/10 rating for me.
2. Aaron Ramsdale to Arsenal (£24m) -
Arsenal have been very busy this week and they didn’t stop at Ødegaard. They also announced the signing of the 23 year old English keeper, Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United for a fee of £24m. This signing has gotten a mixed reception from the Arsenal fans, some pointing to the fact that he’s been relegated with every Premier League club he’s been at which doesn’t show him in a particularly good light. Yes, the fee I think is a bit too much but you’ve got a keeper who is better with his feet than Leno, is average at shot stopping and fulfills the home grown quota which I think is another factor in Arsenal deciding to go for him. He had a marginally better save percentage than Leno, 70.7% to 68.2% but he did also face more shots than him. It’s another kind of okay signing from Arsenal and another one who I think doesn’t improve the first team straight away but will eventually take over. This deal gets a 4/10 for me just because I think the fee was too high for a keeper so similar to one they already had.
3. Brandon Williams to Norwich (Loan) –
The young English left back completed his loan move to Norwich just yesterday. Williams didn’t play that much last season and appeared sporadically in cup competitions for United. His minutes have unfortunately been limited by the arrival of Alex Telles and the hot form of Luke Shaw so he hasn’t been able to make his mark. He’s an academy graduate and made his first appearance in 2019 in the Carabao cup as a left back. Norwich signed him as competition for the left back spot and to hopefully sure up their leaky defence. In my opinion I think this will be a good move for the development of Williams, especially because it’s another Premier League club so that experience will be invaluable.
4. Harvey Barnes Contract Extension –
Last season was Barnes’s season. He was in the form of his life prior to that injury. He scored 13 goals from the left wing and was so lively down the wing. His season unfortunately came to a premature end when he sustained that knee injury against Arsenal. That ended his season and he only came back from injury at the start of this season so Brendan Rodgers will definitely welcome him back with open arms. Leicester have rewarded his brilliant performances with a new contract until 2025 and improved terms. A deserved new contract for a player who has shown good development over the last 12 months.
Now that the confirmed deals are done and out of the way, let’s look at some of the deals that are still being rumoured or close to completion.
1 . Harry Kane to Manchester City (£127m??) -
Another week, another development in the Kane saga. Reports emerged last week from the Guardian that Manchester City are ready to pay £127m to secure the signature from Kane, should they get the green light from Daniel Levy. Spurs have repeatedly said that Kane is not for sale and they rejected a £100m offer earlier on. It is being reported that a bid of £150m could persuade Levy to sell Kane but the bid City are apparently preparing does fall short of that. This saga isn’t over and could well heat up in the final week.
2. Adama Traore to Spurs (£40m??) -
This transfer may depend on the fact if Kane does leave Spurs. The Guardian have once again said that Spurs will go in for the Spanish winger if Kane does go to Man City. The Spanish winger enjoyed his best years under the current Spurs boss, Nuno Esperito Santo and they seem to have a good relationship. He has 2 years left on his current contract and Spurs want to take him on loan initially before paying the fee which is touted to be somewhere around £40m. Traore obviously wouldn’t be the replacement for Kane but under his old manager and especially on the counter, I think Traore could form a deadly partnership with Heung Min Son up top. Definitely wouldn’t be the worst deal in the world by Spurs in my opinion.
3. Yves Bissouma to ??? (£??) -
Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma was the centre of a lot of transfer rumours early on in the window. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United were all reportedly interested in 24 year old Malian. Brighton want somewhere around the region of £50m and since then a lot of interest has cooled down. He has once again been linked to Old Trafford and Potter has come out this week and said “I can’t control the future, I don’t know what’s going to happen, essentially.” I think a move to Man United is highly unlikely but I wouldn’t 100% rule it out just yet.
4. Jules Kounde to Chelsea (£??) -
This deal has definitely picked up in the last day or so. Kounde and Chelsea have agreed on personal terms and the contract will last until June 2026. Fabrizio Romano also reports that both clubs, Chelsea and Sevilla are still negotiating and that Kounde will be “respectful” and won’t “force a move”. Kounde does have a release clause in his current contract which is £68m but Chelsea aren’t looking to pay that and that’s why negotiations are still ongoing between both teams. Chelsea are waiting to see how much money they can get from West Ham for Kurt Zouma as he looks to be set for a move to the London stadium, before making their bid to Sevilla. Chelsea are believed to want around £25m for the 26 year old and apparently West Ham are content with that. Zouma is still negotiating directly with the club in regards to personal terms but once they get that sorted it seems like he’ll be a West Ham player and Chelsea can get their main man. It seems like a matter of when rather than if for this deal to go through and this further solidifies Chelsea’s already elite defence. I think this signing makes them the title favourites now and it’ll be very tough to beat them this season.
Well, there you have it - my latest transfer update. We now enter the final week of the transfer window and things will really heat up. I’ll bring you another update in a few days — do subscribe for that. Comment below your thoughts on these signings and remember to check out Kitbag’s new season kits on the link below. Thanks for reading and I’ll catch you next time!
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