The preparations for the next season are underway at all the clubs in England. Some have already started their summer business while some are finalising the details of the contracts. Doing early business is the best way to go forward as the new recruits can join in straight from the pre-season. It helps them to get used to the difficulties in a new team and also to gel with new teammates.
Clubs like Manchester City and Everton have done the most business and have already spent more than £50 million on reinforcements. Big money signings like Bernardo Silva and Jordan Pickford will add steel to their new teams whereas some transfers have been really shrewd. Let’s take a look at three such transfers which were done very smartly by the Premier League clubs until now:
#1 Sead Kolasinac (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s left backs – Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs – could not be at their best last season which made the Gunners wanting to sign an upgrade. They did that quickly as soon as the season ended by announcing the signing of Sead Kolasinac from Schalke 04. He signed a five-year contract and arrived on a Bosman transfer from Germany. Kolasinac was one of the best fullbacks in Bundesliga last season and chose Arsenal over AC Milan.
#2 Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth)
A move to the Cherries was a sort of homecoming for Begovic as he returned to the club where he had spent a season on loan in 2007. Bournemouth have punched above their weight since their return to the first division and the former Chelsea custodian will now be a mainstay for this Bournemouth backline for the years to come.
He has the experience of playing at this level for years now and is a leader in defence. The 29-year old is an obvious upgrade on Artur Boruc and will be a key man for Eddie Howe’s side next season.
#3 Pablo Zabaleta (West Ham United)
Another free transfer on this list. Slaven Bilic was promised a busy summer means a lot of signings this summer by the board. The Hammers delivered according to their promise by announcing the signing of Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta last week.
The Argentine fullback is a champion defender in the league and will add steel to this Hammers defensive line. Along with his experience and quality, Zabaleta will take West Ham’s young right back, Sam Byram under his wings which will be of immense help for the academy graduate.
