2023-24 Premier League, EFL, European summer transfers and completed deals: Gunners add Rice and Timber

Declan Rice [West Ham - Arsenal] £105m

Arsenal smashed their transfer record by making Declan Rice the most expensive British player in history in a signal of intent from the Gunners. Rice is one of the top midfielders in the country and is steadily adding more to his game, ranking in the top ten for carries into the final third in the Premier League last season. He brings a wealth of Premier League experience from his time at West Ham, while his leadership qualities will help fill the void left by Granit Xhaka.

Verdict
Top quality midfielder who shouldn't be burdened by his price tag

Jurrien Timber [Ajax - Arsenal] £38m

Timber's potential and versatility has persuaded Arsenal to splash the cash on the Netherlands international, believing he'll be comfortable at either right-back or in midfield. Timber has carved out a reputation as a ball-playing defender, but his defensive talents shouldn't be overlooked - he recorded more tackles and interceptions for Ajax last season than new teammates centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel did.

Verdict
Versatile full-back who should slot into Mikel Arteta's system nicely

Tahith Chong [Birmingham - Luton] £4m

Chong took a chance when leaving Manchester United for Birmingham in search of regular minutes and it appears to have paid off now he's backed in the Premier League. A versatile player most at home on the wing, Chong's natural talent is undeniable and he registered nine goal involvements (four goals, five assists) for Birmingham last season. 

Verdict
Exciting winger but untested at the top level and may need time to adapt

Christian Pulisic [Chelsea - Milan] £20m

Constant managerial changes and injury issues made it tough for Pulisic to settle at Chelsea but he still has plenty to offer at only 24 years of age. Where the USA international slots into Milan's plans is a mystery, though, given the Rossoneri's top scorer Rafael Leao plays in Pulisic's prefered left-wing position.

Verdict
Pacy winger yet to hit his prime and could rediscover himself in a more stable environment

Lucas Hernandez [Bayern Munich - Paris Saint-Germain] £34m

A World Cup winner and part of a treble-winning Bayern Munich side three years ago, Hernandez has enjoyed success wherever he's played - and that's unlikely to change at PSG. However, the France defender suffered a serious knee injury at last year's World Cup and may take to get going in Paris, where he'll need to win over the ultras due to his Marseille connection.

Verdict
Versatile and classy defender on his day but injuries a concern

Ashley Young [Aston Villa – Everton] Free

Everton are having to operate on a modest budget and have bolstered their squad with the acquisition of vastly experienced full-back Ashley Young. Sean Dyche and Young were playing partners at Watford almost 20 years ago and the Everton gaffer has given a vote of confidence to the versatile 38-year-old, who continues to be an asset at the highest level.

Verdict
Budget signing whose versatility will be an asset

Pau Torres [Villarreal – Aston Villa] Undisclosed

Aston Villa are determined to build on last season's seventh-place finish and the signing of Pau Torres makes a lot of sense. Torres played under Villa boss Unai Emery at Villarreal and has become established as a regular for Spain. Torres won a Europa League winners medal with Villarreal in 2021 and will be hunting further European success in the Midlands.

Verdict
Powerful defender who looks well suited to the Premier League

Manor Solomon [Shakhtar Donetsk – Tottenham] Free

Tottenham are having to be smart with their transfer dealings and have increased their attacking options by snapping up Manor Soloman from Shakhtar Donetsk. Solomon spent last season on loan at Fulham and, for the most part, he had to be content with a substitute's role. He was an impact player off the bench and will probably be used in a similar capacity by Spurs.

Verdict
Technically gifted player who increases Spurs' options

Seny Dieng [QPR – Middlesbrough] Undisclosed

Middlesbrough had a void in the goalkeeping position after the end of Zach Steffen's season long loan from Manchester City and moved quickly to snap up Seny Dieng from Championship rivals QPR. Dieng saw plenty of action last season as part of a QPR side which narrowly staved off the drop and his shot-stopping ability will be missed by the Londoners.

Verdict
Outstanding shot stopper but can make the occasional error

Alfie May [Cheltenham – Charlton] Undisclosed

League One promotion hopefuls Charlton needed a strong summer to give them a chance of building on last season's tenth place finish and the signing of Alfie May looks an excellent move. May is a late developer, who became a prolific marksman in his late 20's. He has scored 43 league goals over the last two seasons for Cheltenham and could do even better in the capital.

Verdict
Turned 30 this summer but the best may be yet to come

Nick Powell [Stoke – Stockport] Free

There are several ambitious clubs in League Two, including Stockport, who have raised a few eyebrows with the free transfer signing of 29-year-old attacker Nick Powell. The Hatters were short of offensive options last season but Powell should give them something extra with his quality on the ball and eye for goal. Powell made 29 league appearances for Stoke last term and he should flourish at two levels lower.

Verdict
Should be one of the best players in League Two

Granit Xhaka [Arsenal – Bayer Leverkusen] £21.4m

Arsenal are clearing the decks for Declan Rice's arrival but they may regret letting go of Granit Xhaka, who has just completed his best season with the club. Xhaka was a frustrating player earlier in his Gunners' career due to frequent bouts of ill-discipline, but he became a leader in the dressing room and was a key part of the team which finished second in last season's Premier League. Leverkusen will be delighted to have acquired such a talented, experienced player at a reasonable cost.

Verdict
Much-maligned player who could be sorely missed

Mason Mount [Chelsea – Manchester United] £55m

Mason Mount's transfer to Manchester United was a drawn-out affair and Chelsea are likely to be pleased with the chunky fee they received for a player with just one year left on his contract. Mount has played 36 times for England but was not a regular at Stamford Bridge last season and there remains a debate over his best position. He may struggle to win over the Old Trafford crowd.

Verdict
Looks overpriced

Mads Andersen [Barnsley - Luton] Undisclosed

The 25-year-old Dane can play anywhere across the back three and should fit nicely into Luton's system. He is strong in the air and was one of League's One's best defenders but he faces a big step up in class and could be exposed against some of the pacier forwards in the division.

Verdict
Facing a steep learning curve

Sandro Tonali [Milan - Newcastle] Undisclosed

Newcastle are looking to build for the future and 23-year-old Tonali, who can play in a defensive or attacking midfield role, looks a smart signing. Tonali has already established himself as a regular in Italian national team squads and he has won 14 caps for the Azzurri. Newcastle's squad is not the biggest and Tonali's versatility should help them as they prepare for a busier campaign.

Verdict
Progressive player whose versatility will be an asset

Dominik Szoboszlai [RB Leipzig - Liverpool] Undislosed

Attacking midfielder Szoboszlai is the best player in the Hungarian national team and had also established himself as a key player for RB Leipzig, where he accumulated plenty of Champions League experience. The best is yet to come from the 22-year-old, who looks talented enough and physical enough for the Premier League.

Verdict
Physical, talented player who should impress straight away

Harry Winks [Tottenham - Leicester] Undisclosed

Winks played for Tottenham in a Champions League final in 2019 and has been capped ten times for England, scoring once, but his career has stalled in recent years. He failed to impress while on loan at Sampdoria last season and will need to quickly get used to the physical nature of the Championship. However, his passing range will set him apart from most second tier players.

Verdict
His career seems to have stalled

Nicolas Jackson [Villarreal - Chelsea] Undisclosed

Chelsea have a clear plan to recruit young players with bags of potential and decided they could not pass up the opportunity of acquiring Senegal international Nicolas Jackson, who was one of the breakthrough stars in the 2022-23 La Liga season. Jackson netted nine times in his final eight games for Villarreal and, at the age of 22, he has plenty more scope to improve.

Verdict
Looks like a smart signing with potential to grow

Fabio Carvalho [Liverpool - RB Leipzig] Loan

Liverpool clearly see a bright future for Fabio Carvalho at Anfield after turning down permanent offers for the 20-year-old and a season on loan at RB Leipzig could be just what he needs to get his career back on track. Carvalho fell out of favour with Jurgen Klopp at the start of 2023, making just one start in the second half of the campaign and heads to Germany in the hope of receiving more minutes in the Bundesliga.

Verdict
Talented youngster likely to thrive in nurturing environment

Edouard Mendy [Chelsea - Al-Alhi] £17m

It was a rapid fall at Stamford Bridge from grace last season for Champions League winner Edouard Mendy, who was named the 2021 Fifa men's keeper of the year just 18 months ago. Injuries cost the Senegal international his place in the Chelsea team shortly after the World Cup and Kepa Arrizabalaga seized his opportunity to claim the number one spot. He goes to Saudi Arabia still in his prime and it wouldn't be a surprise if he returned to a higher level of competition in the near future.

Verdict
Excellent goalkeeper who will be head and shoulders above his new contemporaries

James Maddison [Leicester - Tottenham] £40m

Tottenham have lacked a creative spark since Christian Eriksen's departure in 2020 and they believe they have found the right man in James Maddison. Leicester's relegation last season had little to do with Maddison, who contributed nine assists and ten goals. The 26-year-old's performances earned him a call up to the England World Cup squad and he remains a part of Gareth Southgate's plans.

Verdict
Excellent value for money

Kai Havertz [Chelsea - Arsenal] Undisclosed

Kai Havertz was Chelsea's top Premier League scorer last season with just seven goals and he will be hoping to have a bigger impact after his switch across London. The 24-year-old has already featured 37 times for Germany, scoring 13 goals, and he can play in multiple positions across the forward line.

Verdict
Should shine in new environment

Mateo Kovacic [Chelsea – Man City] £25m

Manchester City had a midfield gap to fill after the departure of Ilkay Gundogan and they moved quickly to snap up Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. Kovacic was one of the few Chelsea players to maintain high standards last season. He was part of the Croatia team who reached the 2018 and 2022 World Cup semi-finals and the 2023 Nations League final.

Verdict
Reliable performer and well worth the investment

Guglielmo Vicario [Empoli - Tottenham] Undisclosed

Tottenham needed a new goalkeeper and swooped for Guglielmo Vicario, who was earning plenty of plaudits for his performance at Empoli. Vicario kept seven clean sheets last season, conceding 39 goals in 31 appearances. The 26-year-old's performances earned him a call-up to the Italy  squad in September 2022 but he is yet to win his first senior cap for the Azzurri.

Verdict
May need time to adjust

Ilkay Gundogan [Man City - Barcelona] Free

Manchester City lost their battle to retain classy midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and will be sad to see the German depart. Barcelona have acquired a hugely talented player with vast experience, an eye for a killer pass and a goalscoring knack. Gundogan scored 29 Premier League goals across his last three seasons at the Etihad.

Verdict
Class act who should hit the ground running

Jack Taylor [Peterborough - Ipswich] Undisclosed

Regular viewers of League One football will have taken note of midfielder Jack Taylor, who was absolutely key to Peterborough's promotion push. Taylor started 44 league games for the Posh, assisting six goals and scoring eight. He also works extremely hard out of possession and averaged 1.8 tackles per game.

Verdict
Talented enough to handle the step up in class

Dara O'Shea [West Brom - Burnley] £7m

Burnley will have been well aware of the qualities of Ireland international centre-back Dara O'Shea, who established himself as one of the most accomplished defenders in the Championship. O'Shea is strong in the air and in the tackle and reads the game well. He averaged 1.7 interceptions per game last season - only four second-tier players did better - and scored two goals.

Verdict
Value purchase who should become a key squad member

Arnor Sigurdsson [CSKA Moscow - Blackburn] Undisclosed

Blackburn were short on firepower last season and the summer departures of Ben Brereton and Bradley Dack haven't helped matters. Rovers are hopeful Iceland international forward Arnor Sigurdsson can solve some of their attacking problems after the 24-year-old suspended his deal with CSKA Moscow to move to Ewood Park. Sigurdsson has recently spent time in Serie A with Venezia and Swedish side IFK Norrkoping, where he scored nine in 15 games this season. 

Rhys Healey [Toulouse - Watford] Free

Watford may have bagged a bargain if Rhys Healy can recapture the kind of form that saw him bag 22 goals in 37 appearances for French side Toulouse as they were promoted to Ligue 1 in the 2021-22 season. Healy had previously been a regular goalscorer in League One and Two for MK Dons before moving to France but his progress stalled last year after suffering a serious knee injury. He returned late in the season, scoring twice in four games, and is one to keep an eye on for the Hornets.

Tyler Roberts [Leeds - Birmingham City] Undisclosed

Wales international Tyler Roberts didn't set the Championship alight last season when on loan at Queens Park Rangers, scoring four times in 20 appearances while he didn't make an appearance from February onwards. Birmingham will hope they can get more out of the 24-year-old, who has considerable Premier League experience from his time at Leeds and have signed him to a four-year contract.

N'Golo Kante [Chelsea - Al-Ittihad] Free

Years of tireless performances in midfield may finally have caught up with N'Golo Kante last season as he managed just nine appearances for Chelsea in an injury-hit campaign. He now moves on to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad, where he'll link up with Karim Benzema and earn an estimated £86 million. And he leaves having made a huge impact on the English game. Part of Leicester's fairytale Premier League winners, the Frenchman won the league, Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League after moving to Chelsea, while also being named the PFA Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season. 

Christopher Nkunku [Leipzig - Chelsea] £52m

Having agreed to join the club last summer, Christopher Nkunku has confirmed his switch from Leipzig to Chelsea as the Blues begin a summer rebuild under Mauricio Pochettino. One of the most sought-after forwards on the continent, Bundesliga Player of the Season Nkunku has signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge and could solve the club's striker conundrum, having scored 23 goals in all competitions for the Red Bulls last term.

Mahmoud Dahoud [Borussia Dortmund - Brighton] Free

Having lost Alexis Mac Allister this summer, Brighton have moved quickly to rebuild their midfield with the addition of former Borussia Dortmund talent Mahmoud Dahoud. Surgery last year meant Dahoud's game time was limited for the Bundesliga runners-up this season but he is an experienced player with a fine eye for a pass and great composure in the middle.

Jude Bellingham  [Borussia Dortmund - Real Madrid] £88.5m, rising to £115m 

Perhaps the most coveted transfer of this window, Real Madrid land the England midfielder, who fell just short of winning the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund in his final season for them. Completes a midfield of the future for Los Blancos with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. If Bellingham remains injury free, he looks as close to a sure thing as possible to become a world class midfielder.

James Milner [Liverpool - Brighton & Hove Albion] Free

21 years after he made his Premier League debut, veteran midfielder James Milner moves to Brighton on a free transfer. The 37-year-old has played 625 games in the top flight and has won the Premier League, Champions League, EFL Cup and FA Cup. The former Liverpool man will be hoping to complete his trophy cabinet with a Europa League title with his new club qualifying for the competition for the first time in their history.

Joao Pedro [Watford - Brighton & Hove Albion] £30m

The former Watford forward Joao Pedro had been linked with a raft of Premier League clubs since Watford's relegation in 2022 but played a year in the Championship for the Hornets before making the move to Brighton. A versatile and promising attacker, this could look like another good piece of business from the Seagulls if the 21-year-old continues his upward curve.

Kevin Schade [Freiburg - Brentford] £22m

21-year-old Kevin Schade spent the second half of last season on loan at Brentford after impressing at Freiburg. He failed to make an immediate impression for the Bees but can be forgiven for taking time to acclimatise to the new league, the record signing will need to hit the ground running this time around however with Ivan Toney suspended for eight months.

Youri Tielemans [Leicester - Aston Villa] Free

Plenty of speculation has surrounded Youri Tielemans' next destination after he made it clear he would not be signing a new contract with Leicester, who were relegated this season. Aston Villa end up as the team to capture the Belgian's signature although his stock has taken a hit in the last 18 months and he has plenty of miles in the legs for a 26-year-old. The former Monaco man will be hoping to feed off the feel good energy around his new club.

Kevin Nisbet [Hibernian - Millwall] Undisclosed

Kevin Nisbet has long been Hibernian's standout performer and eventually gets a move to English football after being heavily linked for the last few seasons. Netted 12 times in 19 league games during an injury-hit campaign for the Hibees but the record of strikers who have impressed north of the border isn't great in the second tier. Despite that, Nisbet's goalscoring instincts should be of value to Millwall.

Alexis Mac Allister [Brighton - Liverpool] £35m

Liverpool's midfield issues have been no secret and they have taken a very good first step toward solving them with the signing of Alexis Mac Allister. A World Cup winner with Argentina, the 24-year-old netted ten league goals last season and looks to have an ideal profile for the Reds' style of play. The fee involved may look like a snip in time.

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