While players like Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson, and Sandro Tonali have secured moves with massive £100m-adjacent transfer fees, the summer market has also provided several high-value acquisitions. This bargain XI, set up in a 4-3-3 formation, highlights a mix of young, raw talent and experienced players who moved on free transfers.
Middlesbrough has invested £7m plus add-ons for a goalkeeper, Vitek, who was one of the strongest performers in last season’s Championship campaign. He is expected to be the starter for Middlesbrough next season. In defense, 31-year-old Mergim Vojvoda has moved from Como to Udinese. Vojvoda made 30 appearances last season as Como qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history, making this a low-risk signing for Udinese. Bournemouth has also strengthened by signing Portuguese central defender Antonio Silva. With 45 appearances in European competitions and 20 caps for Portugal, Silva is expected to replace Marcos Senesi as Bournemouth prepares for their first-ever Europa League campaign.
Arsenal has confirmed the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie for £34m. The Ecuadorian defender, who can play centrally or on the left, made 25 Premier League appearances during his loan spell and even started in the Champions League final. Arsenal also added Christos Tzolis for a record fee for a player from the Belgian Pro League. Having scored 33 league goals over the past two seasons, Tzolis is set to be the club's first-choice left-winger.
Chelsea’s recent business includes the arrival of Valentin Barco, who made headlines this summer following an altercation with Jude Bellingham during the World Cup. Despite the incident, Barco is a highly promising talent praised by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and is viewed as the candidate to replace Marc Cucurella. Chelsea also signed Jordan Henderson on a free transfer. While the move has prompted mixed feelings among fans, the 36-year-old’s leadership and experience are expected to help nurture the club's younger players.
Brentford secured Mamadou Sangare for £41m plus add-ons, a price considered a steal for a player of his quality who was a Ligue 1 runner-up and Coupe de France winner last season. Strasbourg has taken a gamble on former Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Giovanni Reyna, who has struggled with injuries since age 18. If Reyna can stay fit, the move could be highly effective, especially as Strasbourg is seen as a stepping stone toward Chelsea. Barcelona has acquired explosive winger Karim Adeyemi for under £20m. The 24-year-old has nearly 150 appearances for Dortmund, including a start in the 2024 Champions League final, and is the sixth-fastest Bundesliga player of all time, reaching speeds of 36.65 km/h. Finally, Liverpool has signed a Spanish player from Osasuna. While his numbers were modest last season, he helped keep Osasuna in the top flight and earned a place in the Spain squad, a move that has simultaneously weakened Newcastle’s roster.
