Rating 8/10
Fulham:
Under Pressure manager Martin Jol has already confirmed 5 signings this summer. Big name signings of Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and Fernando Amorebieta from Athletic Bilbao seem promising and Fulham have done well to add some more quality to the defensive side of their game. The club also confirmed that they would activate the loan to buy clause on right back Sachsa Reither, who played a vital part in the team last season. The club has added well to its defensive positions but is in need of some more attacking signings.
Rating: 7/10
Hull City:
Steve Bruce has added no fewer than 8 new signings at the KC Stadium: George Boyd (Peterborough, free), Maynor Figueroa (free), Curtis Davies (Birmingham City, undisclosed), Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland), Allan McGregor (Besiktas), Steve Harper (Newcastle United), Jamie Devitt (Chesterfield, free), Danny Graham (Sunderland, loan). The signings of Figueroa, Davies, Harper, McGregor and Graham add premier league experience and quality to the side- however if they are to give survival a good go they still have lots of work to do in this market.
Rating; 6/10
Liverpool:
Despite bringing in four signings, Brendan Rodgers’ summer window has thus far been dominated by the future of the clubs star striker Luis Suarez, with Arsenal having had several bids rejected for the unsettled striker. The signings of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto add strength to the squad, and the arrival of Kolo Toure from Manchester City provides the manager with more experience in defence and increases the options at his disposal. The £9 million capture of Simon Mignolet is a very solid signing, he’s proved a very important part of Sunderland’s side of the past few years and his performances last season were excellent. Despite letting Jose Reina leave for Napoli on loan, the clubs business so far has been adequate. The removal of Andy Carroll from the club, with the striker leaving for West Ham will please many. Despite all this, their activity this summer will be adjudged on whether they a) keep Luis Suarez or b) who they replace him with- the latter seems more likely.
Rating: 6/10
Manchester City:
New Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has so far added four new players to his squad with the start to the new Premier league season near. His capture of Sevilla duo Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas for a combined fee of £34 million is a smart piece of business from the former Malaga manager. The capture of highly rated yougster Stefan Jovetic from Fiorentina for £23 milllion should prove to be a great investment, and the Montenegrin striker should fit in well with the league’s style of play. City’s fourth signing, Fernandhinio, purchased from Ukranian club Shaktar Donetsk, will perhaps raise a few eyebrows. There is no doubting his talent, however the £30 million price-tag for the 28 year-old defensive midfielder seems excessive. Manchester City seem to have over paid here. Would be a 10/10, however the fee for Brazillian Fernandinho and the departure of Carlos Tevez to Juventus subtracts from the good work at the Etihad.
Rating: 8/10
Manchester United:
Certainly not lacking ambition with their purusit of Cesc Fabregas, however finalising deals is becoming a problem for new manager David Moyes. Uruguayan right-back Guillermo Varela has arrived at the club, but thus far that is United’s only signing. Cannot fault the ambition, lacking the finishing touches.
Ambition: 10/10 Rating:4/10
Newcastle:
If the appointment of Joe Kinnear as Director of Football counted as a transfer then Newcastle’s rating would be zero. Thankfully for Newcastle fans he doesn’t. The club has done well to remove dead wood of the wage budget, but have made only one signing so far: Olivier Kemen who arrives from French side Metz. Their pursuit of Lyon striker Bafitembi Gomis seems to have ended, lets hope Joe Kinnear has more up his sleeve than the reported signing of free agent Phil Bardsley. Newcastle need additions desperately, otherwise it could be another long season for the Magpie’s.
Rating; 2/10
Norwich:
The way in which Norwich have conducted themselves in this transfer market is extremely impressive. Seven signings so far for Chris Hughton’s side as the club look to improve on last year’s performances. Carlo Nash on a free adds experience. The signings of Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (Sporting Lisbon), Gary Hooper (Celtic), Leroy Fer (FC Twente) are marquee deals for the Canaries and they have done extremely well to secure these signings in the face of much competition from top European clubs. The addition of youngster Nathan Redmond from Birmingham is an exciting prospect for both parties, and Redmond will look to break into the first-team as soon as possible. The conformation of left-back’s Javier Garrido (Lazio) and Martin Olsson (Blackburn) add extra depth and experience to the Norwich squad. So far, so good. Very impressive stuff from Chris Hughton.
Rating: 10/10