The Premier League transfer window is well and truly open and, with many player contracts expiring on 30th June, the off field action is about to heat up.
The Premier League 2023 news has been full of speculation over the future of the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice, but there have already been some big moves among the top flight clubs and here are five of the most eye-catching deals.
Kai Havertz: Chelsea to Arsenal
The player exodus from Chelsea has come as no surprise as the 2022/23 spending spree at Stamford Bridge left a glut of players who have now become surplus to requirements and, with new head coach Mauricio Pochettino looking to get his squad together, there was bound to be a rush through the exit door. But Chelsea’s loss could easily become Arsenal’s game as Kai Havertz has swapped West London for North London.
The German attacking midfielder arrived at Chelsea with high hopes after a sparkling career at Bayer Leverkusen but, despite scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, his stay at Chelsea has not met his or the club’s expectations. Arsenal were sensational last term and the upwardly mobile player, still only 24, could be the perfect fit for the Gunners.
James Maddison: Leicester City to Tottenham Hotspur
Even when Leicester City were in the Premier League they struggled to keep hold of creative midfielder James Maddison as, particularly Newcastle United, top end clubs were circling. He’s an enigmatic player in many ways, a brilliant dribbler and a world class dead ball expert. But his form sometimes drifts and he has struggled to break into the England team.
This could be an exciting signing for Tottenham as the North London club tries to break into the top four but could Maddison turn out to be a little too Spursy?
Christopher Nkunku: Red Bull Leipzig to Chelsea
With 18 players already through the Stamford Bridge exit there is some room for the Blues to invest and the signing of Nkunku could turn out to be a masterstroke. The France forward has been one of the best players in the Bundesliga over the past two campaigns and, while £52m is a lot of money, he is one hot property in European football.
Nkunku has scored 47 goals in 119 games for Leipzig and was lined up to play for France at Qatar 2022, but an injury in training kept him out; and Les Bleus could have done with his livewire play as they fell short in the final, losing to Argentina. The latest Premier League 2023 betting odds reckon the Blues will struggle to break into the top four next season but, without the distraction of European football and the recruitment of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, they are sure to have a much better season than last year.
Nkunku could be one of the most talked about players in England 12 months from now.
James Milner: Liverpool to Brighton
The move of Alexis MacAllister from the Seagulls to Liverpool made the headlines but today I’m focussing on the utility player who went the other way. James Milner has been one of the most consistent players at the top end of the Premier League over the last decade and he’ll be a real asset to the upwardly mobile Seagulls.
Awarded an MBE for his services, Milner has served Manchester City and Liverpool with distinction over the past decade and his versatility and experience will be invaluable in Brighton’s first campaign in Europe. He can play at full back or in midfield and his fitness levels are second to none, and Milner adds the elite touch to Brighton’s talented bunch of players.
Jordan Beyer: Borussia Monchengladbach to Burnley
This is one transfer which may have gone under the radar, but not for this SBOTOP
writer as the Clarets have made permanent the Germany U21 captain’s move, after he excelled while on loan at Turf Moor last season. Beyer is a cultured player, nicknamed ‘Beckenbeyer’ by the Burnley faithful in homage to the great German sweeper from the 1970s.
He’s a well organised defender, strong in the tackle and with a good range of passing, but his runs from his own penalty area deep into opposition territory will get fans off their seats in the coming campaign. Borussia Monchengladbach were obliged to sell Beyer to Burnley as he had a clause in his deal in the event of the Clarets winning promotion.
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany had no hesitation… but Monchengladbach must be kicking themselves.
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