The madness of the summer transfer window ended on October 5th. The window was reshaped amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the market opening on July 27th. Despite the financial instability, owing to COVID-19, several high-profile deals went through as Premier League clubs splashed the cash.
On that note, here are the five most expensive deals in the Premier League this summer.
Honourable mention – Diogo Jota: Wolves to Liverpool (£45m)
Premier League champions Liverpool roped in forward Diogo Jota from Wolves in a £41m deal which could rise to £45m with add-ons. The 23-year-old, who has signed a five-year contract with the Reds, scored 44 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions for Wolves.
The Portuguese has started well at Liverpool, scoring a goal on his Premier League debut after coming on as a substitute against Arsenal. He has thus far made three appearances across all competitions for the Merseyside giants and is a more than able backup for Liverpool’s glittering forward line.
#5 Thomas Partey: Atletico Madrid to Arsenal (£45m)
In the final minutes on transfer deadline day, Arsenal secured the signing of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid after triggering his £45m release clause.
The Ghanaian international has been the subject of interest for the north London club the entire summer and his addition will beef up the Gunners’ midfield after Matteo Guendouzi was sent on loan to Hertha Berlin and Lucas Torreira joined Atletico in a similar loan deal.
Partey can dictate the tempo like Granit Xhaka, carry the ball like Dani Ceballos and tackle like Lucas Torreira. Arsenal would be able to partner him with the ideal player depending on the opponent.
#4 Ben Chilwell: Leicester City to Chelsea (£45m)
Chelsea, who heavily spent this summer, signed Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell on a five-year deal for £45m. Chilwell made a total of 123 appearances for the Foxes and scored four goals.
The England international, who has replaced Marcos Alonso in the Chelsea starting XI, has so far made two appearances for his new employers across all competitions.
Chilwell made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday and made the occasion memorable by scoring and assisting at Stamford Bridge. The former Leicester City man is already looking like a value for money purchase for the Blues.
#3 Timo Werner: RB Leipzig to Chelsea (£48m)
Chelsea signed RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner in a £48m deal. The versatile German international, who can play as a striker or from the left-wing, scored 95 goals in 195 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, with 34 of those coming last season.
He has so far made four appearances for the Premier League giants, scoring once – in a League Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Werner is yet to hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea fans would love to see the 24-year-old be at his usual best in front of goal and justify his price tag as soon as possible.
#2 Ruben Dias: Benfica to Manchester City (£65m)
Manchester City signed 23-year-old defender Ruben Dias from Benfica on a six-year deal for about £65m, with Nicolas Otamendi moving the other way for £13.7m. Dias became City boss Pep Guardiola’s third significant summer recruit and their most expensive signing of the season.
The Portuguese international, who made 137 appearances for Benfica, is being touted as Vincent Kompany’s replacement at the Etihad. Manchester City fans will be hoping that the young defender helps the Citizens to reclaim the Premier League title from Liverpool at the end of the season.
#1 Kai Havertz: Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea (£71m)
Chelsea signed attacking midfielder Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract for an initial £62m, which could rise to £71m with add-ons, thereby making him the club’s second-most expensive signing after Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Havertz is a technically gifted, two-footed midfielder, who is comfortable with the ball on either foot and is equally adept with his head.
The 21-year-old, who amassed 36 goals and 25 assists in 118 appearances for the Bundesliga club, has played four games and scored three goals so far for Chelsea, with all three of those coming in a League Cup win over Barnsley.
The youngster can play in a variety of positions such as a playmaker, a right-winger or even as a striker, and is expected to be a key player for the Premier League outfit for years to come.
Also Read: Transfer Deadline Day 2020: The biggest deals that happened