Big-money transfers can define a football club’s future, for better or worse.
From game-changing acquisitions to eyebrow-raising deals, record signings often dominate discussions in the Premier League. Here’s a breakdown of every Premier League club’s record signing and whether they’ve proven to be a hit or a miss.
Arsenal: Declan Rice (£100m, 2023)
The Gunners broke the bank for Declan Rice, making him one of the most expensive players in history. Since his move from West Ham, Rice has been pivotal for Arsenal, helping them mount a title challenge in 2024. While opinions vary, his performances suggest he could justify the hefty price tag.
Aston Villa: Amadou Onana (£50m, 2024)
After securing Champions League qualification, Villa invested heavily in Onana. Although his debut season began brightly, inconsistency and squad exclusions have raised questions. Still, it’s early days for the talented Belgian.
Bournemouth: Evan Ilon (£4.2m, 2024)
A modest fee for the Brazilian striker from Porto has paid off so far. With crucial goals against Villa and Manchester City, Ilon is already proving his worth.
Brentford: Igor Thiago (£30m, 2024)
Signed from Club Brugge, Thiago’s journey was derailed by an early injury. He’s only recently returned, leaving Brentford fans hopeful for his impact.
Brighton: Georginio Rutter (£40m, 2024)
Brighton’s most expensive signing has been versatile and effective, contributing goals and assists across various positions. A standout addition for the Seagulls.
Chelsea: Enzo Fernández (£106.8m, 2023)
The Premier League’s record signing arrived after a stellar World Cup. Although his debut season was underwhelming, Fernández has shown signs of improvement, becoming a key player under Chelsea’s new management.
Crystal Palace: Christian Benteke (£32m, 2016)
Benteke’s tenure at Palace had highs and lows. While his first season was impressive, inconsistency marred the rest of his stay.
Everton: Gylfi Sigurdsson (£40m, 2017)
Sigurdsson delivered respectable goal contributions but left Everton under a cloud of controversy, ending his career on a sour note.
Fulham: Emile Smith Rowe (£34m, 2024)
The Arsenal academy graduate has started well, scoring on his home debut and delivering in key matches. Fulham fans will hope he continues to rise.
Ipswich Town: Amari Hutchinson (£2m, 2024)
Hutchinson played a pivotal role in Ipswich’s promotion and has carried that form into the Premier League, making him a fan favorite.
Leicester City: Youri Tielemans (£32m, 2019)
Tielemans was instrumental in Leicester’s FA Cup triumph and Community Shield win. His contributions solidified him as one of their best signings.
Liverpool: Darwin Núñez (£85m, 2022)
Núñez struggled with consistency and finishing, leading to diminished expectations. Time may be running out for him at Anfield.
Manchester City: Jack Grealish (£100m, 2021)
The most expensive British player hasn’t lived up to his billing, often criticized for his lack of goals and assists.
Manchester United: Paul Pogba (£89m, 2016)
Pogba arrived with immense promise but struggled under pressure and injuries. His stint at United remains one of football’s biggest “what ifs.”
Newcastle United: Alexander Isak (£63m, 2022)
Isak has been a revelation for Newcastle, delivering consistent goals and helping the Magpies reach new heights.
Nottingham Forest: Elliot Anderson (£35m, 2024)
The young midfielder has shown promise with vital assists in key matches, hinting at a bright future.
Southampton: Tino Livramento (£2m, 2021)
The full-back was sold to Newcastle for a significant profit, making this deal a masterstroke for Southampton.
Tottenham Hotspur: Dominic Solanke (£65m, 2024)
Solanke has been impressive, with 11 goal contributions in his first 20 games. Spurs fans will hope he continues his form.
West Ham: Sébastien Haller (£45m, 2019)
Haller’s time in London was underwhelming, though his brilliance at Ajax post-transfer added to the frustration of West Ham fans.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Matheus Cunha (£44m, 2023)
Cunha has been a consistent performer, even recording a Premier League hat trick. A solid signing for Wolves.
Hits or Misses?
Some clubs have struck gold with their record signings, while others have faced disappointment. Clubs like Newcastle and Leicester reaped rewards, whereas Manchester clubs struggled to justify their massive investments.
Which signing stands out to you as the biggest hit or miss? Share your thoughts!
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