The Premier League transfer window has once again seen eye-watering amounts of money spent by clubs looking to improve their squads ahead of the new season.
With plenty of players settling into new surroundings, there will be intrigue as to who can make the quickest impact.
Here, we pick out seven new Premier League signings to watch heading into the 2023-24 campaign:
Declan Rice – Arsenal
Arsenal had to spend a club-record £105million to land England midfielder Rice from London rivals West Ham.
The Gunners smashed their biggest-ever spend by over £32m as manager Mikel Arteta hopes Rice can prove a missing part of the jigsaw, with the aim to take Arsenal from runners-up to Premier League champions this season.
Rice, 24, left West Ham having lifted the Europa Conference League trophy in his final game as captain and – having established himself as a key player at the London Stadium – it will be interesting to see if he can continue to impress at the very top level.
Rasmus Hojlund – Manchester United
Erik ten Hag hailed new striker Rasmus Hojlund as “a real front man” after he joined on a five-year deal from Atalanta for a reported £72m.
The 20-year-old, who has scored 27 goals in 87 club appearances and netted six times in six games for Denmark, has an option for a further year which would take his Old Trafford stay to 2029.
“Very direct to the goal, very good presser, a physical presence,” said Ten Hag. “I think in the balance of this squad, we needed that, alongside (Marcus) Rashford, another player who is direct and can score a goal. That is all in his mind – he wants to score goals. I think he has huge potential.”
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City
The Zagreb-born 21-year-old was a stand-out player during Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals and emerged as arguably the best young player at the tournament – and certainly among the world’s best left-footed central defenders.
City splashed out £77.6m to capture Gvardiol from RB Leipzig and he will bolster an already stellar rearguard which helped Pep Guardiola’s side to land the Treble last season.
“I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me,” said the player. “To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.”
Moussa Diaby – Aston Villa
Unai Emery turned Villa’s season around when he was appointed as Steven Gerrard’s replacement in October.
Villa went from relegation candidates to European qualification under the Spaniard, who has now started to shape his squad for the fresh challenges.
Diaby will be a pivotal part of that process after the France winger signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported club-record fee of £51.9m – such intent to get their man means the 24-year-old will be under immediate pressure to deliver as Emery looks to build on his first year in charge.
Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp looked to overhaul his midfield after a disappointing season by Liverpool’s – and his own – high standards last season.
James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have all departed and Hungary international Szoboszlai is the big-money addition from RB Leipzig who will be expected to fill some of the void.
The 22-year-old cost a reported £60m and hit 20 goals in 91 games at Leipzig, including getting on the scoresheet in the 2023 DFB Pokal final victory.
Andre Onana – Manchester United
Ten Hag’s Old Trafford rebuild has continued this summer as the Dutchman aims to improve on a third-place finish and the Carabao Cup trophy collected in his first season.
The signing of goalkeeper Onana from Inter Milan is a major change as he replaces David De Gea – who left at the expiration of his contract – as United’s first-choice, reuniting with his old Ajax boss.
His ability to play out from the back is what Ten Hag is looking to add to his defence but, if his pre-season games are anything to go by, there could be gains and pains as he settles in.
Sandro Tonali – Newcastle
After sealing Champions League football for the first time in 20 years, many would have expected the deep pockets of the Saudi PIF see Eddie Howe splash the cash on plenty of new arrivals.
Instead, he has been selective with recruits and the £55m arrival of Italy international Tonali is the most eye-catching.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder won the Serie A title with AC Milan in 2022 and he also has 14 senior caps in a competitive position, with Howe hoping he can improve the steel in his own side.
Join bwin today and receive up to £20 money back as a FreeBet if your first wager (3+ selections at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater) is a loser! Terms and conditions apply.
