Three of the most expensive Premier League signings this summer – are they worth it?
As always, Premier League teams have spent big money this summer to enhance the quality of their squad for the upcoming season. Top teams have invested in improving their lineups to challenge for the title, while mid and lower-table teams (with all due respect) have done businesses to break into the top half of the table.
All said and done, Liverpool have enjoyed a breakthrough summer, spending over £150m on procuring players of highest quality in areas where they required strengthening. Now, Jurgen Klopp must gel this talented squad together and win something this season.
Promoted clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham have done some dexterous business to catch the eye of many top-tier teams. We shouldn’t be surprised if both of them end up fighting for European slots.
With the Premier League transfer deadline day due on Thursday, we take a look at the three of most expensive signings of the summer and whether they are worth it.
Alisson (£67m from AS Roma to Liverpool)
Even though Liverpool spent a world-record fee for a centre-back in January, they direly needed this transfer to be done as well. After what Loris Karius did in the Champions League final, Klopp wouldn’t have been able to build a team keeping the German between the sticks.
So in that sense, the Reds have done well to get Alisson for a whopping fee of £67m. The Brazilian will be worth every penny since he is the kind of goalkeeper who is adept at making crucial saves and playing out from the back. With a goalkeeper who is dependable and solid, Liverpool look set to make all the right noises next season.
Naby Keita (£52.8m from RB Leipzig to Liverpool)
Another Liverpool transfer featuring in the top list and deservingly so. Keita is a fantastic box-to-box midfielder who can create chances, score screamers from long-range and also cover the ground to defend the spaces when required.
He will be perfect for Klopp’s high-intensity pressing system and can use his diligent footballing brain to pass the ball forward with the utmost accuracy. With the current market in mind, £52.8m for Keita is a great piece of business as the Guinean will take them up a level in the midfield.
Riyad Mahrez (£60m from Leicester City to Manchester City)
It does sound weird that Manchester City have spent a club-record £60m fee on an attacking player, who may not be an automatic starter in the team. But as Guardiola did last season, when he needs someone for a purpose, he goes on to pay however much is required to get the deal done.
Getting Mahrez means that the Spaniard can rotate his forward line without sacrificing one bit of quality. It will also aid him to keep the attackers fresh when required for a crucial Champions League game. So, the addition of the Algerian will help Manchester City turn into a multi-challenger in domestic and continental competitions.