Hit or miss: Best and worst Premier League transfer deadline day deals
Published:
Robbie Purves | August 30, 2016
With the transfer deadline day nearly upon us, fans will be glued to social media and the TV in hope of their club loosening the purse strings and snaring a top-talent.
However, it isn’t all rosy once the exciting players arrive. Here, Coral football writers have picked out 10 of the best and worst Premier League transfer deadline day deals…
Wayne Rooney to Manchester United (£25.6m): Hit
In 2004, an 18-year-old Rooney moved to Old Trafford from Everton for a fee that had many questioning the club’s judgement. Despite raised eyebrows at the time, after 12 years, five league titles and a Champions League, it was definitely money well spent.
Rooney is now England’s all-time leading scorer and is on track to become United’s top ever marksman this season, surpassing the record set by Sir Bobby Charlton at 249. Jose Mourinho’s men have won every game this term and Coral have them 3/1 to win the league outright.
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham United (undisclosed): Both
A decade ago, a pair of bemused 22-year-old Argentinians were signed by the Hammers. On the field, Tevez’ goals kept the club up, scoring West Ham’s vital winner against Man Utd on the last day of the season – his seventh in 10 games – at the expense of Sheffield United. The club later had to pay compensation to the Blades for the illegal transfer, due to third party ownership.
While Tevez was loved, Mascherano couldn’t get in the side but went on to star at Liverpool and then Barcelona.
Andy Carroll to Liverpool (£35m): Miss
The former Newcastle United big man shocked the world of football with his gigantic £35m fee. The transfer was a record for a British player, and at the time the Toon pony-tailed forward had notched 14 goals in half a season in the top-flight.
However, Carroll went on to score just six times in 44 domestic appearances and was shipped off to West Ham 18 months after his Anfield arrival.
Dimitar Berbatov to Man Utd (£30.75m): Hit
Bulgarian forward Berbatov moved to Old Trafford in 2008 and remained prolific throughout his stay in Manchester. He scored 48 goals in 108 domestic appearances, finished Premier League top scorer in 2011, won two league titles and hit a hat-trick against Liverpool.
The elegant, technically superb forward Berbatov attracted comparisons with United legend Eric Cantona, not only because of his impeccable control, but because of his bravado and stature on the pitch.
Fernando Torres to Chelsea (£50m): Miss
The Spaniard set a new record for a British transfer with his move to Stamford Bridge and made him the sixth most expensive footballer in history. Torres started his Chelsea career with a run of 903 minutes without a goal and scored just once in his first season at the club.
Far from the prolific sharpshooter at Liverpool, Torres struggled and scored only 20 goals in 110 domestic appearances – however, he did win the Champions League with the Blues.
Mesut Ozil to Arsenal (£42.5m): Hit
The German playmaker swapped Real Madrid for the Emirates after Gareth Bale’s move to Spain in 2013.
After a slow start, Ozil slowly won fans around and has been recording assists ever since, topping last year’s assist charts and wowing fans with his languid style. The Gunners are now 10/1 to win the league after a difficult start the the campaign.
Robinho to Manchester City (£33m): Miss
The Brazilian’s transfer from Real Madrid coincided with the takeover of Man City and ushered in a new era for the club.
Despite a strong start in his first season, scoring 14 goals, the player soon flaked in his second campaign and sought a move away from Manchester. Years after the move it emerged that he believed he was joining Man Utd.
Luis Suarez to Liverpool (£22.8m): Hit
Uruguayan superstar Suarez was the club’s record signing before being eclipsed by Carroll a few hours earlier. He came with a reputation as a prolific forward, netting 81 in 110 games and did not disappoint at Anfield finding the net 69 times during his spell in Liverpool.
The relentless forward nearly fired his side to their first league title in 24 years, before moving to Barcelona in the summer of 2014 for £64.98m.
Radamel Falcao to Man Utd (loan): Miss
In 2014, Falcao moved to United on a season long long with the option to buy for £43.5m at the season’s end. Before his devastating injury, the striker was one of the best players in the world, but after recovering just couldn’t keep up with the ferocity of the Premier League.
Falcao struggled, netted four league goals and left the club at the end of his loan.
Christopher Samba to QPR (£12m): Miss
With Harry Redknapp battling relegation in 2013, impetus was put on spending big in January to try and survive. QPR bought Samba to shore up the defence and hoped he would provide leadership to drag Rangers out of danger and justify his £100k-a-week wages.
In his 10 games at Loftus Road he conceded 19 goals and the side were relegated. Now under the management of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, the London club are 10/1 to be promoted this year.
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