Manchester City splurge, neighbours United panic-buy, Liverpool resort to usual desperate measures and Newcastle make eyeballs roll
Now that the summer transfer window has closed, it is time to take stock.
The English Premier League broke its own spending record, going from 835 million pounds last year to 870 million in the current fiscal, twice more than any other league.
The same presents a perfect case study.
Rediff.com makes an assessment of the biggest gambles made by the leading Premier League teams this summer.
Kevin De Bruyne/Raheem Sterling/Nicolas Otamendi
Having conceded the Premier League title to Chelsea last term, Manchester City needed to make a statement of intent.
That's precisely what they did.
However, a combined outlay of 137 million pounds for the trio of Kevin de Bruyne (55 million), Raheem Sterling (49 million) and Nicolas Otamendi (33 million) is but a huge risk.
Here are a few facts to corroborate the same.
Jose Mourinho did not hesitate to let go De Bruyne - when the Belgian was a Chelsea player. Sterling is yet to prove himself on the big stage.
And Otamendi, despite speculation about a move to Manchester United, the club was never actually keen. Besides, his disciplinary record isn't exactly enviable.
The trio might still shine at the Etihad, but considering the above factors, suffice to say City have grossly overpaid.
Christian Benteke/Roberto Firmino
All Aston Villa had to do was spread the word that Manchester United is interested in Christian Benteke.
That made Liverpool panic, and dish out a whopping 32.5 million pounds for the Belgian!
Benteke may be a good striker but the price paid for his signature in unfathomable.
Roberto Firmino was another United target. However, in this case Liverpool made the first move, making a 29 million pound offer that Hoffenheim couldn't refuse.
It remains to be seen if the Benteke-Hoffenheim combine can help Liverpool break their 25-year league drought.
Anthony Martial
A clear case of a panic buy.
Manchester United, having failed to land a marquee striker, overpaid for the French youngster.
An offer of 36 million pounds, with add-ons amounting up to another 22 million, was something AS Monaco couldn't refuse.
And Martial became the most expensive teenager ever.
Still unproven, and new at the highest level, the onus is on him to justify his worth.
Heung-Min Son
This represents another panic buy from Tottenham Hotspur.
The North London club spent well in recent years, but got no return whatsoever on their investments.
Ahead of the season, they earmarked quite a few targets, including Sarah Berahdino and Javier Hernandez. However, their attempts proved futile.
Paying 22 million pounds to Bayer Leverkusen for Heung-Min Son's signature was a last ditch effort.
The South Korean has vowed to justify the high price.
Let's wait and watch.
Aleksandar Mitrovic/Florian Thauvin
Having signed former England manager Steve McClaren, Newcastle had already made heads turn.
By spending more than 50 million pounds in the transfer market, they made other clubs take note.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is a good striker, a proven goal-scorer. However, his disciplinary record is anything but enviable.
And the 20-year-old got it wrong at the beginning of his stint at St James Park. Even before he could manage a goal in Newcastle colors, Mitrovic got a straight red, in the match against Arsenal.
Can he justify his 13 million pound price tag?
The case is no different with Florian Thauvin.
Marseille wanted to offload the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. Newcastle willingly parted with 12 million pounds.
To be fair, Thauvin has had a better start at the Tyneside, scoring a goal and making three assists.
It is early days, yet.
