- The 2023/24 Premier League season is a few days from kicking off
- Premier League clubs have been active in the transfer market in a bid to revamp their squads
- We take a look at five players signed this summer and looking to make an impact in the league this coming season
Once more, during the Premier League transfer window, clubs have splurged significant amounts of money to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.
With numerous players adapting to their new environments, there arises curiosity about which individuals will swiftly make a noteworthy impression.
Below, SportsLeo highlights five recently signed players to keep an eye on as they embark on the 2023/24 campaign.
Declan Rice – Arsenal
Arsenal made a significant investment of £105 million, breaking their club record, to secure the services of English midfielder Declan Rice from their London rivals, West Ham.
This substantial expenditure surpassed their previous record by more than £32 million, as manager Mikel Arteta believes Rice could be the missing piece in the puzzle, potentially propelling Arsenal from being runners-up to claiming the Premier League championship this season.
At the age of 24, Rice departed West Ham after leading them to victory in the Europa Conference League as captain in his final match. The focus now lies on whether he can continue to excel at the highest level. Moreover, in his new role with Arsenal, having already established himself as a pivotal player at the London Stadium.
Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has joined Premier League side Liverpool from RB Leipzig. | PHOTO: Liverpool FC |
Jurgen Klopp aimed to revamp Liverpool’s midfield following a subpar season, which fell short of both the team’s and his own high standards.
Notably, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho have all left the club. As a significant high-value acquisition from RB Leipzig, Hungary international Szoboszlai is expected to step in and fill the void left by these departures.
The 22-year-old midfielder reportedly commanded a fee of £60 million. During his time at Leipzig, he demonstrated his goal-scoring abilities, netting 20 goals in 91 matches, and notably, he even scored in the 2023 DFB Pokal final, contributing to their victory.
Moussa Diaby – Aston Villa
Upon taking over as Steven Gerrard’s replacement in October, Unai Emery orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for Villa’s season.
Transforming from a team facing relegation, Villa managed to secure European qualification under the guidance of the Spanish manager. Emery has now set his sights on shaping the squad to face new challenges ahead.
As a significant part of this process, Diaby, the French winger, was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record fee reported to be £51.9 million. The determination shown by the club to secure his services places immediate pressure on the 24-year-old to perform, as Emery aims to continue building upon the progress achieved in his first year at the helm.
Sandro Tonali – Newcastle United
Newcastle United have signed midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan. | PHOTO: Newcastle United |
Following their successful qualification for the Champions League after two decades, there were expectations that Eddie Howe, backed by the deep pockets of the Saudi PIF, would make significant investments in numerous new players.
Contrary to those expectations, Howe has chosen to be discerning in his recruitment approach. The standout addition to the squad is the Italy international Tonali, who arrived for a reported fee of £55 million.
Aged 23, Tonali is a defensive midfielder who already boasts an impressive resume, having won the Serie A title with AC Milan in 2022. He also brings valuable experience with 14 senior caps in a competitive position. Howe and the likes of Declan Rice, Moussa Diaby, and Andre Onana hope that Tonali’s presence will strengthen their team’s defensive capabilities.
Andre Onana – Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s efforts to revamp Old Trafford have continued this summer, with the aim of surpassing last season’s third-place finish and Carabao Cup victory in his debut year as manager.
READ: What to expect from Andre Onana as United’s goalkeeper
One of the most prominent changes is the acquisition of goalkeeper Onana from Inter Milan. Onana’s arrival is particularly noteworthy as he replaces David De Gea, who departed upon the expiration of his contract. This move reunites Onana with his former Ajax boss, Ten Hag.
The primary aspect that Ten Hag seeks to incorporate into his defence through Onana’s addition is the goalkeeper’s ability to play out from the back. However, based on his performance in pre-season games, there may be both positive advancements and challenges for Onana as he settles into his new role.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login