Premier League: The best bargains

• Although Premier League teams established new transfer records this summer, the market is still alive with opportunities for bargains.
• Free agents are a key component of each summer transfer window, and several teams have taken advantage of them to make inexpensive signings.
• Here are some of the best bargains so far.

Although  Premier League teams established new transfer records this summer, the market is still alive with opportunities for bargains.

Free agents are a key component of each summer transfer window, and several teams have taken advantage of them to make inexpensive signings. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at six of the most fascinating free agents signed this summer by Premier League teams.

Here are some of the best bargains so far.

Adama Traore (Fulham)

Adama Traore joined Fulham on a free transfer. Photo/Fulham FC

One of the Premier League’s fastest players is Adama Traore.

The winger can be exhilarating to see in full flight because of an unequaled combination of raw pace, power, and balance.

However, a return of just 10 goals and 15 assists from 195 games illustrates the lack of end product that has been problematic in Traore’s career so far. Several managers have attempted and failed to consistently bring out the best in the Spaniard.

Marco Silva is the most recent manager to take a chance on the 27-year-old, and his free move might pay off. Raul Jimenez, a former teammate of Traore’s at Wolves, has joined Fulham, a team that finished in the top half of the league last season. Jimenez moved to West London early in the transfer window.

Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)

This summer, Aston Villa moved swiftly to raid its Midlands rivals, the recently relegated Leicester City, and they were successful in obtaining Youri Tielemans on a free transfer.

Since Tielemans had been connected with numerous ‘Big Six’ teams before his stock dropped following Leicester’s relegation last season, his signing for Villa may be seen as a victory.

Tielemans, who joined Leicester in a £40 million transfer from Monaco while still just 26 years old and with 60 international caps, strengthens Unai Emery’s team in preparation for Villa’s return to European play this season.

Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace)

Even though the transfer season has been relatively quiet for Crystal Palace thus far, they moved quickly to bring in Jefferson Lerma from Bournemouth.

The Colombian international, whose contract at Bournemouth expired after the Cherries clinched a second consecutive season in the top division last season, has opted to go on in quest of a new challenge.

Lerma made a strong first impression against Sheffield United, winning the game’s Most Valuable Player award while putting up a typically aggressive effort at the center of the team’s midfield.

Palace has a defensive midfield double-act with Cheick Doucouré to shut down other teams.

Ross Barkley (Luton)

Ross Barkley. Photo/Luton FC

Ross Barkley is making his return to the Premier League in an attempt to revive a career that has recently stagnated.

The 29-year-old, who has since joined on as a free agent for newly promoted Luton Town, did not have his fortunes turned around by a foreign trip to Nice. If Barkley can regain even a fraction of the form that once saw him routinely play for England, it would undoubtedly be worth the risk for Luton. Barkley’s career has not yet achieved the heights anticipated following his thrilling rise at Everton.

Gareth Southgate has not given Barkley a cap since 2019. Barkley has six goals in 33 senior appearances for the Three Lions.

Mahmoud Dahoud (Brighton)

After earning £150 million from the sales of Alexis MacAllister and Moises Caicedo, the middle of the pitch is being rebuilt in Brighton. Mahmoud Dahoud, who joined the Seagulls from Borussia Dortmund via a Bosman agreement, has been selected as a more budget-friendly substitute.

The 27-year-old’s six seasons at Dortmund were cut short by fitness concerns, but De Zerbi is optimistic the twice-captained German can be a “top player” for his team following an encouraging start in the team’s 4-1 victory against Luton.

Manor Solomon (Tottenham)

Manor Solomon. Photo/ Sporting News

Manor Solomon, who had left Shakhtar Donetsk as a free agent, signed a contract with Tottenham in the summer.

Solomon spent the previous season on loan at Fulham, where he briefly made an impression. He scored five goals in 24 appearances for Fulham in all competitions, showing himself to be a dynamic player in the final third.

The 24-year-old gives Ange Postecoglou more alternatives as Spurs attempt to recover from the loss of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich. The Israeli international has seven goals in 35 appearances.

He is ideal for Postecoglou’s frontline because of his cunning and intensity in large areas.