Ranking the best transfer signings in the Premier League this window: Gunners and United deals early standouts

There is still plenty of time remaining in the summer transfer window but a few big deals have been done and every Premier League team has brought in at least one new face.

There will inevitably be more business done in the weeks ahead as the deadline approaches, and we’ve ranked the best transfers concluded so far as the Premier League clubs gear up for the 2024-25 campaign.

• Riccardo Calafiori – Bologna to Arsenal £33.6million (potentially rising to £43m)

Arsenal moved to bring in Italy international Riccardo Calafiori in a deal that could potentially cost £43m, which has the potential to be an absolute bargain.

Calafiori starred for Bologna last season as they qualified for the Champions League, earning him a place in Italy’s Euro 2024 squad.

The 22-year-old is primarily a centre-half but can also operate at left-back and his arrival provides strength and depth for the Gunners at the back. As noted by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta there is potential for Calafiori to develop further but he is already a top-quality defender who has proven himself in one of Europe’s big leagues.

Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League last season with just 29 goals conceded and in this respect they weren’t necessarily crying out for reinforcements at the back. However, they relied heavily on the same group of players across their back four and the arrival of Calafiori does give Arteta another option – and adds further depth to a squad that will be looking to go one better next term and end their wait for another league crown. 

• Joshua Zirkzee – Bologna to Manchester United reported £36.5million

Bologna’s stellar campaign also caught the eye of Manchester United, who forked out a reported £36.5m to snare forward Joshua Zirkzee.

The Dutchman is a versatile forward but his main strength is probably his aerial threat and he could prove to be the ideal foil for last summer’s marquee capture Rasmus Højlund, who struggled for consistency at Old Trafford last season.

Zirkzee has much more to his game than holding up the ball and goalscoring, however, as he is also capable of operating as a playmaker and he could prove to be an excellent capture for United as they bid to force their way back into the top four, at the very least.

• Ben Brereton Diaz – Villarreal to Southampton reported £7million

Southampton secured an immediate return to the Premier League via the play-offs but avoiding an immediate return to the Championship will be a tall order.

The Saints have been fairly busy in the transfer window and the return of club legend Adam Lallana – 10 years after his switch to Liverpool – is an interesting move but the capture of Ben Brereton Diaz from Spanish outfit Villarreal may prove to be their shrewdest move of the summer.

The former Blackburn forward struggled to make any kind of impact in La Liga but enjoyed an excellent spell on loan at Sheffield United in the second half of last season, scoring six goals in 14 Premier League appearances,

In all likelihood, Saints will be involved in the relegation scrap in the season ahead and Brereton Diaz could be a key player in the fight against the drop after his exploits for a poor Blades team last term.

• Savinho – Troyes to Manchester City reported £30.8million

Savinho could potentially be the number one on this list, but it may take him a while to fight his way into Manchester City’s star-studded first team despite his heroics in Spain last season.

The Brazil international arrives after coming through the City Football Group pyramid to the club at the top of that organisation.

Officially he arrives from Troyes but the 20-year-old never actually featured for the French team and last term he spent the campaign on loan at Girona.

Savinho played a vital role in Girona qualifying for the Champions League with nine goals and 10 assists in 37 La Liga games, as the Catalan club pushed Real Madrid in the title battle for large periods.

Savinho made the most successful dribbles in the league with 104 and was named in the La Liga team of the season, and with his speed and creativity the electrifying winger could well be City’s next superstar in the making.

• Archie Gray – Leeds to Tottenham reported £40million

Last but not least, Tottenham’s signing of youngster Archie Gray has been met with despair by fans of former club Leeds and it is easy to see why.

Gray, 18, only made his Leeds debut at the start of last season but quickly established himself as a regular for the Elland Road club.

It remains to be seen just how much game time the midfielder will get in the coming campaign, but in terms of future potential the sky’s the limit for the England Under-21 international and his reported £40m price tag could ultimately look like an incredible bargain in the not-too-distant future.