Man Utd and Arsenal flops feature as Premier League's 'worst value for money' signings named and shamed

The worst value-for-money signings from last summer have been revealed with Manchester United and Arsenal players featuring.

A study by betting site comparison website Punter’s Pub has determined the worst value for money signings of the summer by analysing the cost of players and how many goals and assists they have contributed to the first 11 games of the season.

With attacking players solely under the microscope, data has found that Arsenal’s Kai Havertz is one of the worst value-for-money players in the Premier League. The German has had little impact on his new side, having scored two goals so far this season.

While as a team Arsenal featured in sixth place for worst value-for-money signings, United were in top spot, having spent around £120million on Mason Mount, and 20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Both have failed to provide any goals and assists in the Premier League so far, with United having endured the worst start to a season in six decades.

Four other clubs have seen no goal contributions from their attacking signings this season. Everton spent around £33million on Beto and Youssef Chermiti, neither of whom has produced a goal or assist.

Similarly, Fulham spent around £27million in the summer on attacking players, who have only provided one goal. Meanwhile, Newcastle United spent a combined £45million on Harvey Barnes and Yankuba Minteh, before quickly sending the latter out on loan.

In turn, Barnes’ single goal and assist has cost £22.5million per goal contribution so far.

Nottingham Forest were shown to have signed the best value players, having spent around £32.9million on Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have collectively contributed eight goals this season at just £4.1million per goal.

Luton Town, the smallest spenders on attackers in the summer window, paid around £6.5million for Tahith Chong and Jacob Brown. That has so far resulted in one goal after Chong scored against Liverpool.

Manchester City, who spent around £52million on Jérémy Doku, have seen the third-best return on attacking investment. The Belgian winger has so far scored two goals and assisted five for his team-mates. In turn, his seven goal-contributions have come at a cost of £7.4million each.

As well as identifying which teams have made the best value signings this term, the study also analysed TransferMarkt data to see which new attacking signings had increased most in worth.

So far, Callum Hudson-Odoi’s move from Chelsea to Nottingham Forest has seen his value increase by 243 per cent. The winger was signed for around £3million but is now valued at around £12million.

Meanwhile, Chris Wood’s move from Newcastle to Nottingham has seen his value drop by 53 per cent. Since his move was made permanent in June Wood has since seen his value fall from around £15million to just £8million.

The ten players who have depreciated most in value:

Chris Wood: -53%

Matheus Cunha: - 44%

Deivid Washington: -44%

Adrian Mazilu: -33%

Enso González: -33%

Cole Palmer: -32%

Chermiti: -28%

Alejo Véliz: -27%

Wilson Odobert: -25%

Matheus França: -25%

Topics: Fan Reactions, Arsenal, Manchester United, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.