Casemiro, Haaland but no Nunez: Best Premier League summer transfer window XI revealed

The Premier League summer transfer window never fails to throw up all manner of surprise, excitement and heated debate. And these last few months have been no different.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United have each invested well over £230m on new talent, while the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham have also spent big.

Here is the best XI of the Premier League summer transfer window.

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Nick Pope

In today’s market, £10 million for a 30-year-old English goalkeeper with international pedigree seems like a no brainer. As Eddie Howe continues his rebuild on Tyneside with the marquee signing of Swedish striker Alexander Isak, it could prove just as pivotal to have someone established keeping the ball out of the net as it is an exciting talent sticking it in the back of one.

Rasmus Kristensen

Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch’s second summer signing, Danish full-back Rasmus Kristensen has all the characteristics to become a fan favourite at Elland Road this season. Bringing an impressive blend of tough tackling and attacking nous, Kristensen has already shown his commitment to the cause with a battling performance against Wolves on the opening day.

Armel Bella-Kotchap

Penning a four-year deal at Southampton, German U21 international Bella-Kotchap is certainly one to watch. The French-born player is just 20 years of age but, at 6ft 2, this pacey, powerful defender is a towering physical presence.

Lisandro Martinez

After a shaky start to life at Old Trafford, Argentinian centre-back Lisandro Martinez’s form has drastically improved of late, with standout performances against Southampton and bitter rivals Liverpool. The recipient of Manchester United’s Player of the Month for August, the diminutive defender is already proving a key component of the Erik ten Hag reign.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko

Arguably the shrewdest business conducted in this summer’s transfer window has been by Arsenal. At £32m, the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City could prove something of a steal. The Ukraine international can operate in several different positions and brings with him an all-important track record of success.

Lucas Paqueta

Fans of tricks and flicks are likely to be suitably wowed by West Ham’s latest acquisition. Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta joins from Lyon for a club-record fee of £51m and already has his new manager raving about his talents after a sparkling cameo against Tottenham Hotspur. Plenty of YouTube compilations vids incoming.

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Casemiro

Manchester United have been crying out for a player like Casemiro. Combative, assured and, above all else, a proven winner, the defensively-minded Brazilian will give ten Hag’s midfield the balance they so desperately need. Plus, at 30 years of age, the former Real Madrid stalwart is very much still in his prime.

João Palhinha

A Portuguese midfielder with 14 caps to his name, João Palhinha will likely be an important cog in Marco Silva’s midfield machine. The Fulham boss splashed out £20m for Palhinha’s services from Sporting Lisbon and the 27-year-old has had an immediate impact, grabbing a goal in the recent 3-2 win over Brentford.

Gabriel Jesus

Rather fittingly, the former Manchester City striker is quickly being heralded as something of a messiah in the red side of North London. Three goals and three assists since his arrival has helped Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign with a perfect record of five wins from five.

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Erling Haaland

Alan Shearer suggested Haaland could pose a genuine threat to his Premier League goalscoring record before the 22-year-old Norwegian had even played a minute of league football.

And, if his first five games are anything to go by, the striker-turned-pundit’s prediction for the £51 million signing from Borussia Dortmund may prove to be true. A brace in the season opener against West Ham, a goal away at Shearer’s former team Newcastle, and back-to-back hat-tricks against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest indicate Haaland is very much the real deal.

Raheem Sterling

With three goals already to his name in Chelsea blue, Thomas Tuchel may well have landed something of a major coup in acquiring the services of his top target, Raheem Sterling. After the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner this summer, Sterling, along with deadline day addition Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, should provide Tuchel’s team with some much-needed fire power. 

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