Top 10 Premier League Transfers That Could Define the 2024-25 Season

On Friday, the Premier League’s summer transfer window came to a close. Unless an emergency deal or free transfer occurs, squads are now locked in until January, leaving managers to work with their current rosters—some of which, like Chelsea’s, are impressively stocked.

As with every summer, the Premier League has seen a flurry of fascinating signings. New talents have arrived, eager to make their mark, while players have shifted between English clubs, driven to make an impact.

Top 10 Premier League Transfers That Could Define the 2024-25 Season

With the deadline behind us, it’s the perfect time to look back at the deals that truly caught our attention.

1. Riccardo Calafiori – Arsenal

Despite playing only three games, Riccardo Calafiori shone at Euro 2024 with Italy. His impressive ball skills and adventurous play caught the eye of many who were previously unfamiliar with his talent, earning him new admirers.

In Italy, however, Calafiori was already well-regarded. As a key member of the Bologna team that Thiago Motta led to an extraordinary UEFA Champions League qualification last season, Calafiori was one of Serie A’s most sought-after prospects heading into the summer.

Arsenal made sure he didn’t follow Motta to Juventus, and they have high hopes for the 22-year-old to be a fixture in their defense for years to come.

Although Calafiori has only seen 11 minutes of Premier League action in the first two games of the 2024-25 season, his versatility allows him to play as a centre-back or left-back, in either a back four or a back three.

This adaptability is a valuable asset, and the Opta Radar below showcases his wide-ranging contributions from last season.

He fits Arsenal’s style of play, is young with significant potential, and boasts great hair. What’s not to like?

2. Matthijs de Ligt – Manchester United

Since his high-profile move from Ajax to Juventus five years ago, when he was one of the most sought-after young talents, Matthijs de Ligt’s career hasn’t quite reached the anticipated heights.

While he has accumulated a significant number of trophies, the buzz surrounding him as a teenage prodigy suggested he would soon be among the world’s elite defenders. However, he has yet to achieve that level of distinction.

At just 25, though, De Ligt still has his prime years ahead of him. His move to Manchester United this summer has brought him back under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, who oversaw some of the best performances of De Ligt’s career at Ajax.

De Ligt’s technical and physical attributes are impressive, and he should be adept at following Ten Hag’s instructions for playing out from the back.

Nonetheless, his lack of blistering pace could be a concern, particularly if United opts for a higher defensive line this season; only three teams from the top 10 last season had a deeper average start distance from their goal than United’s 41.5 meters.

Overall, De Ligt will be an intriguing player to watch, especially to see if United can help him realize his full potential.

3. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Chelsea

Chelsea’s summer transfer activity has received significant attention, often criticized for the influx of new players and concerns about perceived player hoarding.

However, one particularly intriguing move is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s transfer from Leicester City. Although the £30 million fee might not fit the ‘bargain’ category just yet, Dewsbury-Hall has proven his worth in the Premier League before Leicester’s relegation and continued to impress in the Championship.

What could make this transfer more promising is that Dewsbury-Hall is reuniting with his former Leicester manager, Enzo Maresca, at Stamford Bridge. This familiarity could benefit both the player and the team.

Dewsbury-Hall is a graceful and industrious box-to-box midfielder. Last season, he led all midfielders with 1.5 possession regains in the final third per 90 minutes and ranked eighth for chances created in open play per 90 minutes (1.9).

His passing contributed to 0.31 expected assists per 90 minutes, placing him behind only David Brooks (0.44) and Sorba Thomas (0.35). He also ranked fifth in the league for goal involvements from midfield, with 26 total (14 assists and 12 goals).

With continued success in the Premier League, international caps for England could be on the horizon.

4. Emile Smith Rowe – Fulham

The way Emile Smith Rowe’s Arsenal career unfolded is somewhat disappointing. Once a highly-rated youth talent, he had a standout 2021-22 season, netting 10 Premier League goals and earning his first senior England caps.

However, injuries hindered his progress, limiting him to just over 500 minutes of Premier League action over the next two seasons and only three starts, all during the 2023-24 season. Although he was available for most of last term, frequently named among the substitutes, it was clear he needed a fresh start.

His move to Fulham immediately positions him as a key player, giving him the opportunity to prove himself. With his 25th birthday still months away, he has ample time to make his mark.

Smith Rowe, known for his technical skill, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, has already begun to make an impact at Fulham, scoring on his home debut in their 2-1 victory over Leicester City.

The transfer seemed destined for success from the start; the key now is for Smith Rowe to maintain his fitness and realize his potential.

5. Jack Clarke – Ipswich Town

More than five years after joining Tottenham, Jack Clarke is finally set to make his Premier League debut following his move to Ipswich Town last week.

Clarke spent the last two and a half seasons with Sunderland, where he played a key role in their promotion from League One and their subsequent Championship campaign. He was part of the Black Cats team that narrowly missed out on consecutive Premier League promotions, falling short in the 2022-23 playoffs before emerging as one of the Championship’s standout performers last season.

A dynamic and forward-thinking winger, Clarke ranked fifth in the Championship for dribble attempts per 90 minutes (6.9) last season, with only Kamaldeen Sulemana (5.2) completing more dribbles than Clarke’s 3.8.

In terms of progressive carries (driving the ball at least five meters upfield), only four players—who were all centre-backs and thus operated in less congested areas—averaged more per 90 minutes than Clarke’s 14.6. He was also a reliable creator, with 2.2 chances created in open play per 90 minutes, surpassed by only three players.

Ipswich Town will need all the help they can get to secure their Premier League status this season. Clarke’s arrival enhances their attacking options, and at an initial £15 million, he represents surprisingly good value.

6. Savinho – Manchester City

We understand this might seem a bit controversial, given that including Savinho in a discussion of “favorite transfers” raises ethical questions. After all, Manchester City acquired him from their sister club Troyes without him having played a single game for them.

Nonetheless, Savinho is an incredibly exciting young talent who impressed us greatly during his time at Girona last season.

In the 2023-24 La Liga season, the Brazilian was among the top performers, ranking fifth for dribbles attempted per 90 minutes (6.5) and seventh for progressive carries of over 10 meters (6.1), with a minimum of 900 minutes played.

But he wasn’t just about carrying the ball; he delivered results too. He recorded 44 carries that ended in a shot or chance created, bettered by only three players in the division, and no one could match his 10 carries resulting in goals or assists.

His early performances in England have been promising as well. Although an injury halted his progress after a strong start against Chelsea on Matchday 1, he returned to play against Ipswich and won a penalty.

Savinho is set to be a fantastic addition to the Premier League.

7. Matt O’Riley – Brighton

A move away from Celtic had been anticipated for some time. With previous links to Atlético Madrid and Manchester United, Denmark international Matt O’Riley will now make his mark in one of the top five leagues with Brighton.

At 23, O’Riley has long impressed with his technical skills and maturity, particularly since he made the bold decision to reject a contract extension at Fulham in 2020 in favor of first-team football at MK Dons.

Over the past three and a half years, he has continued to develop, eventually outgrowing Celtic and the Scottish Premiership.

Last season, O’Riley was exceptional in Scotland’s top tier, and his impressive statistical output backs this up. He ranked among the top three midfielders (minimum 900 minutes played) for open-play chances created per 90 minutes (1.7) and led the league in expected assists per 90 (0.32).

He also topped the charts for non-penalty expected goals (xG) per 90 (0.35) among his peers and had the highest average for touches in the opposition’s box per game (7.6), showcasing his significant impact as an attacking force.

Moreover, O’Riley wasn’t just involved in shots and key passes; no player surpassed his 251 involvements in attacking sequences, with 99 of those not resulting in a shot or chance created, underscoring his role in both the build-up play and the final third.

Brighton has been a nurturing ground for young talent, and O’Riley could be the next to make a name for himself—provided his recent injury against Crawley Town isn’t too severe.

8. Brajan Gruda – Brighton

We could have highlighted several of Brighton’s summer signings, but for this piece, we’re focusing on Brajan Gruda alongside Matt O’Riley.

Why Gruda instead of Yankuba Minteh or Georginio Rutter? Gruda is arguably a lesser-known figure in England, despite having played at a higher level than Minteh last season. He joined Brighton earlier this month from Mainz for an initial fee of £25 million (€30 million), having drawn significant interest from Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen following a standout season in the Bundesliga.

Thomas Müller praised the 20-year-old right-winger, noting his “something special” quality and commending him as “remarkably good” after their match-up.

Brighton secured Gruda partly due to the influence of their new coach, Fabian Hürzeler. They’ve acquired an exciting player who is sure to entertain, as no one in the Bundesliga last season matched his average of 7.8 dribble attempts per 90 minutes.

Additionally, Gruda’s combined average of 0.47 non-penalty expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) was impressive, surpassing only six Bundesliga players under 22 at the end of last season.

9. Guido Rodríguez – West Ham

While Guido Rodríguez might not be the flashiest new arrival in the Premier League this season, he represents a potentially very shrewd signing for West Ham.

Manager Julen Lopetegui is well-acquainted with Rodríguez from his time at Real Betis, having witnessed firsthand the midfielder’s formidable presence in high-stakes derbies against Lopetegui’s former club, Sevilla. Rodríguez is known for his uncompromising, tough style—something often associated with Argentine midfielders.

Rodríguez earned a reputation as one of La Liga’s best in his role, excelling at the base of Betis’ midfield and disrupting opposition play.

Despite playing for a team that preferred to dominate possession, Rodríguez averaged 2.6 tackle attempts per 90 minutes last season, placing him in the 82nd percentile among midfielders (minimum 900 minutes played). He also ranked in the top 4% for ground duels success rate (60.2%) and the top 2% for possession regains per 90 minutes (7.5).

Additionally, West Ham secured Rodríguez on a free transfer, which further underscores the potential smart nature of this acquisition.

While he may need some time to adjust, he has the attributes to potentially be a significant success in England.

10. Jørgen Strand Larsen – Wolves

Wolves showed considerable promise at various points last season. Under Gary O’Neil, the team played attractive football and boasted several dynamic players, particularly in attack.

However, they lacked a true focal point in their forward line—a genuine number nine to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibilities.

Although Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan each scored 11 non-penalty goals last season, both significantly exceeded their expected goals (non-pen xG): Cunha by 2.3 and Hwang by 4.1. Relying on them to maintain that scoring rate could be risky.

Enter Jørgen Strand Larsen, signed on an initial loan with an option to make it permanent for around £23 million. The tall, physical striker brings a much-needed presence to Wolves’ attack, focusing on being a threat in the penalty area.

Last season, Strand Larsen recorded a non-penalty xG of 14.5, the third highest in La Liga, indicating his knack for finding dangerous positions. He scored eight goals from inside the six-yard box—just one fewer than Wolves managed collectively. He has already netted once in the Premier League this season, albeit from just outside the six-yard box.

Strand Larsen was a formidable presence at Celta Vigo and could become a significant nuisance to Premier League defenses if Wolves provide him with the right service.

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