By Ginette Davies
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Premier League clubs shattered spending records this summer, with the transfer window outlay soaring past £3billion for the first time.
This comfortably surpasses the previous record of £2.36billion set in the 2023 window, with clubs splashing out more than those in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A combined.
Current champions Liverpool were the biggest spenders, laying out £415million as they bid to land back-to-back titles. They were followed by Chelsea, who opened their chequebook to the tune of £285million, and then Arsenal, who spent £257million as they hope to topple the Reds at the Premier League summit.
And with the new season underway, former Arsenal Invincible and NetBet main man Ray Parlour has given his verdict on the best of the Premier League’s 155 new arrivals, selecting his top three transfer deals.
Martin Zubimendi – Arsenal
It was an serious summer of spending for Arsenal, with eight new players recruited by Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andre Berta. The transfer spree ended with the deadline day arrival of defender Piero Hincapie. But it was the long-awaited arrival of midfielder Martin Zubimendi earlier in the summer who has most impressed Parlour.
“He’s made a perfect start to his Arsenal career with an impressive display against Manchester United. At home to Leeds, he looks excellent again, linking up really well with Declan Rice.
“You can see his vision, class and the way he makes the holding midfield position so easy.”
Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool
Liverpool’s £446million splurge saw Arne Slot’s side complete the three biggest transfers of the summer – Alexander Isak for a record £125m, Florian Wirtz for £116.5m and Hugo Ekitike for £79m.
And it’s the highly-rated French attacker from Eintracht Frankfurt who has caught Ray Parlour’s eye, with the 52-year-old former England international installing him as one of the summer’s top buys.
“He’s already setting the Premier League on fire with his opening two displays and getting on the score sheet as well,” he said.
“He looks super quick, showing signs of being clinical in front of goal and will likely cause defenders so many problems as the season goes on.”
Mohammed Kudus – Tottenham Hotspur
Club favourite Son Heung-Min may have departed, but Tottenham have brought in a raft of players following the arrival of new manager Thomas Frank.
Among them is Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons and France international Randal Kolo Muani, who signed on a season-long loan deal.
The north Londoners registered convincing wins in their opening two games of the season, including an impressive win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
And the Gunners legend has turned to his old rivals and singled out Ghanaian Mohammed Kudus out as one of the top transfers of the summer.
“I was impressed with Kudus at West Ham, and he’s a smart signing for Spurs. He impressed in the opening two games, and with Spurs winning both, I am sure he will continue to do well.”
Parlour, who made almost 500 appearances for the North London club, winning four FA Cups and three league titles, has also made an early prediction for this season’s Golden Boot award.
City’s Erling Haaland is currently the 10/11 favourite with NetBet to finish as top goalscorer in May, in front of Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, both at 7/1.
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“Erling Haaland isn’t going anywhere,” says Parlour. “He’ll likely score plenty of goals and be well up there come the end of the season with 20-plus. Salah has started well, and I expect him to score plenty too.
“The other two players that could be in the mix are Ekitike, as he looks impressive, plus Goyokeres can well be up there for top goalscorer come the end of the season.”
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