With the transfer window in England having come to a close on Tuesday, Richard Jolly gives his pick of the top five deals done by Premier League sides.
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Andre Ayew (Swansea City)
A sensational signing. The Ghanaian struck in the draw at Chelsea and the win over Newcastle United. He scored one and made the other in victory over Manchester United. He arrived on a free transfer. He is quick, versatile and very talented.
Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace)
Another fine free transfer. Yohan Cabaye was the statement signing, and is a class act, but the muscular, aggressive Sako’s eye for goal has helped propel Palace to second. He scored a debut winner against Aston Villa and got the opener in the win at Chelsea.
Raheem Sterling (Man City)
Yes, £49 million (Dh275m) is a lot to pay for a work in progress. But Sterling has started superbly at City, helping to give them width. He is already combining well with David Silva. Adding Kevin de Bruyne to the side makes for a mouth-watering prospect.
Matteo Darmian (Man United)
United have paid over the odds for many a player. They seem to have got Darmian cheap, spending just £12.7m to get a player who looks defensively solid and quick on the counter. The Italy international already appears their best right-back since Gary Neville.
Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)
Payet created more chances last season than anyone else in Europe’s top five leagues. For the comparatively meagre sum of £10.7m, West Ham have found a high-class inventor, whose excellence was apparent in their away wins over Arsenal and Liverpool.