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BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFERS SUMMER 2011

Arsenal ARSENAL Players in: Carl Jenkinson (Charlton, £1m*), Gervinho (Lille, £10.7m*), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Southampton, initial £12million), Joel Campbell (Deportivo Saprissa, undisclosed), Park Chu-young (Monaco, £3m-5m*), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce, £6.2m*), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen, £8m*), Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea, season loan), Mikel Arteta (Everton, £10million).
Players out: Gael Clichy (Manchester City, £7m*), Denilson (Sao Paulo, season loan), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Ipswich, £1.5m-£2m*), Kyle Bartley (Rangers, season loan), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona, £35m*), Emmanuel Eboue (Galatasaray, £3m*), Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad, season loan), Samir Nasri (Manchester City, £25m*), Armand Traore (QPR, undisclosed), Joel Campbell (Lorient, season loan), Gilles Sunu (Lorient, undisclosed), Henri Lansbury (West Ham, season loan), Nicklas Bendtner (Sunderland, season loan).
Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown:
“Mikel Arteta will add a great deal to Arsenal’s midfield. They need a playmaker in there, and while he is not in the same class as Cesc Fabregas, he will want the ball, be creative and adds experience.
“Overall Arsenal still haven’t got the balance of the side quite right. They have technical defenders whose first priority is not always to defend so we will see what Mertesacker brings to the back four.
“The losses of Fabregas and Nasri are huge but Arsene Wenger has done all he can without upsetting the squad too much.”
Aston Villa ASTON VILLA Players in: Shay Given (Manchester City, £3.5m*), Charles N’Zogbia (Wigan, £9.5m*), Alan Hutton (Tottenham, undisclosed), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham, season loan).
Players out: Nigel Reo-Coker (Bolton, free), John Carew (West Ham, free), Robert Pires, Moustapha Salifou, Isaiah Osbourne (all released), Brad Friedel (Tottenham, free), Ashley Young (Manchester United, £16m*), Stewart Downing (Liverpool, £20m*), Luke Young (QPR, undisclosed), Jean Makoun (Olympiacos, season loan).
Timothy Abraham, Aston Villa reporter for the Express & Star:
“For many Villa fans the club’s dealings during the transfer window have been a source of frustration and disappointment, but under the circumstances manager Alex McLeish has worked admirably.
“After the lavish spending of the Gerard Houllier and Martin O’Neill eras, which saw inflated transfer fees and excessive wages aplenty, prudence has become the watchword at Villa and McLeish has been forced to cut his cloth accordingly. There was never going to be another Darren Bent this time around.
“Villa fans are perhaps struggling to come to terms with the fact that they were competing with Spurs and Manchester City in the transfer market a few seasons back rather signing their cast offs as now appears to be the case. Expectation levels on previous season have to be redrawn.
“The departures of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young still rankle with fans but in Shay Given, Charles N’Zogbia, Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas Villa have at least brought in four players who will become first-team regulars.”
Blackburn Rovers BLACKBURN Players in: David Goodwillie (Dundee United, £2.8m*), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade, undisclosed), Simon Vukcevic (Sporting Lisbon, undisclosed), Scott Dann (Birmingham, undisclosed), Yakubu (Everton, undisclosed), Jordan Slew (Sheffield United, £1m)
Players out: Phil Jones (Manchester United, £17m*), Frank Fielding (Derby, £300,000), Jason Brown, Zurab Khizanishvili, Maceo Rigters (all released), Benjani Mwaruwari (Portsmouth, free), Keith Andrews (Ipswich, loan), Nikola Kalinic (Dnipro, undisclosed), Brett Emerton (Sydney FC, free).
Chris Flanagan, Lancashire Evening Telegraph:
“Losing Phil Jones was a big loss but it was understandable. He has so much potential you wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up as a future England captain and he will do well at Manchester United.
“Keeping hold of Chris Samba became even more important then and the fans will be delighted that the club managed that after he was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal or Tottenham. Not only is he a good player, he is a big presence in the dressing room and a leader.
“To add to that Blackburn have managed to sign Scott Dann from Birmingham. He will replace Jones and is a top signing. He was linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool which tells you how good he was and Rovers now look defensively strong.
“Yakubu and Goodwillie are interesting signings, there are question marks over both of them but if they hit the ground running there is plenty of goals in there. Overall the squad looks much stronger than it did six weeks ago and looks good enough to survive comfortably. Though we said that last season and struggled so we will have to wait and see.”
Bolton Wanderers BOLTON Players in: Darren Pratley (Swansea, free), Nigel Reo-Coker (Bolton, free), Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears (Burnley, joint £3m*), Tuncay Sanli (Wolfsburg, season loan), Dedryck Boyata (Manchester City, loan), Gael Kakuta (Chelsea, loan until January), David Ngog (Liverpool, £4m*).
Players out: Joey O’Brien (West Ham, free), Johan Elmander, Jlloyd Samuel, Tamir Cohen (all released), Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan, £4m*), Matt Taylor (West Ham, £2.2m*), Danny Ward (Huddersfield, £1m*).
Marc Iles, chief sports writer for the Bolton News:
“The big news at the Reebok was keeping hold of Gary Cahill. It went down to the wire and Bolton fans were fearing they would be left high and dry but Owen Coyle dug his heels in and rejected a sizable offer from Tottenham.
“Cahill is out of contract next year so his future remains a doubt but the club have got an England international until January at least now.
“Of those coming in, Coyle has signed hungry young players who fit into his footballing philosophy of attacking football.
“All in all, plenty of good business at Bolton and a positive transfer window.”
Chelsea CHELSEA Players in: Thibaut Courtois (Genk, £7.9m*), Oriol Romeu (Barcelona, £4.35m*), Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht, undisclosed), Juan Mata (Valencia, undisclosed), Ulises Davila (Chivas Guadalajara, undisclosed), Raul Meireles (Liverpool, £12m*).
Players out: Michael Mancienne (Hamburg, £3m*), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, loan), Gokhan Tore (Hamburg, undisclosed), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburg, season loan), Jack Cork (Southampton, £750,000*), Fabio Borini (Parma, free), Yury Zhirkov (Anzhi Makhachkala, £13.2m*), Slobodan Rajkovic (Hamburg, undisclosed), Ulises Davila (Vitesse Arnham, season loan), Patrick van Aanholt (Wigan, season loan), Gael Kakuta (Bolton, loan), Yossi Benayoun (Arsenal, season loan).
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin:
“The negative for me is the departure of Yossi Benayoun as I rate him very, very highly and think he has been unlucky with injuries. Arsenal have done a good bit of business there.
“Juan Mata is not dissimilar but if something happens to him, Chelsea lose that creativity they have needed. Most other clubs, particularly Manchester City, can just about lose any of their players and someone else will come in.
“Romelu Lukaku is a very very good buy – he had a little cameo at the weekend and I suspect he might be very useful between now and the end of the season.
“Raul Meireles is quite a creative player who can perhaps give a bit of respite to Frank Lampard, but I have no idea what system manager Andre Villas-Boas is aiming towards.”
Everton EVERTON Players in: Denis Stracqualursi (Tigre, season loan), Royston Drenthe (Real Madrid, season loan).
Players out: James Vaughan (Norwich, undisclosed), Iain Turner (released), Shane Duffy (Scunthorpe, loan), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal, £10million), Jermaine Beckford (Leicester, rising to £4million), Yakubu (Blackburn, undisclosed).
BBC Merseyside’s Mike Hughes:
“The loss of Mikel Arteta so late in the transfer window is a blow to Everton but to get £10m for a 29-year-old whose influence has been on the wane represents good business – as long as David Moyes gets a substantial chunk of the money to spend in January.
“Losing one of the big hitters was always likely to happen during the transfer window and after a long spell of injuries most fans would rather lose Arteta than Marouane Fellaini, Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines or Phil Jagielka.
“Jermaine Beckford had a good goalscoring record but his hold-up play was never good enough for the Premier League and no tears will be shed over his departure, while Yakubu had gone stale at Goodison Park.
“In terms of signings, little is known about Denis Stracqualursi, but as 23 he is a good age and his pedigree as joint top scorer in Argentina suggests he knows where the goal is. Royston Drenthe was a player with great promise at the start of his career but he has hardly played for the last few years. He offers genuine width which is something Everton lack.”
Fulham FULHAM Players in: Csaba Somogyi (unattached), John Arne Riise (Roma, undisclosed), Marcel Gecov (Slovan Liberec, undisclosed), Pajtim Kasami (Palermo, undisclosed), Zdenek Grygera (Juventus, free), Orlando Sa (Porto, free), Bryan Ruiz (FC Twente, £10.6m*).
Players out: Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, £600,000*), Diomansy Kamara (Eskisehirspor, free), Jonathan Greening (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed), John Pantsil (Leicester, free), Zoltan Gera (West Brom, free), David Stockdale (Ipswich, season loan), Keanu Marsh-Brown (Dundee United, loan).
Paul Warburton, Fulham Chronicle:
“Bryan Ruiz is a very exciting signing, he has all the capabilities you would want in a Premier League forward. He is tall, strong and quick and possesses a deadly left foot.
“Martin Jol knows all about him from his time in Holland and the manager has done well to lower the average age of the squad.
“Of those who were let go, Zoltan Gera was a favourite with the fans but while he had his great moments, he was also inconsistent and a bit lightweight.
“Overall Fulham look in good health to improve on last season.”
Liverpool LIVERPOOL Players in: Jordan Henderson (Sunderland, £16m*), Charlie Adam (Blackpool, £8.5 million), Alexander Doni (Roma, free), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa, £20m*), Jose Enrique (Newcastle, £6m*), Sebastian Coates (Nacional, undisclosed), Villyan Bijev (California Odyssey, undisclosed), Craig Bellamy (Manchester City, undisclosed).
Players out: Paul Konchesky (Leicester, £1.5m*), Peter Gulacsi (Hull, season loan), Milan Jovanovic (Anderlecht, undisclosed), Tom Ince (Blackpool, undisclosed), Daniel Ayala (Norwich, £800,000*), Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Wolfsburg, undisclosed), Daniel Pacheco (Atletico Madrid, season loan), Alberto Aquilani (AC Milan, season loan), Emiliano Insua (Sporting Lisbon, undisclosed), Joe Cole (Lille, loan), Christian Poulsen (Evian, undisclosed), Villyan Bijev (Fortuna Dusseldorf, loan), David Ngog (Bolton, undisclosed), Raul Meireles (Chelsea, £12m*).
BBC Merseyside’s Mike Hughes:
“A busy transfer window at Anfield ended with a busy deadline day. In total eight new faces for Kenny Dalglish, with Craig Bellamy’s return perhaps the most surprising. Bellamy is a match-winner, where he fits into the grand scheme of things remains to be seen but most Liverpool fans will be happy to have him back.
“Raul Meireles joining Chelsea came from left field but there was the indication that he was not going to be first choice under Dalglish, who had earlier signed Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson. Don’t forget that Steven Gerrard is due back from injury as well.
“Joe Cole never settled in at Liverpool and while his choice of club in Lille was a surprise, there was no surprise in him leaving the club.
“Dalglish has been given the chance to spend a lot of money since January and getting back into the top four and qualifying for the Champions League again must now be seen as the minimum requirement.”
Manchester City MANCHESTER CITY Players in: Gael Clichy (Arsenal, £7m*), Stefan Savic (Partizan Belgrade, £6m*), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, £38million*), Costel Pantilimon (Timisoara, undisclosed), Samir Nasri (Arsenal, £25m*), Owen Hargreaves (unattached).
Players out: Patrick Vieira (retired), Javier Garrido (released), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich, undisclosed), Ben Mee (Burnley, season loan), Shay Given (Aston Villa, £3.5m), Jo (Internacional, undisclosed), Kieran Trippier (Burnley, season loan), Michael Johnson (Leicester, season loan), Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham, season loan), Dedryck Boyata (Bolton, loan), Roque Santa Cruz (Real Betis, season loan), Vladimir Weiss (Espanyol, season loan), John Guidetti (Feyenoord, season loan), Ahmed Benali (Rochdale, season loan), Shaun Wright-Phillips (QPR, undisclosed), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool, undisclosed).
Stuart Mathieson, football correspondent for the Manchester Evening News:
“Manchester City have had a terrific time in the transfer window but when you’ve got a blank cheque, you can’t fail to buy quality. They’re the envy of everybody and they’ve bought well.
“Striker Sergio Aguero has had a fantastic start to the season while midfielder Samir Nasri, who was linked with United at one point, looks to have settled in quickly and I’m sure he’ll do well.
“The Owen Hargreaves signing will be tough for United fans to take, but fair play to him. You’ve done pretty well if you can get a team of City’s quality to sign you having barely played in the last couple of years.
“I’m absolutely not writing off the challenge of Chelsea but I think that by the way City have started the season, they will provide the biggest threat to United’s defence.”
Manchester United MANCHESTER UNITED Players in: Phil Jones (Blackburn, £17 million), Ashley Young (Manchester United, £16m*), David de Gea (Atletico Madrid, £17.8m*).
Players out: Edwin van der Sar (retired), Paul Scholes (retired), Owen Hargreaves (released), Bebe (Besiktas, season loan), Ritchie de Laet (Norwich, season loan), Nicky Ajose (Peterborough, undisclosed), Wes Brown (Sunderland, £1m*), John O’Shea (Sunderland, £5m*), Corry Evans (Hull, loan), Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle, undisclosed), Oliver Norwood (Scunthorpe, loan).
Stuart Mathieson, football correspondent for the Manchester Evening News:
“Sir Alex Ferguson basically did all his business early and I think he’s done very well. At the time, the arrival of defender Phil Jones, winger Ashley Young and goalkeeper David de Gea didn’t excite the fans following the departure of Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Wes Brown and John O’Shea but boy have they taken off in the first few games of the season.
“De Gea has had a difficult start but he’s only 20 and Jones just 19. They’ve got plenty of time to develop and I think United will get longevity out of both of them.
“Ferguson has promoted well, too, with midfielder Tom Cleverly and forward Danny Welbeck getting their shot and so far rewarding their manager’s faith.
“Despite the loss of experienced players I think they look even stronger this season and I feel they’re favourites for the Premier League title.”
Newcastle United NEWCASTLE Players in: Yohan Cabaye (Lille, £4.3m*), Demba Ba (West Ham, free), Sylvain Marveaux (Rennes, free), Mehdi Abeid (Lens, undisclosed), Gabriel Obertan (Manchester United, undisclosed), Davide Santon (Inter Milan, undisclosed), Rob Elliott (Charlton, undisclosed).
Players out: Sol Campbell, Shefki Kuqi (both released), Kevin Nolan (West Ham, £4m*), Kazenga LuaLua (Brighton, loan), Wayne Routledge (Swansea, undisclosed), Jose Enrique (Newcastle, £6m*), Joey Barton (QPR, free).
BBC Newcastle’s Mick Lowes:
“For the second transfer window running, Newcastle United’s iconic number nine shirt remains unclaimed, as the Magpies’ efforts to bring in a replacement for Andy Carroll failed to produce.
“Disappointment is a definite understatement for the long-suffering supporters, who continue to crave a genuine 20-goals a season striker but have otherwise largely been impressed with Alan Pardew’s summer dealings.
“Italy international full-back Davide Santon is a quality replacement for the departed Jose Enrique, while France schemer Yohan Cabaye looks a steal at the heart of the midfield.
“Elsewhere Senegal forward Demba Ba and former Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan are still to come up to speed – but the fact is the absence of a new top class striker on Tyneside overshadows all the other positives from this summer’s business.”
Norwich City NORWICH Players in: James Vaughan (Everton, £2m*), Steve Morison (Millwall, £2.8m*), Elliott Bennett (Brighton, £2m*), Ritchie de Laet (Manchester United, season loan), Bradley Johnson (Leeds, free), Anthony Pilkington (Huddersfield, £2m*), Kyle Naughton (Tottenham, season loan), Daniel Ayala (Liverpool, £800,000).
Players out: Luke Daley (Plymouth, free), Stephen Hughes (released), Cody McDonald (Coventry, undisclosed), Anthony McNamee (MK Dons, free).
Paddy Davitt, chief Norwich City writer at the Eastern Daily Press:
“Norwich boss Paul Lambert did the majority of his summer spending prior to the season with Liverpool defender Dani Ayala the only arrival since the Premier League kick-off.
“Lambert was still one of the most active managers in the top flight over the duration of the close season with six permanent signings and two season long loan deals for Man United defender Ritchie De Laet and Tottenham full back Kyle Naughton.
“Lambert has publicly stated in recent weeks he wants funds in reserve to give him the option to bolster the City squad during the January transfer window depending on where City find themselves by then.”
Queens Park Rangers QPR Players in: Jay Bothroyd (Cardiff, free), Kieron Dyer (unattached), Danny Gabbidon (unattached), Bruno Perone (unattached), DJ Campbell (Blackpool, £1.2m*), Brian Murphy (unattached), Joey Barton (Newcastle, free), Luke Young (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Armand Traore (Arsenal, undisclosed), Tommaso Trani (unattached), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City, undisclosed).
Players out: Mikele Leigertwood (Reading, undisclosed), Angelo Balanta (MK Dons, five-month loan), Kaspars Gorkss (Reading, undisclosed), Antonio German(released).
BBC London 94.9’s Phil Parry:
“QPR didn’t do much business early on as the change of ownership was quite restrictive, but I think overall they’ve done quite well.
“In forward DJ Campbell, winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and midfielder Joey Barton, Neil Warnock has added players with Premier League experience to a fairly tight squad.
“Barton is in the prime of his career while Wright-Phillips should give them pace in midfield so on paper, Warnock has filled the holes he needed to. The question is whether or not he can get those players to gel. Based on his experience you’d have to say he can.
“Warnock is a man of experience and his new acquisitions will allow him to drop players in and out of the team to keep them fresh.”
Stoke City STOKE Players in: Jonathan Woodgate (unattached), Matthew Upson (unattached), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham, £6m*), Cameron Jerome (Birmingham, undisclosed), Peter Crouch (Tottenham, £12m).
Players out: Abdoulaye Faye (West Ham, free), Eidur Gudjohnsen (released), Ibrahima Sonko (Ipswich, free), Carl Dickinson (Watford, undisclosed), Andrew Davies (Crystal Palace, loan)
Nigel Johnson, BBC Stoke commentator:
“They’ve been very active in the transfer window. Boss Tony Pulis hasn’t got the money to waste so what he’s done is spent cleverly. He’s brought in Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson for free, two central defenders who have been brought into to consolidate the back four.
“I don’t think any City supporter would have thought striker Peter Crouch would have crossed the threshold at the Britannia Stadium but he’ll be important as Pulis has been desperate for strikers. I’m not quite sure about Cameron Jerome, but at least he’s got the chance.
“Midfield has been a problem but if Wilson Palacios can strike the form he’s capable of, Pulis has performed a stroke of brilliance there.
“There was a need Stoke to increase its squad as the Europa League will take its toll but the most important thing is to retain their Premier League status. I think he’s been shrewd and I’d be surprised if they don’t finish mid-table.”
Sunderland SUNDERLAND Players in: Ahmed Elmohamady (ENPPI, £2m*), Kieren Westwood (Coventry, free), Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham, free), Conor Wickham (Ipswich, £8million), Ji Dong-won (Chunnam Dragons, £2.1m*), Craig Gardner (Birmingham, £6m*), Wes Brown (Manchester United, £1m*), John O’Shea (Manchester United, £5m*), David Vaughan (unattached), James McClean (Derry City, £350,000), Nicklas Bendtner (Sunderland, season loan).
Players out: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool, £16m*), Boudewijn Zenden (released), Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor, season loan), David Healy (Rangers, free), Steed Malbranque (St Etienne, undisclosed), George McCartney (West Ham, season loan).
Chris Young, Sunderland reporter at the Sunderland Echo:
“Results from the opening four games of the season have hardly provided a glowing endorsement of boss Steve Bruce’s extensive summer recruitment.
“But the fresh faces – totalling 11 after the deadline day capture of striker Nicklas Bendtner – have boosted what was a worryingly thin squad and should ultimately come good to ensure Sunderland maintain their top 10 status.
“The experience of former Manchester United duo Wes Brown and John O’Shea has already tightened the backline, while the likes of Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and David Vaughan are proven top flight performers.
“Bruce has taken a gamble in splashing out £8million on the potential of 18-year-old Connor Wickham, particularly as Sunderland’s striking options were light. But the capture of Bendtner should provide the firepower which Sunderland have been missing.”
Swansea City SWANSEA Players in: Danny Graham (Watford, £3.5million), Steven Caulker (Tottenham, season loan), Jose Moreira (Benfica, £750,000*), Leroy Lita (Middlesbrough, £1.75m), Wayne Routledge (Newcastle, undisclosed), Michael Vorm (FC Utrecht, £1.5m), Gerhard Tremmel (free), Fede Bessone (Leeds, free), Darnel Situ (Lens, initial £250,000).
Players out: Darren Pratley (Bolton, free), Dorus de Vries (Wolves, free) Gorka Pintado, Cedric van der Gun, Albert Serran (all released), Ryan Harley (Brighton, undisclosed).
Chris Wathan, football correspondent at The Western Mail:
“Swansea City may be financially healthy, but they’re far from wealthy and that was always going to be highlighted at a time like deadline day when so much money is being thrown around.
“Brendan Rodgers had made sure he completed his significant business before the start of the season, goalkeeper Michel Vorm looking the pick of the bunch and already seeming like a steal at £1.5m.
“Spurs loanee Steven Caulker, Wayne Routledge and Danny Graham – despite his lack of goals to date – look like they could make a mark but hopes of extra defensive and midfield cover to excite coming in on Wednesday were dashed.
“Swansea were always up against it in the Premier League but the style in which Swansea play has always been more reliant on the collective rather than the individual and the success will depend upon that.”
Tottenham Hotspur TOTTENHAM Players in: Brad Friedel (Aston Villa, free), Cristian Ceballos (unattached), Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City, season loan), Yago Falque (Juventus, season loan), Soleymane Coulibaly (Siena, undisclosed), Scott Parker (West Ham, undisclosed).
Players out: Jonathan Woodgate (released), Jamie O’Hara (Wolves, £5million), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy, £3.5million), Steven Caulker (Swansea, season loan), Paul-Jose M’Poku (Standard Liege, undisclosed), Kyle Naughton (Norwich, season loan), Bongani Khumalo (Reading, season loan), Ryan Mason (Doncaster, season loan), David Bentley (West Ham, season loan), Callum Tapping (Hearts, nominal), Wilson Palacios (Stole, £6m*), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Jermaine Jenas (Aston Villa, season loan), Peter Crouch (Stoke, £12m).
BBC London 94.9’s Phil Parry:
“There’s always the danger that you can carry too many players and I think that was the case at Tottenham so it’s a good thing that they’ve got a fair few out the door.
“Striker Peter Crouch, winger David Bentley and midfielder Wilson Palacios wouldn’t have got into the team and you can’t keep everyone happy so it’s no surprise to see them leave.
“Brad Friedel is an excellent keeper. At 40, he’s not young but he’s kept himself in trim and is still very agile. There’s no doubt he’s still got it and I think he’s a terrific signing.
“Spurs have done an acute bit of business to get striker Emmanuel Adebayor in on loan. They’re not overly committed as it’s only a one-year deal and they only have to pay a portion of his wages. Adebayor has the ability so it’s a case of getting the best out of him but I think boss Harry Redknapp can do that.”
West Bromwich Albion WEST BROM Players in: Gareth McAuley (Ipswich, free), Billy Jones (Preston, free), Ben Foster (Birmingham, season loan), Zoltan Gera (unattached), Marton Fulop (Ipswich, free), Shane Long (Reading, undisclosed).
Players out: Abdoulaye Meite (Dijon, free), Giles Barnes, Dean Kiely (both released), Borja Valero (Villarreal, undisclosed) Scott Carson (Bursaspor, £2m*), Gianni Zuiverloon (Real Mallorca, free), Boaz Myhill (Birmingham, season loan), Chris Wood (Birmingham, loan), Ishmael Miller (Nottingham Forest, £1.2m), James Hurst (Blackpool, season loan), Marek Cech (Trabzonspor, undisclosed), Pablo Ibanez (Birmingham, undisclosed).
Bill Howell, football correspondent for the Birmingham Mail:
“Overall, it’s been a good window. West Brom have done extremely well in bringing in striker Shane Long for around £4.5m. He looks like a fine player and hasn’t taken long to get going this season.
“They desperately needed to bring in support for winger Peter Odemwingie and they’ve done reasonably well in signing defenders Gareth McAuley from Ipswich and Billy Jones from Preston. It’s also nice to see Zoltan Gera back as he’s a popular play among the Albion fans.
“I think they’ll be disappointed with the way the Owen Hargreaves situation ended but in Ben Foster, they’ve got a terrific goalkeeper. He made that error against Stoke but I’m sure he’ll be fine.
“Albion play some wonderful football and their additions should help them hover around mid-table come the end of the season.”
Wigan Athletic WIGAN Players in:Ali Al-Habsi (Bolton, £4m*), David Jones (unattached), Nouha Dicko (unattached), Albert Crusat (Almeria, undisclosed), Shaun Maloney (Celtic, £1m*), Patrick van Aanholt (Chelsea, season loan).
Players out: Steven Caldwell, Daniel de Ridder, Jason Koumas, Mike Pollitt (all released), Antonio Amaya (Real Betis, undisclosed), Charles N’Zogbia (Aston Villa, £9.5m*), Mauro Boselli (Estudiantes, loan)
Paul Kendrick, football correspondent at the Wigan Observer:
“Latics have come out of the window in good health.
“Obviously we lost Tom Cleverley and Charles N’Zogbia from last year’s squad but Roberto Martinez has strengthened across the board.
“Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi was done early on and Shaun Maloney could prove a masterstroke.
“Patrick van Aanholt is also highly rated and if his loan deal is anywhere near as fruitful as Cleverley’s last year then we will all be happy.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers WOLVES Players in:Dorus de Vries (Swansea, free), Jamie O’Hara (Tottenham, £5m), Roger Johnson (Birmingham, £7m*).
Players out: Marcus Hahnemann, David Jones (both released), Steven Mouyokolo (Sochaux, season loan), Andy Keogh (Leeds, loan), Greg Halford (Portsmouth), Carl Ikeme (Middlesbrough, loan)
Bill Howell, football correspondent for the Birmingham Mail:
“Wolves have done very well indeed because they got their number one target Roger Johnson for a reasonable price and reasonably quickly. Not a lot happened after that and I think a lot of supporters will be frustrated at the lack of additional signings but the team have got up and running really quickly.
“Crucially, Mick McCarthy has kept the two players he needed to keep – Kevin Doyle and Matt James – plus Nenad Milijas has decided to stay and he’ll provide good competition for Jamie O’Hara who is focused on pushing to make his England international breakthrough.
“They’ve now got strength and depth which gives them the opportunity to bring players off the bench and change games.
“There’s no doubt they’ll lose a lot of games, but I think they should retain their Premier League status. It’ll be difficult, but I see them finishing mid-table – no lower.”
* – Transfer fee officially undisclosed

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Written by Israel Saria

For the last 20 years I have been working as a football pundit. This experience has provided me with a very useful insight into football and the opportunity to carry out extensive research into the game including its players, the stadiums, the rules and tactics and I have also been grateful to meet a wide range of people connected to football in the UK, Tanzania, Germany .....

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