X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Analyzing The Big Summer Signings So Far

By Christopher Johnson (Flickr: IMG_0045) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Luke analyzes big signings around European soccer (EPL, BPL, La Liga and more) including Petr Cech, Danilo, Dmitri Payet, Andre Ayew and Yohan Cabaye. Read all of his soccer news and analysis.

It's been less than a week since the transfer window opened, and there's already been a host of top signings that have been made by clubs in Europe.

Along with this, there are prearranged deals (from before the window even opened) that have got fans talking. We take a look at some of these big signings and discuss them below.

Editor's Note: be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about football news and general analysis.

 

Yohan Cabaye - Crystal Palace

Recently signing for Crystal Palace in a club record deal, it only goes to show the impact of the new TV deal that a club like Palace - only promoted in 2013 - can afford and acquire a player like Cabaye from PSG.

Not that it doesn't make sense of course. Cabaye struggled for game time since leaving Newcastle in 2014 and with Euro 2016 - hosted in France - approaching next summer, he needed a move to get regular game time.

A genuinely top class player, Cabaye will strengthen the ever improving Palace significantly and while it might seem a step down, he'll get the regular first team football he was seeking as well as reuniting with manager Alan Pardew.

 

Andre Ayew - Swansea

Another signing that is a product of the TV deal impact, Ayew joined Swansea on a free transfer a few weeks ago. You might recognize him as the Ghanaian player who scored against the US in the 2014 World Cup with a wonderfully worked team goal, and he can be even better at club level.

A player with not only international experience but Champions League experience as well, Ayew - who is now the club's highest ever earner - will no doubt, galvanize Swansea's attack as they look to improve on their record breaking 8th place finish in the 2014-2015 league season.

Expect him to be one of the stars of the upcoming season.

 

Dmitri Payet - West Ham

Like Ayew, Payet joined West Ham from Marseille and is another genuinely exciting signing. A huge upgrade from the likes of Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis, the TV deal is making another impact as he is now West Ham's second highest earner.

The Frenchman created the most chances in the top five European leagues last season so it is a bit of a wonder why noone else went for him.

But Slaven Bilic and his West Ham team won't be complaining as exciting football could be on the horizon at the Boleyn Ground.

 

Arda Turan - Barcelona

A shocking signing because of how quickly things occurred, Arda Turan joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in a move that will strengthen the already strong best team in the world.

Linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, Turan opted for the Catalans who he had hoped to play for back in 2011 while he was at Turkey. While he won't play for another six months because of Barcelona's transfer ban, this is another top signing as he can not only play wide but also operate as a playmaker, in a similar ilk to Andres Iniesta.

He might not be first choice straight away but if Luis Enrique gives him an opportunity and he takes it with both hands, there's no reason why the Turkish international can't claim a regular starting berth at the Nou Camp.

It's also not a bad deal for Atletico Madrid who get €34 million (plus €7 million in variables) for a top player, but slightly injury prone in the last few seasons.

 

Danilo - Real Madrid

One of the most exciting attacking defenders in world football, Porto's Danilo was signed by Real Madrid midway into last season.

It still seems like an unnecessary signing - there was a need for a new rightback as Alvaro Arbeloa looks set to leave but with Madrid already having Dani Carvajal, surely a player of Danilo's quality wasn't required?

Carvajal - who came through the Madrid ranks - has already established himself as the best young rightback in world football and with Danilo now in the team, it begs the question: who will sit on the bench?

Regardless, Madrid now have two top class rightbacks at their disposal.

 

Petr Cech - Arsenal

As we wrote earlier, Petr Cech is a gamechanger of a signing for Arsenal.

Not only does he have title winning experience but he's a genuinely top class player - certainly in the top five players in the world in his position.

He is also reliable and confident with great leadership skills which Arsenal desperately needed between the sticks.

We'll only see his true impact in one month's time when the season ends but Cech has to be the bargain of the season from a top club's point of view.

 

Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-60" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

 

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jakobi Meyers

Unsure About Potential Extension
Matthew Stafford

Off Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP