Analyzing The Big Summer Signings So Far

July 13, 2015

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.

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