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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Khalil Shakir

Eclipses Century Mark in Loss to Texans
James Cook

Breaks Off Long Touchdown in Primetime Loss
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
C.J. Stroud

in Good Position to Return in Week 13
Darius Garland

Might Play on Friday Night
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Out Against Sacramento, Santi Aldama Starting
Tyrese Maxey

Available Versus Milwaukee
Zaccharie Risacher

Cleared to Face Spurs
Kristaps Porzingis

Back in Action on Thursday
Chris Godwin

Could Play in Week 12 After Return to Full Practice
Keon Coleman

to be a Healthy Scratch Again on Thursday Night
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Jarrett Allen

Questionable for Friday
Simon Holmstrom

Ready for Action Thursday
Lars Eller

Available Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Miss at Least 3-4 Weeks
Ridly Greig

Out Against Ducks
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Out Against Bulls on Friday
Jake Neighbours

Back for Blues Thursday
Alexandre Sarr

Listed as Questionable for Friday Against the Raptors
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Thursday
Paul George

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Victor Hedman

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Tyler Bertuzzi

Set to Return Thursday
Gary Harris

Added to the Injury Report as Questionable for Thursday
Daniel Jones

Added to Colts' Injury Report With Calf Issue
Andrew Wiggins

Unavailable For Friday's Matchup With Chicago
Indiana Pacers

Garrison Mathews Will Join the Pacers
Joe Burrow

Logs Second Straight Full Practice on Thursday
Dante Exum

Will Miss the Rest of the Season
Keegan Murray

Is Available For His Season Debut Thursday
Tyrese Maxey

Listed as Probable for Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Not Play Thursday Against Memphis
Joel Embiid

Listed as Out for Thursday
Aaron Rodgers

Seen at Practice on Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Moving Around Well on Thursday
Bucky Irving

Will be on a Snap Count When he Returns
Jaxson Dart

Could Clear Concussion Protocol Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Returns to Thursday's Practice
Josh Jacobs

to Do Individual Drills on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Not Expected to Play This Season
Chris Godwin

Attending Thursday's Practice
Bucky Irving

Continues Practice Attendance
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Morgan Geekie

Nets Two Power-Play Goals Wednesday
Joe Burrow

Bengals Haven't Ruled Out Joe Burrow for Week 12
Connor McMichael

Posts Three Assists in Wednesday's Win
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Lars Eller

to Miss Thursday's Action
Nic Dowd

Out on Thursday
Adam Lowry

Inks Extension With Jets
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely Out on Thursday
Zaccharie Risacher

Questionable for Thursday
Kristaps Porzingis

at Risk of Missing Another Game
Brian Thomas Jr.

Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Lamar Jackson

Absent Due to Ankle Injury
Conor Garland

to Return on Thursday
Thomas Harley

to Miss Road Trip
Eetu Luostarinen

Out Week-to-Week After Barbecue Accident
Curtis Lazar

to Miss at Least Three Games
Vladimir Tarasenko

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Mikael Granlund

Remains Out Wednesday
Charlie McAvoy

Out Indefinitely After Facial Surgery
Joe Burrow

to Potentially Return in Week 12?
Aaron Rodgers

Out on Wednesday, Hopes to Practice Thursday
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday

RANKINGS

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