Next week sees the return to pre-season training for Premier League clubs and, with just over a month to go until the season kicks-off, the transfer activity is hotting up.
Here we look at three of the top deals done so far and assess what impact the players involved in the moves could have in 2011/12.
The past week has seen several Premier League clubs begin their summer rebuilding for real and it is only going to get busier ahead of the new campaign – which begins on August 13.
Plenty of money has been spent already with Sunderland the most active club so far but how will these three players fare after completing moves already this summer?
Jordan Henderson – Sunderland to Liverpool
This was one of the early transfers struck as Liverpool (10/1 – Premier League outright) landed the midfielder before he headed out for England Under 21’s disappointing European Championship campaign in Denmark.
There were many raised eyebrows as the Reds forked out £16million for a player who undoubtedly has potential but has only had one full season in the Premier League.
It certainly represents a risk for Kenny Dalglish to have paid so much for someone relatively unproven but those in the know reckon the 21-year-old will go on to become a real star.
It may be several years before the Merseysiders get the best out of the level-headed youngster and he is by no means guaranteed a starting role with Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles, Lucas and the imminent arrival of Charlie Adam all set to mean competition for places will be tough.
But expect Henderson to live up to the hype – even if it takes him a few months to settle at Anfield.
Ashley Young – Aston Villa to Manchester United
Some Villa fans have afforded themselves a wry chuckle that United have paid around £17million for Young, who was often inconsistent last season and overshadowed at times by Stewart Downing at Villa Park.
However, on his day the former Watford man is one of the best wingers around and is only going to improve at 25.
He will have to work on the defensive side of his game and will face competition from Antonio Valencia and Nani at Old Trafford, but Sir Alex Ferguson rarely makes big-money mistakes so the England man will no doubt go on to become a key player for the champions (13/8f – Premier League outright) and should provide the perfect service from out wide for Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and co.
Connor Wickham – Ipswich to Sunderland
There has been hype about the 18-year-old Wickham since he burst onto the scene two years ago with his imposing physical frame and deft touch belying his tender age.
He was a real star at times for Town in the Championship last season, featuring regularly, and he scored eight goals despite often being used out wide by Paul Jewell in the second half of the season.
The price the Black Cats paid – an initial £8m that could rise to £12m with add-ons – is definitely high for someone so young but the fact Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham were all also interested shows how highly rated he is.
However, the step up to the Premier League will be tough for the teenager to begin with and it could take him a year or so before he finds his feet at the Stadium of Light (Sunderland 8/1 to be relegated).
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