Premier League clubs across the country once again left it late to finalise deals on deadline day. A number of notable players moved clubs on that dramatic final day, but who will fare best? Here are five that could prove to be inspired.
Mikel Arteta Everton – Arsenal £10million
In perhaps the most dramatic move of the day, Mikel Arteta’s move to the Emirates was off at 7pm on Wednesday evening. However, lured by the opportunity to play Champions League football, the Spaniard resurrected the deal and it went through with minutes to spare.
He will add badly-needed creativity to a Gunners side still reeling from the double departure of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, as well as the 8-2 mauling by Manchester United.
Arsenal’s style should suit the 29-year-old, who appears determined to make the most of the move – so much so that he took a reported £20,000 a-week pay-cut to force the transfer through. It could well be an inspired signing by Arsene Wenger (Arsenal 28/1 Premier League outright).
Royston Drenthe Real Madrid to Everton – season-long loan
While much of the talk around Goodison Park was about outgoings, there were some new arrivals for the Toffees, the most notable being Dutch winger Royston Drenthe.
The former Feyenoord winger was player of the tournament at the 2007 European Under-21 Championships, with his displays earning him a big money move to Real Madrid.
However, his time at the Bernabéu soon turned sour and a loss of confidence and form saw him shipped off to Hercules on-loan for the 2010-11 season.
Now, Drenthe finds himself at yet another club trying to replicate his blistering form of a few years ago. David Moyes has a track record of getting the best out of under-performing players and if he can help Drenthe get back to his best, Everton could have quite a player on their hands (Everton 20/1 top four finish).
Bryan Ruiz Twente to Fulham – £10.6million
Despite costing in excess of £10million, Fulham’s latest striking capture appeared to slip under the radar on deadline day. He won’t stay quiet for long, though, as the Cottagers have acquired a powerful striker with a keen eye for goal.
He hit 24 goals for the Eredivisie outfit in the 2009/10 season, helping them to their first-ever Dutch title. A total of 36 goals in 61 games, as well as nine goals for his country Costa Rica, means we could be hearing a lot more of Bryan Ruiz this season.
Craig Bellamy Man City to Liverpool – free
In one of the more eye-opening moves on deadline day, Man City outcast Craig Bellamy rejoined Liverpool four years after departing Anfield for West Ham.
Kenny Dalglish has spent in excess of £100million since returning to the club last January with the likes of Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam, Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson all joining the Scot’s Anfield revolution.
However, Bellamy – on a free transfer – could be his shrewdest move yet. The Welshman will add pace, experience and guile to the Liverpool attack. He also perhaps has a point to prove after being left out in the cold at Manchester City and unfinished business at Anfield (Liverpool 5/1 top two finish).
Bellamy has never been far away from the headlines during his eventful career and Liverpool will be hoping he will be making them for all the right reasons this season.
Peter Crouch Tottenham to Stoke – £10million
Stoke City have earned an unfair reputation for being overly-aggressive and direct since earning promotion to the Premier League in 2008. However, boss Tony Pulis deserves huge credit for establishing the Potters as a Premier League force without spending huge money.
After reaching the FA Cup final last season the supporters are eagerly hoping that the club can push on, and the signing of Peter Crouch could help them do that (Stoke 33/1 to win the FA Cup).
The 30-year-old is an established top-flight striker, having had spells with Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Southampton and Liverpool. He also has an impressive record at international level, netting 22 goals in 42 England games.
Expect him to profit from the excellent delivery from wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant this season.
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It’s that time again as teams across Europe look to shake up their squads in the January transfer window.