Ranking the Top 15 Premier League Signings so Far

The Premier League has seen a phenomenal influx of talent this summer, and here is Bleacher Report's top 15 signings so far.

In this ranking, transfer fees, wages and how big a need they fill within their new team are taken into account.

You'll find big hitters like Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie and Santi Cazorla in this list—but who's the top transfer so far?

Honourable Mentions

Alexander Buttner

Vurnon Anita

Emmanuel Adebayor

James Collins

Oscar

Romelu Lukaku

15. Mladen Petric

Club: Fulham

Cost: Free

Having lost Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson inside six months, recruitment in the striking department was clearly needed. Martin Jol hit the jackpot with the free signing of Mladen Petric.

On his debut in West London, the Croatian bagged two goals in the 5-0 demolition of Norwich City. He's probably better than Johnson and cheaper on the wages too.

An all-round great deal, and the only thing stopping him from climbing higher on this list is the fact it's not a long-term signing.

14. Pavel Pogrebynak

Club: Reading

Cost: Free

Martin Jol took a punt in the 2012 January transfer window, looking to replace the outbound Bobby Zamora, and allowed this Russian striker to set the league alight.

Pavel Pogbrebnyak scored an impressive six goals from 12 appearances and averaged just 1.6 shots per goal (via WhoScored?).

He's followed this record up in impressive fashion for new club Reading, bagging a goal at Stamford Bridge in a solid start to the season.

13. Junior Hoilett

Club: Queens Park Rangers

Cost: Free

Junior Hoilett was supposed to be a much-sought commodity this summer, and speculation was rife during May that he was destined for Arsenal or Tottenham.

Whether or not those clubs approached him is not clear, but what is clear is that Mark Hughes has landed an incredibly talented young player who has the potential to lead them to safety.

He needs to gain some consistency, granted, but his versatile nature and vast array of skills make this guy QPR's star signing.

12. Ryo Miyaichi

Club: Wigan Athletic

Cost: Loan

Ryo Miyaichi gained valuable Premier League experience on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season, so Roberto Martinez thought he'd get in on the act too.

The Japanese winger slots into the Spanish tactician's 3-4-3 with ease, capable of playing on either wing and fulfilling the playmaker role should Shaun Maloney not take to the field.

As a youngster in need of first-team experience, the loan fee will be less than substantial, meaning Wigan have landed a player who could have slotted into Aston Villa's side with ease.

Victor Moses who?

11. Nathaniel Clyne

Club: Southampton

Cost: Tribunal fee, nominal

Nigel Adkins has done plenty of good business during his time at Southampton, but no deal represents better value for money than Nathaniel Clyne's nominal fee.

The former Crystal Palace full-back has reportedly been on the big club's radars for years now, but it's the Premier League newcomers who have snapped him up.

He's quick, dynamic and hungry to play, representing an excellent mix technical talent and enthusiastic youth. Just the kind of signing that keeps your heads above water...

10. Ben Foster

Club: West Bromwich Albion

Cost: Approximately £4 million

This deal turned out to be quite straightforward, and Ben Foster moved seamlessly between two Midlands clubs.

Things could have been complicated had Birmingham City been promoted, however, their immediate future in the Championship combined with the emergence of Jack Butland saw Foster quietly make the Hawthorns a permanent home.

He's a great goalkeeper, and while his international career prospects seem bleak, he's revered by all in the Midlands region. Securing him on a permanent deal ties WBA's goalkeeping department up for the next five years.

9. Gylfi Sigurdsson

Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Cost: £8.8 million

Eyes will be firmly fixed upon Gylfi Sigurdsson this season as his decision to turn his back on Swansea, demand too much from Liverpool and eventually land with Spurs will be heavily scrutinised.

Transfer ludicrousness aside, the Icelandic midfielder is a wonderful player with an excellent positional sense, an eye for goal and the hunger to succeed.

He fits into Andre Villas-Boas' playing style nicely and looks set to have a Rafael van der Vaart-esque impact on North London this season.

8. Karim El Ahmadi

Club: Aston Villa

Cost: Around £3.2 million

One of Villa's early problems last year was keeping the ball, and that problem became even more severe with the loss of Stiliyan Petrov.

Karim El Ahmadi solves this problem in a cheap and convenient fashion, showing significant promise in his first two games.

In the opener against West Ham, he completed 77-of-91 passes in a game where Villa controlled the midfield for long periods. Against Everton, his influence was less significant, but he scored a cracker from around 30 yards.

7. Jan Vertonghen

Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Cost: £11 million

Jan Vertonghen is a superb pickup by Spurs. The Belgian is one of the classiest central defenders in the world right now and will prove invaluable to Andre Villas-Boas.

AVB's high defensive line killed Chelsea at times last season due to the lack of pace in John Terry. Vertonghen will have absolutely no issues with a high line, and he can form a dynamic partnership with Younes Kaboul.

This is a signing of intent, signalling change in how Tottenham's defence operates. Considering the current rates, £11 million isn't bad.

6. Shinji Kagawa

Club: Manchester United

Cost: Approximately £17 million

The signing of Shinji Kagawa was exciting for numerous reasons. It signalled the potential end to Manchester United's torrid insistence on a 4-4-2 and marked the first step toward possession-based football for Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Japanese ace signed as a No. 10, and that's exactly how the Red Devils have chosen to use him so far, making a simple yet effective mark on both the Everton and Fulham games.

He received high praise in the defeat to the Toffees, maintaining a 91 percent pass-completion rate from 75 attempts, whilst his goal against the Cottagers showed true predatory instinct.

5. Nuri Sahin

Club: Liverpool

Cost: Loan

While many will talk about the £15 million spent on Joe Allen or the £10.5 million spent on Fabio Borini during the summer of 2012, it may well be the loan signing of Nuri Sahin that turns out to be very best deal made.

The Turkish midfielder seemingly had choices available to him and chose the free-flowing Brendan Rodgers philosophy over those of Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas.

There will be a loan fee, although that usually remains disclosed, and Sahin won't be dirt cheap in the wage budget, but this kind of player is worth £20 million. Getting him on loan is superb fiscal business by Rodgers.

If anyone is doubting his ability, don't. He created the most amount of chances for teammates in the 2010/11 season for Borussia Dortmund, and the only reason he's not a Real Madrid regular is that the unflappable Xabi Alonso plays his role.

4. Robin van Persie

Club: Manchester United

Fee: £24 million

As much as we just love to hate this transfer, it's impossible to deny it doesn't benefit Manchester United hugely.

They've stripped Arsenal's best player and captain from the Emirates Stadium and added him to their already-stellar strikeforce.

There are many who suggest this transfer tips the balance of the title into United's favour—I don't quite agree with this statement, but Robin van Persie is world class and a must-get should he ever become available in his current ominous form.

3. Eden Hazard

Club: Chelsea

Cost: £32 million

With six assists and one goal to his name after three appearances, many will claim Eden Hazard is the signing of the summer.

After the ridiculous summer saga in which the Belgian "ummed" and "arred" about who to sign for, he finally chose Chelsea. The £32 million Roman Abramovich paid for him will take more than three games to justify, but he's made a terrific start.

Right now, we can say he's a super talent who is in the process of transforming Roberto Di Matteo's midfield. He's got a bit more to do to be considered the best acquisition of the summer.

2. Michu

Club: Swansea City

Cost: £2 million

It's amazing that one of Rayo Vallecano's top three players of the 2011/12 season can leave the club for just £2 million.

That's exactly what happened with Michu, a signing which sneaked under the radar of most clubs until it was done and dusted.

Michu has three goals to his name already and is quickly proving to Swansea fans that they saved money in not taking Gylfi Sigurdsson to the Liberty Stadium. They've got someone just as exciting for one quarter of the price.

1. Santi Cazorla

Club: Arsenal

Cost: Approximately £12 million

Taking into account transfer fees, probable wages and talent, Santi Cazorla is the top signing in the Premier League so far this summer.

On his home debut, the Spaniard was the clear man of the match, absolutely bossing the game and slipping Olivier Giroud through for an easy chance to win the game.

At a relentless Britannia Stadium, Cazorla again ran the game for the entirety of the first half before tiring quickly in the second—winning Euro 2012 must have taken it out of him or something.

If Arsenal can sign a holding midfielder to allow him to play in his favoured position—as a "false" or "central" winger—they'll be laughing their way to the top four with title-spoiler potential.

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