20 Best Premier League Transfers This Summer

Little over a week remains in the transfer window and whilst we are likely to see some last-minute deals take place, we can definitely look back at the biggest deals we've seen so far this summer.

From the big-money deals to the solid, smart signings; all 20 teams in the English Premier League have made their mark this summer—hoping to give themselves an advantage throughout the 2012/13 season.

Defining what is "best" is truly different in every circumstance, which is why this article is not done as a power ranking of the best additions this summer.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the top 20 Premier League transfers over the summer transfer window.

Alexander Buttner

To: Manchester United

From: Vitesse Arnhem

For: Undisclosed transfer fee

The 23-year-old defender is one of the smartest signings of the summer for Manchester United, who desperately needed some cover for Patrice Evra at left-back––and for their defense in general.

Rather than chasing Leighton Baines, United have picked up Buttner for probably around five times less than the Everton defender––but have not compromised on quality. The Dutch international was arguably the best left-back in the Eredivisie last season.

Ben Foster

To: West Bromwich Albion

From: Birmingham City

For: Undisclosed transfer fee

After a superb season last year on loan at the club, Foster's permanent move to West Brom was easily the best decision the club made all summer. 

The 29-year-old was arguably the sole reason behind their strong season last year, and keeping him is a positive step towards consolidating themselves in the Premier League this year. 

Foster started this season with a clean sheet against Liverpool—perhaps a sign of things to come this year for the former England international.

Eden Hazard

To: Chelsea

From: Lille

For: £32 million

Eden Hazard was arguably the hottest prospect over the summer transfer window and his decision to sign with Chelsea was one that brought with it lots of speculation and anticipation.

Two games in to the Premier League, the 21-year-old has not disappointed—delivering three assists and successive man of the match performances to take Chelsea to the top of the league table.

He ranks as the Blues' best player this season, and is looking like becoming one of the most dominant players in the EPL.

Emmanuel Adebayor

To: Tottenham Hotspur

From: Manchester City

For: £5 million

Last season, Emmanuel Adebayor netted 17 goals whilst on loan at White Hart Lane and the fact that Tottenham have pushed all summer to land him on a permanent deal shows just how important he is to Andre Villas-Boas side.

With new additions this summer, Tottenham will be a serious top-four threat this season and with the addition (or retention) of a known Premier League performer in Adebayor, Spurs could well be playing Champions League football next year.

Fabio Borini

To: Liverpool

From: Roma

For: £11 million

Fabio Borini was Brendan Rodgers' first transfer as Liverpool manager and will be of huge importance to the Reds this season. Borini is a quality young striker and has a good relationship with Rodgers given their history together. 

With Andy Carroll's future at the club uncertain to say the least (per The Daily Mirror), and Luis Suarez almost single-handedly carrying their attack, Borini will show how necessary he is for the club up front this year.

A good signing that aligns with Rodgers' plans for the years ahead.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

To: Tottenham Hotspur

From: Hoffenheim

For: £8 million 

For the same reasons why Adebayor was a big signing for Tottenham, Gylfi Sigurdsson is an excellent purchase by Andre Villas-Boas this summer.

The Iceland international has already shown he can score goals in the Premier League and is a great addition throughout midfield and attack for Spurs.

He is extremely versatile and will get the best out of the players around him this season—making him a top signing for Spurs, especially given the relatively low cost.

Jan Vertonghen

To: Tottenham Hotspur

From: Ajax

For: £10 million

Tottenham's acquisition of Jan Vertonghen from Ajax, at the time, was a big deal. They were bringing in a strong, solid defender, who had recently led his side to domestic glory.

With the likely departure of Michael Dawson (via The Daily Mail), it's suddenly a massive deal for Tottenham. They have a ready-made replacement at centre-back—a player that can lead the defense like Dawson did and potentially even lead Spurs at some point in the future.

This deal is hugely significant, and we will continue to see just how important it is throughout the course of the season.

Ji-Sung Park

To: Queens Park Rangers

From: Manchester United

For: £5 million

Queens Park Rangers were lucky to survive relegation last season and they'll know they're in a fight to stay in the top class again this year. Thus the acquisition of players like Park is key to their chances at survival this year.

Park's determination and direction in midfield will be huge for Rangers—he simply doesn't give up on the ball when defending and can provide the necessary spark when going forward.

Not a big deal for Manchester United to lose him; very big deal for QPR to get him—especially if they play this year like they did against Swansea City.

Joe Allen

To: Liverpool

From: Swansea City

For: £15 million

The Reds midfield suddenly became a whole lot better the day they signed Joe Allen—both in attack and in defense.

Allen was superb for Swansea last year—recording a better passing completion rate than any of Liverpool's players last year—but the real key is his defending edge, particularly in terms of tackling and forcing interceptions, as well as his already existing relationship with Brendan Rodgers' tactics and schemes.

Liverpool's official website explains just how good he could be in comparison to the Reds' players last year; in essence, it's very, very good.

Kevin Mirallas

To: Everton

From: Olympiakos

For: £5-6 million

Kevin Mirallas is largely underrated by many, but his move to Everton is a huge deal for the Toffees—particularly for Nikica Jelvaic and Marouane Fellani, who now add another star striker and attacker into their side.

The 25-year-old has some incredible highlights and will no doubt create similar highlights at Goodison Park this year.

And even if he doesn't score the goals or assists, don't count out his importance in taking attention of Jelavic and Fellani in attack.

Lukas Podolski

To: Arsenal

From: Cologne

For: £11 million

With Robin van Persie no longer at the club, Lukas Podolski is a much-needed asset for the Gunners––and is bound to shine in the Premier League this year.

The German international's proficiency in front of goal and clinical finishing will help to the fill the void of RVP, but also gives them another playmaker throughout midfield. 

The way Podolski works with Santi Cazorla could be the defining relationship for the Gunners this year.

Marko Marin

To: Chelsea

From: Werder Bremen

For: £7 million

At first, I wasn't completely sold on just how big Marko Marin's transfer to Chelsea would be given how much attacking talent already existed at the London club. But the more I think about this transfer, I realize just how good a deal it could be for the Blues—especially for only £7 million. 

Marin will be a huge asset for Chelsea throughout midfield this season—giving cover and rest to players like Frank Lampard—and is a necessary squad talent.

The season is bigger than just the EPL or the UCL—there are many tournaments—and having great depth is the key to succeeding across many competitions, as opposed to just one or two.

Michu

To: Swansea City

From: Ray Vallecano

For: £2 million

If there was any doubt about how important Michu will be for Swansea this year, then look no further than the opening round of the Premier League. This is a club with a new manager, no star midfielder and striker that they had last year––and they still managed a 5-0 victory to start the season.

For the price Swansea got him at, Michu is an absolute steal. If he continues to be as good as he was in their opening match, he is very close to being the best transfer across all leagues this summer. He's that good.

Nathaniel Clyne

To: Southampton

From: Crystal Palace

For: Transfer fee unknown

Nathaniel Clyne is another under-the-radar signing that could well shock many in the Premier League this season. The 21-year-old defender was named the player of the season in The Championship last year and is a huge asset for Southampton's defense—especially given the attacking edge he brings.

He won't be the star of the Premier League this year, but for Southampton, he could mean the difference between going down and staying in the top class, and that's why he makes this list.

Olivier Giroud

To: Arsenal

From: Montpellier

For: £12 million

Robin van Persie's departure from the Emirates has been well-documented this summer, and the man likely to fill his spot at the top of the attack this season is Olivier Giroud.

The French international is strong with both feet and in the air, and can be the go-to man in attack for the Gunners this season—something they're going to need him to be if they're to be a Premiership threat this season.

The 25-year-old will take time to adjust to the EPL, but he will become the team's striker this season in replace of RVP—making his transfer to the Emirates a critical one this summer.

Oscar

To: Chelsea

From: Internacional

For: £25 million

At just 20 years of age, Oscar has big expectations on him this year at Chelsea, but given the creativity and attacking ability that he possess, you'd have to assume that the Brazilian will be just fine this year in the English Premier League.

Oscar and Juan Mata will lead the Blues' midfield this season and their ability to turn possession into attack will be key for Chelsea's chances at success this year.

The London club are a threat for the title this year—a threat only made by the acquisition of Oscar and their other summer signings.

There's so much anticipation and expectation on Oscar, it's hard not to consider his move to Stamford Bridge as one of the best moves this summer.

Pavel Pogrebnyak

To: Reading

From: Fulham

For: Free

Newly promoted Reading knew that they required smart signings to give them every chance at success this season and picking up quality players like Pavel Pogrebnyak are exactly what was wanted—especially when you can get them for free.

Pogrebnyak is not the best striker in the Premier League, but he does have experience in the English league and netted six goals in 12 matches last year for Fulham.

He is experienced and strong, and more than capable of thriving for the Royals this year.

As far as free transfers go, this was an excellent move by Reading.

Robin Van Persie

To: Manchester United

From: Arsenal

For: £24 million

Whether you're a bitter Arsenal or an ecstatic Manchester United fan, there is little doubt as to the magnitude of Robin van Persie's move to Old Trafford.

The Dutch international established himself as one of the top strikers in world football last year—netting a plethora of goals and single-handedly keeping Arsenal's season alive—and it is those attributes that make him one of the best signings of the summer.

Injury prone, old, too expensive—say what you want—but the truth is that this is a brilliant signing by Sir Alex Ferguson as United pick up one of the best strikers in the world––and they get to combine him with Wayne Rooney!

Santi Cazorla

To: Arsenal

From: Malaga

For: £16.5 million

Santi Cazorla makes this list for two main reasons—the first being the fact that he is brilliant and the second being that Arsenal could never have signed him without Malaga's financial problems.

Arsene Wenger made the most of the situation, picking up a star midfielder for a significantly reduced price––and Arsenal look set to benefit from it for the rest of the season.

Cazorla will be the Gunners midfield general this season—sparking their attack from wherever he is on the pitch.

His versatility throughout midfield is superb, and he will make players like Podolski and Giroud play to the best of their ability.

Robin van who?

Shinji Kagawa

To: Manchester United

From: Borussia Dortmund

For: £17 million

Last but not least is Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, whom few will doubt is a worthy entrant on this list. The Japanese midfielder will provide new life in the Red Devils midfield this year—particularly in attack—and only solidifies United's claim as a tile-winning threat this year.

Kagawa's attacking ability combined with Rooney and Van Persie's skills make for one fearsome attack—particularly given the strength that United have on the wing.

He has a brilliant eye for goal, and helps address some of United's problems going forward through the middle last year.

For what he brings to the club, £17 million seems like a steal, and Kagawa is definitely a player to watch out for this year in the Premier League.

What's been the best EPL transfer of the summer transfer window?

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(All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com unless stated otherwise)