EPL Summer Transfer Window Power Rankings: Who's Doing the Best Business?

In the last week alone, the Premier League cheque books have begun to come out in force, taking the division’s spending up a notch and truly setting the pace for what should be a very active summer transfer window.

Graded on a proportional scale, here is where each Premier League side ranks in terms of their business conducted thus far in the summer months.

Unlike previous weeks, managerial changes will no longer affect position, and only completed player deals will be taken into account.

For details of a player’s release, please refer to the official Premier League website’s guide or the BBC Sport transfer list.

NOTE: An asterisk (*) indicates that the mentioned transfer dealing will be officially announced on July 1, 2013.

20. Crystal Palace

Movement: Down Five

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: None

The only Premier League club yet to conduct a single piece of business, be it coming into the club or heading out, also happens to be its newest.

If Ian Holloway’s side are to make the necessary step up to the demands of England’s first tier, Crystal Palace’s squad is the first thing that will need to see a change in quality.

Not that the Eagles haven’t got time on their hands with about three months left to run, but getting their foot in the proverbial door (or window, in this case) might be advisable given the initiative of those around them.

19. Newcastle United

Movement: Down One

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Steve Harper* (Retired), Danny Simpson* (Released)

With Steve Harper’s release, Newcastle United have let go a 20-year servant to the club who has been with the Magpies through thick, thin and just about every other variation of density one can imagine.

Signed from Seaham Red Star in 1993, Harper was unfortunate not to feature more as a goalkeeper for the club. Players such as Shay Given and Tim Krul blocked the path to the No. 1 spot, especially in the last decade or so of Harper's career.

Along with Harper, Danny Simpson has been allowed to leave St. James’ Park, as had been supposed for quite some time following the arrival of Mathieu Debuchy.

With Alan Pardew’s position as manager still under some scrutiny, it’s unclear just how much money Newcastle will spend this summer, but owner Mike Ashley has shown a penchant for splurging in the past.

18. Cardiff City

Movement: Down Eight

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Heidar Helguson (Retired), Stephen McPhail (Released), Nathaniel Jarvis* (Released)

Like fellow promoted side Crystal Palace, Cardiff City have yet to shell out any cash, although that’s not for a lack of speculation that their wealthy Malaysian will do so.

Instead, the only movement in the Welsh capital has been the release of veterans Heidar Helguson and Stephen McPhail, the former of whom has opted for retirement.

Twenty-one-year-old Nathaniel Jarvis has also been released by Malky Mackay’s side. They have at least reduced the average age of their roster slightly following the trio’s axing. 

17. Southampton

Movement: No Change

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Frazer Richardson* (Released), Danny Butterfield* (Released), Sam Hoskins* (Released), Dan Seaborne* (Released), Ryan Dickson* (Released), Ben Reeves* (Released)

With no real first-team names to speak of on the outbound list, Southampton have sent out a raft of fringe and reserve-team players in these opening weeks of the summer period.

In speaking with Saints legend Matt Le Tissier last week, the ex-midfielder told me that Cagliari’s Davide Astori was a £10 million target for the south coast club.

Le Tissier went on to say that three or four signings would be needed to put the side in good stead for a top-half challenge next season, although Mauricio Pochettino’s men are yet to make their first move.

16. Everton

Movement: Up Four

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Phil Neville (Retired), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Released), Jan Mucha (Released)

With an average age of over 32, the departing trio of Phil Neville, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Jan Mucha are hardly Everton’s youngest but will be missed by the club all the same.

According to The Guardian’s Andy Hunter, Neville was reportedly keen on filling the managerial vacancy left by David Moyes at Goodison Park, only for Bill Kenwright to choose Roberto Martinez instead.

From this evidence, one can guess that the ex-Manchester United utility is keen on a coaching career. It probably won’t be too long that the 36-year-old is away from the Premier League.

Mucha’s case for a Premier League stay certainly wasn’t helped by his having to complete 250 hours of community service for a driving offence (h/t Daily Mail).

15. West Brom

Movement: Down One

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Jerome Thomas* (Released), Gonzalo Jara* (Released), Marc Antoine-Fortune* (Released), Zoltan Gera* (Released)

Although the Hawthorns club might have liked to keep the Chelsea starlet for another term, The Guardian’s David Hytner revealed that Romelu Lukaku would be remaining at Stamford Bridge next season.

Aside from the young Belgian, transfer talk has been sparse in the West Midlands, and Steve Clarke is yet to build his squad after what was a very impressive first season in charge of the Baggies.

In Jerome Thomas, Gonzalo Jara and Marc Antoine-Fortune, the club have managed to release several sideline players whose needs might be better served at another club. As for Zoltan Gera, the 34-year-old has presumably been allowed to leave after struggling with recurring knee injuries. 

14. Hull City

Movement: Up Three

Transfers In: George Boyd (Peterborough, Free)

Transfers Out: Seyi Olofinjana (Released), Jay Simpson (Released), Andy Dawson (Scunthorpe, Free), Danny East (Portsmouth, Free), Sonny Bradley (Portsmouth, Free)

As the only one of the three promoted clubs to have actually added to their squad this summer, Hull City can at least boast the most initiative of the former Championship trio.

In luring George Boyd to the KC Stadium as a free transfer, the Tigers have picked up a player who was of great help to them in the second half of the last campaign after he joined Steve Bruce’s side on loan.

Whether or not the former Peterborough star will be able to make the crucial step up to first-tier football will eventually be seen, but at least Bruce’s men have begun reinforcing the squad.

13. Tottenham Hotspur

Movement: Up Five

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: William Gallas* (Released), David Bentley* (Released), John Bostock* (Released), Nathan Byrne* (Swindon Town, Free)

Putting an end to the Frenchman’s seven-year stay in North London, Tottenham released William Gallas this week, three years after joining from bitter rivals Arsenal.

Along with Gallas, David Bentley is another former Gunner who has reached the end of his Spurs contract. Reserve players John Bostock and Nathan Byrne have also been let go by the club, the latter as a free transfer to Swindon Town.

With some strict transfer policies in place, it’s not a huge surprise that chairman Daniel Levy is yet to sanction any purchases for the club, although Andre Villas-Boas will undoubtedly hope to see that change soon.

12. Stoke City

Movement: Up One

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Jermaine Pennant* (Released), Michael Owen (Retired), Rory Delap* (Released), Matthew Upson* (Released), Dean Whitehead* (Released), Mamady Sidibe* (Released), Carlo Nash* (Released)

With Mark Hughes now in place as the Potters’ manager, business can truly get started at the Britannia Stadium. An outward flux of players has already occurred since the boss’ arrival.

Jermaine Pennant, Dean Whitehead and Matthew Upson are among the more high-profile names included on the released list, while Rory Delap and Michael Owen’s departures were announced some weeks before.

While no arrivals have happened just yet, Stoke City have assuredly freed up a boatload of wages and squad space ready to be filled by some summer replacements.

11. Aston Villa

Movement: Down Five

Transfers In: Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan, Undisclosed)

Transfers Out: Stilyan Petrov (Retired, now in coaching staff role), Richard Dunne (Released), Jean Makoun (Rennes, Undisclosed), Eric Lichaj (Released), Andy Marshall (Released)

Along with the raft of released names announced by Premier League clubs in recent days, Aston Villa are one of the sides looking to remodel as Paul Lambert continues his youthful reshaping of his squad.

Stilyan Petrov’s struggles with cancer have seen the Bulgarian retire, taking a coaching role at Villa Park, while Richard Dunne and Eric Lichaj will be allowed to leave at the end of their current deals.

BBC Sport reported in April that Jean Makoun had agreed a permanent move to Rennes after moving to France on loan in January. He hardly even featured for the Villans during his time in England.

Meanwhile, Lambert has moved to bring young forward Aleksandar Tonev to Birmingham from Poland, also reported by BBC Sport.

10. Swansea City

Movement: Up Two

Transfers In: Jose Canas (Real Betis, Free)

Transfers Out: Mark Gower (Charlton, Free)

The second consecutive summer that the Swans have chosen to move for one of La Liga’s cut-price assets, last week saw Daily Mail report that Real Betis’ Jose Canas would be moving to the Liberty Stadium as a free transfer.

The news comes on the back of Sky Sports’ announcement that 34-year-old midfielder Mark Gower would be permitted to join Charlton Athletic for free, signalling a swift turnaround for Michael Laudrup.

9. Liverpool

Movement: Down One

Transfers In: Kolo Toure (Manchester City, Free)

Transfers Out: Jamie Carragher (Retired), Danny Wilson (Hearts, Free)

Although the amount of transfer speculation surrounding the club would suggest otherwise, Kolo Toure remains Liverpool’s only confirmed acquisition this summer. BBC Sport reported that he is arriving from Manchester City on a free transfer.

As Marca suggest (h/t ThisIsAnfield), Iago Aspas is inches from a Liverpool switch but is yet to complete the move. Although the transfer might seem all but done, countless times has a player thought a deal struck and publicised their excitement, only for it all to come unravelled at the final hurdle.

Along with Celta’s Aspas, Daily Mail have reported Sevilla’s Luis Alberto as closing in on a similar switch, although that is also yet to be completed.

In the departures, Jamie Carragher’s retirement is a big blow to the club, but more to its young dressing room than anything else.

8. Manchester United

Movement: Up Three

Transfers In: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, £10 million plus add-ons), Guillermo Varela* (Atletico Penarol, Undisclosed)

Transfers Out: Paul Scholes (Retired), Numerous academy players (Released)

Officially the first signing of David Moyes’ reign at Manchester United, Uruguayan Guillermo Varela will play under the banner of the Red Devils next season.

The 20-year-old right-back will play his first term at Old Trafford along with January signing Wilfried Zaha, although Varela has the benefit of significantly less pressure given his modest transfer fee.

Aside from those yet to make a first-team appearance for the side, Paul Scholes is United’s only departure after having retired from football for the second time earlier this year.

7. Arsenal

Movement: Down Two

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Andrey Arshavin* (Released), Sebastien Squillaci* (Released), Denilson* (Released), Sanchez Watt* (Released), Conor Henderson* (Released), Jernade Meade* (Released), Craig Eastmond (Colchester United, Free), Jordan Wynter (Bristol City, Free), Martin Angha (Nurnberg, Free), Kyle Ebecilio* (FC Twente, Free), Elton Monteiro (Club Brugge, Free), Joshua Rees* (Released)

Famed for their youth development, Arsenal’s reserve ranks have undergone a substantial relief this past month with numerous youngsters leaving for new pastures.

Along with those lesser-known faces, Andrey Arshavin, Sebastien Squillaci and Denilson have all finally left the club also after spending some agonising months out of all activity with the Gunners.

Operating on their usually stringent wage policies, the trio’s exit in particular now lets Arsenal move for some new players while keeping in line with their salary structure.

6. Chelsea

Movement: Down Four

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, Loan), Florent Malouda* (Released), Ross Turnbull* (Released), Yossi Benayoun* (Released), Paulo Ferreira (Retired), Henrique Hilario (Released)

Like Arsenal, it’s been a story of who’s leaving rather than who’s coming in at Stamford Bridge this summer, although one can bet that’s soon to change now that Jose Mourinho has once again assumed his role as Chelsea manager.

Whilst on national team duty this week, young Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said (via Daily Mail):

"

At Atletico I'm sure I can play and I can continue to be the first-choice keeper of the Red Devils (Belgium). In the course of the season, we will see if I return to London.

I spoke with Mourinho and he told me the best thing is to continue maturing.

"

To see the stopper has such a logical head on his shoulders at 20 years of age is encouraging, and with Petr Cech still at the club, it’s of course more prudent for Courtois to continue his development at another top European club.

On the other end of the spectrum, veterans Florent Malouda, Yossi Benayoun, Henrique Hilario, Ross Turnbull and Paulo Ferreira have all reached the end of their Chelsea contracts and said farewell to the West London giants.

5. West Ham

Movement: Up Three

Transfers In: Razvan Rat (Shakhtar Donetsk, Free), Adrian* (Real Betis, Free)

Transfers Out: Carlton Cole* (Released), Gary O'Neil* (Released), Eoin Wearen (Released), Jake Larkins (Leyton Orient, Free)

Operating with a smart strategy of Bosman signings thus far, West Ham have conducted some clever business in recent weeks, starting with the acquisition of Romanian veteran Razvan Rat, according to BBC Sport.

BBC Sport also disclosed the Hammers’ capture of Real Betis stopper Adrian, who will presumably take the No.1 jersey from Jussi Jaaskelainen or at least challenge for it.

With the added strength at left-back and goalkeeper, Sam Allardyce will go without the services of Carlton Cole next season after the forward came to the end of his contract at Upton Park and failed to agree on an extension.

4. Sunderland

Movement: No Change

Transfers In: Duncan Watmore (Altrincham, Undisclosed), Cabral (FC Basel—Free), Valentin Roberge (Maritimo —Free), Modibo Diakite (Lazio—Free)

Transfers Out: Titus Bramble (Released), Matthew Kilgallon (Released), Ryan Noble (Released)

As of yet, Duncan Watmore’s move from Altrincham is the only purchase completed by Sunderland this summer, making for a slightly underwhelming start to Paolo Di Canio’s spending pattern with the club.

That being said, the decisions to release Titus Bramble and Matthew Kilgallon represent a change in direction for the club and a much-needed intention to freshen things up at the Stadium of Light.

In May, Sky’s Dan Salisbury-Jones reported that Swiss publication Blick had alleged the Black Cats’ move for FC Basel midfielder Adilson Cabral as completed. However, the Northeast outfit actually denied any move.

The Europa League semi-finalist would appear close to a Sunderland switch all the same. He will be expected to sign on a free transfer in the near future.

UPDATE: On Monday evening (June 10), Sky Sports confirmed that Sunderland had signed Modibo Diakite, Cabral and Valentin Roberge, all on free transfers. 

This moved the Black Cats from 9th place to 4th.

3. Norwich City

Movement: No Change

Transfers In: Ricky van Wolfswinkel* (Sporting Lisbon, £8.5 million), Javier Garrido (Lazio, Undisclosed)

Transfers Out: Chris Martin (Derby County, Free), Lee Camp (Released), Simeon Jackson (Released), Tom Adeyemi* (Released), Marc Tierney* (Bolton Wanderers, Free), Elliott Ward* (Released), Korey Smith* (Released), numerous reserve players (Released)

Although one can’t truly know how the signing will pan out for the club, it’s difficult not to get excited for Norwich City after they completed a record transfer signing of Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutchman insisted that his move to the Canaries is a step forward, contrary to the doubts that some have voiced concerning the move.

Elsewhere, as BBC Sport have reported, Javier Garrido is an assured and understated signing for the club, as the ex-Manchester City defender provided a very stable platform at left-back for Norwich last season.

On the other side of things, squad space has become available at Carrow Road following the exits of several first-team players such as Chris Martin, Marc Tierney and Simeon Jackson, along with some second-string stars.

2. Manchester City

Movement: Up Seven

Transfers In: Jesus Navas (Sevilla, £22.9 million), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk, £30 million)

Transfers Out: Kolo Toure (Liverpool, Free), Wayne Bridge (Reading, Free), Roque Santa Cruz* (Released)

Described by Daily Mail’s Joe Bernstein as "the worst kept secret in football," Manuel Pellegrini is largely expected to be announced as the new Manchester City boss this week, but nothing is official just yet.

Regardless, the club have already wrapped up two significant summer purchases, according to The Telegraph, reportedly breaking the £50 million mark thanks to the arrivals of Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fernandinho and Sevilla’s Jesus Navas.

As aforementioned, the conclusion of Kolo Toure’s deal at the Etihad signals a move to Liverpool, while Wayne Bridge has also been touted by BBC Sport as Reading’s newest star.

1. Fulham

Movement: No Change

Transfers In: Fernando Amorebieta (Athletic Bilbao, Free), Sascha Riether (FC Cologne, Undisclosed), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Free), Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma, Undisclosed)

Transfers Out: Mark Schwarzer* (Released), Giorgos Karagounis* (Released), Simon Davies* (Released), Chris Baird* (Released), Mladen Petric* (Released), Mahamadou Diarra* (Released)

In their third consecutive week atop our Premier League transfer window rankings, Fulham are conducting some pretty astute business in all the areas that would appear to need it most.

As Express announced in May, Derek Boateng, Fernando Amorebieta and Sascha Riether will all be joining in time for the new season, while BBC Sport announced the arrival of Roma’s Maarten Stekelenburg on a rumored four-year deal.

Stekelenburg’s arrival is excellently timed, too, falling days before it was revealed that Mark Schwarzer was indeed amongst those heading into free agency after coming to the end of his contract at Craven Cottage.

Along with the Australian, Mladen Petric, Giorgos Karagounis and Mahamadou Diarra all leave after short stints with the club, while Simon Davies and Chris Baird depart after much more substantial terms with the club.

You can follow me on Twitter: @TomSunderland