English Premier League: The Top 15 Most Influential Transfers of All Time

After several months of dealings, the summer transfer window is officially coming to a close tomorrow. 

During this summer we have seen several interesting moves. We saw the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave Arsenal, a new goalkeeper in David de Gea at Manchester United and a ridiculous transfer for Samuel Eto'o to Anzhi Makhachkala in the Russian Premier League.

Of course, there are still going to be some massive transfers that will be completed in the last day of the window.

With this in mind, here are the 15 biggest transfers in the history of the Premier League.

No. 15: Rafael Van Der Vaart

Transfer: Real Madrid to Tottenham (2010)

Cost: Eight million pounds

After making a surprise late transfer to Tottenham from Real Madrid at the end of the 2010 Summer transfer, Rafael van der Vaart shone for Spurs throughout the season.

This started with van der Vaart's performance in the Champions League, where he helped to advance Spurs into the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Even though Spurs were unable to qualify for the Champions League this year, the season that they had last year will not be forgotten by any of their supporters for years to come.

No. 14: Brad Friedel

Transfer: Liverpool to Blackburn (2000)

Cost: Free

The greatest American goalkeeper in Premier League history, Brad Friedel joined Blackburn after a rather unspectacular stint at Anfield.

After joining Blackburn, Friedel helped the Rovers get back into the Premier League and subsequently started a 277 match streak for Premier League starts, which is by far the record in the Premier League.

Friedel helped Blackburn win the 2002 Worthington Cup, and secured a spot for Rovers in the UEFA Cup toward the end of his tenure.

Friedel left Blackburn for Aston Villa in the summer of 2008.

No. 13: Paolo Di Canio

Transfer: Sheffield Wednesday to West Ham (1999)

Cost: 1.75 million pounds

A transfer that ended up being one of the most important in the history of the Premier League, Paolo Di Canio was extremely influential for West Ham during his time at the club.

Di Canio went on to help West Ham finish fifth in the Premier League during his first season, and clinch a spot in the UEFA Cup.

In his five years at the club, Di Canio scored 48 goals and helped lead the way for foreign players to come to the Premier League.

No. 12: Petr Cech

Transfer: Rennes to Chelsea (2004)

Cost: Seven million pounds

One of the most important signings in the Roman Abramovich era, Petr Cech has become one of the top goalkeepers in the world and helped Chelsea win numerous trophies in his time at Stamford Bridge.

Not only was Cech's signing an extremely asute transfer, it also was relatively inexpensive and has no doubt been a steal for Chelsea.

No. 11: Alan Shearer

Transfer: Southampton to Blackburn (1992)

Cost: 3.6 million pounds

One of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League, Alan Shearer joined Blackburn in the summer of 1992 and helped to build Blackburn into a legitimate title contender.

Following the acquisition of Chris Sutton before the start of the 1994-95 season, Shearer hit his best form for Blackburn, helping them to win their only Premier League title.

Shearer left for Newcastle in 1996.

No. 10: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Transfer: PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United (2001)

Cost: 19 million pounds

Arguably the greatest striker in the history of the Premier League, Ruud van Nistelrooy brought a fantastic goal scoring record to the Premier League.

In five years, van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in only 219 matches for Manchester United, a total that was hugely important for the Red Devils during that time.

However, van Nistelrooy was only able to provide United with one league title, and he left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2006.

No. 9: Wayne Rooney

Transfer: Everton to Manchester United (2004)

Cost: 25.6 million pounds

One of the biggest stars in the Premier League today, Wayne Rooney continues to put together fantastic performances, as he has helped Manchester United collect a monster amount of trophies during his time at Old Trafford.

Rooney came to United as one of the most hyped players in modern English history, and he has continued to impress for Man United.

If Rooney continues his fantastic form in the future, he will continue to climb on this list.

No. 8: Carlos Tevez

Transfer: Corinthians to West Ham (2006)

Cost: 12 million pounds

Still one of the most controversial signings in the history of the Premier League, Carlos Tevez came to West Ham under a cloud of suspicion, but paid huge dividends for the Hammers.

During the last match of the season, Tevez scored the winning goal against Manchester United to keep West Ham in the Premier League, relegating Sheffield United down to the Championship.

Tevez then moved to Manchester United for two years before moving to Manchester City.

No. 7: Roy Keane

Transfer: Nottingham Forest to Manchester United (1993)

Cost: 3.75 million pounds

The greatest Irish footballer ever, Roy Keane is one of the greatest players in Manchester United's history, and he certainly is one of Sir Alex Ferguson's best signings.

Keane was an instrumental figure in United's squad for 12 years, and United certainly wouldn't have completed their 1999 treble without him.

No. 6: Gianfranco Zola

Transfer: Parma to Chelsea (1996)

Cost: 4.5 million pounds

Voted as the greatest ever player in Chelsea's history, Gianfranco Zola was spectacular for Chelsea in his seven years there.

While he was there he scored some amazing, and important, goals for the club, and helped them win five trophies.

Zola's brilliance has helped Chelsea to transform themselves since he left the club in 2003, and he is certainly one of the most important players in Chelsea's history.

No. 5: Cristiano Ronaldo

Transfer: Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United (2003) 

Cost: 12 million pounds

The only Premier League player to be named the FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo was a complete bargain for Manchester United, and established himself as one of the best players in the world during his time there.

Ronaldo certainly was a massive reason why United were able to win a large amount of trophies while he was at Old Trafford, and some of the goals he scored will be remembered for years.

No. 4: Peter Schmeichel

Transfer: Brondby to Manchester United (1993)

Cost: 550,000 pounds

Arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time, Peter Schmeichel was a fantastic signing for Manchester United, and is the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the Premier League.

Schmeichel continued to make sensational saves for United throughout his stint with the Red Devils. Without Schmeichel, United would not have been able to win as many trophies as they did in the late 1990's.

No. 3: Dennis Bergkamp

Transfer: Inter Milan to Arsenal (1995)

Cost: 7.5 million pounds

A legendary player in his own right, Dennis Bergkamp was able to etch his name in stone as one of the top footballers to ever play in England.

Bergkamp's role for Arsenal can never be understated, and his presence helped to open the door for more foreign players to come into the Premier League.

No. 2: Thierry Henry

Transfer: Juventus for Arsenal (1999) 

Cost: 10.5 million pounds 

One of the greatest French footballers ever, Thierry Henry's magic shone for Arsenal for eight years, and helped to bring an unprecedented amount of success to the club.

Henry scored 226 goals for the Gunners, and is still revered to this day as one of the top players to play for the club.

Henry was a member of the Invicibles squad in 2003-2004.

No. 1: Eric Cantona

Transfer: Leeds United to Manchester United (1992)

Cost: 1.2 million pounds

A legendary player in his own right, Eric Cantona's arrival to Manchester United is quite possibly the greatest move that Sir Alex Ferguson ever made.

After arriving in a shock transfer from Leeds, Cantona brought leadership and a real winning mentality that allowed Manchester United to win the first ever Premier League title.

Cantona went on to win eight more trophies with Manchester United, and is regarded as a legend by the club's fans.

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