EPL Transfer News: The 10 Biggest Deals That Will Affect the Premiership Race

The summer transfer window is over for the season and with it the rumours and speculations.

On a frantic day that saw several big deals happen until the last minute a few clubs made some good deals while some of them made a loss. While the likes of Stoke City, Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal made some good bargains to land quality players, others like Newcastle, Tottenham and Everton lost a lot in the end.

The day's biggest losers were perhaps Tottenham, as they rejected Chelsea's mammoth 40 million bid for their want-away midfielder Luka Modric. Harry Redknapp missed out on doing a great deal and instead ended without any new signings, too. The day's biggest gainers were Chelsea, who landed Liverpool's in-form midfielder Raul Meireles for a good bargain.

As the speculation now makes way for real action on the pitch we take a look into the top 10 signings during this transfer window that could affect the EPL's title race significantly.

Samir Nasri's Move to Manchester City

The Arsenal midfielder had already expressed his desire to leave the Emirates' earl in the summer. He explained that the Gunners' lack of ambition and failure to win silverware was the reason he did not want to extend his contract. When Manchester City came knocking on the Gunners' door it was too much goodness for the ambitious Frenchman to resist.

With Arsene Wenger not budging to let go off his star midfielder, Samir Nasri resorted to insulting the club as well as Wenger in order to force a move out of the Emirates. The highly rated midfielder even refused to take the field in order to facilitate his move to the Eastlands.

In the end Nasri made his much-awaited move to the "Galacticos of the EPL," and what a way did he choose to debut for the Light Blues. With an awesome individual display of skill and brilliance, Nasri proved that he was indeed City's only missing link for being a top club this season. With his arrival, Roberto Mancini's squad has become fearsome and a favourite to fight for the Premier League title this season.

The transfer has tilted the balance in favour of City and made Arsenal look all the more vulnerable, whilst seriously reducing the Gunners' title aspirations.

These one move could go a long way into deciding the fate of the Premiership title these season.

Ashley Young to Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson's signing of Aston Villa's promising midfielder Ashley Young just proved his genius. The nearly £16 million signing has just begun to show its worth in gold for the Red Devils.

The England youngster has been a sort of revelation for Sir Alex's young brigade with superb performances on his debut, which earned him a Man of the Match award. He has already found the net twice in his three appearances for the defending champions. His creative mind and ability to forge out deadly incisive passes in the oppositions' midfield just makes him dangerous. The former Watford star also has a keen eye for the goal, which makes him a real danger for any team.

With his signing, Sir Alex was able to fill the void in his midfield and without compromising on quality. This one signing might develop to become a United legend and earn Sir Alex a farewell winner's medal.

Cesc Moves Back to His Boyhood Club

It happened at last. After years of speculation and uncertainty a player longing to return to his boyhood club was able to complete his dream move.

The story is of a young blue-eyed lad named Cesc Fabregas who arrived at Emirates at a tender age with dreams to win silverware and accolades for himself. While he managed to earn enough accolades as one of the best midfielders of his time, his desire for a winner's medal hanging across his neck was not achieved. The young lad waited season after season, swearing loyalty to a club and manager whom he loved dearly in the hope that something good would happen. But it never did. At last Cesc made his much-awaited move to Nou Camp to play alongside his childhood friends and be part of a historic club.

What Cesc failed to achieve in his six years at the Emirates he earned two of them within a week at his new club, i.e. a winner's medal. While this was the happy part of the deal the other part has been rather sad.

Arsene Wenger's squad have been unable to cope with the departures of quality like Cesc and then Nasri. After a stuttering start to their season, the Gunners were inflicted a humiliating 8-2 defeat by rivals Manchester United. The loss which was their worst in more than 100 years exposed the deplorable condition of the Gunners. While Cesc has already started winning trophies at Barcelona, the North Londoners seem to be moving away swiftly from their title aspirations.

Though the Gunners and the Gooners might rejoice their signing of Mikel Arteta as Cesc's replacement ,the truth is the two players are just classes apart. With Cesc's departure the Premier League race might just be among only the three teams: City, United and Chelsea.

Juan Mata's Move from the Mestalla to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea's crisis in their midfield last season had cost them the title and these season the Blues' top priority was to infuse youth and quality in their midfield.

So when Villas Boas confirmed the signing of Spanish international Juan Mata from Valencia it heaved a sigh of relief among the Chelsea fans. The young Spanish midfielder's incredible exploits last season had attracted a number of top European clubs to pursue his signing, but the West London club was able to land the Spaniard.

Chelsea's aging midfield was lacking creativity and the addition of the talented and skilled midfielder was no doubt a great signing for the club. Mata proved the 24 million Chelsea paid for him was not a waste by delivering a superb performance on his debut and even managed to score a goal.

The young Spaniard's vision, versatility and ability to forge out chances from thin air is surely going to provide the Blues' midfield with that much needed creativity. Moreover, he might be the perfect player to feed Fernando Torres with the goal-scoring opportunities given their understanding while playing for the national team.

The signing of the World Cup winner has surely boosted Chelsea's chances in their quest for the Premier League crown.

Sergio Aguero's Arrival at Eastlands

Manchester City proved their monetary supremacy once again when they did what the Blues had failed in their repeated attempts. The sheikh-owned City signed highly rated Argentine striker Sergio Aguero in a mammoth multi-million deal.

The former Athletico striker has been touted as one of the best in the world at present. With his arrival City made a statement to their rivals that they are here to stay and fight for top honours. Aguero's arrival bolstered City's attack to a fearsome level which has been evident at the start of the new season.

Aguero's creativity and vision to create goals out of nowhere will give a big boost to City's premiership chances this season. The timid Argentine has already made his presence felt in the Premier League with three goals in as many matches.

With his addition to the midfield, City have become real contenders to vie for the Championship medal alongside top guns Chelsea and Manchester United.

Arteta to the Emirates'

These deal has been put in to give the Arsenal fans some breathing space and also spare myself of utter nonsense.

While Arsenal, the Gooners and Wenger are making a hue and cry over the signing of Everton's injury-prone midfielder and touting him as the replacement for the fantastic Fabregas, it all seems silly at the very best. Mikel Arteta might be a impressive midfielder but by no means can he be Cesc's ideal replacement. A player who took huge pay cuts to make a move to a big team are no signs of some world-class midfielder rather a fading star looking to secure his future.

Even Peter Crouch did not require pay cuts to make his move to Stoke. But at the same time Arteta could be the reason Arsenal could salvage some pride in the new season. His style of play will help him gel easily with Wenger's flowing style of football as well as his experience will help his young teammates to cope well with pressure.

Though it seems Arteta's signing will not make a difference yet if the Gunners really do give a fight for the title it has to be based purely around their new 29-year-old signing.

Henderson to Anfield

The promising 21-year-old was one of the many midfield reinforcements Kenny Dalglish bought this summer.

A product of Sunderland's youth system, Jordan Henderson impressed several clubs with his displays for the Black Cats last season. Liverpool fought off competition from other clubs to land the England international. A composed and strong midfielder with a good understanding of the game, Henderson has been a great addition for the Reds.

He has already set Anfield on fire with his powerful displays at the centre of the park by creating chances for the attackers. He might be just the one thing that Liverpool required to make a fight for the top honours adding flair and strength to the Reds' midfield.

Gervinho to the Emirates

Arsene Wenger started his transfer season with the of the signing of Lille's promising young winger Gervinho.

The Arsenal manager spoke highly of his new signing as one for the future and the player who could possibly score the Gunners all the way to a silverware this season. The young sensation (as reported by Arsenal fans) went off to a flying start with goals scored in the Gunners' preseason matches.

His displays brought plenty of promises for a side who has been looking for a winners medal for six years running. The young lad is gifted with pace and skills. His physical prowess helps him to overcome opposition defenders with ease and makes him a threat for any rival team. 

But the new signing started on the wrong foot for his club when in his debut Premier League match he managed a red card for slapping Newcastle's Joey Barton and attracted a three-match suspension. He is expected to shine for the Gunners and help their cause to overcome their November frailties and season end collapses due to injury to their top players.

This season will be the best time for Gervinho to make his impact on the Premier League as he might never get a better chance again. If he fails then Arsenal might spend another year without any silverware in their cabinet.

Meireles Arrival from Anfield to the Bridge

Chelsea managed to pull off another last-minute deal on the deadline day, and this too involved a Liverpool player.

Last season's PFA Fans' Player of the Year, Raul Meireles ended his successful partnership with the Anfield club to join the Blues. Famed for his keen understanding of the game and creative mind, the former Porto star was signed in a last-minute deal expected to be in the region of £12 millions.

The Blues were in pursuit of Tottenham's want-away midfielder Luka Modric until late into the deadline day. After the Spurs rejected their last bid, the Blues offered the Reds' cash plus Yossi Benayoun in exchange for the Portuguese star. But the offer was rejected and only a renewed bid helped Chelsea secure the signing of the 28-year-old.

Though the new signing might not make an impact as big as Modric could, he has enough quality to turn Chelsea's sloppy midfield dynamically. Combined with the likes of Juan Mata and Frank Lampard he could wreak havoc in opposition defense whilst scoring occasional goals too.

Chelsea got a good bargain for a player of his quality and if they can keep him injury free, these could be the best deal of the summer. His addition only strengthened an already strong Chelsea squad while also increasing their chances of being crowned England champions.

Per Mertesacker to Arsenal

It took a draw, a defeat after 11 years and then a humiliation in more than a century for Wenger to realise that his young squad needed a bit of experience if they are to stay in the top four, let alone winning medals.

Last week's 8-2 drubbing at the hands of United made Wenger realise the need for a world-class experienced defender in his squad. His young brigade fared poorly in the absence of Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna.

Wenger apologised to the fans in the face of criticism and got ready to make some signings during the last few hours of the transfer window. He splashed the cash and brought in several new players in his effort to bolster his squad. But the best of his frenzied purchase has to be the world-class German defender Per Mertesacker. The massive Werder Bremen defender was brought into take care of Arsenal's defensive woes, which has been painfully evident at the start of the new season.

The arrival of the giant German only strengthens the Gunners' defense as his partnering with the lanky Vermaelen is surely going to crate trouble for the opposition defenders. At £8 million, the defender has surely been a good bargain for the Gunners.

His arrival might help the Gunners fight back from their sordid condition and fight for the top honours.