Transfer Deadline Day: 10 Best Deals so Far

As of right now, there's less than four hours remaining until the transfer window closes. 

Expect the unexpected to come in the dying minutes.

Hopefully we get some drama from one or two massive blockbuster deals. Wesley Sneijder to Manchester United? Luka Modrić to Chelsea? 

Either way, here are the 10 best deals done in the past two days leading into the transfer deadline so far. 

10. Park Chu-Young

From Monaco to Arsenal for £3 million

I have no idea where Park Chu-Young would fit into this Arsenal team. 

After I watched him sulking on the left wing, plus a few so-so performances on the wings at Lille, I'd be surprised if Arsenal played him there as they generally do in converting central players to wide players. 

Though for £3 million, Park is a bargain. 

I suspect marketing, merchandise and expansion into the Asian market factored heavily in Arsenal's pursuit of the South Korean.  

9. Owen Hargreaves

Signed as a free agent by Manchester City

It was funny to watch Owen Hargreaves post his own fitness videos to prove his fitness, but, at the same time, it's somewhat sad that he's on his knees begging for a club to take him. 

People forget how good he was before he was plagued by injuries.

Win-win for both parties in that Hargreaves gets to retain his status as a top flight professional footballer and Manchester City could make Manchester United look like fools if Hargreaves ends up playing significant minutes off the bench. 

Don't count on it though.

I just want to see Hargreaves play a game where he doesn't limp off with injury.

Hopefully Manchester City ensure that when he does play, he is 100 percent fit, not 75 percent, not 89 percent, not 95 percent but 100 percent.

His body is too fragile to be allowed any kind of flexibility with carrying a slight knock. 

8. Mohamed Bangura

From AIK to Celtic for £2.2 million

Earlier in the month, I profiled AIK's impressive forward Teteh Bangura and said it was probable that Mohamed Bangura would come as a package. 

Well I was wrong, both have gone their separate ways.

Teteh to Bursaspor and Mohamed to Celtic.  

From what I've seen, Teteh to me seems the better footballer but Mohamed is still a handy player. 

It amazes me how so many big clubs fail to spot some of these gems. 

7. Scott Dann

From Birmingham City to Blackburn Rovers for £5 million

The transfer fee seems a bit high for a typical English centre back, but when you factor in the £16.5 million Rovers received for Phil Jones plus the £25 million the club would lose if it were to be relegated—signing Dann is a good deal. 

6. Diego Forlán

From Atlético Madrid to Inter Milan for €5 million

Diego Forlán or Samuel Eto'o?

Eto'o hands down.

However Forlán's quality and experience will be helpful to this youthful and transitional Inter Milan side.

Even though he's played more of a creative role and more of a team role in Uruguay, I think he's struggled, and that was evident in the Copa América until the final.    

5. Davide Santon

From Inter Milan to Newcastle United for £5 million

Attitude issues, medicore displays, standing toe-to-toe to then manager José Mourinho plus the exceptional form of Yuto Nagatomo are reasons why Davide Santon is calling St. James Park home. 

There's no doubting his talent, and I applaud Newcastle United for taking the risk, because it's worth the punt knowing how good Santon can become.

He needs to be managed correctly; so make sure he knows his starting position is secure. 

4. Scott Parker

From West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur for £6 million

Scott Parker won 77 percent of his tackles last season, the highest in the Premier League. 

He was an inspiration on the pitch last season and almost single handily saved West Ham United from relegation.

A good signing because he's an invaluable teammate to have. 

By moving to Spurs, Parker has now played for four London clubs—sums up the lack of loyalty in modern day football. 

3. Sebastian Coates

From Nacional to Liverpool for £8 million

Excellent signing, I like it a lot.

Sebastian Coates is a sophisticated, calm, technical, elegant and a high IQ centre back. 

He'll compliment Jamie Carragher or Daniel Agger very well.

For more information, please read 7 Things You Must Know About Sebastián Coates   

2. Albert Crusat

From Almería to Wigan Athletic for £2 million

Wow. 

That was my initial reaction when Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martínez pulled a coup in signing Albert Crusat, who would have played in the Segunda División this season. 

He's the fastest La Liga player by a country mile; only Eliseu and perhaps Jesús Navas could keep up with Crusat. 

Not only is he phenomenally fast, but he is a very tricky creative winger, not to mention a feisty character.

He'll love the competitiveness of Premier League. 

This could potentially be the buy of the summer.    

1. Per Mertesacker

From Werder Bremen to Arsenal for £10 million

It only took an 8-2 thrashing for manager Arsène Wenger to realise he might need to buy a decent centre back. 

For me, Per Mertesacker is on the decline, he's been pretty average in the past two seasons, and he would struggle if Arsenal continue to adopt such a high line of defence. 

Nonetheless, he's so much better than what Arsenal have and would compliment Thomas Vermaelen well. 

Please also read Six Reasons Why New Arsenal Left-Back André Santos Will Fail