As predicted it was the World's richest club, Manchester City, who wrote the biggest headlines again by pulling over several major transfers, including World Cup winner David Silva from Valencia for a fee believed to be in the region of £25 million and Yaya Toure from Barcelona. However which club pulled off the best deals and which players will take the Premiership by storm?.
Mario Balotelli
Let's start with one of the obvious transfers: Balotelli. The Italian made the move to the Premiership after long and drawn out negotiations for an undisclosed fee which is reportedly in excess of 25 million Euros. After many high profile bust ups with former manager Jose Mourinho Inter decided to let the talented youngster leave. The 20 year old scored 20 goals in just under 60 appearances for the Italian Champions and his direct and powerful style should suit the Premiership. One question remains however, and that is of course the young man's fiery temper. Mourinho said " The guy has incredible qualities, but does not know how to use his brain" Balotelli's talent in undoubted but whether Roberto Mancini can control him remains to be seen.
Rafael Van Der Vaart
A player who has been linked with a move to the Premiership for years has finally arrived with Champions League new boys Tottenham Hotspur. The deal for the playmaker wasn't actually completed until after the window shut due to technical difficulties but following an investigation by the FA the transfer was allowed to happen. The World Cup finalist spent 5 years at Ajax scoring over 50 goals for the Dutch giants, before moving to Bundesliga side Hamburg. After an impressive first season he was named first team captain before a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. He found himself in and out of the team at Real Madrid and at the start of last year he wasn't given a squad number by Manuel Pelligrini. However an injury to Kaka gave the Dutchman his chance and over the course of the season he scored 7 goals in 30 games. His move to Spurs, for a fee of £8 million, was surprising given the reported interest from Bayern Munich, however the Dutchman has all the qualities to impress in the Premiership. Harry Redknapp faces only one problem: where will he fit in a team already crammed full of midfield flair?
Alexander Hleb
Birmingham City pulled off a major surprise when bringing in the former Arsenal man Hleb on a season long loan. Hleb was not in Barcelona's plans and spent last season on loan at Stuttgart, and despite interest from other European clubs, Alex Mcleish swooped on deadline day to bring the Belarus captain to St Andrews. He was an important part of Arsenal's team and is a confident and skilful runner with the ball. He can be deployed on either wing or behind a front man which was in the forefront of Mcleish's mind when trying to find someone to supply the giant Serbian Nikola Zigic.
Asamoah Gyan
Sunderland were the big spenders on deadline day with Steve Bruce spending "in excess of £13 million" to make Asamoah Gyan Sunderland's record transfer. The Ghanaian starred during the World Cup scoring 3 goals, whilst also missing a crucial last minute penalty in the quarter final against Urugauy after Luis Suarez's infamous handball. The former Rennes front man is quick, powerful and, despite being only 5 feet 11 inches tall, deceptively strong in the air meaning he is an ideal replacement for Kenwyne Jones, who left for Stoke earlier in the window. Despite his physical style, which should suit the Premiership, the striker has never been a prolific scorer and has seemingly been brought in to take some of the pressure off talisman Darren Bent.
Hatem Ben Arfa
Newcastle United finally secured the season long loan signing of Hatem Ben Arfa after weeks of negotiations with Marseille. The French trequartista actually flew into Newcastle without the knowledge of the French Champions to try and push through a deal. It took a while but he is now a Newcastle player and he is an excellent acquisition to a forward line consisting of Andy Carroll who has hit the ground running. The Frenchman is capable of playing on either wing and behind a striker which will be invaluable for the Magpies as the season progresses.
Elsewhere in the transfer window Stoke City secured a high profile trio of Kenwyne Jones, Eider Gudjohnson and Jermaine Pennant which should be helpful as the potters attempt to break the top 10.
Bolton Wanderers snatched Martin Petrov on a free transfer, beating off numerous possible suitors for the Bulgarian.
Arsenal added to their front line with the signing of Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux, giving them a more physical option, which will come in handy as Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie have been sidelined through injury.
Chelsea splashed out £17 million on Brazilian Midfielder Ramires from Benfica whilst Liverpool, in addition to signing England international Joe Cole on a free transfer, signed Portugal International Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky.
Fulham snapped up Mexico's attacking left back Carlos Solcido and Wigan signed Argentinian Mauro Boselli from Estudiantes and loaned Tom Cleverley from Manchester United. Wolves had a busy window bringing in Steven Fletcher and Steven Hunt whilst also securing Jelle Van Damme from Anderlecht.
Blackburn signed Benjani on a free and Mame Biram Diouf on loan from Manchester United but more importantly they tied down promising Centre back Phil Jones on a new five year deal. Blackpool had a frustrating window but a few days before the season kicked off they managed to get new faces in through the front door at Bloomfield Road, with Marlon Harewood, Luke Varney and Craig Cathcart all signing before the window slammed shut.
Whilst their wasn't as much cash flying about this summer, there was no shortage of deals being done and I'm sure the fans can't wait to see their new signings in action.
Paul Seed
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