Top Ten deals

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Chris Burton takes a look at some of the most intriguing deals this summer

After a summer of intense speculation, ridiculous rumours and spectacular signings, the transfer window finally slammed shut at 5pm on Tuesday evening.

Clubs up and down the country, who have been frantically searching for that missing piece to the infamous jigsaw, must now wait until the January sales before adding further new additions to their respective squads - with the exception of Chelsea of course.

The concept may not be favoured by managers and coaches, who would much rather have the freedom to dip into the market as and when they choose, but there can be no denying that the current system adds an air of excitement to pre-season - and the first few weeks of any given campaign.

To supporters, hearing about the latest 'star' name to be linked with a move to their chosen troops is an entertaining as games themselves - even more so in some cases.

Take Manchester City, for example, after years of underachievement and broken dreams on the field, this summer has seen Eastlands become a hot-bed of transfer gossip and big-name arrivals.

The latest 'Galactico' era at Real Madrid, which has seen Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and co stroll into the Santiago Bernabeu, may have captured the imagination, but the Premier League, with City leading the way, has refused to allow events in Spain to monopolise the headlines.

Here skysports.com takes a look at a few of those deals over the past few months which have set the pulse racing and have given fans of the teams involved reason to get overly-excited.

Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)

It is fair to say that Vermaelen's arrival at Emirates Stadium this summer was hardly greeted with fanfare and celebration. Despite having captained Ajax and become an integral part of the Belgium national set-up, a £10million centre-half was not at the top of most Gunners fans' wish lists. Question marks were raised over Vermaelen's lack of height, while there were the inevitable doubts about how quickly a man used to life in the Eredivisie could adapt to the rigours of Premier League battle. Those fears were soon laid to rest as Vermaelen took to life in England with ease and he already looks as though he has been plying his trade in north London for years. The sale of Kolo Toure to Manchester City has hardly been registered as a result, with Vermaelen even helping to bring the best out of sulky Frenchman William Gallas.

Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City)

Having alienated himself at Arsenal with unreasonable wage demands in the summer of 2008, it came as no real surprise when Adebayor was offloaded to Manchester City 12 months on. A £25million fee was not to be sniffed at for a player who often wavers between the sublime and the ridiculous. The Gunners were therefore happy to have money in the bank, while free-spending City were delighted to have added another proven goalscorer to their burgeoning ranks of attacking weapons. It remains to be seen which side can ultimately claim to have benefited most from the deal, but the early signs suggest the Blues have landed quite a coup. Three goals in as many games has seen Adebayor spearhead City's 100 per cent start to the season, while the Togolese ace has admitted that the 'love' he has been shown by the Eastlands faithful has helped to reignite his career.

Darren Bent (Sunderland)

Bent is something of a curious case, with bags of ability yet to be fulfilled at the very highest level. An impressive two-season stint in the top-flight with Charlton some years back suggested he was capable of great things, and a move to Tottenham and international recognition duly followed. He will be the first to admit that things at White Hart Lane did not go entirely to plan, as he struggled for consistency under a host of different managers. He did, however, force himself back into the England fold at the end of last season and will be not have given up hope of taking a seat on a plane to South Africa next summer. A move to Sunderland, where he will be tutored by the wily Steve Bruce, will undoubtedly help his cause, while a bright start to the 2009/10 campaign suggests a fresh challenge was precisely what he needed to get back on track.

Michael Owen (Manchester United)

Another man hoping to catch Fabio Capello's eye over the coming months is former 'Golden Boy' Owen. The England coach has consistency overlooked the once integral frontman since taking over from Steve McClaren, and has given no indication that a reprieve is in the offing. A disappointing four-year spell at Newcastle ran in parallel with Owen's fall from grace, as he struggled with injury and form in front of goal. It appeared as though his career was on the skids, with a route back to the top difficult to spot. However, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided to take a punt on Owen this summer, snapping him up as a free agent. A move to the reigning Premier League champions could be just what the doctor ordered for the former Liverpool and Real Madrid ace, and few would be surprised if he ends up playing a major role for club and country this term.

Peter Crouch (Tottenham)

Harry Redknapp knew exactly what he was getting when he teamed up with Crouch for a third time at Tottenham. Having previously worked with the towering striker at Southampton and Portsmouth, the Spurs chief has proven adept at getting the best out of Crouch in the past. The languid frontman offers much more than an aerial threat, as he is no mug with a ball at his feet, and he could prove to be a useful addition for Spurs this season. He also formed a formidable partnership with Jermain Defoe during their days together at Pompey and will be relishing the opportunity to rekindle their little and large double act. Crouch is also another who will have the World Cup on his mind, and that if that fails to inspire him to great things then nothing will.

Fabian Delph (Aston Villa)

Splashing out on a 19-year-old who has spent his entire career to date in the Football League may seem like a bit of gamble, but Delph is not your average teenage talent. A solid grounding at Leeds, a club renowned for giving youngsters a chance, has enabled him to experience regular first-team football at a competitive level and he has not looked out of his depth. He has shone in League One over the past two seasons and was always destined to be on his way to the Premier League sooner rather than later. Villa have ultimately won the race for his signature and will be delighted to have added such potential to their ranks. Martin O'Neill has had no qualms about throwing Delph in at the deep end during the early stages of the new season, and needless to say the classy midfielder has held his own among England's elite.

Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

In much the same manner as Vermaelen's arrival at Arsenal raised a few eyebrows, Rafa Benitez's decision to shell out £18million on a right-back was greeted by puzzled looks on Merseyside. Johnson is an England international, who can boast West Ham, Chelsea and Portsmouth on an impressive CV, but there were suggestions that he offered little more than those already on Liverpool's books. Those critics have been silenced by an eye-catching opening to the 2009/10 campaign, with Johnson having already started to repay his sizeable transfer fee. A buccaneering full-back with an eye for goal, the 25-year-old has already found the target on two occasions - as many times as his predecessor Alvaro Arbeloa managed in two years at Anfield.

Stephen Hunt (Hull)

Following Reading's failure to clamber out of the Championship at the first time of asking last term, the Royals were always going to struggle to retain Hunt's services. The Republic of Ireland international was wasted at that level, having already displayed his undoubted quality in the top tier. His work-rate and ability at set-pieces make him a useful addition to any side and Hull City will be delighted to have welcomed him onto their books. A debut goal at Chelsea will have helped to endear him to the Tigers faithful, while the promise of much more to come suggests Hunt could become a firm fans' favourite at the KC Stadium in the future.

Andre Bikey (Burnley)

Following their promotion to the Premier League, Burnley were always going to be forced to wheel and deal their way through the transfer market. Without millions to spend, boss Owen Coyle was forced to scour the market for bargain buys that could help his side to hold their own on the top-flight stage. Bikey, who could boast Premier League experience from his time at Reading, was identified as an ideal candidate. The Cameroon international is a powerfully built, no-nonsense centre-half who will add much-needed steel to the Clarets' rearguard. He has already helped Burnley to memorable victories over Manchester United and Everton, keeping two clean sheets in the process, and appears to be a steal at just under £3million - considering Joleon Lescott is apparently worth £24million!

Tuncay Sanli (Stoke)

One man's misfortune is another man's gain, or so the old saying goes. That certainly applies to Stoke City, who have benefited considerably from the demise of Middlesbrough this summer. Boro's relegation out of the Premier League was expected to see them shorn of their top talent, and that has proven to be the case. The main beneficiaries of their plight have been Stoke, who completed a double raid on the Riverside Stadium last week. German defender Robert Huth will provide a commanding presence at the back for Tony Pulis' side, but it is the acquisition of talented playmaker Tuncay Sanli which will have Potters fans salivating. The Turkey international has Premier League pedigree, and represents great value at £5million. Capable of winning games single-handedly, he will add guile to Stoke's much-heralded graft.

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