Who has been the best signing of the season so far?

By Peter Smith

Monday 18 January 2016 14:22, UK

Petr Cech produced a stunning display at Stoke City to help Arsenal return to the top of the table on Sunday - but is the Gunners goalkeeper the best signing of the season?

Arsene Wenger snapped up the former Chelsea No 1 for £10m in the summer and the Czech Republic 'keeper has gone on to record 10 clean sheets - the highest number in the Premier League so far this term.

However, according to the Sky Sports Fantasy Football rankings, Cech is only the second-best signing in the Premier League this season.

Read on to see who has been the most effective buy in this campaign - and remember to follow our Transfer Centre live blog to keep up to date with all the January moves...

Best signings of the season, according to Sky Sports Fantasy Football rankings

T9 - Glen Johnson, Stoke City (79 points)

Johnson found opportunities limited at Liverpool last season and, last summer, switched to Stoke City on a free transfer. The move has paid off for the one-time England right-back - he's been a first-choice pick in Mark Hughes' defence and has helped Jack Butland keep nine clean sheets, the second-best total in the division. Johnson has also chipped in with three assists for the high-flying Potters.

T9 - Dimitri Payet, West Ham (79 points)

One of the standout stars of the season, Payet's ranking would be even higher had injury not forced him to miss several weeks of action. West Ham paid over £10m for the former Marseille man and the skilful midfielder - who has become a fan favourite at Upton Park - has returned six goals and four assists.

8 - Christian Benteke, Liverpool (80 points)

Liverpool splashed £32.5m on then Aston Villa striker Benteke last year. While the big Belgian has been in and out of Jurgen Klopp's starting XI, he has six goals, two assists and three man of the match awards from his Premier League games so far this season. However, given his large transfer fee, Benteke will be aiming to nail down a starting spot in the second half of the campaign.

7 - Anthony Martial, Manchester United (82 points)

The most expensive signing of the summer, Martial - bought from Monaco for a fee potentially rising to £57.6m - made an instant impact with a debut goal against Liverpool. The France youngster then backed that up with a double at Southampton. In total, he's made 16 starts, with five goals and three assists to his name in the Premier League.

6 - Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham (83 points)

Tottenham beat Southampton to the permanent signing of Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid - and have reaped the rewards ever since. The Belgian - who got his first taste of Premier League football on loan at St Mary's last season - has played a key role in Mauricio Pochettino's backline, helping Spurs record the best defensive record in the division, conceding just 18 goals in 22 games. Alderweireld has also scored two and set up three at the other end.

5- Raheem Sterling, Man City (86 points)

Sterling's move from Liverpool to Manchester City was a long-running saga, but since his summer switch, the England international has been a key figure in his new club's title challenge. Sterling bagged a hat-trick against Bournemouth and has five goals in total in the Premier League, as well as three assists. He also has three man of the match awards from his 18 starts.

4 - Kevin De Bruyne, Man City (94 points)

De Bruyne cost Man City a remarkable £54.5m, just 19 months after Chelsea sold him to Wolfsburg for £18m. However, the Belgium ace has shown his class this term, scoring five times and registering nine assists in the Premier League this season. De Bruyne has also picked up two man of the match awards from his 16 starts - and there seems plenty more to come from the 24-year-old.

3 - Andre Ayew, Swansea (98 points)

After scoring 10 goals last season for Marseille, few would have expected Ayew to be one of the stars of the season when Swansea signed him on a free transfer last summer. However, the Ghana international scored four times in first eight Premier League games, including key strikes against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. He has seven goals and three assists so far this term.

2 - Petr Cech, Arsenal (104 points)

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Cech has been a key addition to Arsene Wenger's title-chasing Arsenal side, keeping a league-high 10 clean sheets from his 22 starts so far this season. The Czech Republic shot-stopper has also picked up three man of the match prizes - the latest for his superb performance in Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Stoke.

1 - Georginio Wijnaldum, Newcastle (115 points)

Newcastle have endured a poor first half to the 2015/16 season, but the performances of Wijnaldum - signed from Eredivisie champions PSV - have been a rare highlight for the club's supporters. A stunning four-goal haul in a 6-2 win over Norwich has been the standout moment so far, but Wijnaldum has nine goals in total, as well as four assists for the struggling Magpies. Could the Dutchman be the difference for Steve McClaren's men and help them to safety in the second half of the season?