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By Nyle Farooqui
Nayef Aguerd to West Ham:
On June 20th, West Ham announced that they signed 26 year old Morrocan centerback Nayef Aguerd from Rennes for €31M but it could rise to €35M. He is on a 5 year contract. According to The Athletic, Aguerd is known for being a defender that can score goals as he scored 4 goals for Rennes last season. This is a good signing from David Moyes’ side as they will need to improve their defense as they conceded 51 goals last season. According to Breaking the Lines, Aguerd is a ball playing defender as he is known to be great in possession along with being a great reader of the game. Breaking the Lines also indicates that he would fit West Ham’s pressing style of play. Aguerd could partner Kurt Zouma in place of 32 year old Craig Dawson.
Fábio Vieira to Arsenal:
On June 21st, Arsenal announced that they signed 22 year old Portuguese midfielder Fábio Vieria from FC Porto. Multiple reports suggest that he is on a 5 year contract. According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is for €35M plus €5M add-ons. Vieria had a good season at Porto with 6 goals and 14 assists in 27 matches. He is a very versatile player. According to James Olley of ESPN, Vieira has played as a No.10, No.8, and second striker while at Porto. According to Aaron Lerner of the Short Fuse, Vieria is a left foot dominant but also two-footed player. Lerner goes on to state that he also has great vision with the ball and has the ability to occasionally score. A good signing for Arsenal that adds depth to their midfield. It will be interesting to see how much of an adaptation period Vieria will need with coming from the Primera Liga to the Premier League. Mikel Arteta will have to decide where Vieria is best suited to play for his side.
Armel Bella-Kotchap to Southampton:
On June 21st, Southampton announced that they signed 20 year old German defender Armel Bella-Kotchap from VfL Bochum. According to David Ornsrtein, Southampton signed the young talent for €10M. Ornstein also states that Kotchap is on a 4 year contract with the option of a fifth year. The defender is a giant as he is 6’2. According to scoutedfootball, Kotchap is an athletic centerback that does well defending on the front foot. Scoutedfootball also states that his mix of athleticism and anticipation to impact the ball on the ground and in the air overwhelms attackers. Kotchap is still young so there is plenty of room for him to grow. A good signing for Southampton that provides a much needed bolster to their defense as they conceded 67 goals this season in the Premier League.
Ryan Fredericks to Bournemouth:
On June 22nd, Bournemouth announced that they signed 29 year old English fullback Ryan Fredericks from West Ham on a free transfer. He is on a 2 year contract. This is Bournemouth’s first signing during the transfer window. A good signing as Fredericks is a player that has Premier League experience which is crucial for a side that is returning to the Premier League as they will want to try to avoid relegation. Fredericks was a part of West Ham’s impressive season as they finished 7th in the Premier League.
Nick Pope to Newcastle United:
On June 23rd, Newcastle United announced that they signed 30 year old English goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burnley to a 4 year deal with an option for an additional year. Reports suggest that it is a £10m fee. Pope had 9 clean sheets in 36 appearances for Burnley this season. He is a great shot stopper. Pope is comfortable with the ball at his feet when making saves and distributing. Burnley were relegated but only conceded 53 goals this season. Pope’s contributions are a part of why this was the case. This is a good signing for Newcastle. You are getting a goalkeeper of a good quality for a low price. This likely casts doubt for Newcastle goalkeepers like Martin Dubravka as Pope will probably be the starting goalkeeper for Newcastle next season. This is Newcastle’s second signing of the transfer window, they signed 26 year old English leftback Matt Targett permanently after spending time on loan with the Magpies this season. It will be interesting to see what Newcastle will continue to do in this transfer window.
Simon Adingra to Brighton:
On June 24th, Brighton announced that they signed 20 year old Ivorian forward Simon Adingra from FC Nordsjaelland to an €8m fee on a four year contract. He had 9 goals and 3 assists in 31 matches with the Dutch club. According to Brighton technical director David Weir, Adingra is a “creative offensive player that can play on both sides and is good in one-on-one situations”. Adingra seems like a player for the future. It seems like Adingra could be a player like Moises Caicedo who joins the team but is sent out on loan in order to help with his development, being able to contribute to the Brighton first team in the future.
Taiwo Awoniyi to Nottingham Forest:
On June 25th, Nottingham Forest announced that they signed 24 year old Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi from Bundesliga side Union Berlin for a club record fee of £17.2. Awoniyi scored 20 goals in 40 games for Union Berlin this season. Awoniyi is 6 feet tall. According to Breaking the Lines, he uses his height to his advantage as he wears out defenders and can play with his back to goal. Breaking the Lines also states that Awoniyi is a pacey player as well, he can drift wide and cause trouble for fullbacks. Awoniyi tends to be near the shoulder of the last defender and likes to get into offside positions to give defenders a false sense of security, according to Breaking the Lines. This is a move that shows a lot of ambition for a newly promoted Nottingham Forest side that will look to avoid relegation and stay in the Premier League.
Joe Rothwell to AFC Bournemouth:
On June 25th, Bournemouth announced that they signed 27 year old English midfielder Joe Rothwell on a free transfer. He will be on a 4 year deal. Rothwell most recently played for Championship side Blackburn Rovers. He scored 3 goals in 41 matches for them. According to Ahmed Shooble of The Athletic, Rothwell is a tactically flexible player. He fits the way that Bournemouth manager Scott Parker wants to play. Rothwell’s strength is being able to carry the ball from midfield, this is something that is a plus for Bournemouth as they have lacked that ability (Ahmed Shooble of The Athletic). A good signing for Scott Parker’s side as Rothwell could help Bournemouth when they are trying to carry the ball forward.
Malcolm Ebiowei to Crystal Palace:
On June 26th, Crystal Palace announced that they signed 18 year old English forward Malcolm Ebiowei as a free agent from Derby County to a 5 year deal. He will join the team when his contract expires with Derby on July 1st. Ebiowei was a highly sought after young prospect. According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United was keeping tabs on him along with AS Monaco and Vitesse. Ebiowei is a pacey forward that can ease through defenders, causing the opposition many problems. He has great vision for his age and is an explosive player. Ebiowei plays like he is older than 18. Crystal Palace have got themselves a good talent on their hands. The 18 year old looks promising and has a bright future. A good signing for Crystal Palace as Ebiowei could have a long-term impact on the club.
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