#360transfers: Six new Premier League imports to watch

Sport360 staff 12:55 06/08/2015
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  • (L-R): Depay, Okazaki, Payet, Mitrovic, Clasie and Ayew.

    With the new Premier League season just days away, Sport360 looks at six new additions to the league that should shine in their first campaign.

    Use #360transfers to share your thoughts on these players as well as any others you feel deserve a mention.

    Memphis Depay – Manchester United

    From: PSV Eindhoven
    Fee: £25m (Dh143m)
    Depay’s explosive talents saw him flourish at last year’s World Cup in Brazil under Louis van Gaal, and United fans will hope this once again proves a successful relationship. The Red Devils have done well with Dutch players in the past and if the 21-year-old can replicate the success of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edwin van der Saar, Jaap Stam or even Robin van Persie then he will prove a big hit. Quick, strong, direct and fearless, Depay has all the tools to make him a perfect fit for the Premier League. 

    Shinji Okazaki – Leicester City
    From: Mainz
    Fee: £8m (Dh46m)
    The Japanese striker has generally scored goals wherever he has been, albeit in Germany it was his move to Mainz that saw him truly establish himself in the Bundesliga. The 29-year-old netted 14 times in 35 games last term and 15 in 35 the season before. A similar return for Leicester this campaign would go a long way to securing another season of top flight football for the Foxes and easing the pressure on Claudio Ranieri, the surprise choice to replace Nigel Pearson as manager. 

    Dimitri Payet – West Ham United
    From: Marseille
    Fee: £10.7m (Dh61.4m)
    There’s a lot of excitement at West Ham after the arrival of France international Payet. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder joins the East London club after a superb individual season at Marseille where he provided 17 assists, a total which was five more than any other player managed. He has already looked bright in the early rounds of the Europa League and the club’s pre-season games. Certainly a high calibre of player than Hammers’ fans have been used to in recent seasons. 

    Aleksandar Mitrovic – Newcastle United
    From: Anderlecht
    Fee: £13m (Dh74.5m)
    Boss Steve McClaren has tipped the Serbian to be a huge crowd favourite at St James’ Park this season, describing the imposing 20-year-old as: “One of them old type of centre forwards.” The 6ft 3in Mitrovic scored plenty of goals at Anderlecht, and all types of them, too. The Premier League is a big jump in quality and with him just 20, the Magpies must be patient. Given the fee and shortage of rivals, he’ll be straight in the team and hoping to show his undoubted potential. 

    Jordy Clasie – Southampton
    From: Feyernoord
    Fee: £8m (Dh46m)
    Southampton have lost a mainstay of their midfield with Morgan Schneiderlin’s move to Manchester United, so boss Ronald Koeman went straight out and snapped up his countryman Clasie, once dubbed ‘The Dutch Xavi’. His consistency had seen him barely miss a game in recent seasons and also earned him a regular place in the Netherlands squad. His smooth distribution should help Saints continue a style of play, which has been very easy on the eye under Koeman. 

    Andre Ayew – Swansea City
    From: Marseille
    Fee: Free
    Swansea’s ability to land Ayew on a free transfer is a major coup for the Welsh club – even if they did reportedly pay a rather massive signing on fee to convince the son of the great Abedi Pele to head to the Liberty Stadium. The versatile forward said the Swans’ increasing stature in English football was a big factor for him and he will have a big role to play if that trend is to continue. Ayew has starred in Ligue 1 for Marseille and with the Ghana national team – his proven quality should mean an instant impact this term. 

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