5 of the Most Intriguing PL Transfers This Summer

At just 18 years old, Aaron Hickey made the bold choice by leaving his boyhood club Hearts to join Italian side Bologna and after just two years, his gamble paid off as he joined Brentford for a deal worth around €15 million.

Hickey really held his own in Italy as a teenager, making 47 appearances for Bologna in two seasons and really grew last season, scoring five goals from left-wing back, which could transition him perfectly into Thomas Frank’s setup as he loves to utilise his wing-backs in attacking positions.

Although Hickey played predominantly on the left for Bologna, he is great with both feet and can be deployed on the right-hand side as well which adds to the potential that Brentford have invested in Hickey.

After spending his first four seasons in Europe playing for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, Luis Sinisterra has made the €25 million switch to Elland Road, replacing a fellow dynamic forward in Raphinha.

Sinisterra really put it all together for Feyenoord last season, both in the Eredivisie and the Europa Conference League, scoring 18 goals and grabbing 11 assists in 42 appearances across both competitions, helping Feyenoord to a third-place finish and a trip to the Conference League final, with his performances finding him in the Team of the Tournament.

Sinisterra will bring great technical skill to Leeds United along with great physical attributes which could help with the transition into the Premier League which many players have found very difficult.

Cheick Doucouré was reportedly linked to many top European clubs this summer and decided to join Crystal Palace for guaranteed first-team football after putting on some impressive displays in Ligue 1.

Doucouré only spent two years in Ligue 1 for RC Lens after getting promoted, but made an impression right away, showcasing his all-round midfield game and played a major role in Lens’ unexpected success in the top division, finishing seventh twice.

Last season Doucoure had a very impressive season, contributing all over the park with 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game whilst creating 1.2 chances per game, leading to four assists and a €21 million move to Crystal Palace.

After being linked with many top clubs including Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, Boubacar Kamara decided to join Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa for first-team football and hopes of future European football.

Kamara has been playing first-team football for Marseille since he was 17 years old and came through as a promising ball-playing centre-back but in recent years has transitioned into a defensive midfielder, where he has excelled and got attention from top European clubs.

Kamara joined Aston Villa on a free transfer after allowing his contract with his boyhood club to run out, which if he reaches his full potential could make Aston Villa a lot of money in the future.

Nottingham Forest have not been shy in the transfer market since securing promotion to the Premier League, signing 11 players so far this window, with Taiwo Awoniyi the one with the most intriguing potential.

Awoniyi is a very physical striker and uses his great physical attributes to impose himself on his defender, which he found great success with at Union Berlin last season as he tripled his goal output from the season before as he scored 15 goals, helping his side to a very impressive fifth-place finish.

Forest struggled for a consistent goal-scoring striker last season after Lewis Grabban went out injured and they hope that Awoniyi fills that need and he could perfectly suit Forest’s counter-attacking style as they could utilise his physical abilities on the counter.