MANCHESTER: Premier League clubs have splashed out over £1 billion (US$1.3 billion) on fresh faces ahead of the start of the new season on Friday.
Arsenal have led the way by spending more than £200 million on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber as they aim to topple defending champions Manchester City.
Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been busy with competition fierce just for a top-four finish.
But treble winners City remain the side to beat as they eye a historic fourth consecutive English top-flight title.
AFP Sport looks at five of the biggest transfers of the window so far:
DECLAN RICE (ARSENAL)
Arsenal were City’s surprise challengers for the title last season as the Gunners topped the table for most of the campaign before stumbling down the final straight.
Rice’s determination to join Mikel Arteta’s men despite reported interest from City was another indication that Arsenal are a team on the up.
Arsenal had to smash their transfer record with a bid that could rise to £105 million to prise the England international away from West Ham.
With that fee comes great expectations for Rice to prove the difference maker in ending a 20-year wait to bring the Premier League title back to north London.
The 24-year-old will be tasked with running the midfield at the Emirates and providing the platform for a talented array of young attackers to fire at the top end of the pitch.
#Premier #League #signings #watch
