I decided on the best acquisitions, in order from 1 to 20, and i encourage you to let us know your thoughts.
We judge based on:
The player's overall ability (this being the most important factor)
How the player will fit into his new line-up
How the player will adapt to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
The transfer fee payable, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club are given as approximations and are marked in italics.)
For the reason that players arriving on permanent deals tend to be more adaptable and often more important, there is preference given to full transfers over loans. That is not to say that loans, co-ownerships etc. cannot be included, but players must be extra special to justify a space on such a move.
1
David VILLA
Barcelona - Valencia - €40m
The blockbuster deal of the summer so far. 'El Guaje' will add more firepower to an already explosive Barcelona attack. After his successful World Cup exploits with Spain, he should be the odds on favourite to win the Pichichi.
2
Marouane CHAMAKH
Arsenal - Bordeaux - Free
A classic Arsenal value buy that has the potential to be an extremely saavy signing. The ex-Bordeaux striker gives the Gunners a much needed aerial presence up front and could terrorise opposing backlines this season with Robin van Persie.
3
Yaya TOURE
Manchester City - Barcelona - €29m
City have flexed their financial muscle this summer and the Ivorian adds more steel to an already industrial strength midfield. Will team up with brother Kolo on the defensive side for the Citizens.
4
Simon KJAER
Wolfsburg - Palermo - €14m
Wolfsburg pulled one the coups of the summer by luring the defensive stalwart to the Bundesliga. The German outfit beat such heavyweights as Manchester United, Liverpool and AC Milan to the punch to land the highly-rated Danish defender.
5
ADRIANO Correia
Barcelona - Sevilla - €9.5+4m
Joins former Sevilla team-mate Dani Alves at Barcelona and the wing-back gives coach Pep Guardiola another weapon to unleash against his opponents across a variety of positions.
6
David SILVA
Manchester City - Valencia - €30.2m
The uber-talented winger takes his trickery to Manchester after seven years in Spain. Did not play a major role in la Furia Roja's triumph in South Africa but will hope to justify his lofty price-tag by helping City qualify for the Champions League.
7
Joe COLE
Liverpool - Chelsea - Free
The England winger will have something to prove after his substitute's role in South Africa and his unceremonious departure from Stamford Bridge, where he was deemed surplus to requirements. Chelsea's discarded trash could prove to be Liverpool's treasure.
8
Pedro LEON
Real Madrid - Getafe - €10m
Makes the intra-city switch to the Merengues after helping Getafe qualify for the Europa League with a sixth-place finish. Comfortable with the ball at his feet the versatile winger could surprise many who have yet to see him play.
9
Aleksandr KOLAROV
Manchester City - Lazio - €19.3m
The Serb will be keen to show off his rocket of a left foot for the Citizens. His marauding runs into opposition territory will sorely be missed by Lazio fans but will be a thing to behold for the City faithful at Eastlands.
10
Javier HERNANDEZ
Manchester United - Chivas Guadalajara - €9.7m
'Chicharito' makes the jump from Mexico to England with the Red Devils. He did his reputation no harm at the World Cup with Mexico and has already been hailed as 'first class' by new manager Alex Ferguson. Hernandez is definitely one for the future.
11
FILIPE Luis
Atletico Madrid - Deportivo La Coruna - €12m
The dynamic Brazilian left-back will hope to put the horrific injury he suffered last season behind him and force his way into Mano Menezes' new look Selecao squad with an impressive campaign for Atletico. Gives los Colchoneros an attacking threat from the back as they look to improve on their disappointing ninth-place finish last term.
12
Mehmet TOPAL
Valencia - Galatasaray - €4m
The 24-year-old leaves his homeland for a Spanish adventure and will be entrusted with the task of protecting his new side's back four. The Euro 2008 participant could end up being an inspired purchase at a bargain-basement price.
13
ADRIANO Ribeiro
AS Roma - Flamengo - Free
'The Emperor' will win over the hearts and minds of the Roman people if he can lead the Giallorossi to their first Serie A title since the 2000-01 campaign. He needs to exorcise the demons that haunted him at Inter to break his old club's stranglehold on the Scudetto.
14
Roberto SOLDADO
Valencia - Getafe - €8m
Los Che are relying on Soldado to fill the shoes of the departed David Villa. The former Real Madrid man could be the striker to fire in enough goals to eradicate the duopoly at the top of the Liga table.
15
Milan JOVANOVIC
Liverpool - Standard Liege - Free
The price was certainly right for the cash strapped Reds to snap up the Serbian attacker from Standard Liege. Jovanovic can win over the Anfield faithful with the type of performances that saw him win the Jupiler League's Player of the Year in 2009.
16
Leonardo BONUCCI
Juventus - Bari - €15.5m
Succumbed to the Old Lady's advances and has the potential to be Italy's next great centre-back. He should slot in nicely beside Giorgio Chiellini to minimise the defensive mishaps that plagued the Bianconeri last season.
17
Sami KHEDIRA
Real Madrid - Stuttgart - €13.6m
He was one of the first names on Germany coach Joachim Loew's team sheet in the World Cup. He used the South African jamboree as his coming out party and his solid showings convinced Real Madrid to come calling for his services.
18
Yossi BENAYOUN
Chelsea - Liverpool - €6.6m
Parlayed his successful 2009-10 campaign with Liverpool into a move to Stamford Bridge. With Joe Cole and Michael Ballack no longer at the club the Israeli playmaker might be able to find room to strut his stuff in the midfield.
19
Thierry HENRY
RB New York - Barcelona - Free
Traded the hot summer nights in Barcelona for the bright lights of the Big Apple. The ex-Gunner already came back to haunt old north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly with New York Red Bulls and has shown early signs of creating a formidable partnership with former Premier League striker Juan Pablo Angel.
20
RAUL Schalke - Real Madrid - Free
With playing time set to be limited under new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, Raul opted to leave the Blancos for Bundesliga outfit Schalke. He has impressed in the pre-season so far and should be a legitimate goalscoring threat for Felix Magath's side.
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