INCREASINGLY in recent years, the summer transfer window has become an event as hotly anticipated and scrutinised as the coming season itself.

And this summer has been no exception, with several blockbuster deals completed. There have already been three £50m-plus transfers made by Premier League clubs – Manchester City’s capture of Erling Haaland, Liverpool’s acquisition of Darwin Nunez and Richarlison’s move from Everton to Tottenham – while deals involving Raheem Sterling, Lisandro Martinez and Gabriel Jesus have been almost as pricey and equally headline-grabbing.

But away from the transfers that have seen eye-watering sums of money exchanged, dominated column inches in the press and elicited frenzied excitement among fans on social media, there have been several sound pieces of business done by Premier League clubs that have slipped under the radar. Here are five of the best.

Boubacar Kamara – Aston Villa (Marseille, free)

Still just 22 years old, Boubacar Kamara has long been considered one of the hottest properties in French football.

A regular under-21 international for France, Kamara was fixture of the Stade Velodrome midfield for four seasons after graduating from Marseille’s academy, impressing with his tenacity in recovering the ball and ability to play through pressure in the middle third of the pitch.

Out of contract at the end of last season, a host of clubs from around the Continent were linked with a move for Kamara, and it was something of a surprise when Aston Villa announced his signature back in May. The Villains moved quickly to lock down a deal for the Frenchman, who made his senior international debut last month, in what could prove to be one of the shrewdest Premier League signings of the season.

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Luis Sinisterra – Leeds (Feyenoord, £24.5m)

The sale of Raphinha to Barcelona leaves a hole of creativity and flair within Leeds United’s attack, but they have moved to plug the void with a player whose performances in Holland suggest he has every attribute to ensure the Barca-bound Brazilian is not missed.

And he arrived for less than half of the £50m Leeds received from the broke-yet-somehow-big-spending Catalans.

Luis Sinisterra, signed from Feyenoord for £24.5m, scored 23 goals across all competitions last season, while also providing 12 assists. The right-footed winger can play on either flank and, like the man he has been brought in to replace at Elland Road, he has quick, tricky feet, the ability to weave past defenders and a powerful shot from range.

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Nick Pope – Newcastle (Burnley, £10m)

As soon as Burnley’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed last season, it was inevitable that the top flight’s remaining teams would swoop like vultures for the best remaining talent in the Clarets’ squad.

James Tarkowski singed for Everton on a free after his Turf Moor contract expired, fellow centre-back Nathan Collins has joined Wolves for a fee in excess of £20m, and forward Maxwell Cornet is expected to seal a Premier League return imminently.

Of all the clubs picking at the bones of Burnley’s relegation campaign, though, Newcastle United have the greatest bargain. The Magpies forked out just £10m for goalkeeper Nick Pope, a full England international who, aged 30, is in his peak years. Pope represents an immediate upgrade between the sticks for Eddie Howe’s side and will aid Newcastle in their ambitious push for European qualification next season.

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Taiwo Awoniyi – Nottingham Forest (Union Berlin, £17.5m)

Premier League viewers can be forgiven for not recognising the name, but Nottingham Forest’s new striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, previously spent five years as a Liverpool player.

In his half decade at Anfield, however, the Nigeria international made not a single first-team appearance, and instead was sent on a succession of loans – to Holland, Belgium and Germany – before he was sold to Union Berlin last year after impressing on loan there.

Last season, finally able to put down roots after a permanent move away from Liverpool and this an end to his constant cycle of loans, Awoniyi excelled, scoring 20 goals in all competitions for Union.

That was enough to convince Forest part with £17.5m for his signature, and fans inside the City Ground next season can look forward to watching the dynamic and skillful striker lead the line and, hopefully, show Liverpool the errors of their ways.

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Ivan Perisic – Tottenham (Inter, free)

It feels as though Ivan Perisic has been linked with a Premier League move for most of his career. Finally, at age 33, the experienced and versatile Croatian winger has arrived in England’s top flight and it’s hard to think of a more fitting landing spot for him.

Signing for Tottenham in May after his contract with Inter Milan expired, Perisic has reunited with Antonio Conte, under whom he worked at the San Siro between 2019 and 2021.

And the former World Cup finalist’s trademark work ethic, reliable quality and invaluable versatility – able to play on either flank or as a wing-back – means he is perfectly suited to another successful spell under Tottenham’s Italian tactician.

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