Seven Best Premier League Summer Signings So Far

The transfer window is in full swing and deals are being confirmed every day now... Some clubs, however, have already made great strides to become stronger for the upcoming season and a number of big moves have been made. Taking each club's transfer budget, league ambitions and stature into consideration, here are the seven best summer signings so far.

The transfer window is in full swing and deals are being confirmed every day now. Social media sites are rife with speculation and you can't turn Sky Sports News on without seeing a reporter outside a training ground with some sort of new information.

Some clubs, however, have already made great strides to become stronger for the upcoming season and a number of big moves have been made.

Taking each club's transfer budget, league ambitions and stature into consideration, here are the seven best summer signings so far.

7. Dušan Tadić

If you consider Southampton's business this summer from a financial standpoint, they have done exceptionally well. They have made a huge amount of money from players who, although it sounds harsh, simply aren't worth it. Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana are both good players, but the fact that they sold for over £50million combined is quite crazy.

The Saints have begun to dip their toes into the sea of stars for sale, however and snapped up Serbian midfielder Dušan Tadić for a reported £10.9million from FC Twente. Known for his flamboyant style and unpredictable dribbling, he will add some excitement to the Saints midfield, along with goals - he netted 16 times in each of his two seasons at Twente. At 25 years of age, Tadić will be approaching the best years of his career and although we can expect a number of other signings at St Mary's this summer, he will no doubt be one of their strongest.

6. Enner Valencia

West Ham United have splashed the cash for the past two seasons, bringing in Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll for around £11million and £15million respectively. This year is no different as the Hammers have once again got their cheque books out for a big money move. We can only hope that this time he is more effective than Jarvis and Carroll. Enner Valencia signed from Mexican side Pachuca, where he bagged 18 goals in 23 appearances last season. He represented Ecuador at the World Cup this summer and scored all three of his nation's goals.

The reported £12million transfer fee is likely to be dependent on whether or not he scores goals, along with a number of other 'ifs', but even so, it is not a bad price for a player who is only 24. Considering West Ham's inability to score goals last season, any striker would be welcome at Upton Park, but Enner Valencia is not any striker. He has earned the nickname 'Superman' and unless it is sarcastic (which we hope it isn't), the East London side may have signed a real star in the Ecuadorian forward.

5. Steven Caulker

Steven Caulker has been regarded as one of England's best young centre backs for a number of years now. He was present for every one of Cardiff's Premier League minutes last season, but was not able to prevent them from dropping down to the Championship. He joined Queens Park Rangers this summer for an undisclosed fee and will add some youth to an ageing side.

With Rio Ferdinand as his defensive partner, Caulker is expected to flourish in the Rangers side this season and provided they avoid relegation, he has the perfect stage to force his way into the England set-up in time for Euro 2016.

4. Ander Herrera

All of the attention at Manchester United this summer has been on the arrival of Louis van Gaal. However, one man who is likely to make just as big a difference this season is Ander Herrera. Herrera signed for United for a reported £32million from Athletic Bilbao and may be the creative, attacking midfielder the Red Devils were missing last season.

He had a part to play in five of his side's seven goals in their pre-season tie against LA Galaxy, already showing what he is capable of. United are linked with a different player every day, but most fail to materialise. However, they need not worry too much, as Herrera fills the gap they have been trying to fill for ages and with him feeding Rooney and van Persie, there will be no 7th place finish for van Gaal's side next season.

3. Diego Costa

Diego Costa had a dreadful World Cup, we all know that. But so did the whole Spain side and that doesn't mean Iniesta is a bad player. He is expected by many to crash and burn at Chelsea, but going on what we know about him, that probably will not be the case.

He scored 64 goals over two seasons at Atletico Madrid, is only 25 years old and will lead the line for Jose Mourinho's side this season. He scored on his debut for the Blues and nabbed two assists in their 3-1 win over Vitesse Arhem.

Considering the rate of inflation in football today, a £32million price tag for a man like Costa is phenomenal, and he now has Didier Drogba to learn from. Diego Costa could well be the league's star striker this season.

2. Romelu Lukaku

Jose Mourinho is generally seen as a genius in modern football. Love him or hate him, he tends to know what he is doing. However, Romelu Lukaku may be the exception to that rule. He has joined Everton, the side he spent last season on loan at, for £28million - an absolute bargain for a 21-year-old already holding his own in the Premier League.

He has now played for West Brom and Everton, scoring around a goal every other game for both sides and is one of the most feared strikers in the league. At 6ft 3in tall, Lukaku is incredibly strong and powerful, but has the ability to control the ball and fool opponents with his skill, not just strength.

When he returned to Chelsea at the end of last season, he became the most in demand 21-year old in English football, but Everton were lucky enough to secure his services. Romelu Lukaku may be young, but he has the potential to be one of the world's greatest strikers in time.

1. Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal surprised everyone last season when Arsene Wenger blew the cobwebs off his wallet and signed Mezut Ozil for over £40million. He seems reluctant to close it now and has brought in what looks to be the best signing of the summer so far, in Alexis Sanchez, for around £32million.

Sanchez is fast, skilful and has a real eye for goal, things that Arsenal could do with, considering Olivier Giroud was their main outlet for goals last season. He scored 47 goals in 141 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona - a fantastic record for a player who predominantly plays as a right winger in a team with Lionel Messi.

People thought the Gunners would mount a serious title challenge last season and they did, for a bit. But with Sanchez they have a whole new way of scoring goals and the pressure is eased somewhat off of Giroud's lifeless shoulders. Alexis Sanchez is, without a doubt, the best Premier League summer signing so far. The question is, with under a month to go will that be the case when the transfer window closes?

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