Premier League transfer news: SunSport have their say on who was the best signing of this summer’s money-laden window
Our crack team of writers have their say on who was the most impressive purchase of the summer, with surprising results
WE'RE now seven games into the Premier League season and things are starting to fall into place.
Manchester City no longer boast a 100 per cent record, Liverpool are storming up the table, Tottenham are looking dominant and the wheels look to be coming off Manchester United's title hopes.
Swansea have sacked boss Francesco Guidolin - on his birthday - and replaced him with Bob Bradley, while Chelsea are languishing in seventh after a positive start under Antonio Conte.
But with the teams settling into their style for the 2016-17 season, SunSport have decided to run down the best signings of the summer based on how well they have integrated into their new side.
Here, six Sun writers pick their top summer mover, with some surprising results...
LEROY FER, writes Dave Fraser
IT'S fair to say that Swansea pulled off one of the transfers of the summer in bringing experienced Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer to the club.
The former Norwich and QPR man, 26, is one of the most underrated box-to-box midfielders in the league, contributing for the Swans at both ends.
But it's Fer's attacking prowess that sees him get my vote as one of the summer's best signings as he has scored two-thirds of all Swansea's Premier League goals this season.
Of the six netted by the south Wales side this term, four of them have been off the boot of Fer - and without those strikes, the Swans wouldn't just be perilously poised above the relegation zone... They'd be dead last.
All that for just £4.75million? You can keep your £89million mega-buys and sign me up for some bargains like Leroy, thank you very much.
ISLAM SLIMANI, writes Claire Bloomfield
SLIMANI signed for Claudio Ranieri's side in a staggering £30m summer move from Sporting Lisbon.
Tipped as the 'African Vardy', the Algerian already has three goals in his Leicester City account - including two against Burnley on his home debut at the King Power Stadium.
The 28-year-old club-record signing has been hailed a 'defender's nightmare' by captain Wes Morgan and has earned the nickname 'Dragon Slayer' after scoring seven goals in seven games against Porto.
As a man bang in form Slimani has added a new attacking dimension to Ranieri's side including his deadly heading prowess and big game temperament.
His insatiable work-rate and running the channels tirelessly has also contributed to him winning over the Foxes' faithful.
Last month the player's agent Stefano Salvini revealed how five Serie A teams turned down the chance to sign him for a mere £350,000 back in January 2013.
They're sure to be kicking themselves now.
JOHN STONES, writes Richard Forrester
A HEFTY price-tag of £50m but that didn’t deter Pep Guardiola doing everything in his power to land the central defender – and his decision has already been justified.
The 22-year-old may have had his fair share of critics at Everton but Stones’ level of maturity under Guardiola has grown remarkably and one could be mistaken for believing that the defender has spent his whole career with the Premier League leaders despite only joining this summer.
In Stones, City have a central defender that is captain material for both club and country.
Like what Wayne Rooney achieved at Manchester United, Stones has the potential to win the lot under the Spaniard and become a firm fixture in the side for at least the next decade.
If he does, then the £50m price-tag that could have weighed so heavily on the youngster’s shoulders will seem like a mere drop in the ocean.
Although just seven games into the new season, Stones averages more blocks than any other City player and is only behind Nicolas Otamendi for the most interceptions per game.
Stones’ meteoric improvement will only benefit the Three Lions and England could finally have that commanding defender they have been lacking for so long.
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ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC, writes Lee Astley
IBRAHIMOVIC has hit the ground running since joining United.
The Swedish star joined on a free and has immediately cemented his place as Jose Mourinho's main striker.
United may have made a ropey start to the season but you can't argue with six goals in 11 appearances.
And his presence has been felt around the squad who have all come out and praised the former Barcelona star for his positive impact.
He is helping young players around him develop like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
The fact Ibrahimovic is also in the same team as Paul Pogba shows he has been the greatest signing of the season so far.
Pogba cost £89m and has failed to impress at Old Trafford but Ibrahimovic joined for nothing and has been their stand-out player so far.
United have been crying out for a striker who can get them 20 goals-a-season – and Ibrahimovic looks like he is well on his way to achieving that.
IDRISSA GUEYE, writes Beya Kabelu
EVERTON'S Gueye, dubbed ‘the new Kante’ may be a contender for Premier League’s best signing after some spectacular displays for Everton.
The Senegalese international, who arrived on Merseyside for a nominal £7m fee - £82m less than what United paid for Paul Pogba - has come to embody the Toffees' success this campaign.
After over-performing for relegated Aston Villa last year, Gueye was handpicked by Steve Walsh - Everton’s new director of football - who is credited with discovering Kante and convincing Leicester to bring him to the Premier League.
Last season, the 27-year-old was only second to Kante in tackles and interceptions, though this year Gueye leads the league for tackles with 36 under his name, 15 more than the Frenchman.
The stats make the £7m Everton paid for the former Lille man look like an absolute steal, considering Chelsea had to fork out £30m for Kante.
The pair have drawn comparisons for their dogged work-rate, ability to read the game and break it down when necessary, but the Toffees enforcer’s work further up the field often goes unrecognised; creating eight chances and one assist this term.
With Gueye at their helm maybe, Everton can guide his side to an unexpected top four finish.
SADIO MANE, writes Sam Street
QUESTIONS were asked when Liverpool decided to splash out £30m on Southampton's Sadio Mane.
However in two seasons at Southampton he scored more than David Silva, Christian Eriksen, Eden Hazard, Wayne Rooney and Riyad Mahrez.
And the Senegal international has shown Liverpool fans there was never any need to worry, becoming a key man for Jurgen Klopp's joint Premier League top scorers.
Perched in fourth place with an excellent record against the big boys, Mane's influence is laying the foundation for a surprise title challenge.
His solo goal at Arsenal on the opening day set the tone for an outstanding first seven games and is an early contender for goal of the season.
Belgian striker Divock Origi was expected to be Liverpool's go-to man for goals after a strong end to last season.
But, along with Daniel Sturridge, he has struggled to make his way in as Mane has formed an outstanding front three with Brazilian duo Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.
And his fittingly fast-paced start to the season was rewarded with the club's Standard Chartered Player of the Month award for August.
Mane said he didn't feel any additional pressure with the price tag and that has certainly shown in his performances.