Premier League Transfer News brings you the updated list of all the biggest names to move to bigger clubs. With the summer transfer window coming to a close in a few short weeks; clubs are in a mad dash to sign big name players. They look to ensure safety, financial security, or help them challenge for European qualification.
Premier League Transfer News: Ayew, Stones, Williams, Mahrez
Andre Ayew to West Ham United
Andre Ayew has secured a move to West Ham United, a club on the fringes of Champions League qualification. Ayew spent only a single season with Swansea City. They signed him on a free transfer last summer, but it was enough to attract the bigger clubs in England. He was a bright note last season for the Swans. Ayew helped them secure Premier League safety with his 12 goals.
Ayew had this to say about the move to West Ham via the club’s official website, “I am very proud and happy to be at this magnificent club. I am happy to be playing for these fans and I hope to make the people very happy here”. The feeling is surely mutual from the Hammers, as they splashed out £20.5 million on the Ghana international.
This move will have much less positive implications on his former club. Swansea are looking less likely by the day to stay up this season. Along with losing Ayew, they have recently completed the sale of club captain Ashley Williams to Everton.
John Stones to Manchester City
John Stones has finally been able to secure his move away from Everton. It is likely that moving to a title contender is what he was looking for. Big spenders Manchester City have paid a whopping £47.5 million; but could rise up to above £50 million with the add-ons. They’ll likely be looking to add him to a depth chart of central backs who have either been in poor form or are injury prone to shore up their squad.
Despite the departure of Stones from Everton coming as a surprise to no one; any sense of surprise was ruined by Manchester City before the move was confirmed. Before the official announcement was made, Manchester City accidentally leaked their Champions League roster with Stones name on the squad list.
Ashley Williams to Everton
Everton didn’t take very long to line up a replacement for the 22-year old John Stones. They’ve brought in Ashley William from Swansea City. The transfer fee has been reported as £12 million. Everton have made a net profit of roughly £35.5 million in the Stones and Williams deals.
The 31-year old central back brings a solid resume, and a good deal of leadership experience to the Toffees, both something lacking in the last few seasons. It’s hard to see a negative aspect of this deal for Everton and if Williams performs like he has at Swansea it will be seen as a very smart piece of business. the only real loser in this transfer is Swansea, who have recently lost both their best defensive player and their best attacking player as well.
Riyad Mahrez Looking to Stay at Leicester City
Riyad Mahrez and Leicester City have reportedly come to an agreement that they will not part ways in the summer transfer window. With Mahrez denying a new contract that would have seen him making £80,000 a week from the defending champions, it seemed likely that he would be dealt this summer. But with Leicester denying a transfer from Arsenal rumored to be somewhere in the region of £30.5 million, it didn’t look likely that either side would budge.
Mahrez, last years PFA Player of the Year, was a pivotal piece to the historic season the Foxes put together under Claudio Ranieri last year. They will be expecting a massive fee in return for his services. And with Mahrez looking unlikely to put pen to paper, it seems as though he may be departing in January for greener pastures.
Main Photo:
Leicester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his third goal during the English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Leicester City at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, south Wales on December 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GEOFF CADDICK
