The 2016 summer transfer window has now slammed shut and it has certainly been the most interesting one in recent memory, if for nothing else, the unprecedented sums of money spent.
This was in large part due to the inflation of transfer prices and wages caused by the Premier League’s new TV deal, which resulted in it’s club’s combined spending exceeding £1 billion.
Eleven clubs smashing their previous records for transfer fees, but teams also failed to land key players.
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We take a look at five that will come to be regretted.
#5 Adrien Silva to Leicester City
The Premier League champions appeared to be in a key position to swoop for the Sporting Lisbon captain as well as his teammate Islam Slimani.
While Leicester did manage to wrap up the signing of Slimani, the Portuguese club who had initially agreed to sell their captain for a fee of £25 million, changed their stance and asked Leicester to pay his full buyout of £38.5 million instead, thus killing the deal to sign Silva.
This is unfortunate for the Foxes, as the Portuguese International would have been an excellent signing for them. Silva is adept at controlling the tempo of the game from midfield and he would’ve provided Leicester with both depth and tactical flexibility.
Now the Foxes embark on a title defence and Champions League campaign, and Silva’s experience of European football could have helped the Foxes.
#4 Stefan De Vrij to Chelsea
Having failed to sign Kalidou Koulibaly to revitalize their ageing backline, one of the alternatives Chelsea turned to was Lazio’s Stefan De Vrij. There were multiple reports in Italy stating that Chelsea had even agreed personal terms with the Dutch International.
However, Lazio refused to sell their Dutch international due to a lack of time to find a suitable replacement. Chelsea would eventually settle for David Luiz, bringing the Brazilian back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell.
It would’ve been a far wiser move for the Blues to pursue De Vrij earlier in the transfer window than attempting to persuade the obstinate Aurelio De Laurentis to sell Koulibaly. Although he lacks Koulibaly’s athleticism, De Vrij is a complete defender who should go onto become one of the best center backs, in the bastion of defending that is Serie A.
Proof of this is De Vrij's performances in his first two games this season, in spite of suffering a devasting knee that caused him to miss the 15/16 season. The Dutchman has not missed a beat this season, keeping a clean sheet in his first game and effectively nullifying rising Juventus star Paulo Dybala in the second.
Chelsea will certainly rue missing out on De Vrij, whose value will continue to escalate, and he will almost certainly move onto bigger things.
#3 Carlos Bacca to West Ham
Things appear to be on the up for West Ham after moving into London’s Olympic Stadium this year.
They had a strong 2015-16 season, in which they narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot, in the process unearthed a charismatic manager in Bilic and a genuine superstar in Dimitri Payet. The missing piece in their team was a quality striker and it seemed like AC Milan’s Bacca was their man.
The move didn’t materialise, though, as he rejected the move in the hopes of returning to Spain, which ultimately failed.
Desperate for a striker, the Hammers settled on the Columbian international and also had a bid accepted by AC Milan.
Bacca is coming off a tremendous three year stretch, in which he fired Sevilla to consecutive Europa League titles and racked up 20 goals in an average Milan side. The 29-year old would’ve certainly had the pedigree to fire the East Londoners into a Champions League spot.
Meanwhile the Hammers have gone on to sign Italian Simone Zaza. Despite being a hardworker on the pitch, Zaza is certainly no Bacca, and is not a proven goalscorer
#2 Lacazette to Arsenal
Last season, the consensus about Arsenal was that they were a center half and a striker away from winning the league. While they look to have landed the center back they needed in German international Shkodran Mustafi, the jury is certainly out on the striker.
Having balked at the price quoted for many of their first choice targets, they opted go for Lucas Perez, who is coming off only one impressive season.
For the longest time, it certainly looked like Lacazette was their man. They were heavily linked with the Lyon striker, who has been on fire for the last three seasons. His signing with Arsenal appeared to be a foregone conclusion until the Gunners were quoted a price in the region of €70 Million by Jean-Michel Aulas.
While this fee appears to approach the realm of the ludicrous, Lacazette has continued to fire on all cylinders racking up six goals in three games this season. Should the Gunners fail to win the league this season, the grumblings around North London about Lacazette will be deafening.
#1 Julian Draxler to Arsenal/PSG
The 23-year-old German international ensured that he kept his name in the spotlightt, with a good outing at the Euros, and a particularly impressive campaign with Wolfsburg in the Champions League.
Draxler even appeared to be keen on a move this season, expressing his dissatisfaction with Wolfsburg and desire to move, directly to the media.
Blessed with quick feet and a good eye for a pass, the two-footed German is capable of playing out wide as well as in the No. 10 position. He would’ve been a great addition to both PSG and Arsenal, who were both interested in him.
At Arsenal, he would’ve formed a deadly trident with Ozil and Sanchez and would’ve certainly made them one of the biggest box office attractions in the league for the coming seasons.
