Best Premier League transfers so far this summer

Andy Carroll – Liverpool to West Ham - £15 million

Once Carroll became the most expensive British flop at Liverpool after a £35 million move, any transfer fee paid for him was destined to be too much. And £15 million is a lot – no denying the fact, especially with just 7 goals under his belt last season that he spent at West Ham on loan.

But with the kind of football he plays – the target man who can jump and win headers, hold the ball and release his team-mates, playing alone upfront, a set piece focal point – the £15 million represents more than just goals he will score. The perfect fit to West Ham’s style of play, perfect partner for Kevin Nolan and a big target for West Ham’s previous record transfer signing – Matt Jarvis’s crosses – all this while being capable of bailing his team out of trouble by winning crucial headers in defensive set pieces.

Although £15 million still sounds a lot, if Carroll can translate that into helping West Ham avoid the ‘second season syndrome’ and in process achieve a double figure of goals, come end of the season this one could well be the defining transfer of the season, outside the top 6 clubs. Expensive but a much needed buy for West Ham.