5 best deadline day signings in the Premier League

Deadline day signings are often seen as a move of panic. While clubs have at their disposal a few months to scout and sign players, the frantic rush on the last day of the transfer window reeks of desperation and a need to fill gaps in a squad.However, many Premier League clubs have seen their most successful signings come in on deadline day, with this list discussing the top 5 that Premier League clubs have made in recent times.

#5 Carlos Tevez (Corinthians to West Ham United - undisclosed)

Carlos Tevez was instrumental in West Ham’s fight to save themselves from relegation

After having impressed for Argentina at the 2006 World Cup, Carlos Tevez found himself on the radar of many of Europe’s heavyweights.

But instead, he ended up rather strangely at West Ham United on deadline day of August 2006.

He might have moved to Manchester United only a year into his stint at Upton Park, but the Argentine striker single-handedly dragged West Ham out of a long relegation dogfight, scoring eight goals in the club’s last 10 games of the season.

His last goal for West Ham? A winner on the final matchday against the Red Devils to keep the club’s head above the water.

#4 Marouane Fellaini (Standard Liege to Everton - 15 million)

Marouane Fellaini joined Everton for a £15 million fee

While it would not be hard to find Fellaini on a list of the worst deadline day signings made in recent times, the Belgian proved great value for Everton before his ill-fated move to Manchester United.

Not many English fans would have confessed to have heard of Marouane Fellaini before David Moyes spent £15 million for his services, but the midfielder quickly came into the spotlight in England for his big transfer outlay and even bigger hair.

Signed as a central midfielder, Fellaini didn’t have the greatest of starts at Goodison Park, but later thrived in a more attacking role, helping the Merseyside club consistently challenge the big spenders of English football despite a constricting budget.

The Toffees made a nice profit on him as well, with the Belgian costing United around £27 million in the summer of 2013.

#3 Ashley Cole (Arsenal to Chelsea - 5 million + William Gallas)

Ashley Cole left Arsenal to join city rivals Chelsea

After his public tirade against Arsenal following their failure to match his wage demands, Ashley Cole joined Jose Mourinho’s first Chelsea project in 2006, making a move on deadline day for a mere £5 million, with centre-back William Gallas going the other way.

Though the left-back did on occasion fall into hot water for disciplinary reasons, Cole became increasing influential in the Chelsea setup with every passing year. He formed the backbone of the team alongside Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

By the time he left the club for AS Roma earlier this summer, Cole had accumulated over 300 appearances for the Blues, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the Europa League.

#2 Luis Suarez (Ajax to Liverpool - 22.8 million)

Luis Suarez was signed to replace Fernando Torres in 2011

For about a few hours, Luis Suarez became Liverpool’s record signing when he moved from Dutch club Ajax, with Kenny Dalglish replacing the outgoing Fernando Torres with the Uruguay international. Only a few hours later did they sign Andy Carroll as well, for a much larger £35 million fee.

While constant disciplinary problems ensued during the striker’s time at Anfield, Suarez didn’t let those issues affect his on-field prowess, scoring 82 goals in his three-and-a-half seasons with the Merseyside club, including 31 in 37 games last term.

Moving to Barcelona earlier in the summer for a fee of £75 million ensured that Liverpool earned well over three times what they paid for the forward in 2011.

Suarez also helped the club return to the Champions League after a long hiatus via his European Golden Shoe winning performances in the 2013-14 season.

#1 Wayne Rooney (Everton to Manchester United - 20 million)

Wayne Rooney was signed by Manchester United in 2004

Exactly 10 years ago, Manchester United were seen as taking a risk with their signing of Wayne Rooney, having stumped £20 million for an 18-year old who many thought was not worth the transfer outlay despite the obvious talent.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson, known to have unearthed gems through his time at Old Trafford, said at the time about the striker, “I am very excited. I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years.”

Rooney made an instant impact at Old Trafford, scoring a hat-trick on his debut against Fenerbahce, and has not looked back thereafter, with over 200 goals for the club to his name, as well as the captain’s armband in the Red Devils’ current setup.

With a deal already in place to keep him at the club till he is 33, the English striker is sure to become one of the most decorated players in the club’s rich history, as well as their best piece of business on deadline day.

Notable mentions: Patrice Evra (AS Monaco to Manchester United), Andrey Arshavin (Zenit St. Petersburg to Arsenal), Asmir Begovic (Portsmouth to Stoke City), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur to Portsmouth).