Che Adams, Southampton
A young talent that shone at Birmingham in the Championship last season, manager Ralph Hassenhüttle (which translates as Ralph Rabbithutch if cult podcast Top Flight Time Machine can be believed) has splashed out a reported Dhs68.7m (£15m) on the 22-year-old who scored 22 times last time out. You never know, if he does well, Adams could end up at Liverpool in a couple of years.
Ravel Morrison, Sheffield United
A familiar name to some, could this be the year that the much-travelled former Manchester United and England U21 youngster comes good? Blades boss Chris Wilder will be hoping so after signing him on a free. As a teenager, Morrison was more highly thought of than Paul Pogba, but instead of moving to Juventus before returning to Old Trafford for a world-record fee, the attacking midfielder has been on a tour of clubs that has taken in Cardiff City, Lazio, Atlas in Mexico and Österunds in Sweden before getting another shot in England.
Rodri, Manchester City
The biggest money move at the time of writing, the Spaniard (no, he’s not Welsh) cost the champions a massive Dhs284m (£62m). A defensive midfielder from Atlético Madrid, the 23-year-old hopes working with Guardiola could help him become the next Sergio Busquets. The former Spanish international is one of the most unlikeable figures in European football, but he knew how to do his job perfectly. If Rodri (who will have Rodrigo on his shirt) gets anywhere close, he’ll be a very good indeed.
Sébastian Haller, West Ham United
Another year, another smashed transfer record for the Hammers, and another striker most people will never have heard of. Will Haller succeed where Savio Nsereko, Simone Zaza and Modibo Maiga failed? Probably. The Frenchman grabbed 20 goals in Germany last year and even though he cost an eye-watering Dhs206m (£45m), his pedigree for Eintracht Frankfurt and, before that, FC Utrecht, suggest he can make a difference for West Ham this year.
Wesley Moraes, Aston Villa
The Brazilian was named the best young player in the Belgian league last year, so if that’s not enough to warrant Villa splashing Dhs100.7m (£22m) on the 22-year-old, we don’t know what is. He scored 17 goals for Club Brugge along the way, but this transfer is more about his potential than bringing in the finished article. He hasn’t had a taste of international football yet, but if he plays well for Dean Smith’s side this season, that could all change.
