Many thanks to my colleague David Nugent, who has covered Transfer Deadline Day for SoccerNews.com. On that note, let’s take a look at the winners and losers of the most active day of the summer transfer window.
Winners
Sunderland: Although Sunderland only secured one signing on the day, they should be considered big winners after securing Nicklas Bendtner on loan from Arsenal. The Danish international gives Steve Bruce a talented front-man who can score goals, and great ones on occasion. He certainly has the ability to make Sunderland a force to be reckoned with in 2011-12.
Queens Park Rangers: QPR were arguably the top winners on Transfer Deadline Day. During the last 48 hours of this summer’s transfer window QPR have added four players to their rotation, two of which penned deals yesterday. Rangers snagged defender Anton Ferdinand from Sunderland for a fee of £4 million and Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City. SWP will surely be a bright attacking option at Loftus Road. Great signings for the Premier League newcomers.
West Ham United: West Ham may have lost midfielder Scott Parker to Tottenham Hotspur, but they were able to replace their star immediately after getting two loan deals done before the deadline. David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur) and Henri Lansbury (Arsenal) are set to join the Hammers on their quest for immediate promotion back into the English Premier League.
Arsenal: Yes, Arsenal. Wenger waited until the last minute, almost literally, but he was finally able to strengthen the Gunners squad. The Gunners signings include the likes of Mikel Arteta (Everton), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce SK), and Per Mertesacker (VFL Wolfsburg). Arteta gives Arsenal a viable attacking midfielder that can replace the hole left by Cesc Fabregas and/or Samir Nasri. Santos is set to replace Gael Clichy at left-back who is now a Manchester City player. Finally, Mertesacker gives the Gunners a steady central defender that can play alongside Thomas Vermaelen.
Losers
Manchester City: It’s tough to name any losers at the moment, but Manchester City may just be one of them. Why on earth would City be interested in signing Owen Hargreaves? It simply doesn’t make any sense. Maybe Mancini is taking a shot at Sir Alex for refusing to let Hargreaves to play for free? Who knows. Only thing you can say is that Mancini should know better than to mess with Sir Alex.
Blackburn Rovers: Claiming that Blackburn have looked awful in their first three games of the Premier League would be an understatement. Steve Kean may disagree, but let’s be real. They have trouble scoring and defending. Not the ideal recipe for success. Although the club added Scott Dann and Yakubu, they still face an uphill climb to avoid relegation in 2011-12.
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