Best
1. Michu- £2 million- Rayo Vallecano to Swansea
After single-handedly saving Vallecano from the drop last season with 15 goals from midfield, Michu was the top-scoring midfielder in La Liga last season, and has been in blistering form since his move to England, scoring 12 goals for Swansea in 15 games, making him the top scorer in the division. Already attracting attention from Liverpool, the Spaniard may well have some decisions to make in January, but are the Reds really that much of a step-up from Swansea anymore? The Welsh side will hope to detract interest and would be looking to at least quadruple their investment if a deal is to be agreed, with a fee of around £8 million seeming likely for the 26-year old.
2. Robin Van Persie- £24 million- Arsenal to Manchester United
Since his controversial switch from Arsenal in the summer, RVP has taken like a duck to water at his new club, chipping in with an impressive 11 goals from 16 games, including the winner in stoppage time of the Manchester derby. £24 million is a small price to pay to have a player as complete as Van Persie in his best years, and Sir Alex's judgment appears to have been correct once again. If United can keep him firing, they are shoe-ins for the title.
3. Santi Cazorla- £16 million- Malaga to Arsenal
One of the few positives from Arsenal's worst start to a season under Arsene Wenger has been the introduction of diminutive Spaniard Santi Cazorla. The playmaker has scored four times for the Gunners since his move from Malaga, and chipped in with three assists. His long-range shooting and dribbling ability have scared the life out of defences this season, and he could well go on to become an Arsenal legend.
4. Romelu Lukaku- Loan- Chelsea to West Brom
The big man was signed for a big fee by Chelsea in January 2011, signing for a fee of £18 million from Belgian side Anderlecht at the age of 18. After having limited opportunities in the first team at Stamford Bridge, former Blues assistant manager Steve Clarke bought him to West Brom on a season-long loan. West Brom's impressive form this season has been majorly contributed to by Lukaku, who's pace and strength have proved to be menacing. Chelsea may well be regretting allowing him to leave the club; they could do with a striker.
5. Claudio Yacob- Free- Racing Club de Avellaneda to West Brom
Argentine international Claudio Yacob joined Steve Clarke's side on a free transfer and has been a revelation in the defensive-midfielder role for the Baggies. Yacob has the highest tackle success rate in the Premier League and has been compared to compatriot Javier Mascherano by his teammates. The 25 year-old has reportedly been scouted by Sir Alex Ferguson, who looks set to make a move to take him to Old Trafford in January, though Albion certainly won't let him leave on the cheap.
Worst
1. Joe Allen- £15 million- Swansea to Liverpool
Welsh international Allen joined Liverpool for the huge sum of £15 million as former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers looked to bring in players that fit into his total football approach. Allen has been a huge disappointment so far though, struggling to make an impact in his 14 appearances this season. The press have been highly critical of Allen, but Rodgers protested the claims that he overpaid, saying “You’ll be calling him the bargain of the season in a few months” Seems unlikely, Brendan.
2. Fabio Borini- £10.5 million- Roma to Liverpool
Rodgers signed another of his former Swansea players in ex-Chelsea striker Fabio Borini for the princely sum of £10.5 million. He's been injured for the past month, but in the appearances he did make it was clear that something wasn't clicking, as the Italian failed to hit the target. The fee paid seems highly excessive for a player with a pretty unimpressive record, and I think Borini will join Robbie Keane and Andy Carroll on the ever-growing Liverpool striker scrapheap.
3. Javi Garcia- £16 million- Benfica to Man City
The former Real Madrid midfielder joined City in the summer with a decent reputation, but has so far left City fans puzzled as to what his purpose actually is. Of course, £16 million is mere pocket money to Man City these days, but Garcia has been incredibly unconvincing, so much so that Gareth Barry has been chosen ahead of him. The Sheikh may as well have spent the money on a chocolate teapot factory, made from chocolate.
4. Jay Rodriguez- £7 million- Burnley to Southampton
This signing raised a few eyebrows when newly-promoted Southampton took a punt on Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez. With a record of 31 goals in 105 Championship appearances, it seemed a strange move from Saints boss Nigel Adkins, and Rodriguez has shown nothing to suggest that this expensive transfer will pay off for them. The money would have been far better invested in a couple of defenders; Southampton spent £20 million on strikers and just £3 million on defenders in the summer- they have conceded 32 goals this season, the most in the division.
5. Emmanuel Adebayor- £5 million (+ huge wages)- Man City to Spurs
Adebayor is a talented player, but he is very much of the Dimitar Berbatov frame of mind- "if things aren't going my way, I'm just going to sulk and do nothing" And things haven't been going his way this season, scoring just one goal and seeing red early on to cost Spurs victory against his old side and fierce rivals Arsenal. With Adebayor and Defoe the only recognised strikers on their books, Spurs will definitely be bringing in one or two in the Summer.
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