Every transfer is a gambling to a certain extent. In fact, there is little way to tell whether arrival is thriving or failing.
There have been many examples of both over the years. Some big names add a lot of exaggerated and exciting performance to the Premier League – not to mention the high-priced label – and then, once they step onto the court, they are disappointed, while some arrive largely under the radar but then continue to be their own right.
Risk is actually the name of the game. Essentially, it boils down to a decision that has the potential to pay off in a spectacular way or quickly gets into an awkward situation.
It may be fair to say that some signs are more risky than others. This can indeed do five.
Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG to Manchester City
If it weren’t for the long-awaited Liverpool relocation by Alexander Isak, it’s likely the title signature of the deadline.
At least on paper, the Champions League goalkeeper joins another European football powerhouse, which seems to be a very normal business. However, despite Donnarumma’s several times proving that he wasn’t always comfortable with his feet, the towering Italian was strange to Guardiola’s spirit, which relied heavily on the smoothness of the goalkeeper.
That is to say, few world football players have the ability to shoot at a 26-year-old. The £26 million fee may also prove to be a steal. Only time will prove it.
Nick Woltemade – Stuttgart to Newcastle United
Even for a player nicknamed “Two Messi” and a 23-year-old boy with no Champions League experience, only two senior international caps may be considered risky.
However, Nick Woltemade’s goal return is still impressive. Last season, he scored 17 goals in all competitions as Stuttgart canceled DFB Pokal, their first major trophy in nearly two decades and reached the final in Germany, with the highest scorer in the European Under21 title, they lost to England.
Many will inevitably measure the man he replaced with Newcastle, so the highly regarded young forward’s shoulders are already under a lot of pressure.
Benjamin Sesko – RB Leipzig to Manchester United
If the £73.3 million Slovenian takes over the campaign on Manchester United’s ground, that could have a direct impact on the future of manager Ruben Amorim.
Amorim faced another tough spell on the popular seats in Old Trafford during the campaign, which had a poor start, including a failure in the EFL Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town, the second league.
So, in short, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko is a gamble. Of course he has a genealogy. 27 goals in 64 Bundesliga games (the speed of every three games is better than one goal). But a 22-year-old is by no means a completed article and may take some time to adjust.
By then, it might have been too late for those who brought him to the club.
Viktor Gyokerers – Sports to Arsenal in Lisbon
Unlike the others on this list, the Gunners’ new £64m signing already has experience in England. Viktor Gyokeres reached a deal with Brighton in 2018, but spent most of the time borrowing, before moving to Coventry for permanent use in 2021.
Likewise, his statistics speak for himself, scoring 97 goals for Portugal’s Powerhouses Sporting in 102 games, including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League last season.
But a big summer acquisition by Mikel Arteta will have a job trying to replicate that reward in England’s top flight. And criticized them in recent seasons for not attracting a shooter who eliminated the shooter, so Gyokeres’ goal (or lack of it) may have a direct correlation with the severity of the title hopes of North Londoners.
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool
It is reasonable to think that any signing of over £100 million is a huge gamble. But for players who don’t have any previous Premier League experience, perhaps even more so.
That’s the case with Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, who won the title of Liverpool’s most expensive player of all time, ERM 10 weeks for £116 million.
ISAK arrives for £125 million and will likely take some heat from Wirtz to get an immediate high price, but the Germans will still be seen as one of the Arne Slot’s most creative sparks.
Although he hasn’t achieved any goals or assists in his first few league games, Wilz has already seen his talent and would be a force to be reckoned with if he can achieve his unquestionable potential.
