Manchester United are getting closer to embarking on the new Premier League campaign. The team is six days away from their opening match of the season and the transfer window is also getting closer to an end. However, thus far we have been mostly talking and writing about Man United’s transfer business. But how did the Devils’ rivals fare this summer, in these new circumstances?
Manchester United will play three matches during August. First of them will be at home to Leicester City, on 10 August. After that, Jose Mourinho and the players will have nine days before they travel to Brighton. And after that, on 27 August, Tottenham Hotspur will visit Old Trafford.
Leicester City
Leicester City really have troubles keeping their players to Manchester clubs. Of course that the main talking point here is Harry Maguire who was wanted by Man United for the entirety of the summer. However, it was Riyad Mahrez who actually left. The Algerian joined Manchester City in a deal worth 61 million pounds. Ahmed Musa also left the club, joining Al-Nassr from Saudi Arabia. But Leicester also invested money.
They brought in James Maddison from Norwich, who had a great season in Championship. He was paid around 22 million pounds and his creative output in the Championship made sure that a bigger club noticed him. Ricardo Pereira joined from Porto for almost 20 million pounds and should be a big improvement in the right-back position. Danny Ward came in from Liverpool, in case Kasper Schmeichel is to leave, while Jonny Evans joined from West Brom. He will make a debut for Leicester back at Old Trafford.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton did well in their first season in Premier League and during summer they also got some new interesting players. Alireza Jahanbakhsh is their record club signing, arriving from AZ Alkmaar after scoring 21 and assisting 12 goals in Eredivisie last season. He also played well for Iran at the World Cup. Yves Bissouma joined for around 15 million pounds from Lille, while left-back Leonardo joined from Leipzig. Also, Florin Andone should be their new attacking option, after coming from Deportivo La Coruna. David Button joined from Fulham.
On the other hand, they did let go several players on free transfer, including Tim Krul, while the four players left for a certain fee. However, Goldson and Murphy joined Rangers, while Sam Baldock went to Reading. Therefore, their core of the last season’s team is still at the club, while adding new acquisitions.
Tottenham Hotspur
It is really hard to talk about Tottenham when this summer they did nothing. Literally nothing. No new players in, no players out. The only thing that changed compared to last season is that Vincent Janssen’s loan deal at Fenerbahce has ended. Therefore, the Dutch striker is back in London, but other deals still have not happened. Several reports this weekend claim that Manchester United are ready to finally sign Toby Alderweireld, but so far nothing official has been confirmed. As things stand, the same Tottenham Hotspur will play this season of Premier League football.
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