Ten of the signings with the best value for money so far in this market | transfer window

Paulo Dybala (Juventus to Rome, free)

With so many big-name players out of contract, this has been a summer packed with heavyweight free transfers. Juventus have done their part, bringing back Paul Pogba and also recruiting Ángel Di María to sprinkle stardust on an underperforming team. Dybala, meanwhile, saw his time at Juve end sourly. Having been linked with Inter and various Premier League clubs, the striker signed for Roma. He has accepted a reduced salary augmented by bonuses and ingratiated himself with fans by refusing to wear Francesco Totti’s old No. 10 jersey. After a promising first season under José Mourinho, Roma are banking on the 28-year-old Argentine and return them to Italy’s elite. Next summer they will have to renegotiate his contract or lose him due to a termination clause of 20 million euros. This is not a risk-free move for either side, but a player who struggled to play second fiddle at Juve has the potential to shine as the main attraction in Rome.

Armel Bella-Kotchap (Bochum to Southampton, £8.4m)

Southampton have stayed afloat in the Premier League thanks to a transfer policy that targets promising players at affordable prices. This summer, they have already spent £40m on four emerging talents under the age of 21. Roméo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu (both signed by Manchester City) and Bordeaux striker Sékou Mara have great potential, but it is Bella-Kotchap who stands out. . After developing in Germany’s lower leagues, the centre-back made his breakthrough in Bochum’s promotion-winning season. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s pressing system is based on aggressive defense and the 20-year-old Bella-Kotchap should fit right in. In the last season of the Bundesliga, he was among the best in terms of interceptions and aerial duels won. Southampton conceded 67 league goals last season, a figure that badly needs improvement. It will take time to settle in, but Bella-Kotchap can provide an affordable answer.

Adam Hlozek (Sparta Prague to Bayer Leverkusen, £11.1m)

Regarded in the Czech Republic as the most promising local talent since Tomas Rosicky, this strong and skilled centre-forward has been on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs since making his senior debut for Sparta Prague at the age of 16. . Hlozek turns 20 on July 25 and a new chapter in his career is about to begin, having made 131 appearances for his first club and breaking into the national team. More comfortable playing as a second striker, Hlozek created almost as many goals as he scored for Sparta. Having moved quickly to sign him relatively cheaply, Leverkusen are hoping to link up effectively with compatriot Patrik Schick.

Marc Roca (Bayern to Leeds, £10m)

Following their dramatic escape from relegation, Leeds are experiencing a turbulent summer. Jesse Marsch has leaned on his links with Red Bull to recruit three players, while Feyenoord winger Luis Sinisterra has taken it upon himself to replace Raphinha. Kalvin Phillips has also moved on and Marsch has moved quickly to recruit a new midfielder. Having failed to break through at Bayern, the left-footed Roca is expected to be placed alongside Leipzig’s Tyler Adams. Roca played a key role in Spain’s U21 Euros victory in 2019, alongside the likes of Pablo Fornals and Dani Olmo. Having seen some new recruits struggle with injuries and the pace of the Premier League, Leeds agreed to an initial fee of £10m, with additional fees based on appearances. It seems like a very good price for a player who will bring quality and composure to Marsch’s midfield.

Mario Gila (Real Madrid to Lazio, £5.2m)

In his first season at Lazio, head coach Maurizio Sarri led his team to fifth place while introducing his trademark high-tempo tactics to a team that had been more reactive under Simone Inzaghi. This summer, Lazio has focused on restructuring its defense, with the arrival of three new central defenders already. Gila has joined Verona’s Nicolò Casale and Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli in signing, with the former Espanyol academy player looking an ideal fit for Sarri’s pressing system. Quick, decisive and comfortable playing from behind, Gila, 22 in August, has found his chances with the first team in Madrid limited, but he made his La Liga debut under Carlo Ancelotti last season. Having initially planned a loan move, Lazio decided to buy Gila outright and could play a bigger role than expected this season.

Corentin Tolisso (Bayern to Lyon, free)

After finishing eighth in Ligue 1 last season, Lyon are looking up after an acquisition and several eye-catching signings this summer. Experienced left-back Nicolás Tagliafico has signed for just €4m, while Alexandre Lacazette and Tolisso, who left in 2017 for a combined £85m, have returned for free. While local hero Lacazette will provide an immediate boost up front, he is now 31 and has shown signs of slowing down. As for Tolisso, the midfielder did not live up to the lofty expectations at Bayern Munich, as a serious injury halted the progress of his record signing, but he still played his part in winning 14 major trophies. in Germany. With Bayern hesitating over a new contract, the 27-year-old seized the opportunity to return home and play more regularly, in a move with few disadvantages for Lyon.

Alessandro Sorrentino (Pescara to Monza, £850,000)

Monza, debutant in the top flight, is not in Serie A to make up for the numbers. Backed by Silvio Berlusconi, the club has embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive. They are among the biggest spenders in Serie A so far this summer, with Italian midfielders Matteo Pessina and Stefano Sensi on loan and a move for Mauro Icardi reportedly in the works. Among these top moves, the €1m move for Sorrentino is intriguing. The 20-year-old goalkeeper made his breakthrough into Italy’s regional third tier, with performances good enough to earn an invitation to Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini’s training camp. With experienced goalkeeper Alessio Cragno arriving on loan from Cagliari, rising star Sorrentino may be loaned out this season, but he could become a future star for this rising team.

Sam Johnstone (West Brom to Crystal Palace, free)

Last season, Patrick Vieira was able to reinvigorate the Crystal Palace squad with a series of astute signings. Under the Frenchman, Palace have focused on young local talent eager for top-level regular football. However, the club are also prepared to change course if the opportunity arises, as they did when Johnstone failed to agree a new contract at West Brom. Palace had not planned to sign a goalkeeper and, at 29, is older than most recent signings. Johnstone, a three-time England international, arrives in a World Cup year and will be desperate to dislodge Vicente Guaita, now 35 and prone to muscle problems. If he can get the best form out of him, Palace may have found a new long-term No. 1.

Salih Özcan (Köln to Dortmund, £4.3m)

At just 24 years old, Özcan has accumulated a lot of experience in his career so far. After giving up a promising career as a wrestler to focus on football, he has become a star for his hometown club and was named Germany’s best young player in 2019. Özcan then endured relegation and a loan spell before helping Köln return to the Bundesliga. After winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship with Germany in 2021, the left-footed midfielder switched allegiances to Turkey, prompting comparisons to Dortmund legend Nuri Sahin. BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl sees Özcan as a player “who goes where it hurts and does everything without compromise.” With the departure of Axel Witsel, Özcan can add the necessary value in midfield.

Fábio Carvalho (Fulham to Liverpool, £5m)

After his transfer to Anfield was broken in January, Fábio Carvalho returned to Fulham with his contract expired. That meant that on July 1, he would have been free to move abroad or join another English club at a fee set by a court. To avoid taking that risk, Liverpool offered Fulham a deal in April: £5m up front plus £2.7m in add-ons, plus 20% of any future sales. It may seem excessive for a player with weeks left on his contract, but any court may have valued Carvalho more after he played a prominent role in the Cottagers’ promotion campaign. Securing a rising English star for just £5m may prove to be an inspired decision, and Jürgen Klopp’s track record suggests he will have first-team opportunities.